James Merrick, recently arrested in Mckinleyville for allegedly hitting a teen pedestrian plead to a DUI last April

James Merrick, who is scheduled to be arraigned this afternoon on charges of murder, two DUI counts and hit and run in the death of a teen pedestrian in Mckinleyville had plead guilty last April to a misdemeanor DUI.

He will also be arraigned in the 2015 case for probation revocation this afternoon.

It's Sgt. Greg Musson to you!

Supervisors Virginia Bass and Rex Bohn attending the HCSO swearing in ceremony this morning at the Wharfinger.

Sohum upskirting jury trial continued once, now vacated, new date to be set in 2017

From October 17, the jury trial got continued to December 27. Then, at intervention on December 14, the trial date in December 2016 was vacated.

Setting for a new date is scheduled for January 19 in the misdemeanor court.

Previous post:

http://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2016/06/jury-trial-for-sohum-upskirting-suspect.html?m=1

Large law enforcement presence at Buhne and Union

HCSO and EPD are looking for someone, not much comment at this time.

Units clearing that area, still looking for suspect. Reports that a man was walking around with a stolen weapon. The serial number was broadcast, 37C805P3013.

Highest arrest rate in California? Hippie Humboldt County claims this article

Unfortunately, pot and crime is the primary national image of Humboldt.

The stats will be worse for 2016.

(Photo : Breitbart)

Humboldt high crime rate, Sheriff Mike Downey and Eureka Chief Andy Mills featured in this Breitbart article.

My favorite part was  the writer calling LOCO the Lost Coast Outlook.

Excerpt 1:

The county with the highest arrest rate in California is not Los Angeles, San Diego or the Bay Area counties, where Black Lives Matter protests have shut down cities. Rather, it is “hippie” Humboldt County, which had the highest arrest rates for felonies, misdemeanors, and status offenses for the 58 counties in California from 2005 through 2014.

Cutten report of gunshot wound to the head turns out to be a possible suicide

Humboldt County Sheriff deputies, Humboldt Bay Fire and City Ambulance responded to a report of  of a 40 year old male with a gun shot wound to the head in the 1300 block of Ridgewood Drive. They were followed by the Humboldt County Coroner to the residence where this incident allegedly occurred.
Undersheriff William Honsal said that this was a possible suicide and that HCSO and the Coroner's office are investigating if the suspect shot himself.

In such cases, Undersheriff Honsal said, "we tend not to issue press releases."

The U. S. Coast Guard has also been out assisting HCSO with a helicopter. Not sure if it is related to this tragedy.

Another win for the DA's office and the CAST team to bring justice to a survivor sexual abuse

District Attorney Maggie Fleming announced that on December 15, 2016, a Humboldt County jury convicted 70-year-old Eureka resident Barry John Sanford of three felonies: continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14 years of age (Penal Code Section 288.5(a)), forcible oral copulation with a minor 14 years of age (Penal Code Section 288a(c)(2)(C)), and committing a lewd and lascivious act upon a child ( Penal Code Section 288a(c)(1)).  The jury did not reach a unanimous verdict on one additional felony charge, aggravated sexual assault of a child (Penal Code Section 269(a)).

In the summer of 2013, then 15-year-old John Doe disclosed to his parents that Sanford had sexually abused him.  At the time, Sanford was the in-home care provider for, and boyfriend of, Doe's grandmother.  Shortly after the initial disclosure, Doe's grandmother confronted Sanford with the allegations of abuse and ended their relationship.  Sanford fled to the residence of his lifelong friends in Pennsylvania. He told them that he was a "fugitive" for having sex with Doe.

Deputy DA Roger Rees who prosecuted the Ferrer case, Carter case, scores yet another win with Blackmon life sentence

Kudos to Mr. Rees and the DA's office.


DA Press Release:

On September 30, 2016, a Humboldt County jury found 42-year-old Sean Blackmon guilty of: kidnapping to commit robbery (2 counts), robbery (2 counts), assault with a deadly weapon (2 counts), residential burglary and  felon in possession of a firearm.

On December 16, 2016, Judge Timothy Cissna sentenced Blackmon to both 32 years and life in prison. Mr. Blackmon must serve 51 years before he will be eligible for parole.

