County and courts closed today; City of Eureka open for business

 

The post office, the City of Eureka, banks and everyone else is open for business today. The County and Courthouse employees have an extra day off this week in addition to President's Day on Monday.

The jury panel in the Widmark case is one of the best and most forthcoming I have seen in a while

 

Jury selection on 2/10 and 2/11 resulted in a jury panel being selected and by 2/11 in the afternoon, alternate jurors were being questioned by Deputy District Attorney Roger Rees, Ms. Andrea Sullivan and Ms. Rebecca Linkous. There was finally room for me to sit in and listen to questions by the attorneys and answers by potential jurors. Judge Steven Steward is presiding over the trial.

I was impressed with all the attorneys and the insightful questions asked in such a high profile case. This has to be one of the best jury panels I have seen in a while with very honest and forthcoming responses from jurors.

Courts are closed on 2/12. The Widmark brothers dressed in slacks and dress shirts sat silently beside their attorneys in court. Jury selection concluded. 

People made an offer to resolve the case. Defense from both Brandon and Jesse Widmark responded. As you can see from my post above, jury selection continued.

Right before deliberations, defense loses motion for 6 counts in convicted molestor's retrial but Count 8 dismissed in Steve Boudreaux's case

 

On 2/10, after Judge April Van Dyke gave instructions, jurors in convicted molestor Steve Boudreaux's retrial heard closing arguments from Deputy District Attorney Whitney Timm and Deputy Public Defender Casey Russo.

Outside the presence of the jury, Ms. Timm again made a record that Judge Van Dyke has been unfair to the People. Mr. Russo responded. Judge Van Dyke responded. 

In the post before this, I reported that Judge Van Dyke granted the defense motion to dismiss Count 8. Judge Van Dyke denied the defense PC 1118.1 motion for Counts 1 to 5 and 7. PC 1118.1   motion can be for judgment of acquittal or a new trial. 

On 2/11, defense request for mistrial denied. Jurors started deliberating at 9:43 a.m. They asked for readback. On 2/12, courts are closed.

Former Humboldt Deputy DA and former CA Governor Davis were just two of the attendees at a World Affairs event held at an exclusive estate in Beverly Hills

 

(Photo courtesy Allan Dollison)

Former Humboldt Deputy District Attorney, Retired Colonel and LA attorney Allan Dollison with former California Governor Gray Davis at the Los Angeles World Affairs Council-Consul Officer’s Reception. It was held at an exclusive estate in Beverly Hills on February 6. 

“I was honored to meet the former Governor of CA at the historic Harold Lloyd estate in Beverly Hills, " Mr. Dollison told me. "The reception, sponsored by the LA World Affairs Council, was to honor Consul’s General from the many countries who maintain Consular offices here in Los Angeles. The discussion was vibrant and informed.”

San Francisco judge rules in favor of ACLU; State of California cannot store DNA of people arrested for felony but never convicted

 

"When someone gets arrested for a felony, they have no choice: They must provide a sample of their DNA to the State of California. But when they’re not convicted, the State still indefinitely hangs onto their DNA, storing it in a massive database to use in future investigations."

"Sure, you have the right to file a petition to have your DNA expunged. But most people don’t know that. And Black and Brown people are the ones most harmed because they are disproportionately arrested."

"We sued to stop this blatant violation of the right to privacy, and a San Francisco Superior Court judge agreed with us. He has given the State 90 days to come up with a plan to automatically destroy the DNA of people who are eligible."

HCSO arrests two for murder yesterday

 

Wesley Lavern Evans was arrested by HCSO last night at 11:22 p.m..for PC 187(a) murder. Samuel Terry Ashley was arrested at 2:21 p.m. by HCSO on a Ramey warrant for murder. 

Evans is on a no bail hold and has a warrant out of Butte County. Ashley also has a warrant out of Butte County.

I have contacted HCSO PIO Meghan Ruiz and and asked if these arrests are related to the assistance HCSO provided yesterday to out of county law enforcement.

She responded, "For the purpose of protecting the investigation (which we are not the lead on), we are not answering any questions regarding the assistance provided to the out-of-county agency at this time. We will (or the other county will) release information when it’s safe and available. Thank you for your understanding."

I have covered a Wesley Evans before in 2019 with 47 cases in the local court system and I checked e court and it is the same Evans. 

We Are Up integrated housing community provides update on project

 

(Image provided by We Are Up)

(Photo provided by We Are Up)

We are Up founder Mary Keehn,  who many know from Cypress Grove Cheese issued an update on their project.

"We are Up is a 501c3 non-profit organization with a mission to create a supportive community with housing and opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities and seniors." 

"The administration cannot choose which law it will follow or ignore. These are not partisan or political issues. These are rule of law and process issues. We cannot afford to remain silent. We must stand up for the values we hold dear. The ABA will do its part and act to protect the rule of law."

