Sunday, May 31, 2009
charged with a single misdemeanor count of obstructing an officer
◼ Photographer to stand trial in homeless case
Due to his transient status, VonZabern said he was unaware that charges had been filed, or that he had a warrant out for his arrest until early 2009.
Humboldt County Deputy District Attorney Elan Firpo said the delay in the case was because VonZabern went missing and missed a handful of court dates, but VonZabern said he's been in Humboldt County nearly the entire time and simply wasn't made aware of the case or the court dates.
Another crime of the century.
Due to his transient status, VonZabern said he was unaware that charges had been filed, or that he had a warrant out for his arrest until early 2009.
Humboldt County Deputy District Attorney Elan Firpo said the delay in the case was because VonZabern went missing and missed a handful of court dates, but VonZabern said he's been in Humboldt County nearly the entire time and simply wasn't made aware of the case or the court dates.
Another crime of the century.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Another pot bust
◼ Suspect from alleged Dinsmore grow caught in Eureka
EUREKA -- Humboldt County Drug Task Force agents Wednesday morning arrested 28-year-old Joseph Milch on felony drug and weapons charges, having sought the suspect for more than a month after he allegedly fled from authorities on a Dinsmore pot farm.
According to DTF Agent Jack Nelsen, on Wednesday morning, authorities traveled to a Myrtletown residence near 18th Street and Nedra Avenue to interview a subject who they suspected may know Milch's whereabouts.
When the agents arrived at the house, Nelsen said they found a parked vehicle they knew belonged to Milch.
Agents waited at the residence, Nelsen said, and eventually Milch was seen leaving the home and driving toward Henderson Center. Milch was stopped by police officers and arrested, Nelsen said.
Humboldt County jail staff reported Milch was booked at 10:40 a.m. for felony charges related to cultivation of marijuana, possession of marijuana and possession of a deadly weapon.
The two residents of the Myrtletown home where Milch was found were detained for questioning, but have not been arrested. Their names were not released.
Milch had been sought by authorities since April 8, when DTF agents raided a remote parcel of land in Dinsmore, where they reportedly found around 700 marijuana plants, loaded weapons including an assault rifle, an assortment of bullet-proof apparel, thousands of rounds of ammunition and spilled diesel fuel and oil.
EUREKA -- Humboldt County Drug Task Force agents Wednesday morning arrested 28-year-old Joseph Milch on felony drug and weapons charges, having sought the suspect for more than a month after he allegedly fled from authorities on a Dinsmore pot farm.
According to DTF Agent Jack Nelsen, on Wednesday morning, authorities traveled to a Myrtletown residence near 18th Street and Nedra Avenue to interview a subject who they suspected may know Milch's whereabouts.
When the agents arrived at the house, Nelsen said they found a parked vehicle they knew belonged to Milch.
Agents waited at the residence, Nelsen said, and eventually Milch was seen leaving the home and driving toward Henderson Center. Milch was stopped by police officers and arrested, Nelsen said.
Humboldt County jail staff reported Milch was booked at 10:40 a.m. for felony charges related to cultivation of marijuana, possession of marijuana and possession of a deadly weapon.
The two residents of the Myrtletown home where Milch was found were detained for questioning, but have not been arrested. Their names were not released.
Milch had been sought by authorities since April 8, when DTF agents raided a remote parcel of land in Dinsmore, where they reportedly found around 700 marijuana plants, loaded weapons including an assault rifle, an assortment of bullet-proof apparel, thousands of rounds of ammunition and spilled diesel fuel and oil.
Monday, May 25, 2009
Switching parties - a meaningless move.
◼ Neely makes the switch: Longtime Republican supervisor now a Democrat What's not in the story? Well, hinted at, maybe. One: Republicans were done with her. And two: This effectively kills off Richard Marks' ability to run against her.
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Friday, May 22, 2009
MUST READ
Today's editorial in the Times Standard
◼ Comedy of government
This is, far and away, the best editorial I have seen in a long, long time. Bravo.
excerpt ...Now it's crunch time. The worst will come to pass, as the state combs through every nook and cranny searching for fat to burn, and juice to squeeze from the already dehydrated state budget.
In this moment, there are two possible outcomes -- either the state government continues on this same sorry path year after year, hoping against hope that somehow the economy turns around enough to drag our state budget out of the muck. It might even happen someday, and we can all be lulled back into complacency until the next recession sucks every last drop of marrow from the state's rickety bones.
The other option? Rethink everything. On these ruins, rebuild. Recast the state's approach to government through some kind of constitutional convention where everything again becomes possible within the boundaries of American democracy. Nothing should be taken off the table. The problems that confront us are mammoth, and systemic. Only through reinvention will California turn this around for good.
As a state we are hamstrung by an inherited initiative system that has been hijacked by special interests, shackled the hands of government and turned our budget process into a farce. Additionally, aspects of the process are such that conflict is encouraged, cooperation reviled, and grandstanding rewarded. All of this needs to end.
Until the courage is found to break the current mold, we'll wallow here in the shallows. In the meantime, everyone in Sacramento needs to take a long look in the mirror and figure out whether their party comes before their state and the residents of their district.
There's only one right answer.
********
It includes some hard hitting points in response to some quotes from California politicians, who give us the usual mealymouthed "we got the message" crap... One thing to watch out for though - Chesbro's words "They want the Legislature and the governor to work together in a bipartisan manner to solve the state's budget problem" ... that catchphrase "bipartisan manner" doesn't mean the same thing to he and his colleagues that it does to you and me... to us it means you work together and make the necessary cuts to live within your means, to him it means his opponents are going to have to let him raise taxes instead of making cuts. Those ballot measures were all about how to keep spending and the people said NO.
Now, you'll see them work to cut essential services, like fire and police, so they can get the public all upset and convinced that they have to consent to more fees and assessments and taxes, when the essential services are what we agree must be protected while other things are cut or eliminated.
Hope he proves me wrong. I won't hold my breath.
