EPD investigates two deaths, including one of a 16 year old found at a Broadway hotel

    

On February 8, 2017, at about 12:56 a.m., officers with the Eureka Police Department responded to a hotel room on the 3500 block of Broadway for the report of a disturbance.  Officers made entry into the room and found an unconscious female.  Lifesaving efforts were immediately initiated by police, fire, and ambulance personnel, but were unsuccessful.  The female, age 16 from Eureka, was pronounced deceased at the scene.  Her identity is being withheld until next of kin is notified.

Fire at Broadway and McCullens current scene through photos; 101 closed in both directions

Reader who took these photos said 101 closed both directions traffic detoured up Herrick thru Pine Hill.

At 8:16, EPD Captain Steve Watson tweeted:

N/B lanes of 101/Broadway are being opened now to two-way split traffic thru Eureka. Drive SLOWLY & carefully. https://t.co/5uZKkFf8OL

James Merrick preliminary hearing continued until February 14

James Merrick had a preliminary hearing scheduled on February 7. It was continued to February 14.

Merrick is charged with murder, hit and run and two DUI charges causing injury to teenage pedestrian on December 14.

Previous post:

http://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2016/12/james-merrick-charged-with-hit-and-run.html?m=1

Michael Dwayne Stone arrested for attempted homicide in Mckinleyville

On Tuesday, February 7, 2017 at about 1150am, Humboldt County Sheriff’s Deputies along with the California Highway Patrol Officers responded to the 1600 block of Woody Road in Mckinleyville for a report of an erratic driver. While deputies were enroute they received information of shots fired. Once deputies arrived on scene the suspect associated with the shooting was inside his residence.     

Law enforcement attempted verbal contact with the suspect, however he refused to comply. A negotiator with the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene. The negotiator was eventually able to make contact with the suspect via phone. The negotiator was soon able to convince the suspect to come outside unarmed and he was taken into custody without incident.         

Kade Chandler's preliminary hearing for alleged gross vehicular manslaughter continued yet again

Kade Chandler's fourth day preliminary hearing scheduled yesterday for February 6 got continued to March 28.

Chandler is charged with Count 1 gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, alleged victim Kendra Lewis;Count 2 gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated; alleged victim Savannah Kindred and a special allegation of great bodily injury to Bradley 
Thueumler.

Previous post (with complete coverage):

http://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2017/01/fourth-day-of-kade-chandlers.html?m=1

Guy that law enforcement is looking for is Shawn Hof Jr; the canine should get the $20,000 reward

Remember this guy?

Oct 11, 2016

$20,000 reward if your information leads to arrest and conviction of Shawn Hof Jr.

.Reward Raised to $20,000 for Information Leading to the Arrest and Conviction of Shawn Eugene Hof Jr., Suspected of Attempting to Shoot a CDFW Wildlife Officer

The California Wildlife Officers Foundation, California Waterfowl Association, The Humane Society of the United States and the Humane Society Wildlife Land Trust, The Sportfishing Alliance, The Nature Conservancy and private donors have increased the reward for information that leads to the capture, arrest, and conviction of Shawn Eugene Hof, Jr. to up to $20,000.

"Come on down; stay right there; the dog will find you, he will bite you", suspect near Bear River Casino gets warning

Two suspects are being sought, one in a standoff in Ferndale.

HCSO and Fortuna police responded.

Police on North Coast News at field near Bear River Casino using bull horn told suspect to "come on down;  stay right there; the dog will find you, he will bite you."

CA Supreme Court to decide whether emails/texts on private devices regarding government business are covered by Public Records Act

California Supreme Court to decide whether emails and texts on private devices are covered by the California Public Records Act.

http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-emails-court-20170202-story.html

Excerpt:

During a hearing last month, the California Supreme Court appeared ready to rule that government business conducted on private telephones and computers must be made public.

The quandary expressed by justices was how to fashion a rule to protect the privacy of government employees and still ensure that public business was open to inspection

Starting Monday more changes in Humboldt Superior Court; Judges change court and assignments

Effective Monday, February 6, Humboldt County Superlior Court Presiding Judge Joyce Hinrichs will move to Courtroom 7 hearing juvenile cases.

Assistant Presiding Judge Christopher Wilson will move to Courtroom 5 and hear criminal cases.

Judge Dale Reinholtsen will move to Courtroom 3 and return to hearing criminal cases.

Judge Timothy Cissna will hear civil cases.

"I'm strapped, I'm strapped"; Best Western employee told law enforcement about Lasinski pointing a gun at him

Two maintenance men tried to help CHP Officer Brent Walker when he was pursuing Clayton Lasinski after Lasinski fled running from Officer Walker despite commands to stop and taser warnings.

