Murder, robbery, mutilation and sexual penetration of human remains

Crime of murder, murder committed while commission of robbery, mutilation of grave remains and special allegation of sexual penetration of human remains are the alleged charges the District Attorney's office filed against Eddie Lee, whose jury trial started today.

Eddie Lee dressed in a crisp white shirt, navy blue sweater and slacks with glasses and shaved head instead of his wavy locks looked more like a college student than a man accused of murdering William Reid. Limmie Curry is the other defendant whose case will be tried separately.

Lee sat politely next to his attorney Darryl Stallworth. District Attorney Paul Gallegos is prosecuting the case in Judge John Feeney's courtroom.

Two family members of the victim were present. One sat in the courtroom, the other stayed outside, only talking with Mr. Gallegos during court breaks.

Will California environmentalists kill the bid for these living wage jobs?

http://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2014/09/01/tesla-motors-dealing-as-states-play-factory-poker/?intcmp=HPBucket

If California was chosen to build this factory, these would be good, living wage, blue and white collar jobs. The title of this post is to see if California progressives and environmentalists will stand in the way for working class Californians who need jobs.

Ideology does not put food on the table or pay rent or health insurance.

Two high profile jury trials; one murder; another human trafficking scheduled for tomorrow

The Eddie Lee murder trial is being tried separately from his co-defendant Limmie Curry. District Attorney Paul Gallegos prosecuting and Lee being represented by Bay area lawyer Darryl Stallworth.

The David Anderson human trafficking case is also expected to start tomorrow. There are several posts with background on the blog. DDA Luke Brownfield will prosecute this case and Ben McLaughlin is Anderson's attorney.

Your honor, I swear I will obey all laws, just give me another chance

Triston Crossland joins the ranks of Misty Miller, Shiloh Chase, Dan Dobbs and other frequent fliers. He was booked into jail on August 29 for possession of a controlled substance and violation of probation.

It isn't his first skirmish with the law. The title of this post is the familiar mea culpa heard daily by Humboldt County judges. The frequent fliers swear they will behave this time, change lawyers if they need to, whatever it takes.

Wonder what Crossland's excuse will be this time?

Justin Crellin of Mateel booked?

 Justin Crellin is not a common name in this area. The only Justin Crellin I know is associated with the Mateel. A Justin Matthew Crellin was arrested and booked on
Saturday, Aug. 30, 6:50 p.m.

Offense:
VC23152(e)

"We need more funding in rural areas"

There is now a crosswalk in McKinleyville on Little Pond Street and Murray Road in McKinleyville.

 "I have been working on this project since I took office and it is nice to see it completed," said Supervisor Sundberg. "The Safe to School program is great but we need more funding in rural areas."

Another problem area being worked on is between Murray Road and Halfway Avenue on the North Side of McKinleyville Avenue.

This post is a result of a grateful citizen who wanted to thank Supervisor Sundberg. Ryan told me the Little Pond crosswalk was a result of requests from community members.

Arcata resident arrested for child pornography

 On 06-05-2014 the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office was contacted by the United States Department of Homeland Security ( D.H.S.) regarding Child Pornography being uploaded. A Sheriff's Office Detective was assigned to the case and worked with the D.H.S. Cybercrimes unit The D.H.S. Agents told the Detective they were contacted by a website company that saw images of Child Pornography being posted and viewed on a server the website hosted. They provided the name of the server to D.H.S. who reviewed it and the contents.  The server company provided I.P. addresses that were tracked down to individuals. One of those addresses belonged to a Christopher Steven Haynes, 64 years old, from Arcata. The Sheriff Detective wrote a search warrant for Haynes residence and computer, which the detective served July 10, 2014 with the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Humboldt State University Police and Arcata Police. During the search of the residence, the detective located and seized Haynes computer, a thumb and hard drive which Haynes provided to the detective. A Humboldt County District Attorney Office investigator conducted a forensic examination on the computer, hard drive and thumb drive, which revealed thousands of Child Pornography pictures and videos.



 The detective wrote and obtained a Humboldt County Superior Court arrest warrant for Haynes for possession of matter depicting a minor engaging or simulating sexual conduct, sending or duplicating sexual content involving a minor, exchanging or distributing content involving a matter depicting sexual content involving a minor and sexual exploitation of a child.



 On 08-29-2104, at approximately 12:00 p.m. Sheriff's Detectives drove to Haynes home and arrested him on the felony arrest warrant. He was transported to the Humboldt County Correctional Facility.