APD arrests victim's girlfriend for attempted homicide

On 12/16/16 at about 1424 hours, the Arcata Police Department received a report of a stabbing victim in the area of Samoa Bl and H St. Upon the officer's arrival, they located a 44-year-old male with multiple stab wounds to his back and upper chest. The officers began administering first aid to the male victim until the arrival of emergency medical staff.

Alleged victim in 1600 block of Eureka, gunshot wound, laceration to arm

Alleged victim in 1600 block of G Street Eureka from a gunshot wound; gunshot victim laceration to the arm from the wound.

Alleged altercation between occupants of two properties owned by Floyd Squires.

Operation Safe Streets had more information:

☆ Original Post ☆

Eureka Police are responding to the 1600 block of C st.   Apparently a resident interrupted a burglar inside his home and now has the suspect detained.

Update 1235 hrs - EPD has one detained.  Christopher Hardy is the alleged burglar who happens to have some prior theft issues including pc 487 (Grand theft) and 488 (Petty theft) with a search clause.

Humboldt County Superior Court announces new jury management system which includes summons by postcard

This is a press release. Will update later


Online updating.


I am in a preliminary hearing all afternoon and there is James Merrick arraignment also this afternoon.

Over 120 people attend Judge Neville's memorial service live streamed, thanks to BOS

If you missed attending the memorial for Judge Harold Neville, here is the you tube link

https://youtu.be/0JFGv1KCMbw

Between Courtroom 1 and the other alternate location in court, about 120 people attended the memorial, according to Humboldt County Superior Court CEO Kim Bartelson.

James Merrick charged with murder, hit and run and two DUI charges causing injury to teenage pedestrian

James Merrick is scheduled to be arraigned today at 4 p.m. The complaint by the DA, which is still to be filed, as of 11:50 a.m. charges Merrick with the following counts.

Bail is million dollars. Merrick said he is hiring a private attorney, arraignment continued to 12/19 in the afternoon.

Broc and Colt Tuel charged in Humboldt Hill shooting scheduled for preliminary hearing on February 6

Broc and Colt Tuel , who are charged in a Humboldt Hill shooting,  are out of custody, have yet to have a preliminary hearing.

Setting was scheduled for the morning in Courtroom 5, got rescheduled for the afternoon.

Intervention is on February 2 at 9:45 and preliminary hearing is on February 6 on 9:45.

http://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2016/07/another-disposition-and-reset-hearing.html?m=1

Jon Goldberg will be arraigned for jury trial on one count of murder and one special allegation

At the preliminary hearing, Jon Goldberg was not held to answer to counts two and three which were added later.

He is to be arraigned on informaton for the jury trial on December 20, at 8:30 a.m. in Courtroom 5.

A complaint filed by the DA on December 14 consists of only one Count, murder of Tim Smith with the special allegation that Goldberg "personally and intentionally discharged a firearm, a handgun, which caused great bodily injury or death" to Tim Smith.

Two arrested for stolen property found at a nearby marijuana grow site

On 12-11-2016 at approximately 12:25 A.M., Mendocino County Sheriff's Deputies were dispatched to a reported trespass in the 42000 block of Alta Mesa Road in Manchester, California.  Deputies responded and contacted the reporting person, a 63 year-old adult male.

Deputies learned the adult male was the property owner of that location.  The property contained a furnished residence used by the adult male.  The adult male arrived at his residence on the morning of 12-11-2016 and found an unknown person(s) occupying his residence, who fled prior to the Deputies arrival.  The adult male immediately left the location and contacted law enforcement.

Recent Manila homicide suspects charged with murder and carjacking

The two suspects arrested in connection with the Manila homicide, Cesar Octavio Valenzuela-Campos and Tamara Thomson, are scheduled to be arraigned by this afternoon.

Both are charged with PC 187(a) and PC 215 (a) with the same special allegation of having firearms.


Bail was raised to 1.25 million for each suspect by Judge John Feeney. Deputy District Attorney David Christensen was present for the People.

Public Defender's office was appointed fir Valenzuela-Campos. Mr. David Nims, of Jannsen and Malloy is representing Thomson.

Intervention is on December 27. Preliminary hearing is scheduled for December 28 at 9:45.

Robert Cochran, arrested yesterday for the alleged Toys for Tot robbery already out on the street, released on OR

One of the suspects charged in the alleged Toys for Tot robbery at Bayshore Mall, Robert Cochran, was released to self yesterday, on OR.

He was booked for a misdemeanor.