The flurry intensifies

...in today's news:
NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 29, 2010
CONTACT: Deputy District Attorney, Ben McLaughlin
PHONE: (707) 268-2576

On April 29, 2010, a jury convicted Duane James Bowie, Jr., 38, of Eureka, of felony auto theft, misdemeanor driving under the influence of intoxicants, and resisting a law enforcement officer. The Honorable Dale A. Reinholtsen also found “true” that Mr. Bowie suffered prior convictions for felony auto theft and misdemeanor driving under the influence of intoxicants, as well as, that Mr. Bowie served 6 prior prison terms, for various felony offenses, dating back to 1995. Sentencing is set for May 27, 2010, at which time Mr. Bowie faces 10 years in prison.

In the early morning hours of February 1, 2010, California Highway Patrol officers came across a solo vehicle accident at the intersection of Singly Road and Singly Lane, in Loleta. The officers contacted the driver, identified as Duane James Bowie, Jr., who was working to get a 1987 Ford truck out of a ditch. CHP dispatch subsequently informed the officers that Mr. Bowie had an outstanding warrant for his arrest. When the officers tried to take him into custody, Mr. Bowie attempted to flee. During the struggle to subdue Mr. Bowie, a CHP officer suffered an injury to her knee. Once Mr. Bowie was placed under arrest for the warrant and for resisting a law enforcement officer, it was determined that Mr. Bowie also displayed objective signs of alcohol impairment.

Approximately 12 hours after Mr. Bowie’s arrest, the CHP received a report that the vehicle driven by Mr. Bowie was stolen from in front of a residence in Loleta.

The case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Ben McLaughlin.

Interesting, generally the DA is supposed to be the contact person. No?

EPD NEWS RELEASE

Ezra Williams

On 4-28-2010 at about 7:30 pm, Ezra Williams was transported to the Eureka Police Department, where he was released to our custody. Detectives had an opportunity to speak to Williams. Upon completion of the interview he was booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility and is being held on $500,000 bail.

Anyone with information regarding the string of robberies or Williams is asked to contact the Criminal Investigation Section of the Eureka Police Department at 441-4300 or Detective Harpham at 441-4305.

◼ Suspect in Eureka armed robberies arrives at Humboldt County jail

....None of the money from the robberies has been recovered. Harpham said Williams was broke when he was arrested but was driving a Volkswagen vehicle, which he allegedly bought for $2,500 cash.

Williams was in contact with police after he arrived in Mexico. Harpham said he called the suspect, who allegedly hung up on the detective and later called him back from Tijuana.

Harpham said his investigation seems to indicate that Williams fled Eureka on April 7 and was in the Ukiah and Santa Rosa area by the afternoon of April 8. Two of the recent armed robberies, at Sal's Off Broadway bar and Safeway on Harris Street and Harrison Avenue, occurred after Williams is suspected to have fled.

”He wasn't the only one working robberies at that time,” Harpham said....

In the wake of robberies

◼ (Cloney's) Pharmacy declares stocking OxyContin® not worth the risk
A Eureka pharmacy robbed twice in a week for the powerful narcotic OxyContin® won't be carrying the drug anymore.

Cloney's Prescription Pharmacy on Harrison Avenue, and its sister business Cloney's Red Cross Pharmacy on Fifth Street, has decided it's not worth the risk to employees to carry the highly addictive pain killer.

”We're not willing to risk our lives over this drug,” said Rich Spini, a partner in the pharmacy.

The Harrison Avenue store was robbed on April 19 and April 26. In both cases, a white man in his 20s brandished a handgun and demanded employees hand over OxyContin® tablets. It's not known if the same man committed the robberies....

TS Election Roundup:

◼ Sierra Club endorses Neely, Hagen in Humboldt County races
...In endorsing Hagen, the group praised his eight years of work as the circuit environmental prosecutor for Humboldt, Del Norte and Lake counties. In making its endorsement of Neely, the group praised her experience, and her work on the General Plan Update...

◼ North Coast Appraisers endorse Brooks for Humboldt County assessor

LWV/CLMP DA Candidate Forum in Garberville is being broadcast live in KMUD

◼ kmud.org

It's a tough game

◼ Bryson out of DA race
Humboldt County District Attorney candidate Kathleen Bryson is dropping out of the race.
Bryson made the announcement today, saying the campaign was “taking too much time away from my family and legal practice.” She said the time away was affecting her elementary school-aged daughter and said that a serious car accident involving her older daughter was part of what made her change course.

Sorry to hear this.

