In addition to previous attacks on attorneys, attempted murder, torture suspect assaulted correctional captain last night who had to go to the hospital, extra deputies added in courtroom and security measures put in place to protect judge, jurors, court staff and courtroom when defendant testifies

 

**This post is court testimony in an attempted murder, mayhem and torture case and has some graphic details**

This my second post on attempted murder, mayhem and torture suspect Luigi Messina today. This post is the coverage from this afternoon.

When court resumed at 1:30 p.m. Dr. Eric Gerdes who work's at St. Joe testified. Dr. Gerdes has been a physician for 22 years. He testified John Doe "had significant trauma to the head and hand. A scalp laceration and blood. Most of the injuries were to the left hand and a partially amputated finger. The bone was protruding in the area where the nail should be."

Allegations of unprotected sex, no clear proof that of claims that alleged victim intentionally transmitted HIV to Messina were discussed before Judge Steward made a ruling whether jurors would hear about John Doe's HIV status

 

The jury in attempted murder, mayhem and torture suspect Luigi  Messina had a break for two days. There are no court minutes for 6/3 which may have been a "dark day" for the trial. Judge Steven Steward had deferred a ruling on the People's motion to exclude any reference to John Doe's HIV status. Yesterday, he heard arguments in a 402 hearing before issuing his ruling. After that Judge Steward, Deputy District Attorney Carolyn Schaffer and Ms. Andrea Sullivan finalized jury instructions. 

California high speed rail project is in default of the terms of its federal grant awards, Sean Duffy calls the project "boondoogle trains to nowhere.”

 

Request filed to publish opinion in CBE lawsuit lost against City of Eureka and Wiyot Tribe

 

Today this occurred in Citizens for a Better Eureka v. City of Eureka

Case: A170214 1st District, Division 3.

I did two posts last month and no one else reported these developments. With 10 to 15 court cases, other news, I am not doing another detailed post.

Judge Cockrum changed his mind and granted my media request in Stobaugh

 

I was going to add an update to my previous post on Richard Stobaugh since I had already reported on what happened.

Deputy District Attorney Carolyn Schaffer appeared for Deputy DA Whitney Timm in court today. 

I was not in court for the hearing but I spoke with Stobaugh's attorney, Public Defender Luke Brownfield after the hearing and checked with the DA. The Department of State Hospitals has still not urned over what the DA has requested. They have turned over some records.

Court minutes are up from today's hearing. What is not in the court minutes is that the the DA has subpoenaed Cuesta Polygraph and Investigations.

The order is not in e court yet. There was discussion about media requests today. I have been told by the Court Judicial Secretary Susan Edwards that Judge Cockrum is likely to issue an order regarding media requests early next week. 

Mr. Brownfield objected, People submitted. Judge Kaleb Cockrum said he would adjust the order.

Both Ms. Schaffer and Mr. Brownfield told me that Judge Cockrum changed his mind about my media request. I wouldn't have known had Mr.Brownfield not told me. I want to thank him. I also want to thank Judge Cockrum for changing his mind.

6/5: I said this way back and just as I predicted there was a motion to continue filed by the DA today. No details yet on which hearing but I am pretty sure it is the 6/11 hearing which will be continued.

6/6: The hearing date for 6/11 is vacated. Evidentiary hearing for the possession of child porn allegation is rescheduled for 7/8.

 6/13: The order regarding media requests is not in e court yet. With the continuance of the 6/11 hearing, there more time for Judge Cockrum to issue the order. I have been at the Courthouse and he has a very busy calendar and is currently presiding over a trial.

Cody Cooper's attempted murder and assault trial results in a hung jury

 

On 6/3, there was a hung jury in attempted murder and assault suspect Cody Cooper's trial. The  detailed court minutes were not in computer yesterday; just the cover sheet. I checked every day until 6/11 and detailed court minutes were not added.

Dates were scheduled for a retrial. Readiness Conference is on 7/15; jury trial is on 7/28.

I did this post on May 23 about the case.

https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2025/05/so-is-it-true-what-they-say-about.html?m=1

On the day of her jury trial, Sarah Carroll resolved her hit and run case by pleading guilty to that charge for a conditional plea for probation

 

On 6/2, Sarah Carroll's hit and run case was scheduled for jury trial and she had a probation revocation hearing scheduled. Caroll decided the day of her jury trial to accept the People's offer made at the Readiness Conference except the DA had offered lower term for Count 1 VC 2001 (b) (2) hit and run; Carroll's conditional plea which Judge Kelly Neel took is for probation. Counts 2 and 3 were dismissed by the People. Carroll admitted her probation violation.

Deputy District Attorney Jessica Watson is the prosecutor. Public Defender Luke Brownfield appeared in court for Carroll's attorney Ryan McClurg. Sentencing is on 7/25. If Carroll is in a treatment program, she is authorized to appear via Zoom at the next hearing.

