More of Ray Christie's vested interest in the Redwood Meat, Nylander lawsuit revealed in latest court filing

 

There was an ex parte hearing on 7/31/24 and Judge Timothy Canning granted a preliminary injunction. Ms. Cyndy Day-Wilson represents Stephanie, Rachel and Russel Nylander. There is an Order to Show Cause hearing regarding the preliminary injunction on 8/16. Cyndy-Day Wilson was served today with an opposition filed by Mr. Dustin Owens on behalf of Redwood Meat Co., Inc.

You can read the opposition to the preliminary injunction and two declarations by Mr. Owens and Mr. Stuart Smits which include many details including improper service to individuals, whether the sale of shares to Ray Christie was legal and Day -Wilson saying, " I am not a Ray Christie fan."

There is a case managenent conference scheduled for 1/27/25 but dates may and will change after the 8/16 hearing.

8/16 minutes will be added to this post when mbavailable.

Ray Christie resolved his animal abuse case in December 2023 with no jail time, no probation and several counts dismissed. He paid $12,000 in lieu of fine to Redwood Pals rescue.

https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2023/12/no-jury-trial-for-ray-christie-no-jail.html?m=1

As of 11 a.m. today, Kenny Carswell is the only confirmed candidate for Eureka Ward elections, later clarification adds Moulton name to the official list

(Kenny Carswell)

(Kati Moulton)

Checked in with City of Eureka Assistant Manager and Clerk Pam Powell. I asked if any additional people had picked up or dropped off paperwork for Ward 2 or Ward 4 since I checked in on August 7. That is when I posted that Kenny Carswell had qualified for Ward 2. I asked if incumbents Kati Moulton or Scott Bauer had submitted forms. and if  Thavisak "Lucky" Syphanthong had dropped off forms with signatures to be verified. 

"He has not submitted signatures as of yet.  I will be sending out a press release with the final information around 4. Thanks!"

After my post, I received this update from Ms. Powell. Kati Moulton has returned her signatures and they have been verified.  She is now an official candidate."

Final list released at 4 p.m. Only difference is that for Ward 4 it is incumbent  Bauer vs Syphanthong.

Less than two hours of deliberation and another Landergen juror replaced because she admits she cannot follow the law

 

Yesterday at 4:30, there was a note from the jury from the jury in alleged molestor Gary Landergen's trial. This was less than two hours after they started deliberations.

This morning, there was another issue to deal with first thing in the morning. While jurors waited outside, at 9:10, Judge Steven Steward asked the bailiff to let him know when Conflict Counsel Supervising Attorney Meagan O'Connell arrived. Landergen was waiting outside Courtroom Three. Deputy District Attorney Whitney Timm, DA Investigator Greg Hill, the court clerk and reporter were in the courtroom. The only one besides me in the courtroom was the Witness Advocate in this case.

At 9:23 a.m. Ms. O'Connell and Landergen entered.

 Judge Steward said, "Yesterday afternoon, there was a note from the jury. A response was sent to the jury. Shortly after, juror #11 indicated to the bailiff something to the effect that she could not continue to deliberate."

Judge Steward told attorneys and Landergen he would speak to juror #11. I left the courtroom to give the juror privacy. This is a sensitive and emotional case. When the juror exited the courtroom, I went inside. 

"I just heard from juror #1. " He asked the attorneys for input. Ms. Timm said, "Since she has indicated that she cannot follow the law" she should be excused. Defense agreed.

"She seemed visibly upset," said Judge Steward. "She was up all night. She attempted to fulfill her duties. Based on the evidence; she cannot follow the law. I am compelled to excuse her. I will thank her for her service. We will pick an alternate juror."

Juror #11 was asked to come in and Judge Steward addressed her. "You don't need to apologize. We ask jurors to be honest in the voir dire process. We ask them to be honest during the trial and deliberations. You have done exactly that." Judge Steward thanked and excused juror #11 for "being here for two to three weeks."