◼ Comedy of government
This is, far and away, the best editorial I have seen in a long, long time. Bravo.
excerpt ...Now it's crunch time. The worst will come to pass, as the state combs through every nook and cranny searching for fat to burn, and juice to squeeze from the already dehydrated state budget.
In this moment, there are two possible outcomes -- either the state government continues on this same sorry path year after year, hoping against hope that somehow the economy turns around enough to drag our state budget out of the muck. It might even happen someday, and we can all be lulled back into complacency until the next recession sucks every last drop of marrow from the state's rickety bones.
The other option? Rethink everything. On these ruins, rebuild. Recast the state's approach to government through some kind of constitutional convention where everything again becomes possible within the boundaries of American democracy. Nothing should be taken off the table. The problems that confront us are mammoth, and systemic. Only through reinvention will California turn this around for good.
As a state we are hamstrung by an inherited initiative system that has been hijacked by special interests, shackled the hands of government and turned our budget process into a farce. Additionally, aspects of the process are such that conflict is encouraged, cooperation reviled, and grandstanding rewarded. All of this needs to end.
Until the courage is found to break the current mold, we'll wallow here in the shallows. In the meantime, everyone in Sacramento needs to take a long look in the mirror and figure out whether their party comes before their state and the residents of their district.
There's only one right answer.
********
It includes some hard hitting points in response to some quotes from California politicians, who give us the usual mealymouthed "we got the message" crap... One thing to watch out for though - Chesbro's words "They want the Legislature and the governor to work together in a bipartisan manner to solve the state's budget problem" ... that catchphrase "bipartisan manner" doesn't mean the same thing to he and his colleagues that it does to you and me... to us it means you work together and make the necessary cuts to live within your means, to him it means his opponents are going to have to let him raise taxes instead of making cuts. Those ballot measures were all about how to keep spending and the people said NO.
Now, you'll see them work to cut essential services, like fire and police, so they can get the public all upset and convinced that they have to consent to more fees and assessments and taxes, when the essential services are what we agree must be protected while other things are cut or eliminated.
Hope he proves me wrong. I won't hold my breath.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Paul Gallegos' legacy
There nothing else to say but that this is the DIRECT result of putting an activist DA in office. Gallegos' 99 plant defacto legalization of POT in Humboldt County has led us to this.
◼ EPD searches for home invasion suspects - Times-Standard Thadeus Greenson
Police officers scoured sections of Eureka Tuesday afternoon, looking for a potentially armed suspect after another (armed) marijuana-related home invasion robbery.
According to a Eureka Police Department press release, Conte Leshan Watson, 30, of Eureka, and another suspect -- described as a 25- to 30-year-old, 6-foot, 2-inch black male -- allegedly held two victims at gunpoint in an M Street home before making off with a pound of marijuana and an undisclosed amount of cash. Scanner traffic indicated the two suspects fled the scene in a green Ford Bronco, which was later recovered near Washington and A streets.
According to scanner traffic, the victims reported that the suspects brandished a 9 mm or .22-caliber pistol during the robbery, and took one victim's cell phone, as well as the marijuana and cash.
The victims knew the two suspects, according to the press release, and had shared medical marijuana with them in the past.
”This time,” the press release states, “the suspects placed the victims in a prone position at gunpoint and stole cash and approximately one pound of marijuana.”
EPD Chief Garr Nielsen said the robbery victims also allegedly had marijuana growing on the premises....
...Nielsen said Tuesday's incident appears to be just the latest in a growing trend of marijuana-related robberies.
”We certainly have seen an increase, and it's very concerning,” Nielsen said. “We are seeing an increase of home invasions, and that's often times the result of grow houses, and people who are growing far in excess of what's permitted under 215.”
Because of the illicit nature of marijuana grows and sales, Nielsen said it is difficult for his officers to take measures to help prevent these types of robberies. But, Nielsen said, getting a handle on grow houses would go a long ways toward reducing the number of such incidences.
To that end, Nielsen said he'd like to see Humboldt County adopt the stricter medical marijuana guidelines of the state attorney general. Currently, Humboldt County allows 215 patients to grow either in a 99-square-foot space or 99 plants -- much more lenient rules than the state guidelines, which allow 12 immature plants or six mature plants.
... I have yet to see a home invasion robbery where the victim was complying with the attorney general's guidelines.”...
◼ EPD searches for home invasion suspects - Times-Standard Thadeus Greenson
Police officers scoured sections of Eureka Tuesday afternoon, looking for a potentially armed suspect after another (armed) marijuana-related home invasion robbery.
According to a Eureka Police Department press release, Conte Leshan Watson, 30, of Eureka, and another suspect -- described as a 25- to 30-year-old, 6-foot, 2-inch black male -- allegedly held two victims at gunpoint in an M Street home before making off with a pound of marijuana and an undisclosed amount of cash. Scanner traffic indicated the two suspects fled the scene in a green Ford Bronco, which was later recovered near Washington and A streets.
According to scanner traffic, the victims reported that the suspects brandished a 9 mm or .22-caliber pistol during the robbery, and took one victim's cell phone, as well as the marijuana and cash.
The victims knew the two suspects, according to the press release, and had shared medical marijuana with them in the past.
”This time,” the press release states, “the suspects placed the victims in a prone position at gunpoint and stole cash and approximately one pound of marijuana.”
EPD Chief Garr Nielsen said the robbery victims also allegedly had marijuana growing on the premises....
...Nielsen said Tuesday's incident appears to be just the latest in a growing trend of marijuana-related robberies.
”We certainly have seen an increase, and it's very concerning,” Nielsen said. “We are seeing an increase of home invasions, and that's often times the result of grow houses, and people who are growing far in excess of what's permitted under 215.”
Because of the illicit nature of marijuana grows and sales, Nielsen said it is difficult for his officers to take measures to help prevent these types of robberies. But, Nielsen said, getting a handle on grow houses would go a long ways toward reducing the number of such incidences.
