Another case of Justice delayed

Despite her debilitating illness, Joi Henderson Wright found ways to indulge her zest for life and her love of the outdoors, here participating in tandem skydiving in the mid-1990s. Submitted photo/the Henderson family. Previous article: A mother's last chance for justice

Judge views taped evidence in dependent abuse case
Joseph Pierre Rollin stands accused of dependent abuse, with the additional allegations that he proximately caused the death of the victim, 42-year-old Joi Henderson Wright, and that he inflicted great bodily injury on her.

The videotape viewed Thursday by Superior Court Judge Timothy Cissna was recorded in an Austin, Texas, police station on April 10, 2003, more than a year after Wright’s death, and contains almost four hours of discussion between Rollin and Chris Cook, then a senior investigator for the Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office.

Remember the original conviction was overturned because Gallegos used the non-Mirandized initial denial of guilt as evidence, arguing that his denial was proof of his guilt - rather than simply using the Mirandized Admission of guilt.

Now - It remained unclear when opening arguments would begin. Cissna, apparently frustrated by the pace of proceedings, reminded the attorneys that they had told him the trial would end by Christmas.

“From my observation, the chance of that happening is absolutely zero,” Cissna said. “We haven’t even finished the first motion.”

Jury selection is expected to resume Nov. 26, after Thanksgiving, but two additional weeklong recesses are scheduled in December.