Ms. Heidi Wells represents the victim in this case.

So before you hear it from anyone else, the judge in the trial de novo ruled in favor of Kreis on one article, what he denied is equally important

 

Today was the trial de novo hearing which was my appeal of Retired Judge Ksenia Tesinin's ruling in the small claims case Gregory Kreis filed against me last August. 

Magan Natha sued again, Eileen Weiner files lawsuit against Town House Motel LLC

 

(Secretary of State)

I was wondering why Magan Natha was at the courthouse lately checking the public computer system. Now I know. Eileen Cheryl Weiner has filed a lawsuit against Town House Motel LLC. There was a Case Management Conference on 6/2. Trial setting is scheduled for 9/12. Weiner has hired a L.A. law firm. A google search shows a Eileen Cheryl Weiner from L.A. Natha has hired a Pleasanton law firm. 

Magan Natha owns at least these three properties in Eureka: Town House Motel, Super 8, the former Quality Inn which was changed Bayside Inn and now is a Ramada.

I already covered one lawsuit and it was involved the Town House Motel but was filed against Eureka Townhouse Hospitality and it settled. 

I covered convicted molestor Manuel Garcia Avalos' case from arrest to conviction, 30 years in prison is a deal Deputy DA Whitney Timm got despite PD's last minute effort to delay the trial further

 

I covered Manuel Garcia Avalos' 2021 case since his arrest and already reported on his conviction. Most of my regular readers have read all my posts but if you haven't read the May 9 and May 8 posts; you should. 

Garcia Avalos looks very different than his booking photo. He has glasses, is clean shaven and has lost weight.

My coverage already has details included in the press release issued by the DA about his sentencing this morning such as the third survivor passing away while the Public Defender and Avalos needlessly dragged this case through the system and eventually agreed to the maximum time in prison which Ms. Timm had offered. I have included court minutes from sentencing.

Already reported this but here is the official announcement by EPD about online reporting for specific incidents

I already reported this in May when I wrote about two more EPD police officers leaving the department. EPD issued a press release today.

Attempted murder and torture suspect Luigi Messina tears up plea agreement in court ; after opening statements this morning EPD officers testify

Theatrics continued by attempted homicide, mayhem and torture suspect Luigi  Messina this morning where he tore up a plea agreement in court.

Judge Steven Steward is presiding over the trial. After going through his previous attorneys, Ms. Andrea Sullivan was court appointed to represent him. Deputy District Attorney Carolyn Schaffer is the prosecutor. DA investigator Martin Morris is assisting with this case.

This morning, attorneys presented their opening statements. People's witness Eureka Police Department officer Tyler Moore testified before the mid morning break. EPD Officer Ben Altic was waiting to testify. Before Officer Altic took the stand, EPD Forensic Specialist Carly Michael and witness Megan Bakken testified.

Judge Steward was informed by Ms. Schaffer that Messina's family was talking about the case in courtroom around jurors. Judge Steward spoke to the jurors. After court was adjourned on 6/2, jurors asked to return on 6/5 when trial resumes. 

Court reporter's transcript and more records subpoenaed by the DA in sexually violent predator Richard Stobaugh's case

 

There is another hearing scheduled on 6/4 in sexually violent predator Richard Stobaugh's case on a motion filed by Deputy District Attorney Whitney Timm for receipt of subpoenaed records. There is an entry in e court today about court reporters transcript of a 6/2 proceeding but no hearing is scheduled. The DA also filed another order shortening time on 6/3 which is a request for court order to turn over subpoenaed records.

I checked with the DA's office and unless there is some last minute filing, all that is going to happen is paperwork handed out by the Court on 6/4. I will add an update from that hearing to this post.

An evidentiary hearing on the allegation of possession of child porn by Stobaugh in the State Hospital  is scheduled for 6/11. The proposed placement hearing on 7/11.

Rick, there is nothing newsworthy about what you have sent but I published it because if the Provolts chose, specifically John Provolt, he could sue you for defamation

 

Rick Dowd sent me and 15 others a letter to the Yurok Tribal Council and a request for recusal of the judge in his family law case. There was no confidentiality requested.

I do not have access to Yurok Tribal Court records. Even if I did, just as any other family law case in any Superior Court, the allegations Mr. Dowd raises should be investigated by the proper authority. 

I do not know who the other 15 are because Rick Dowd's email keeps crashing. Rick Dowd are you related to Chelsey Readon-Dowd? Readers should google the John Provolt post I did with texts from Chelsey Readon Dowd. Rick, you have provided no evidence about allegations being dismissed against you. Please do not send me any future emails with unsubstantiated claims and I am not interested in family law drama.