To that end, Nielsen said he'd like to see Humboldt County adopt the stricter medical marijuana guidelines of the state attorney general. Currently, Humboldt County allows 215 patients to grow either in a 99-square-foot space or 99 plants -- much more lenient rules than the state guidelines, which allow 12 immature plants or six mature plants.
... I have yet to see a home invasion robbery where the victim was complying with the attorney general's guidelines.”...
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
19 year old (alleged) drug runner arrested
◼ Surviving suspect from police chase identified
A 19-year-old man from Antioch who survived an apparent self-inflicted gunshot to the head was arrested at a Sacramento hospital Monday for his alleged involvement in an armed marijuana robbery May 11 that ended with the death of his apparent associate David Fields.
Brian Cole Fiore was arrested at 5:15 p.m. Monday and booked into the Sacramento County Jail on suspicion of attempted murder, robbery, negligent discharge of a firearm and evading a peace officer with wanton disregard for safety, the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office reported.
According to HCSO information, Fiore will be transported to the Humboldt County jail, but it is uncertain when.
Following an autopsy conducted over the weekend, investigators believe Fields, 21, was shot shortly before the vehicle he was riding in flipped over an embankment along the roadside, and rolled to a stop 130 feet down into the ravine below.
Investigators know Field's death was caused by a gunshot wound, said Deputy Coroner Charlie VanBuskirk, but are uncertain whether death was a homicide, a suicide or an accident.
Fields' mother, Shirley Stephens, identified her son's body at the Humboldt County Coroner's Office the day after the shooting. Fields, who was right-handed, was shot in the left temple, she said....
A 19-year-old man from Antioch who survived an apparent self-inflicted gunshot to the head was arrested at a Sacramento hospital Monday for his alleged involvement in an armed marijuana robbery May 11 that ended with the death of his apparent associate David Fields.
Brian Cole Fiore was arrested at 5:15 p.m. Monday and booked into the Sacramento County Jail on suspicion of attempted murder, robbery, negligent discharge of a firearm and evading a peace officer with wanton disregard for safety, the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office reported.
According to HCSO information, Fiore will be transported to the Humboldt County jail, but it is uncertain when.
Following an autopsy conducted over the weekend, investigators believe Fields, 21, was shot shortly before the vehicle he was riding in flipped over an embankment along the roadside, and rolled to a stop 130 feet down into the ravine below.
Investigators know Field's death was caused by a gunshot wound, said Deputy Coroner Charlie VanBuskirk, but are uncertain whether death was a homicide, a suicide or an accident.
Fields' mother, Shirley Stephens, identified her son's body at the Humboldt County Coroner's Office the day after the shooting. Fields, who was right-handed, was shot in the left temple, she said....
Vote NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO.
1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E and 1F
What do all these measures have in common? They ALL allow the runaway legislators to Keep Spending. SAY NO! No more spending. Live within our means. Fire every single legislator who doesn't get it... including Schwarzenegger.
Prop 1A is nothing more than a massive tax increase masked as a phony spending limit and allows then to KEEP spending.
Prop 1B is an attempt to modify some of the terms of California Proposition 98 (1998) in order to free up money, won't go into effect unless 1A passes, but allows them to keep spending.
Prop 1C allows the state to borrow $5 billion against future lottery sales, enabling the state to continue unsustainable spending and avoid needed reforms.
Prop 1D allows the state to modify the terms of Proposition 10 (1998 tobacco tax hike earmarked for children's health care) and KEEP SPENDING!
Prop 1E allows the state to divert $230 million a year from Proposition 63 (surtax on the wealthy approved in 2004 to fund mental health programs) to offset general fund obligations... another one that takes propositions that set aside funds for certain things that VOTERS APPROVED, and steals it to keep funding their irresponsible spending.
Prop 1F prevents pay increases for elected officials during budget deficit years. While this may sound good on its face, this proposition has no teeth and is all for show.
If you just hafta vote YES on something, do it on 1F because that will help send a message
Here's The Americans for Tax Reform recommendations: ◼ ATR Analysis of California's May 19th Special Election
◼ Dan Walters: Big costs loom for state beyond deficit h/t: Fred
◼ Dan Weintraub: Picture this state's fiscal reckoning, because it's close h/t: Fred
Californians on the left and the right have told me they think the state's finances have to crash and burn before lawmakers and the governor will come to their senses and finally fix the problem.
What do all these measures have in common? They ALL allow the runaway legislators to Keep Spending. SAY NO! No more spending. Live within our means. Fire every single legislator who doesn't get it... including Schwarzenegger.
RESULTS!
◼ Local Election Results 2009 (8:28, 13% in)
1A No - 63%
1B No - 60%
1C No - 61%
1D No - 62%
1E No - 62%
1F Yes - 75% 77/23 at 9:06 (17% in) 1F is winning at 82% in SF
◼ Ace of Spades California Props Scoresheet Open Thread
Prop 1A is nothing more than a massive tax increase masked as a phony spending limit and allows then to KEEP spending.
Prop 1B is an attempt to modify some of the terms of California Proposition 98 (1998) in order to free up money, won't go into effect unless 1A passes, but allows them to keep spending.
Prop 1C allows the state to borrow $5 billion against future lottery sales, enabling the state to continue unsustainable spending and avoid needed reforms.
Prop 1D allows the state to modify the terms of Proposition 10 (1998 tobacco tax hike earmarked for children's health care) and KEEP SPENDING!
Prop 1E allows the state to divert $230 million a year from Proposition 63 (surtax on the wealthy approved in 2004 to fund mental health programs) to offset general fund obligations... another one that takes propositions that set aside funds for certain things that VOTERS APPROVED, and steals it to keep funding their irresponsible spending.
Prop 1F prevents pay increases for elected officials during budget deficit years. While this may sound good on its face, this proposition has no teeth and is all for show.