◼ Bryson drops out of DA’s race - heraldo
◼ Kathleen Bryson Out? - The Journal Blogthing
◼ Bryson Drops Out - The Reporta

After much thought and discussion with my family, I have made the decision to drop out of the campaign for Humboldt County District Attorney.

While I am grateful for the opportunity, the campaign was taking too much time away from my family and legal practice. I am only 44 years old, the youngest of the da candidates, and our children are school-age. In particular, our youngest daughter is in elementary school, and my many hours away from home were taking too much of a toll on her. In addition, recently, our eldest daughter suffered a very serious car accident that has put matters into perspective for our entire family.

I want to thank all the people who contributed their time, money and moral support to my campaign. I also want to thank the other candidates for their open dialogue in relation to the issues. The experience of running for public office has given me profound respect for those who sacrifice their time and privacy to be our public officials.

Sincerely,

Kathleen Bryson.

◼ Humboldt County DA candidate Bryson pulls out

Garberville hotel shooting

◼ link
At about 1 a.m., a man renting a room at the Garberville Motel on Redwood Drive reported that two men were outside his door yelling at him, according to a Humboldt County Sheriff's Office press release. When he looked through the peephole of the door, he saw one of the men was armed with a rifle.

The man in the hotel room moved into the bathroom and called 911. While he was on the phone with dispatchers, one of the suspects allegedly fired six or seven shots into the door, according to the press release.

A responding deputy spotted two men walking away from the motel, and recognized one of the subjects from the caller's description. Chris David Collins, 58, and Christopher William Dalzin, 22, both of Garberville, were arrested at the scene. The deputy also located a loaded rifle on the ground near the men, according to the press release....

Collins and Dalzin were booked into the Humboldt County jail on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, and shooting at an inhabited dwelling, according to the Sheriff's Office. Collins was also booked on suspicion of a probation violation and is ineligible to post bail due to his probation status. Dalzin's bail was set at $100,000.

Should be interesting.

Crime wave continues

◼ Cloney's target of second narcotic robbery in Eureka
Cloney's Pharmacy in Eureka was robbed at gunpoint Monday morning for the second time in a week and it remains unclear if the incidents are related...

The suspect entered the Harrison Avenue store at about 9:30 a.m. brandishing a black handgun. He demanded OxyContin from an employee, and fled after receiving it...

This is the 10th armed robbery in the Eureka area since March 25.

There are now armed guards outside some of the banks in Eureka.

◼ $2000- Reward offered for Eureka pharmacy bandit

”It's going to be something Paul's going to have to think about.”

◼ Bradshaw autopsy report with Humboldt County DA; indicates blunt force trauma as cause of death
Prosecutors have received an autopsy report on the death of Monica Bradshaw, and will be reviewing it in the coming days to determine whether to pursue a murder charge against her husband.

The report lists blunt force injuries as the cause of Bradshaw's death, but suggests she may have also suffered other injuries that could contradict her husband's story....

Her husband was arrested June 12 after a lengthy investigation and charged with her murder. In December, Robin Bradshaw entered into a plea agreement, pleading guilty to a count of voluntary manslaughter upon a sudden quarrel or in the heat of passion; and one count of making a false insurance claim.

As a condition of the plea, Robin Bradshaw led investigators to where he had buried his wife some 18 months earlier. The plea is also contingent on forensic pathologist Dr. Mark Super's examination finding forensic evidence that corroborates his version of events -- that he struck Monica Bradshaw over the head and shoulders two or three times with a metal bar, but only after his wife first assaulted him with the weapon.

Humboldt County District Attorney's Office Chief Investigator Mike Hislop said Monday that his office has received the long-awaited report from the Jan. 24 autopsy, and that District
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Attorney Paul Gallegos will review the report to determine whether to leave the plea agreement in place or pursue the initial murder charge....

Gallegos was not immediately available for comment Monday, but Hislop said he would be giving Gallegos the report Monday for review and, ultimately, a charging decision.

”It's going to be something Paul's going to have to think about,” Hislop said.

Robin Bradshaw remains held in the Humboldt County jail on $1 million bail and is awaiting a May 4 sentencing hearing if his plea agreement remains in place.

Might be the most politically motivated decision yet.

***

PREVIOUSLY:
◼ DA's office (Paul Gallegos) still undecided in Bradshaw case; Gallegos to talk to pathologist next week May 28, 2010
◼ Bradshaw sentencing postponed, Gallegos "weighing" decision May 5, 2010
...Humboldt County District Attorney Paul Gallegos received Super's report last week, but has yet to decide how to proceed with the case. At Tuesday's hearing, Bradshaw's attorney, Peter Martin, said Gallegos had contacted him asking that the sentencing hearing be postponed.