Dino Cardelli hearing continued and public defender appointed as counsel

Review hearing scheduled for Sept 5 in Courtroom 8. Cardelli, a former pastor, was accused of molesting a victim who was his adopted daughter. He plead guilty the day his trial was to begin, was sentenced to 18 years in prison and recently appealed that sentence.

River bar suspect Douglas Flowers guilty of battery; not guilty on 1 count and mistrial on 1 count

Douglas Flowers, the suspect in the incident at the River Bar in Ferndale was found guilty in Count 2  by the jury of battery on Shiloh Kunkle, not guilty on Count 3 of public intoxication and a mistrial was declared in Count 1 which was battery causing great bodily injury.

The jury could not reach an unanimous verdict on Count 1. The jury was split 8 /4 and  Judge Reinholtsen did not ask which numbers were for guilty or non-guilty.

Only 1 juror stayed and spoke with both attorneys, DDA Roger Rees and defense counsel Glenn Brown. While the jurors mostly found Brian Merle a credible witness, another witness' testimony caused the split.

Mr. Brown said he was disappointed the jury did not come back with a not guilty on all counts. DDA Roger Rees said the "jury did an incredible job of considering all the evidence." Mr. Rees said the testimony of the witness that the jury could not agree on was from someone who was 16 years old when this incident occurred. Mr. Rees is going to speak to the victim in Count 1 and the family to see if he will refile charges.

Eureka Fifth Ward City Council member Chet Albin emphasized jobs at his election kick-off today

Council member  Chet Albin said he was very pleased with the turnout at his election kick-off today. Chet told me that he emphasized jobs today in his speeech. "The City of Eureka just cut four million from the city budget. We need a new revenue source to increase operating capital."

Chet's speech:

I have always looked for a fulfilling way to give back to my community, which has been so good to me throughout my life and career here.

I was honored when my good friend Lance Madsen asked me to fill his seat on the Eureka City Council last year. Since then, it has been my privilege to serve as the Councilmember for the 5th ward, which is why today, I ask for your support so I can continue serving for the next 4 years.

I want to continue working on projects like "Cruise the West," to bring cruise ships to our port, and hope to announce in the near future a new restaurant in the Fisherman's Terminal building behind me.

I want to see our city continue to prosper and grow, and to continue working with the Schneider Dock owners to find ways to provide more living wage jobs in our abundant natural resource industry.

I'm proud of the relationships I have forged with our Police and Fire Departments to provide more public safety, and the Harbor District which helped facilitate the purchase of a dredge for Humboldt Bay.

My background in the Navy, as a sports official, as a missionary, as a local business owner, and as a public official has helped cultivate a sense of duty and responsibility to help make our community the best it can be. I believe in doing my part to give back, and as your 5th Ward City Councilmember, I promise to continue to do just that.

In conclusion, please help me move this positive agenda for Eureka forward by voting for me on November 4th.


Thank you for coming today and I will appreciate your support.

Supervisor Ryan Sundberg comments on on Federal Judge's decision to deny restraining order to stop release of water into the Trinity River

"I was ecstatic that the Judge realized the dire state our local rivers are in," said Supervisor Ryan Sundberg. "I'm hopeful we will protect our limited natural resource for another year and I am committed to continuing our work on the long term solution."

Jury currently deliberating the fate of River bar "White Power" suspect Douglas Flowers

Remember the River Bar incident involving alleged beatings and racist remarks about "White Pride" and "White Power" by father-son duo Douglas and Curtis Flowers and Chris Hanley aka Combs.

The jury went into deliberations yesterday. The case was prosecuted by DDA Roger Rees and Douglas Flowers was represented by Mr. Glenn Brown.

The jury will decide Flower's fate and if he did indeed punch a young woman and yell racial insults. I sat in and listened to the testimony of one of the prosecution's witnesses and Mr. Rees' closing arguments.

EPA secret maps for water control?

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2014/08/27/blueprint-for-water-control-pol-says-epa-secretly-created-maps-for-new/

Weigh in readers.

Humboldt lovey dovey duo get a friend arrested in court

Lance Borgner and Christina Higgins are set to have their cases go on trial. This is for the crime that they allegedly committed with William Hillegeist. Once again, they ignored rules and tried to make a love connection. The baliff admonished them today and this time loudly, "Kids, no talking!"

Higgins complied but Borgner was undeterred. What would a court appearance be for the lovey dovey duo if there was no drama involved each time they show up for court.