I already reported that on 8/6, an alternate male juror replaced one juror. Today with juror #11, a female juror  was replaced by another alternate juror. She is the older female alternate juror and this leaves only one alternate female juror on call.

The alternate juror who was contacted around 9:30 couldn't come in until 10:30. Judge Steward will read jury instruction 3575 when all jurors are present. I doubt there will be a verdict today but anything could happen.

With only 1 alternate juror left, if there are any more issues and if 2 more jurors are excused; this would result in a mistrial being declared.

Peter Zeller arrested on warrant for 18 felonies involving sex with a minor

Peter Kyle Zeller was arrested by HCSO on an arrest warrant yesterday for 18 felonies including PC 286 (b)(1) sodomy of a minor under 18, PC 261.5(c), PC 287(b)(2) oral copulation of a minor under 16 years of age PC 261.5(d) unlawful sexual intercourse, PC 311.11 (a) possession of child pornography and PC 311.3 (a) sexual exploitation of a child. The warrant was issued 8/1. Zeller posted bond. Bail was $25,000. 

Arraignment is scheduled for 9/19. Court records show an Arcata address. Zeller has a conviction in a 2017 traffic case. Zeller has retained Mr. Michael Robinson. Preliminary hearing scheduled for 12/4/24.

Thank you to the East Coast reader who sent me snail mail

 

You know who you are. It took me a minute until I saw the city and state. 

ADA compliance construction results in temporary change in DA office hours

(Probation Department is also getting delayed work done) 

The Humboldt County District Attorney's office sent out a press release about a temporary change in hours. Based on the snail's pace and delays in other compliance related projects at the Courthouse, the DA, I doubt the September 30 deadline. If you are in downtown Eureka, you have probably seen workets fixing the roof in the building on the corner of 6th and H where Adult Probation is located. 

Maybe Rexy and Bushnell shouldn't have given million dollars to their buddies at the Fairground and taken care of other compliance issues for essential County offices earlier and given a damn about County employees. The County rents plenty of buildings from the good ole boys. Why aren't these buildings up to code? Larry Doss is co-owner of the building where Conflict Counsel will be moving too when construction is completed. When I reported on that agenda item before that location was approved, I mentioned the building was not ADA accessible. That was one of the issues.

"It is offensive to men of his generation to say Landerhen is old fashioned; that men of his generation don't have sexual boundaries with children"

Juror replaced two days before closing arguments in alleged molestor Gary Landergen's jury trial. Jury started deliberations this afternoon.

EPD arrests Blake Richardson and juvenile for vandalism and conspiracy after investigating "derogatory and racial slurs" being spray painted on two vehicles and a residence

(Richardson)

(Wilkins)

Blake Richardson has two convictions in traffic cases and one open case for a request for a restraining order from Docia Johnson. She is the mother of Richardson's ex. Dakota Wilkins was arrested a day after Richardson and the juvenile.

Robert Johnson arrested for lewd act on a minor and false imprisonment

Robert Travis Johnson was arrested by Fortuna Police Department on a Ramey warrant yesterday. The charges at booking are  PC 236 false imprisonment, and PC 288 (a) lewd act with a minor. Bail is 1.5 million.

The DA charged Johnson with four felony counts of PC 288.7 (b) oral copulation or sexual penetration with a child 10 years of younger. Count 1 involves an alleged incident with Jane Doe 1 in Johnson's bedroom.; Count 2 alleged incident with Jane Doe 1 on the couch in the living room; Count 3 alleged incident with Jane Doe 1 in Jane Doe 2 and Michael's bedroom and alleged victim in Count 4 is Jane Doe 2.

Johnson was arraigned on 8/9. Bail was increased to 3 million. Johnson has retained Ms. Andrea Sullivan. On 8/13, Retired Judge Marilyn Miles denied supervised release and reduction of bail.

