Umpqua bank in Henderson Center robbed again

EPD responding to Umpqua bank on Henderson and E for an alleged robbery.

Suspects, according to scanner, two white males, both in 30s, medium build, one wearing black hooded sweatshirt, faces covered, "firearm black in color".

Police searching for suspects.

Alleged home invasion in Salmon Creek; no sight of said suspects or vehicles

On Thursday, December 22, 2016 at approximately 11:30 p.m. Humboldt County Deputies responded to a residence on the 200 block of Pine Drive in Salmon Creek for a report of a home invasion that had just occurred.  Deputies met with a 69 year old female victim who stated she was awakened by two suspects entering her unlocked residence.  The suspects covered her head, tied her hands and demanded money.  The victim was unable to provide cash, at which point the suspects ransacked her residence, taking her cell phone, social security card, and passport.  The suspects then fled the area on foot in an unknown direction. 

Todd Gonsalves arrested for alleged stalking, violation of court order, mail theft and a slew of other charges

On Thursday, December 22, 2016 at about 10:30 a.m. the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office received a report of an unwanted subject outside a residence on the 4000 block of Cedar Street in Eureka.  Deputies have previously received numerous calls in regards to the subject stalking a female victim at various locations.  The subject, 43 year old Todd William Gonsalves, was observed on the 3000 block of Cedar Street by deputies.  Gonsalves fled from deputies on foot and a search ensued.  Deputies soon located Gonsalves hiding in some bushes on the 3000 block of Walnut Drive.  Gonsalves was arrested without incident.

"This incident should have been over at the traffic stop"; Chief Mills said Clayton Lasinski apologized for his behavior

"This incident should have been over at the traffic stop," said EPD Chief Andrew Mills. "If Clayton Lasinski had stopped for the CHP officer, none of this would have happened."

Chief Mills said in an interview Lasinski apologized for his behavior.

One passenger in Lasinski's car said that Lasinski fled because he thought he had a warrant; another passenger said that Lasinski thought that law enforcement was helping someone from Modesto, to whom he owed money for "pot."

Chief Mills said a lot of inaccurate information had been put out by various people. "Accurate information will come from here."

One of those inaccuracies was that people believed Lasinski fired at civilians and officers. "That didn't happen."

Lasinski was also under the impression that there was a warrant out for him from Henry County in Illinois for "trafficking cannabis" said Chief Mills. "That was not true."

"We are not saying anyone did anything wrong" but Chief Andy Mills says he does have some concerns

EPD Chief Andrew Mills said that he understands any officer involved shoiting "must be legally and morally justified."

"My job as police chief is to be objective and accountable to the City Manager and citizens."

"I want you to know I do have some concerns at what I have seen at this point."

"My concerns are several-fold," said Chief Mills. "Most important, the environment and context where some of these shots took place, what was going on in the officer's mind."

"Officers are trained to shoot until the threat is stopped."

Stating that not at this point of the investigation but later, a shooting review board will be involved.

Of the four officers in the EPD officer involved shooting on December 6, Officer Stephen Linfoot fired 16 shots in one ejected round.

Linfoot was first officer to shoot, Off Nantz five rounds, Officer Jansen fired all 20 rounds and Detective Harpham one round.

Total of 42 rounds fired at Lasinki's vehicle, metal fence. "Errant rounds were not fired," said Chief Mills. At one point, Detective Harpham chose to hold fire out of concern for civilians.

No one has reported to EPD that they were hit during this incident.

EPD launches a transparency portal website today with public having access to same information given to media

Eureka Police Department is holding a press conference right now to provide updates on the December 6 officer involved shooting.

Clayton Lasinski, who fled from law enforcent was arrested and arraigned on 12/15. Bail $860,000.

Four officers had been placed on administrative leaving while the investigation into this officer involved shooting is being conducted.

The officers involved in the shooting have not looked at the video.

Lasinski was shot at once by Officer Linfoot.

42 rounds, all 40 caliber rounds were fired; 27 strikes at "target car", with "two possible exit"; 14 strikes on another object such as a wall; three strikes unaccounted for; "one probably went down E street" from an officer account, said Chief Mills. 42 shell casings were recovered.

With the complete powerpoint from today being released to the public, Chief Mills wants the citizens to have direct access to the information.