Rick, there is nothing newsworthy about what you have sent but I published it because if the Provolts chose, specifically John Provolt, could sue you for defamation. I reported on John Provolt's arrest for alleged molestation but he has not been convicted; he has not even had a preliminary hearing in that case. If you read my blog, you should know this yet you tried to use me.

The #1 emails which are a waste of my time and a misuse of my email address are about family law cases. 

I have covered John Provolt court cases and I covered some allegations about Sherri Provolt on my blog. 

Contrary to Mr. Dowd's claims, John Provolt has not been convicted of what Rick Dowd claims. There is an open case in Humboldt Superior Court which has yet to have a preliminary hearing. Google or use the search feature on this blog.

It is known in church, EPD sent out a department wide email, I reached out to family, retired EPD Sgt. Rodrigo Sanchez was killed in the Hwy 36 accident

 

I was contacted by a few people from the local Catholic community who mentioned Deacon Dance Farrell announced at St. Bernard's  church today that a parioshner had passed away but he mentioned the name. A friend of former EPD officer Rodrigo Sanchez who knows his wife mentioned the information to a former local official who contacted me.

I knew Rodrigo well. Just earlier this week, I was going to call him to see if his work schedule would allow him to be in Eureka for a couple of days so we could have coffee.  

I know his wife well. I am not going to

I know one of his sisters Anna Sanchez Goodale. I have reached out to Michelle. I also reached out to Anna. This is a post on Anna's Facebook .

I know Rodrigo was doing some work in the area. I tried reaching out to the Coroner but this is a weekend. I then contacted HCSO Lt. Taylor. This is what was released by HCSO. 

"On May 31, 2025, at approximately 5:53 a.m., deputies from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) Patrol Division responded to a report of an industrial accident in the 13000 block of Highway 36, Carlotta. The incident involved a significant amount of debris falling from the active landslide, resulting in a tragic fatality.   The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office Coroner’s Division responded to the scene. Following notification of next of kin, the deceased has been identified as Rodrigo Reyna-Sanchez, age 58, who was working for a local contractor.   The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office extends its deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Mr. Reyna-Sanchez during this difficult time. "

A department wide email was sent out by EPD Chief Brian Stephens confirming it was Rodrigo.

I have taken all the proper steps and did reach out to family. One of the reasons I am  doing this post is because I do not want anyone using this tragedy for their agenda or demeaning Rodrigo in any way. I do not allow anon comments and I will not tolerate any opinion of those who did not know him so do not go on my page and try any nonsense.

You didn't know the man he was, the husband he was, the father he was and he was an excellent officer.

This is just one of the positive comments I received and also from someone close to Rodrigo. "Thank you again for standing firm on not allowing nonsense hate amongst the tragedy. John thank you for the super kind post about Rigo. "

I did this post earlier but in that post, I did not identify Rodrigo by name.

https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2025/06/people-are-more-important-than-scoop-on.html?m=1

People and the family are more important than a scoop on the Hwy 36 accident

(Photo Caltrans posted on FB)

My phone has been very busy in the last hour or so about the identity of the employee killed in the Hwy 36 accident.

If what I heard is true, then this is a personal loss. Even though I have heard from acquaintances and church members about who it is and even though the location and the work fits; I am trying to reach family members or someone who can confirm. A former elected official reached out to me because the name was announced at church.

I have another post prepped. A scoop isn't important; life and respecting the family and taking proper steps before releasing information is what I am going to do. I just received confirmation and also spoke with more than one family member including his wife. HCSO is releasing information that will be added to the other post.

I also hope that anons and others do not use this tragedy for some agenda. 

Caltrans issued this press release today.

"An employee of a contractor working on a Caltrans emergency project was killed during an active slide on Saturday morning, along Route 36 east of Swimmer’s Delight.

We extend our sincere condolences to the worker’s family and friends and all who knew and worked with him."

Convicted felon Kip Branson held to answer on criminal threats, domestic violence and drug charges

 

(2022 booking photo)

After his preliminary hearing on May 29,  criminal threats and domestic violent suspect and convicted felon Kip Branson was held to answer to all charges by Judge Kelly Neel except Count 6. Alleged victim is the mother of his daughter.

Rio Dell Cpl. Crystal Landry, HCSO Sgt. Travis Rogers, DA Investigator Marvin Kirkpatrick testified for the People.  Arraignment on information is on 6/12.

Justin Sylvia arrested by HCSO for threats against public officials, elder abuse, resisting arrest and probation violation

 

26 year old Justin Case Sylvia was arrested by HCSO early a.m. yesterday for PC 71 threats against public officials or public employees or school officials, PC 148 (a) (1) resisting arrest, PC 368 (b)(1) elder or dependent abuse and PC 1203.2(a)(2) probation violation.