If you just hafta vote YES on something, do it on 1F because that will help send a message
Here's The Americans for Tax Reform recommendations: ◼ ATR Analysis of California's May 19th Special Election
◼ Dan Walters: Big costs loom for state beyond deficit h/t: Fred
◼ Dan Weintraub: Picture this state's fiscal reckoning, because it's close h/t: Fred
Californians on the left and the right have told me they think the state's finances have to crash and burn before lawmakers and the governor will come to their senses and finally fix the problem.
Monday, May 18, 2009
The smearing of possible Paul opponents begins
where else but the glorious Humboldt Herald....
Wal-Mart wins after local attorney blows deadline
Maneuvering to neutralize the one person who seems to be in line to run against Gallegos.
Wal-Mart wins after local attorney blows deadline
Maneuvering to neutralize the one person who seems to be in line to run against Gallegos.
The worst case
◼ Looking forward: Quigley family watches and waits as case continues
Throughout the court proceedings for Flores and Whitmill, the Quigley family and their many supporters have donned their pink shirts -- Nicole's favorite color -- and watched intently in the courtroom.
Ken Quigley has watched as both Flores and Whitmill were appointed public counsel and waived their right to a speedy trial, often pushing back their court dates. Although it is a routine practice, as months go by, the process becomes ever more frustrating for Ken Quigley.
”Why do they need three months to try to poke holes in the prosecution's argument?” he asked. “It's frustrating as hell, the whole system is frustrating.”...
...Speaking generally about court cases, Gallegos said, “the problem is, you have an aggrieved victim and an aggrieved community. But the courts don't want to visit one harm on another, and that would be the depravation of a person's right to prepare their defense. But the courts aren't going to let it go on forever.”...
The comments following the article are particularly interesting.... :...Remember when Dave Gunderson's wife walked into the McKinleyville sub station? They had him arrested and jailed and sent to trial in zero time.
Now look at this situation. Two men are responsible for the death of a young girl, and they're dragging their feet...." "I'll tell you how this ends... A plea deal with the these two guys getting off with the hefty burden of probation. Wanna bet? Our DA is a softy." "Revelation, a woman drove a car out of control and careened into an oncoming pickup truck killing a man. She was fined $627 dollars, required to perform 100 hours of community service..and serve two years of probation...
A man runs down and kills a man and gets five years probation."...
This case and the bicycle case, it will be interesting to see how they are handled.
Related:
09
◼ Whitmill and Flores trial date delayed another month 08/04/2009
◼ Whitmill, Flores take District Attorney's deal 12/05/2009
◼ Jury selection begins in trial of Whitmill, Flores 11/23/2009
◼ Whitmill, Flores trial to proceed 11/10/2009
◼ Motion denied to suppress blood sample in Whitmill case 11/06/2009
◼ Whitmill faces murder charge for alleged role in crash 10/15/2008
◼ Quigley family, friends remember 9-year-old Nicole 10/06/09
◼ Nearly one year ago 10/01/2009
◼ Case surrounding fatal crash on Highway 299 delayed 09/15/2009
◼ Too many delays 9/10/09
◼ Legal maneuvers slow case of men charged in 9-year-old's death 09/01/2009
◼ Whitmill and Flores trial date delayed another month 08/04/2009
◼ Evidence, charges unchanged against Whitmill 07/17/2009
◼ Evidence for second degree murder charge? 06/19/2009
◼ Thinking of the Quigleys 05/29/2009
◼ Remember Nicole 05/08/2009
◼ Looking forward: Quigley family watches and waits as case continues 05/17/2009
◼ Defendants in 299 wreck plead not guilty 03/28/2009
◼ Judge holds Whitmill, Flores to answer for 299 wreck 03/14/2009
◼ Wife refuses to testify against husband at preliminary hearing 03/13/2009
◼ Investigator testifies suspect in fatal crash changed story 03/12/2009
◼ Officer testifies about 299 crash at prelim 03/11/2009
◼ Preliminary hearing over Highway 299 wreck continues 03/10/2009
◼ Superior Court delays hearing in 299 crash case 02/11/2009
◼ Broken system 01/23/2009
08
◼ Hug your children 12/03/2008
◼ Vehicular manslaughter suspect has extensive criminal history 11/13/2008
◼ Whitmill-Flores hearing continued 11/06/2008
◼ Street race case waiting on CHP reports 10/23/2008
◼ Authorities seek Mustang passenger for questioning 10/17/2008
◼ Court document: Flores tried to 'subvert' investigation 10/16/08
◼ Whitmill faces murder charge for alleged role in crash 10/15/2008
◼ Authorities arrest driver of Mustang 10/10/2008
◼ New driver named in fatal collision 10/09/2008
◼ Search continues for other driver in fatal crash 10/08/2008
◼ ER Parolee named as driver in fatal collision
◼ TS New driver identified in fatal crash
◼ TS New driver named in fatal collision
TS Update: ☛ TS Police still looking for driver
◼ TS Driver sought: Suspected drag race on 299 results in fatal crash
Note: there were other articles in the Eureka reporter, but none are available online anymore.
Throughout the court proceedings for Flores and Whitmill, the Quigley family and their many supporters have donned their pink shirts -- Nicole's favorite color -- and watched intently in the courtroom.
Ken Quigley has watched as both Flores and Whitmill were appointed public counsel and waived their right to a speedy trial, often pushing back their court dates. Although it is a routine practice, as months go by, the process becomes ever more frustrating for Ken Quigley.
”Why do they need three months to try to poke holes in the prosecution's argument?” he asked. “It's frustrating as hell, the whole system is frustrating.”...
...Speaking generally about court cases, Gallegos said, “the problem is, you have an aggrieved victim and an aggrieved community. But the courts don't want to visit one harm on another, and that would be the depravation of a person's right to prepare their defense. But the courts aren't going to let it go on forever.”...
The comments following the article are particularly interesting.... :...Remember when Dave Gunderson's wife walked into the McKinleyville sub station? They had him arrested and jailed and sent to trial in zero time.