The new details at Lasinski's preliminary hearing were some specifics about interactions law enforcement had with Lasinski on December 6 and what led to EPD officers opening fire; how Lasinski got into the red Mazda at Sole Savers. One new detail was Lasinski allegegly pointing a firearm at a civilian in a truck after his Mazda stalled. That man seeing police chasing Lasinski sped away.

EPD officers Stephen Linfoot and Dustin Nantz told EPD Senior Detective John Gordon they were "fearful" for their lives as the reason for discharging their weapons at Lasinski.

Most of the preliminary hearing had details already covered in the EPD press conference.

Clayton Lasinski held to answer on all counts after preliminary except no holding order for Count 8

Clayton Lasinski, the man who led EPD through a chase during rush hour and was ultimately arrested after being shot in an officer involved shooting had his preliminary hearing this morning.

Two CHP officers and the lead investigator from EPD testified.

"I'm strapped; I'm strapped" is what Lasinski allegedly yelled at one Best Western employee. EPD officers Stephen Linfoot and Dustin Nantz told EPD Senior Detective John Gordon they were "fearful" for their lives as the reason for discharging their weapons at Lasinski.

Before cross examination of two witnesses, Lasunski appeared to share information and frustration with his attorney, Mr. Greg Elvine Kreis, who patiently seemed to listen and be explaining something to him.

Arraignment on February 16 in Courtroom 2.

Held to answer on all counts (except 8) and all special allegations.

Stephen Kullmann is the new Harbor Commissoner filling Mike Wilson's vacant seat

Stephen Kullmann is the new Harbor Commissioner to replace the seat left vacant by Mike Wilson. David Narum dropped out
It was a choice between Casey Allen and Kullman.

Clayton Lasinski preliminary continued until tomorrow morning due to courtroom availability

Clayton Lasinki's preliminary hearing was scheduled this morning at 9:45 a.m. in Courtroom 4.

Due to courtroom availability, it was continued to tomorrow morning at 8:30 a.m. in Courtroom 7.

He is charged with 15 counts.

Deputy District Attorney Luke Bernthal is prosecuting the case. Conflict Counsel's Mr. Greg Elvine-Kreis has been appointed to represent Lasinski.

Previous posts:

http://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2017/01/pitchess-motion-scheduled-this-morning.html?m=1

http://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2016/12/clayton-lasinski-preliminary-hearing.html?m=1

http://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2016/12/clayton-lee-lasinski-suspect-in.html?m=1

Preliminary for two suspects vacated in Tyson Claros homicide case; joinder motion continued

Tyson Claros 

An interventon hearing and decision about the People's request to join the cases of all  five suspects in the Tyson Claros case was scheduled in Courtroom 5 this morning.

Long discussion but sum of it is February 6 preliminary for Thompson and Valenzuela vacated. Setting for those two on February 15 plus joinder motion for all 5 continued.

Defense attorneys at a previous hearing brought up the Aranda-Bruton rule.

Jon Goldberg to be arraigned again on Counts 2 and 3 again, that were not held after preliminary

Jon Goldberg is being arraigned again.


Counts 1 and 2 against Rachel Goldberg. Count 2 is concealing a firearm in public. Alleged victim not listed in complaint.

Counts 2 and 3 Tim Smith's preliminary hearing were not held to answer.

Count 3 is the same charge against Rachel Goldberg Tim Smith in the preliminary.

Goldberg's attorney Mr. Casey Russo from the Publuc Defender's office plans to file  written demurrer on that Count.

Not guilty pleas entered. No time waiver. Preliminary on February 16.

Mark Wheetley, new City Manager for Fortuna

Acvording to Supervisor Rex Bohn,  "Mark Wheetley just announced as the New City Manager for Fortuna". This was at the "Fortuna Chamber Annual State of the City Address Breakfast."

Victor Becerra arrested for sleeping in a vehicle reported stolen earlier

On January 31, 2017 at about 11:28 p.m., an officer with the Eureka Police Department located a stolen vehicle parked in an alley near Del Norte and C Streets.  The vehicle, a 2013 Subaru, had been reported stolen earlier that day at about 2:30 a.m. from the 2100 block of Everding.  

Officers found Victor Becerra, 20 of Eureka, sleeping in the driver's seat of the parked Subaru.  Becarra was arrested and booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility for possession of a stolen vehicle.  

The victim was notified and responded to the scene to retrieve the vehicle.  No damage to the vehicle was reported.    

EPD responds to call about stolen car, Wabash and B, catches perp, books him, returns car to owner, all in minutes

EPD responded to a call about a stolen car, Wabash and B. Already got the alleged perp, in custody. Car returned to owner.