Kreis removed from Maria Cuevas' case, Sullivan appointed

(Cuevas)

While I was waiting for Courtroom 5 to open on the DA's motion on determination of attorney client conflict , I heard conversations between Gregory Kreis and other attorneys outside court. I was the only media in court. Kreis was there at 8:20 a.m. and he saw me. 

Nice, respectful readers get rewarded. I kept my promise to you about the Lila Ortega update

 

Lila Ortega's name first appeared on this blog as Kyle Zoellner's girlfriend and in my coverage of the David Josiah Lawson case in 2017  In 2018, I reported on her arrest for a DUI and possession of meth case. I  reported on that case through 2019.

On July 31, I received this email. I have cropped the email address to protect the person's identity.

Michael Black banned from KMUD, community members concerned about his on air remarks and alleged behavior at Heartwood and Happy Day Farm Stand

 

I have received quite a few emails and messages about Michael Black who has already been arrested four times this year. Most recently on August 2 for criminal threats, committing a felony while out on bail and probation violation connected to alleged incidents at Cher-Ae Heights casino.

This afternoon, I received some information from an anonymous source and concerned community member about Black "allegedly stalking KMUD, Heartwood and Happy Day Farm Stand." I was told a police report had been filed and Black is banned from KMUD.

Eureka prohousing designation by the state results in award of $630,000 that will allow Uplift to continue providing much needed assistance

The City of Eureka has been awarded a $630,000 Prohousing Incentive Program Grant from the California Department of Housing and Community Development for rapid rehousing and homelessness prevention. 

Javier Kinney hires Kathleen Bryson for DUI case

 

Former Yurok Tribe Executive Director and current Carbon Project Manager Javier Ishi Kinney was arraigned on 8/5 in his DUI case. Kinney has retained Ms. Kathleen Bryson. Deputy District Attorney Andrew Truitt is the prosecutor for this case. Trial confirmation is on 10/22; jury trial on 10/28.

This case is not going to trial. It will resolve with a plea, diversion or some alternative resolution because of the defendant's status in Humboldt.

At 6:48 p.m. I received this email from a reader I have communicated with before. Email was sent to Kinney.

"Javier Kinney was fired from the Carbon department for cause shortly after he was arrested for the DUI when he was drunk and  wrecked a tribally owned vehicle. You can send an email to jkinney@yuroktribe.nsn.us for confirmation."

Kenny Carswell has qualified and is officially a candidate for Eureka Ward 2

 

Just confirmed with City of Eureka Assistant Manager and Clerk Pam Powell and Kenny Carswell has qualified as a candidate for Ward 2. I was the first one to report on his candidacy.

https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2024/08/security-nationals-kenny-carswell-will.html?m=1

If incumbent Kati Moulton does not turn her paperwork in, the nomination period by tomorrow will be extended to August 14. She had not as of yesterday afternoon. Neither had incumbent Scott Bauer for Ward 4. "Lucky" was still collecting signatures to submit paperwork for Ward 4.

EPD says shots fired on 900 block of K appear to be isolated incident

 

Eureka Police Department just issued two press releases. One is about shots fired on the 900 block of K street yesterday. The other incident was about a collision on Henderson and I. 

Nick Martinez gets even a better plea in recent negotiations, only 16 months in prison for possesion of child porn

Once again, Nick Martinez changed his mind on  8/5 about withdrawing his plea. Sentencing was continued to this morning. Martinez already had another case dismissed on 5/22/24 as a part of his plea previously and now he got even a better deal today.

Curb Appeal Construction owner fails to appear in court for arraignment in hit and run case

 

On 8/5, Curb Appeal Construction owner Blaine O' Shaughnessy failed to appear for arraignment in his hit and run resulting in property damage case. Judge Kaleb Cockrum referred to the DA for affadavit which means a warrant should be issued for O' Shaughnessy's arrest. Charges and exclusive details are in prior coverage. Information which is not in the complaint is the name of the alleged victim who is a local attorney.

12/23: Arrest warrant finally issued and entered into e court