Now look at this situation. Two men are responsible for the death of a young girl, and they're dragging their feet...." "I'll tell you how this ends... A plea deal with the these two guys getting off with the hefty burden of probation. Wanna bet? Our DA is a softy." "Revelation, a woman drove a car out of control and careened into an oncoming pickup truck killing a man. She was fined $627 dollars, required to perform 100 hours of community service..and serve two years of probation...
A man runs down and kills a man and gets five years probation."...
This case and the bicycle case, it will be interesting to see how they are handled.
Related:
09
◼ Whitmill and Flores trial date delayed another month 08/04/2009
◼ Whitmill, Flores take District Attorney's deal 12/05/2009
◼ Jury selection begins in trial of Whitmill, Flores 11/23/2009
◼ Whitmill, Flores trial to proceed 11/10/2009
◼ Motion denied to suppress blood sample in Whitmill case 11/06/2009
◼ Whitmill faces murder charge for alleged role in crash 10/15/2008
◼ Quigley family, friends remember 9-year-old Nicole 10/06/09
◼ Nearly one year ago 10/01/2009
◼ Case surrounding fatal crash on Highway 299 delayed 09/15/2009
◼ Too many delays 9/10/09
◼ Legal maneuvers slow case of men charged in 9-year-old's death 09/01/2009
◼ Whitmill and Flores trial date delayed another month 08/04/2009
◼ Evidence, charges unchanged against Whitmill 07/17/2009
◼ Evidence for second degree murder charge? 06/19/2009
◼ Thinking of the Quigleys 05/29/2009
◼ Remember Nicole 05/08/2009
◼ Looking forward: Quigley family watches and waits as case continues 05/17/2009
◼ Defendants in 299 wreck plead not guilty 03/28/2009
◼ Judge holds Whitmill, Flores to answer for 299 wreck 03/14/2009
◼ Wife refuses to testify against husband at preliminary hearing 03/13/2009
◼ Investigator testifies suspect in fatal crash changed story 03/12/2009
◼ Officer testifies about 299 crash at prelim 03/11/2009
◼ Preliminary hearing over Highway 299 wreck continues 03/10/2009
◼ Superior Court delays hearing in 299 crash case 02/11/2009
◼ Broken system 01/23/2009
08
◼ Hug your children 12/03/2008
◼ Vehicular manslaughter suspect has extensive criminal history 11/13/2008
◼ Whitmill-Flores hearing continued 11/06/2008
◼ Street race case waiting on CHP reports 10/23/2008
◼ Authorities seek Mustang passenger for questioning 10/17/2008
◼ Court document: Flores tried to 'subvert' investigation 10/16/08
◼ Whitmill faces murder charge for alleged role in crash 10/15/2008
◼ Authorities arrest driver of Mustang 10/10/2008
◼ New driver named in fatal collision 10/09/2008
◼ Search continues for other driver in fatal crash 10/08/2008
◼ ER Parolee named as driver in fatal collision
◼ TS New driver identified in fatal crash
◼ TS New driver named in fatal collision
TS Update: ☛ TS Police still looking for driver
◼ TS Driver sought: Suspected drag race on 299 results in fatal crash
Note: there were other articles in the Eureka reporter, but none are available online anymore.
Charges filed in August 2008 case
◼ Hoopa man charged in death of bicyclist
A 27-year-old Hoopa man has been charged with negligent vehicular manslaughter after he allegedly struck and killed a bicycle commuter in August 2008.
Alan Bear faces charges of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence, providing false information to a police officer and making an unsafe lane change for an Aug. 25 incident that killed 42-year-old bicyclist and local botanist Gregory Jennings.
According to information found in Bear's court file, he has pleaded not guilty to all charges, and has hired criminal defense attorney Manny Daskal.
According to information from the California Highway Patrol, Bear was driving his 2002 Nissan pickup truck eastbound on 299 when he allowed his car to drift to the right side of the road onto the paved shoulder, hitting Jennings.
Jennings was ejected from his bicycle and landed on the grass. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Humboldt County Coroner's Office reported a witness who was driving down the road behind Bear saw the accident and said Jennings was wearing colorful clothing and was far off to the side of the road.
Bear was reportedly arrested at the scene, but according to staff at the Humboldt County jail, he was not booked into the jail.
According to court records, investigators are analyzing blood samples in an ongoing effort to determine whether drugs or alcohol were a contributing factor.
Bear will return to court June 3 for an intervention hearing, and again June 10 for a preliminary hearing.
Related post: ◼ Open Thread: Any info on the cyclist who was killed on 299 near Blue Lake a few months ago?
A 27-year-old Hoopa man has been charged with negligent vehicular manslaughter after he allegedly struck and killed a bicycle commuter in August 2008.
Alan Bear faces charges of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence, providing false information to a police officer and making an unsafe lane change for an Aug. 25 incident that killed 42-year-old bicyclist and local botanist Gregory Jennings.
According to information found in Bear's court file, he has pleaded not guilty to all charges, and has hired criminal defense attorney Manny Daskal.
According to information from the California Highway Patrol, Bear was driving his 2002 Nissan pickup truck eastbound on 299 when he allowed his car to drift to the right side of the road onto the paved shoulder, hitting Jennings.
Jennings was ejected from his bicycle and landed on the grass. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Humboldt County Coroner's Office reported a witness who was driving down the road behind Bear saw the accident and said Jennings was wearing colorful clothing and was far off to the side of the road.
Bear was reportedly arrested at the scene, but according to staff at the Humboldt County jail, he was not booked into the jail.
According to court records, investigators are analyzing blood samples in an ongoing effort to determine whether drugs or alcohol were a contributing factor.
Bear will return to court June 3 for an intervention hearing, and again June 10 for a preliminary hearing.
Related post: ◼ Open Thread: Any info on the cyclist who was killed on 299 near Blue Lake a few months ago?
Belant trial
◼ Child molestation trial for former youth leader begins 5/15/09
The trial of accused child molester Andrew Brian Belant began Thursday morning with an opening statement from Humboldt County District Attorney Paul Gallegos.