”He wants more time, I believe, to review the medical report and to request supporting materials from the medical examiner,” Martin said....
◼ ”It's going to be something Paul's going to have to think about.” April 27, 2010
-- Bradshaw autopsy report with Humboldt County DA; indicates blunt force trauma as cause of death
◼ Autopsy report coming in Bradshaw case; plea agreement hinges on results for McKinleyville man accused of wife's murder APRIL 24, 2010
◼ Bradshaw positively identified; full autopsy report pending more test results FEBRUARY 01, 2010
◼ Autopsy set for Sunday in Bradshaw case JANUARY 23, 2010
◼ ANOTHER PLEA DEAL - Bradshaw agreed to give location of body in plea deal JANUARY 09, 2010
Robin Stuart Bradshaw entered into a plea agreement with prosecutors last month, agreeing to disclose the location of his wife's body and plead guilty to voluntary manslaughter, court records show.
◼ Authorities believe they have found the body of missing McKinleyville woman JANUARY 08, 2010
The person further told investigators, according to the affidavit, that Robin Bradshaw confessed to first burying his wife in a shallow grave in the backyard of his home, only to later dig her body up and bury it on an undeveloped Danco subdivision off of Fieldbrook Road in McKinleyville.
◼ Hearing for McKinleyville murder case continued NOVEMBER 05, 2009
◼ Bradshaw Prelim continued to Nov. 5 SEPTEMBER 30, 2009
◼ Prelim for Robin Stuart Bradshaw JULY 07, 2009
◼ Bradshaw pleads not guilty to murdering wife June 16, 2009
◼ Robin Stuart Bradshaw, arrested JUNE 16, 2009
◼ Second search warrant issued in missing woman case - and a request to seal documents January 29, 2009
◼ Monica Bradshaw: MISSING January 27, 2009

The Bradshaw case

◼ Autopsy report coming in Bradshaw case; plea agreement hinges on results for McKinleyville man accused of wife's murder
While Robin Bradshaw faces a 12-year prison sentence under the deal, it is contingent on Super's examination finding forensic evidence that corroborates his version of events -- that he struck Monica Bradshaw in the head and shoulders two or three times with a metal bar only after his wife assaulted him with the weapon first.

”This is a conditional plea,” said Robin Bradshaw's attorney, Peter Martin, according to a Dec. 17 transcript. “The condition is as follows: Mr. Bradshaw will lead police to Ms. Bradshaw's remains. A forensic examination will be performed on the remains. If forensic evidence establishes that Mrs. Bradshaw did not die in the manner described ... it will be considered a breach of the plea bargain, and the people may petition the court to vacate the plea agreement.”

Parris said in a previous interview that Super was keenly aware of the role his report would play in the case, and was intent on conducting a very thorough examination. To that end, Parris said, Super requested numerous X-rays of the remains, DNA testing, toxicology analyses and other tests to be performed on Monica Bradshaw's body before completing his report. Parris said he is confident

A decrease in child abuse cases?

◼ Humboldt County sees decrease in child abuse cases; prevention advocates credit community partnerships

Boy, I'll say.

...Sutcliffe said the agency has seen a 25 percent decrease in reports that were serious enough to result in investigations and a 40 decrease in investigations that led to cases between 2006 and 2009....

Let's see the new numbers. Here are the old ones:

In 1997
There were 137 CAST Child Interviews
There were 56 cases of alleged child abuse RECEIVED by the DAs office
There were 37 child abuse cases FILED by the DAs office

In 1998
There were 142 CAST Interviews
There were 52 cases received by the DAs office
There were 37 cases FILED by the DAs office

In 1999
There were 194 CAST Interviews
There were 81 cases received by the DAs office
There were 49 cases FILED by the DAs office

In 2000
There were 194 CAST Interviews
There were 66 cases received by the DAs office
There were 48 cases FILED by the DAs office

In 2001
There were 196 CAST Interviews
There were 65 cases received by the DAs office
There were 46 cases FILED by the DAs office

In 2002
There were 215 CAST Interviews
There were 66 cases received by the DAs office
There were 47 cases FILED by the DAs office

In January of 2003, Paul Gallegos took office

In 2003
There were 205 CAST Interviews
There were 67 cases received by the DAs office
There were 40 cases FILED by the DAs office

In June of 2004 Paul Gallegos fired his top child abuse prosecutor.