 

The American Bar Association issued a statement on President Trump's executive order on birthright citizenship, "the dismantling of USAID" and other actions since the inauguration of President Trump.

HCSO assisted out of county law enforcement in apprehending two suspects

 

Will add press release or more information when available.

Judge orders Trump Administration to restore all frozen federal funding

From page 2 and 3:

"Persons who make private determinations of the law and refuse to obey an order generally risk criminal contempt even if the order is ultimately ruled incorrect.  The orderly and expeditious administration of justice by the courts requires that an order issued by a court with jurisdiction over the subject matter and person must be obeyed by the parties until it is reversed by orderly and proper proceedings. "

California Attorney General Rob Bonta just issued the following statement in response to "a decision by the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island to enforce the court’s prior order preventing the Trump Administration from implementing its freeze of up to $3 trillion in federal funding. "

Former Royal Inn maintenance worker settled a lawsuit against Royal Inn; now he is challenging a lien filed by his former attorney Michael Acosta claiming it is improper, that he had no written contract with Acosta who abandoned him during the case

 

I have been reporting on a lawsuit filed by Noah Sidoff against SNPM Hotels LLC (Royal Inn). Sidoff has been pro per, former local attorney Michael Acosta has represented him and currently Mr. Patrik Griego is his attorney.

UC Davis expert testifies for the People in convicted molestor Steve Boudreaux's jury trial

 

On 2/5/25, the jury of 7 men and five women as well as the two men and one woman who are alternate jurors listened to People's expert Dr. Anthony Urquiza testify in convicted molestor Steve Boudreaux's retrial.

I have seen Dr. Urquiza who is from UC Davis testify at several molestation and sexual abuse jury trials in Humboldt Support about Child Abuse Accomodation Syndrome and barriers to disclosure.

Judge Steward told Black he will not be released unless there is a plan for him to be transported directly for treatment or he will reject the plea

 

Michael Black was scheduled to be sentenced on 2/6/25. He has several open cases from 2024. Dates have been continued and rescheduled several times. I have covered Black since 2019 and with detailed posts. Sentencing was continued to 2/10. 

Father of one of the John Does raped by Darrius Upshaw does deserve answers from CSU and Chi Phi

 

(Upshaw)

I extensively covered convicted rapist Darrius Upshaw's case and jury trial as well as the civil case regularly. In my coverage, as it is practice, I referred to the victims as John Doe's. In September 2021, Judge Kelly Neel sentenced former HSU student, Chi Phi fraternity member and Upshaw to 10 years in prison in his Humboldt case. Upshaw has to register as a sex offender.

No other media covered it as I did and only I covered the civil case. The civil case settled and was dismissed in November 24. In the civil case, the plaintiff chose to use his name in court records.

https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2021/11/rapist-darrius-upshaw-chi-phi-and.html?m=1

There are too many posts on both the criminal and civil case to link.If you are an advertiser, subscriber or donor, email me and I will send you the links or a customized response. Others can search the blog for the posts. 

An email was sent today to me and some other media. CSU and Chi are free to issue and send a statement in response to Geoffrey Miller. The only thing I have not included in the text are some links provided by Geoffrey Miller which include my coverage of the case.

Has this lot cop relieved concerns of businesses and attorneys with offices near Eureka City Hall?

 

If you missed or forgot the 2022 coverage about Lot Cops in various locations in Eureka, this the latest lot cop and it is in the parking lot near Eureka City Hall . 

Thank you to Eureka City Manager Miles Slattery and Eureka Police Chief Brian Stephens for responding on Saturday. Mr. Slattery confirmed it is a "Lot Cop."

"It is a 'Lot Cop', surveillance trailer'", said Chief Stephens." "The city has 4 of them we use to address problematic areas of the city to curtail criminal activity. "

Based on some conversations with businesses and attorneys who have offices near Eureka City Hall in the past, I hope this has made a difference. I am sure I will get feedback in person or via email or text once this post is published.

Agenda item on next Board of Supervisors meeting to adjourn in memory of Joel Canzoneri

 

Many people, including me, have known Lora and Joel Canzoneri for decades. When you think of one of the most genuine, fun, loving couples who have dedicated their life to give back to Humboldt, you think of Joel and Lora.

This Facebook post is  a fitting tribute for Joel.

19 states including California have obtained a "temporary restraining order that immediately blocked Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) associates from accessing Americans’ personal and private information while the states’ litigation proceeds."

19 states including California have obtained a "temporary restraining order that immediately blocked Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) associates from accessing Americans’ personal and private information while the states’ litigation proceeds. "

While out on supervised release and waiting for diversion and plea on his case for sodomy with a minor, Sergio Madrone arrested again by EPD

(2024 booking photo)

Sergio Madrone was arrested by Eureka Police Department yesterday for PC 286( b)(1) sodomy with a minor and PC 415 (2) disturbing the peace. The jail log lists both charges for the 2025 arrest as new and they could be but sometimes the jail log can be inaccurate.