”Ultimately, this is a case about trust and the abuse of trust of four young boys in Humboldt County,” Gallegos told the panel of 12 jurors. “Mr. Belant profoundly violated the trust of the community, those little boys, the churches and the schools.”
During his opening statement, Gallegos described the case against the 26-year-old defendant. Belant has been accused of more than 20 charges related to child pornography and the abuse of four boys between the ages of 9 and 13 over a period of several months.
Gallegos said during the time of the alleged molestation, Belant was employed as an afterschool aide at a Bayside elementary school, a part-time youth leader at a Eureka church and a summer camp counselor in Humboldt County....
...Sheriff's Detective Troy Garey, who served the initial search warrant at Belant's residence, testified in court Thursday that when investigators entered Belant's bedroom, they discovered two laptops connected to an external hard drive, all in the process of being erased.
Garey testified the computers were quickly turned off and taken as evidence. Evidence technicians later found most of the computers' data had been erased. However, according to Gallegos, when computer technicians searched the unused space on the hard drives, they recovered several photographs allegedly depicting children in pornographic situations.
In one of the photos, Gallegos told the jury, a man who appears to be Belant is pictured with one of the alleged victims.
Another photograph reportedly found on Belant's computer allegedly depicts a person who appears to be Belant molesting an unknown child.
Belant's hard drives allegedly contained other lewd photographs depicting unknown male children, Gallegos said.
Although those photographs have been allowed by a judge to be used in the trial, they were not moved into evidence Thursday.
Belant's attorney, Andrew Truitt, withheld his opening statement Thursday....
The trial of accused child molester Andrew Brian Belant began Thursday morning with an opening statement from Humboldt County District Attorney Paul Gallegos.
”Ultimately, this is a case about trust and the abuse of trust of four young boys in Humboldt County,” Gallegos told the panel of 12 jurors. “Mr. Belant profoundly violated the trust of the community, those little boys, the churches and the schools.”
During his opening statement, Gallegos described the case against the 26-year-old defendant. Belant has been accused of more than 20 charges related to child pornography and the abuse of four boys between the ages of 9 and 13 over a period of several months.
Gallegos said during the time of the alleged molestation, Belant was employed as an afterschool aide at a Bayside elementary school, a part-time youth leader at a Eureka church and a summer camp counselor in Humboldt County....
...Sheriff's Detective Troy Garey, who served the initial search warrant at Belant's residence, testified in court Thursday that when investigators entered Belant's bedroom, they discovered two laptops connected to an external hard drive, all in the process of being erased.
Garey testified the computers were quickly turned off and taken as evidence. Evidence technicians later found most of the computers' data had been erased. However, according to Gallegos, when computer technicians searched the unused space on the hard drives, they recovered several photographs allegedly depicting children in pornographic situations.
In one of the photos, Gallegos told the jury, a man who appears to be Belant is pictured with one of the alleged victims.
Another photograph reportedly found on Belant's computer allegedly depicts a person who appears to be Belant molesting an unknown child.
Belant's hard drives allegedly contained other lewd photographs depicting unknown male children, Gallegos said.
Although those photographs have been allowed by a judge to be used in the trial, they were not moved into evidence Thursday.
Belant's attorney, Andrew Truitt, withheld his opening statement Thursday....
Friday, May 15, 2009
Return of Salzman
Protect the Humboldt brand
Wants to profit off legalization of POT, and PROTECT that profit. My, the worm does turn.
Wants to profit off legalization of POT, and PROTECT that profit. My, the worm does turn.
Good point
Time to clean houseToday's T-S (May 7) posted an article stating that Arnold may suspend Proposition 1A (from 2004). Wonderful. If he can do that then the current Proposition 1A and its “rainy day fund” could suffer the same fate if passed! Remember that these latest propositions we are to vote on were proposed by the very folks responsible for our current financial crisis! We need to start house cleaning in Sacramento! John Arata
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
"Holy fucking moly." w/update
◼ JN Shootout with at Deputies Ends In Death
UPDATED LINK: ◼ Shootoutwith at Deputies Ends In Death Hank Sims/The Journal
◼ JN Update: Yes, It Was Weed
◼ JN Dead Suspect Was Local
◼ TS Chase leaves one dead, another injured
◼ TS High speed chase after reported marijuana deal goes bad
Updated version of yesterday's breaking news story
◼ HCSO Press Release Shots Fired at Deputies
◼ HCSO Press Release Shots Fired at Sheriff's Deputies - Update
Quite a story - a drug deal gone bad - weapons, shootings, body armor, a chase, a spike strip, a crash, 2 with bullet wounds to the head, 1 dead.
Started right down near Ken Miller's neighborhood. Hitting a bit too close to home, no doubt. Fair enough, live with what you have wrought. Thank you Dr. Miller.
How many shootings, how many killings in the last few months?
UPDATE:
◼ Surviving suspect from police chase identified
A 19-year-old man from Antioch who survived an apparent self-inflicted gunshot to the head was arrested at a Sacramento hospital Monday for his alleged involvement in an armed marijuana robbery May 11 that ended with the death of his apparent associate David Fields.
Brian Cole Fiore was arrested at 5:15 p.m. Monday and booked into the Sacramento County Jail on suspicion of attempted murder, robbery, negligent discharge of a firearm and evading a peace officer with wanton disregard for safety, the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office reported.
According to HCSO information, Fiore will be transported to the Humboldt County jail, but it is uncertain when.
Following an autopsy conducted over the weekend, investigators believe Fields, 21, was shot shortly before the vehicle he was riding in flipped over an embankment along the roadside, and rolled to a stop 130 feet down into the ravine below.
Investigators know Field's death was caused by a gunshot wound, said Deputy Coroner Charlie VanBuskirk, but are uncertain whether death was a homicide, a suicide or an accident.
Fields' mother, Shirley Stephens, identified her son's body at the Humboldt County Coroner's Office the day after the shooting. Fields, who was right-handed, was shot in the left temple, she said....