Chief Mills started out by thanking EPD Detective John Gordon and Humboldt County DA Investigator Marvin Kirkpatrick for working around the clock.

"We are moving as fast as we can," said Chief Mills. "There are those that think this can be done in a snap; that information can flow like the Jordan River."

Chief Mills thanked the California Department of Justice, saying they are "an invaluable asset. There is some talk of moving the local lab," he said and hoped that would not happen." Information needs to be verified, accurate and accountable and that takes time.

Can you hear me now? No, I cannot Verizon

Verizon phone service was spotty last couple of days, has worsened since the evening.

Verizon is having issues since 12:50 a.m. oe 2:30 p.m.EST on December 21 but no reason given.

Tried reporting, finally got through. 48% reports are mobile phones not working.

Kent Sawatzky elaborates on the voicemail he left Supervisor Sundberg; suggests BOS put a moratorium on commercial cannabis ordinance for now

Kent Sawatzky

I did a post earlier today about a voicemail left by public watchdog Kent Sawatzky. He is a regular at the Board of Supervisor meetings as well as other government meetings.

Mr. Sawatzky told me that he does not email, "instead I leave a voicemail when people do not answer their phones."

He said he stands by his fatherly advice that "anyone who participates in; engages in or facilitates a federal criminal activity may fall under the purview of the federal government."

"I have left many messages for Supervisors over the years when I have been in the chambers. I do not recall leaving one for Supervisor Sundberg after the one he provided you."

"I consider myself to be a pacifist who uses his words to bring out the truth and make change. The fatherly advice is free"

Mr. Sawatzky said that the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors should put a moratorium "on a minimum of the commercial cannabis ordinance until the new federal administration makes it's policy known.

"I welcome an open discussion in the public forum."


Earlier post:

http://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2016/12/kent-sawatsky-leaves-threatening.html

Hannah Baker's family finally gets closure seeing David Lockhart cuffed and taken into custody

Today, the family and friends of Hannah Baker finally got some closure. The photograph was given to me by a family member

I wasn't able to make today's sentencing but I have covered this case and the only one to do, beyond the press release.

I received this message after court this morning.  "Missed ya in court they locked up David laockhart."

"thanks for being there I. The past and doing us right. I will hopefully not being seeing you again. Maybe under better times. Thank you again. You done good."

This has been a long hard road for the family, very emotional, and they finally got to see the man responsible cuffed and taken away. There were a couple of outbursts. 

Dec 1, 2016

David Lockhart pleads guilty , stipulated sentence of three years in prison for the death of Hannah Baker

This morning David Lockhart entered a second plea. He pleaded guilty to Count 1 as charged as well as the special allegation.

Count 1 can be sentenced as 16 months, two years or four years. The special allegation has a 1 year prison term.

(Hannah Baker)

The stipulated agreed sentence is the mid term of two years as well as the 1 year for the special allegation making it a total of three years.

Betty Chinn is one of the nominees for New York Times Californian of the Year

Betty Chinn is one of the nominees for the New York Times Californian of the year.

http://mobile.nytimes.com/2016/12/21/us/california-today-cast-your-vote-for-californian-of-the-year.html?_r=0&referer=https://www.google.com/

EPD juvenile arrested yesterday now charged with shooting of 1600 block of G Street

Captain Steve Watson:

@SWatsonEPD Juvenile in yesterday's chase & apprehension has also now been arrested for Friday's shooting on 1600 Blk. of G St. PR to follow.


See below for yesterday's post on arrest. Previous post on 1600 block shooting also on blog.

Press Release:

The 14 year old juvenile arrested yesterday by EPD has been identified as the suspect involved in the December 16th shooting on G Street in Eureka.  The juvenile was booked today with the additional charges of assault with a deadly weapon, possession of a short barreled shotgun, juvenile in possession of ammunition, conspiracy, convicted felon in possession of a firearm, and probation violation.

Kent Sawatzky leaves a threatening message on Supervisor Sundberg's voicemail; mentioning Rex, Estelle and Lee Ulansey, says, "I am not a drug pusher"

Public watchdog Kent Sawatzky left a threatening message on Supervisor Ryan Sundberg's phone.

He mentions contacting Supervisor Rex Bohn, Supervisor Estelle Fennell and "Lee", assuming he means HUMCPR and Planning Commisioner Lee Ulansey in the sound clip.

