The DA filed a motion to modify/terminate order after hearing on 5/15 in Sean Allman's case. It is adding some additional terms such as no firearms. That motion was to be heard this morning. It was continued to June 1 so Mr. Benjamin Okin could meet with Allman.
I had already reported a few times that Meara Hattan was acting CEO while former CEO Kim Bartleson was on leave. When Bartleson suddenly resigned, it was a no brainer who would be the new CEO. The press release issued a few minutes ago was inevitable and hardly a surprise.
Today, I had someone else reach out to me after my most recent post on former Humboldt Court Mediator Joe Hale. What this person told me was, " I had filed a complaint about Joe Hale and his unprofessionalism 10 years ago. I escalated it to the AOC and they pushed it back to Kerri Keenan who is fully responsible for hiring him. He did not have the required qualifications to even have the job."
Just last Friday, I did the post pictured above. If you haven't already, read that for background and context for this post.
This Monday, local attorney Michael Acosta filed a supplemental motion to dismiss in his 2020 case for alleged drug charges. Acosta is pro per which means he is representing himself. The 995 motion was continued to 6/23 to allow Deputy District Attorney Ian Harris to file a response. Acosta also filed a motion to compel discovery and a request for judicial notice. You can read the Judicial.notice and compare it with my coverage from court records on the other people who were arrested with Acosta and his co-defendant, Sarah Carroll by the HCDTF.
On May 2, I reported that voluntary manslaughter suspect Jason Miller resolved his case for a stipulated term of 25 years. There were conditions to that plea. Miller spoke with DA Investigators and Kiera Foley's remains were recovered on the outskirts of Eureka.
EPD applied for and was granted a two year gun violence restraining order against James Albert Leach. Criminal proceedings had been suspended in two of Leach's cases after defense declared doubt, one from HCSO and the other from EPD. Alleged victims include local attorney Allison Jackson in the HCSO case and local dentist Jeff Holland. in the EPD case. Leach was also involved in a standoff with EPD on 5th street.
William Scott Peugh was arrested by HCSO yesterday for PC 288(c) (1) lewd or lascivious Acts with a minor. He has one conviction in a 2023 traffic case in Humboldt Superior Court. Peugh posted bond and is out of custody. City of Eureka HR Director Will Folger confirmed that William Scott Peugh is a City of Eureka employee.
Based on the booking photo and google search, there are several articles Peugh is featured on about being a foster parent. However based on their Facebook profiles, it is unclear whether Peugh and his featured on the articles are still together. In the articles, he is listed as Scott Peugh.
Homicide suspect Austin Medeiros found guilty of all charges and all special allegations were found true. Jury deliberated less than a day. Sentencing took place this morning.
Medeiros is going to prison for life. The courtroom was not as full of victims and supporters as the trial had been and there was some testimony via Zoom.
On May 20, I reported on sustained finding of violation of the Board of Supervisors Code of Conduct against Fifth District Supervisor Steve Madrone. That is an item on today's agenda for the Board of Supervisors' meeting. I have added live updates from that discussion in and agenda item. That update includes that at 3:32 there was no censure of Supervisor Madrone.
Both Victor Campos and Michael Acosta have consumer alerts on the State Bar website. Andrew Stunich finally has his conviction on the State Bar website but I do not recall any consumer alert. I have covered and am still covering cases involving Campos and Acosta.
All three still have clients.
In April I did a post on the Earl Castillo case.
Former Humboldt Superior court mediator and former CWS employee Joe Hale was scheduled to be arraigned on May 22. It was continued for a second time by stipulation. Charges are being amended in Hale's case.
On 5/16, City of Eureka filed a notice of settlement conference for the first CEQA petition filed by Citizens for a Better Eureka against housing on low income parking lots. According to the City of Eureka filing, "the parties have already met and conferred briefly". This conference will take place on 5/25.
Yesterday, I was the first to report on a Humboldt Board of Supervisor's agenda item on a sustained finding of violation of the Board of Supervisors Code of Conduct against Fifth District Supervisor Steve Madrone.
The County hired a labor and employment attorney who lists being an Oakland police officer and deputy district attorney on his Linkedin profile.