UPDATES:
◼ DA Press Release May 30, 2012
◼ Route 299 murder suspect set for trial in August; case likely to lean heavily on evidence gathered from getaway car - Times-Standard
◼ Humboldt jury finds Fiore guilty of murder; verdict concludes '09 bullet-ridden, high-speed chase case - Megan Hansen/The Times-Standard 5/31/2012
__________________
This was no plea deal.
UPDATED LINK: ◼ Shootout
The survivor is a 19-year-old male from Antioch. Note below that both suspects sustained gunshot wounds to the head, but the press release states that neither the chp nor the Sheriff’s Deputies fired their weapons.
◼ JN Update: Yes, It Was Weed
◼ JN Dead Suspect Was Local
The man who died in last night’s strange weedjack-turned-police chase — see here and here — was a local, reports acting coroner Frank Jager. He was 21-year-old David Fields, whose city of residence is unavailable at this time. He was definitely from Humboldt County, though.
◼ TS Chase leaves one dead, another injured
A high speed chase on State Route 299 left one suspect dead and another in the hospital Monday night, after the suspects fired shots at law enforcement during a 30-mile pursuit that ended just east of Willow Creek, according to the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office.
Shortly before 11 p.m., the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office received a report of shots fired near School and Anderson roads in McKinleyville, according to a press release. The reporting party said the suspects were driving a gold Jeep Grand Cherokee and had fired several shots from an AK-47 assault rifle.
The suspects had reportedly been making a marijuana deal at the intersection when one of the them went to the Jeep and returned with an AK-47. The second buyer allegedly produced a handgun. One of the suspects then ordered everyone to the ground in the middle of the street, took approximately 14 pounds of marijuana and left. As they drove away they fired several shots from the vehicle.
◼ TS High speed chase after reported marijuana deal goes bad
Updated version of yesterday's breaking news story
shortly before 11 p.m., eight people met in the intersection of School Road and Anderson Avenue -- a residential neighborhood in McKinleyville.
Godsey said six of those people had arranged to sell 14 pounds of marijuana to the two men.
At some point during the meeting, Godsey said one of the buyers walked to the Jeep and returned carrying an assault rifle. The second buyer then reportedly took out a hand gun, and the two men ordered the group of six to lie on the street while they took the marijuana.
As the two suspects drove away, they reportedly fired several shots from their vehicle. None of the sellers were injured in the incident.
◼ HCSO Press Release Shots Fired at Deputies
◼ HCSO Press Release Shots Fired at Sheriff's Deputies - Update
Quite a story - a drug deal gone bad - weapons, shootings, body armor, a chase, a spike strip, a crash, 2 with bullet wounds to the head, 1 dead.
Started right down near Ken Miller's neighborhood. Hitting a bit too close to home, no doubt. Fair enough, live with what you have wrought. Thank you Dr. Miller.
How many shootings, how many killings in the last few months?
UPDATE:
◼ Surviving suspect from police chase identified
A 19-year-old man from Antioch who survived an apparent self-inflicted gunshot to the head was arrested at a Sacramento hospital Monday for his alleged involvement in an armed marijuana robbery May 11 that ended with the death of his apparent associate David Fields.
Brian Cole Fiore was arrested at 5:15 p.m. Monday and booked into the Sacramento County Jail on suspicion of attempted murder, robbery, negligent discharge of a firearm and evading a peace officer with wanton disregard for safety, the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office reported.
According to HCSO information, Fiore will be transported to the Humboldt County jail, but it is uncertain when.
Following an autopsy conducted over the weekend, investigators believe Fields, 21, was shot shortly before the vehicle he was riding in flipped over an embankment along the roadside, and rolled to a stop 130 feet down into the ravine below.
Investigators know Field's death was caused by a gunshot wound, said Deputy Coroner Charlie VanBuskirk, but are uncertain whether death was a homicide, a suicide or an accident.
Fields' mother, Shirley Stephens, identified her son's body at the Humboldt County Coroner's Office the day after the shooting. Fields, who was right-handed, was shot in the left temple, she said....
UPDATES:
Brian Cole Fiore was convicted of the Murder of David Fields, Attempted Murder of CHP Officer Michael Noland, and Attempted Murder of CHP Officer Eric Nelson. The jury deliberated for 7 days before reaching their verdicts which were delivered today. Mr. Fiore faces 3 consecutive life terms in prison. The jury also convicted Fiore of six additional felony counts including two counts of Robbery, Transportation of Marijuana, Transportation of an Assault Weapon and Shooting into an Occupied Vehicle, and Felony Evading of Arrest.◼ Murder trial from '09 car chase heats up; Fiore takes the stand in his own defense Thursday - Megan Hansen/The Times-Standard 5/04/2012
The jury was unable to reach verdicts on 3 other Attempted Murder counts, as to pursuing Sheriff’s Deputies, as well as a Burglary count, and a count of Resisting an Executive Officer.
“It was a sad case, because a young man was killed and another young man will likely spend the rest of his life in prison” said Allan L. Dollison the Deputy District Attorney who prosecuted the case. “However, when you come to our community and bring this type of horrific violence, you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law” Dollison also said.
Fiore, 22, took the stand in his own defense Thursday in a trial that's been ongoing since April 9. He is standing trial on charges of murder, armed robbery, felony evasion of a peace officer, transporting marijuana, illegally possessing an assault weapon and the attempted murder of five peace officers.◼ Body Armor, Guns and Life Imprisonment - May 30, 2012
Officials allege Fiore and Fields robbed three men of about 14 pounds of marijuana at gunpoint in McKinleyville on May 11, 2009, and proceeded to lead police on a 20-mile high-speed chase on State Route 299. The chase ended when Fiore's Jeep Grand Cherokee went over a spike strip and rolled down an embankment. Both men were found with gunshot wounds to the head, and Fields was pronounced dead at the crash site.