"This is your last chance to reach out and communicate," followed by "Otherwise I will continue to do what I do." "It's kinda unfair to you because I have an unfair advantage but hey."

Sawatzky also says "I am not a drug pusher".

EPD's POP unit arrests teen wanted for multiple armed residential burglaries

Captain Watson's tweet:

EPD's POP Unit, assisted by Patrol, arrested a teen wanted for multiple armed residential burglaries after a foot pursuit California/Wabash. https://t.co/HCkCGflHHz

Decision on other three suspects in Manila homicide still pending

Two suspects have been araigned in the Tyson Claros homicide. Mitchell arraignment could happen as early as later today. That case is still pending, according to the DA's office, as of 11:30 a.m. today.

Godoy-Standley and Catherine Fode need to be arraigned by tomorrow.

All three were arraigned this afternoon. Deputy District Attorney David Christiansen was present for the People.

Mitchell is charged with murder, carjacking and "personally and intentionally" discharging a firearm. Standley and Fode are accused of murder, carjacking and possession of a firearm.

1.5 million bail for Mitchell; 1.25 millon bail for Godoy-Stanley and Fode.

Two of the five are represented by Public Defender and Conflict Counsel, two by private attorneys appointed by Judge Marilyn Miles, Mr. David Nims and Mr. Neal Sanders; Godoy-Standley has retained Mr. David Celli.

Preliminary hearing for all defendants is December 28. Intervention on December 27.

Jon Goldberg arraigned; setting in January scheduled for further dates

Jon Goldberg was araigned this morning.

Deputy District Attorney Luke Bernthal is prosecuting the case, his colleague Ms. Brie Bennett was present for the People today.

Public Defender Casey Russo is representing Goldberg.

Plea of not guilty. Denial to special allegation. Time waiver entered. At defense's request, a setting of January 19 was scheduled at 8:30 to set further dates.

Goldberg's bail is two million.

Dec 16, 2016

Jon Goldberg will be arraigned for jury trial on one count of murder and one special allegation

At the preliminary hearing, Jon Goldberg was not held to answer to counts two and three which were added later.

He is to be arraigned on informaton for the jury trial on December 20, at 8:30 a.m. in Courtroom 5.

A complaint filed by the DA on December 14 consists of only one Count, murder of Tim Smith with the special allegation that Goldberg "personally and intentionally discharged a firearm, a handgun, which caused great bodily injury or death" to Tim Smith.

Deputy District Attorney David Christiansen is Virginia bound

To be closer to family.

Virginia's gain. Humboldt's loss.

Judge Kelly Neel, I certainly hope so!

Former Deputy District Attorney Ms. Kelly Neel, who currently is  a Deputy Public Defender, is the latest candidate for retired Judge Watson's seat.

She would be my number one choice, given her experience, and seeing her excel both as a prosecutor and a public defender. Ms. Neel also has experience working in the County Counsel's office as well as Child Welfare Services.

She is well liked by the other judges and attorneys.

Governor "Moonbeam" could take a small step in redeeming himself for the disaster of Prop 47 and 57 he has unleashed on Californis by picking Ms. Neel for this seat.

Also, Conflict Counsel's Mr. Greg Elvine-Kreis has thrown in his hat for Judge Watson's seat.


Click on the link below to see two earlier posts on three other possible candidates for retired Judge Watson's seat.

http://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2016/07/three-candidates-for-retired-judge.html?m=1

I certainly hope after the Magney vs Adult Protective  disaster, Blair Angus is not in consideration.

James Merrick could not afford private attorney; cannot bail out due to probation hold

James Merrick's arraignment was continued from Friday afternoon to today in Courtroom 2.

Conflict Counsel appointed. Mr. David Lee was present with Merrick for the arraignment.

Intervention on December 29. Preliminary hearing January 3.

Dec 16, 2016

James Merrick charged with murder, hit and run and two DUI charges causing injury to teenage pedestrian

James Merrick is scheduled to be arraigned today at 4 p.m. The complaint by the DA charges Merrick with Count 1 Murder, Count 2 DUI while causing injury; Count 3 DUI with blood alcohol over 0.08% and Count 4 Hit and Run resulting in great bodily injury or death,

Bail is million dollars. Merrick said he is hiring a private attorney; arraignment continued to 12/19 in the afternoon.