Another friend of theirs who showed up in court decided to chat with Borgner from the audience. This went on for a while despite silent admonishment. This has a few times happened before and there  are signs warning people not to chat with inmates. Finally another baliff walked up and arrested the friend and cuffed him in court and took him into custody.

No one has been arrested before, usually people step out or stop. Amidst the cuffing and the man being led away while attorneys were trying to conduct business for another case, I was talking with Benjamin Carter's attorney Michael Acosta. I learned that the man arrested was his client. The guy returned to court later to briefly chat with Mr. Acosta.

Upon hearing that the case was going to jury trial, Higgins burst into tears as she was led back to custody. Borgner was nonchalant.

Benjamin Carter jury trial set for October 20

Today Benjamin Carter was arraigned in Courtroom 1 for a jury trial which will take place on October 20 at 8:30 a.m.

Judge John Feeney read the charges against Carter. Count 1 is murder. Count 2 is possession of a firearm. Two firearm enhancement allegations were added for both counts and a special allegation of prior and serious felony conviction.

DDA Roger Rees was present for the People. Michael Acosta represents Carter.

According to Acosta, the second count of possession of firearm was added for the jury trial. Mr. Acosta reserved the  right to demurrer for the second count "because the gun is not in possession." Mr. Acosta asked the jury trial be set "on a no time waived basis."

In August 2014, Carter was held to answer to all charges in a preliminary hearing before Judge Dale Reinholtsen.

Pre-Trial Conference is on September 24 at 2 p.m. and Trial Confirmation is on October 20 at 2 p.m.

Suspect in Shamus T Bones embezzlement pleads no contest

Malcolm Carpenter agreed to pay full restitution to Shamus T-Bones in monthly payments of $2,000. The The total amount owed is $44, 000.

 This offer and resolution was being debated for three weeks, according to Shamus'  Chris Barry. DDA Roger Rees consulted with Malcom Carpenter's attorney Michael Robinson and Barry during court this afternoon until they arrived at the resolution. Barry said he was happy with the result as long as he is paid in full.

The plea had conditions of probation and if restitution is made in full, the felony charge will be reduced to a misdemeanor. The sentencing will take place on Oct 22 at 2 p.m. after probation has a chance to weigh-in.

Mr. Robinson requested that his client not be incarcerated but allowed community service so he could work and pay restitution and also because he is a single parent.

Double murder suspect Vincent Sanchez jury trial set for October 20

Sanchez was coherent and well mannered and listened politely as his attorney explained the procedure. He was arraigned today in Courtroom 4 for the jury trial which is scheduled for Oct 20 at 8:30.

DDA Zach Curtis represented the People, Mr. Owen Tipps from the Public Defender was present today for Sanchez's attorney Ms. Jennifer Dixon.

Woman climbs on roof of car to prevent dad from driving away with the car

 On 8-26-2014, at approximately 10:30 a.m. the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office received a call of a domestic disturbance over a vehicle occurring in the 1700 block of Edeline Avenue, McKinleyville. When the deputy responding to the call arrived in the area, he saw a blue 1982 Honda sedan turn onto Washington Avenue from Worth Avenue, in front of his patrol car. The deputy saw a woman was hanging onto the roof of the Honda and was signaling the deputy for help. The deputy attempted a traffic stop on the Honda, however it failed to yield. The deputy followed the Honda for several blocks with his emergency lights and siren activated, until it yielded in a driveway on Hayes Street, McKinleyville.

 After the driver yielded, the woman removed herself from the roof of the Honda. The deputy detained the driver in handcuffs, while he spoke with the 24 year old female. She told the deputy her 63 year old father was the man driving the car. She said the car belonged to her 18 year old sister, who was supposed to leave for college the next day. Her father did not want her sister to drive to college in the car, so he decided to take it away from her. Her father grabbed the car keys and started to drive off with the car, so she got onto the roof to try to prevent him from leaving.  She did not believe he would drive away with her on the roof. She told the deputy she received a minor injury from a brief confrontation with her father over the car keys, prior to her father driving off with the car. She did not want prosecution, only the car returned to the legal owner, her sister.

 The deputy interviewed the father who acknowledged driving the car away with his daughter on the roof. He told the deputy he did not want his daughter to take the car to college. He said he kept his speed down to around 20 miles per hour, since she was on the roof.  He told the deputy he knew the patrol car was behind him, but he did not want to stop on a busy street. After interviewing the father, the deputy determined he needed a mental health evaluation and he was transported to a local mental health facility.