Deputy District Attorney Allan Dollison has alleged Fiore shot Fields and then himself in an attempted murder-suicide as his Jeep went over the embankment. He said law enforcement officials believe Fields brandished an AK-47 and Fiore used a .45-caliber pistol in the alleged robbery and subsequent car chase, in which shots were fired at law enforcement.
◼ Route 299 murder suspect set for trial in August; case likely to lean heavily on evidence gathered from getaway car - Times-Standard
◼ Humboldt jury finds Fiore guilty of murder; verdict concludes '09 bullet-ridden, high-speed chase case - Megan Hansen/The Times-Standard 5/31/2012
Prosecuting Deputy District Attorney Allan Dollison argued during the trial that Fiore knew of the impending marijuana robbery, wielded a gun, shot at pursuing law enforcement vehicles and shot Fields with a .45-caliber pistol before shooting himself in the chin in an attempted suicide.◼ Route 299 murder suspect set for trial in August; case likely to lean heavily on evidence gathered from getaway car - John Driscoll/The Times-Standard
This was no plea deal.
Monday, May 11, 2009
New Coroner Dave Parris
◼ Coroner's list include familiar names
◼ Supes name new coroner: David Parris
Congratulations, Dave! Humboldt County is lucky to have you.
Rekated
◼ Things you don't know...:
◼ Supes name new coroner: David Parris
Congratulations, Dave! Humboldt County is lucky to have you.
Rekated
◼ Things you don't know...:
TS series on Huntzinger case
◼ 'The persistence of a mother': The Huntzinger family's fight to find Curtis, and the toll it took
◼ Curtis Huntzinger: A portrait of a boy
◼ A long, winding road: A look at law enforcement's efforts to find Curtis
◼ A timeline of the Curtis Huntzinger case
◼ Moving a mountain: The Humboldt County DA's Office brings Curtis home
◼
Huntzinger case: A team effort
Humboldt County District Attorney's Office Investigator Wayne Cox will be getting a national award today for his work solving the Curtis Huntzinger case, but in his mind, something isn't right.
”I couldn't have done it alone, and I wish the award from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children had all of our names on it,” Cox said. “There wasn't a single person on our team who didn't invest a lot of time into this.”
If You Go:
What: A public memorial and potluck dinner for Curtis Anthony Huntzinger
When: 4 p.m. May 19, 2009
Where: Blue Lake Elementary School, 111 Greenwood
For more info: Call 668-1993
On the web:
Visit www.Times-Standard.com and click on the story logo to view a photographic slideshow, a timeline of the case's major events, and past stories surrounding Curtis Huntzinger's disappearance.
Related posts and accompanying articles:
◼ A good job, Paul post...cautiously.
☛ TS Sebastopol man arrested in Huntzinger cold case
◼ Hash pleads guilty to manslaughter
☛ TS Hash pleads guilty to manslaughter
☛ sfgate Man arrested 18 years after teen disappeared
☛ Porchlight International for the Missing & Unidentified
☛ TS Never too late for resolution
☛ TS editorial Never too late for resolution
☛TS Hash receives 11 years in prison
◼ Closure
☛ Missing teen's remains found after 18 years
◼ On the surface
☛ Hash receives 11 years in prison
◼ Curtis Huntzinger's mother wins wrongful death lawsuit
Friday, May 08, 2009
The state of California
Great editorial in today's TS ◼ Here we go, again
How many times have we watched this unfold? The state fails, in a thousand ways, to manage its budget properly, so in its desperation to eek one more fiscal year out of a rigged and flailing system, it may turn to what voters in 2004 decided should be off limits -- local government revenue....
What's the answer? Stop spending? Boot out every single state legislator except McClintock? Reverse the state's anti-business environment and welcome in new and thriving businesses who pay taxes, hire people and spend money?
How many times have we watched this unfold? The state fails, in a thousand ways, to manage its budget properly, so in its desperation to eek one more fiscal year out of a rigged and flailing system, it may turn to what voters in 2004 decided should be off limits -- local government revenue....
What's the answer? Stop spending? Boot out every single state legislator except McClintock? Reverse the state's anti-business environment and welcome in new and thriving businesses who pay taxes, hire people and spend money?
DA files charges against museum curator
◼ Former museum curator suspected of selling museum items on eBay
Robert Newell, the former curator of the Fortuna Depot Museum who was hired in January, was arrested after a co-worker told police he suspected Newell was selling items that belonged to the museum on eBay....
According to a police document filed in Humboldt County Superior Court, after investigators learned of the allegations they contacted Newell, who reportedly admitted the thefts and led officers to his residence. There, investigators reportedly found missing museum property, as well as records of sales made over the Internet.
Those sold items “were several thousand dollars in value,” the officer wrote in his report.
The District Attorney's Office has filed charges against Newell, alleging that from February through April, Newell was in possession of stolen property that had been obtained by extortion from the city of Fortuna's Depot Museum.
Newell has pleaded not guilty to the charges, and awaits a pretrial hearing May 24.
According to information from the District Attorney's Office, the two charges have been reduced from felonies to misdemeanors.
Deputy District Attorney Ben Mainzer, who has been assigned to the case, could not be reached for comment on why the charges were reduced....
Robert Newell, the former curator of the Fortuna Depot Museum who was hired in January, was arrested after a co-worker told police he suspected Newell was selling items that belonged to the museum on eBay....
According to a police document filed in Humboldt County Superior Court, after investigators learned of the allegations they contacted Newell, who reportedly admitted the thefts and led officers to his residence. There, investigators reportedly found missing museum property, as well as records of sales made over the Internet.
Those sold items “were several thousand dollars in value,” the officer wrote in his report.
The District Attorney's Office has filed charges against Newell, alleging that from February through April, Newell was in possession of stolen property that had been obtained by extortion from the city of Fortuna's Depot Museum.
Newell has pleaded not guilty to the charges, and awaits a pretrial hearing May 24.
According to information from the District Attorney's Office, the two charges have been reduced from felonies to misdemeanors.
Deputy District Attorney Ben Mainzer, who has been assigned to the case, could not be reached for comment on why the charges were reduced....