In 2004
There were 146 CAST Interviews
There were 50 cases received by the DAs office
There were 23 cases FILED by the DAs office

In 2005
There were 155 CAST Interviews
There were 35 cases received by the DAs office
There were 17 cases FILED by the DAs office

In the first four months of 2006
There were 40 CAST Interviews (on track for 120 interviews)
There were 4 cases received by the DAs office (on track for 12 cases received)
There was 1 case FILED by the DAs office.

ONE.

ONE child abuse case filed. January to April of that year.

And now - a report of "a 40 decrease in investigations that led to cases between 2006 and 2009."

A 40% decrease.

40%

◼ "A matter of priorities"
RELATED STORIES:
ER - Former deputy DA speaks out
ER - Candidates spar over child abuse team
ER - DA's Office yet to respond to request for child abuse records
ER - CAST established with child victims in mind
ER - CAST needs support Gallegos is not providing
(Note that Eureka Reporter stories are no longer available online, and you should be able to find them at your County Library in hardcopy. A few are saved here):
Former deputy DA speaks out
Candidates spar over child abuse team
DA's Office yet to respond to request for child abuse records

There is no question that the hardworking people at The Humboldt County Domestic Violence Prevention Coordinating Council, the Child Abuse Prevention Coordinating Council of Humboldt County, the Teen Center and the Humboldt County Department of Health and Human Services' Child Welfare Services, Humboldt County Chapter of Bikers Against Child Abuse, and CAST (not mentioned in this story but honored earlier this week by the Board of Supervisors) do good work. But there are serious questions to be asked here.

Journal election coverage

◼ Notes from the Hustings April 22
Dem Votes, Dem Votes

Last Wednesday evening, the Humboldt Democratic Central Committee held an unorthodox meeting flooded with curious onlookers and eager candidates seeking endorsements in the June 8 primary election. Fourth District Supervisor incumbent Bonnie Neely got the nod, but the committee failed to reach the two-thirds threshold required to officially support candidates in the key contests for Fourth District Supervisor and district attorney.

"We're a victim of our own success," joked HCDCC Chair Milt Boyd, referencing the unusually large number of Democratic candidates vying for endorsements. All four DA contenders were present, as were the three aspirants for Fourth District Supervisor, two of whom -- Neely and Eureka Mayor Virginia Bass -- used to be Republicans, mirroring the shift in the county as a whole.

At stake was the county Dems' seal of approval for two supervisor seats, district attorney, assessor and auditor-controller. The latter was an easy one (Joe Millett, the lone candidate, earned their blessing), but each other contest saw candidates saunter to a podium where they attempted to outsell their opponents to the panel of 25 committee members. It wasn't a cold-sell; candidates had previously submitted written responses to committee questionnaires, and clearly some HCDCC members had already made up their minds. (Charlene Cutler-Ploss, for example, sported an "Allison Jackson for DA" button.)

With 25 voting members present, the magic number for endorsement was 17. After listening to each candidate's four-minute presentation -- followed in most cases by two minutes of Q and A -- the committee dismissed the candidates, then reconvened to cast their votes. (This without debate, to the disappointment of several in attendance including a noticeably annoyed Shane Brinton, Arcata City Councilman and staunch Paul Hagen supporter.)

With 18 yea votes, Neely earned endorsement on the first tally of the evening, besting Eureka City Councilman Jeff Leonard and Eureka Mayor Virginia Bass, who faced skepticism about her recent party switch.

The district attorney contest, which featured a crowded field of four Democrats, suggested a heated battle yet to come. Incumbent Paul Gallegos failed to earn the committee's blessing, garnering just 10 yea votes to 11 nays and four abstentions. Hagen also fell short with four yeas. Allison Jackson made a strong showing with eight yeas and 13 nays, while Kathleen Bryson failed even to earn a motion for consideration.

The Fifth District match also ended in a draw with both Pat Higgins (12 yeas, nine nays) and Patrick Cleary (11 yeas, 11 nays) falling short. Assessor hopeful John Brooks bested incumbent Mari Wilson by barely reaching the 17-vote threshold.

Offstage, Republican challengers wait in the wings. In some of the races, anyway. -- Ryan Burns
see also: Charge of the Underdog and It's So Simple in that same piece.
◼ Notes from the Hustings April 15
Two pieces: Follow the Money (on campaign finance reform), and Sundberg and Spaghetti (Ryan Sundberg is running for Fifth District Supervisor)
◼ Notes from the Hustings April 8
Consult This!, and Arts Gallegos
◼ Suddenly Sexy Assessor!

easy pickin's

◼ Eureka armed robbery suspect Ezra Williams in custody
Ezra “Easy” Williams, named as a suspect in more than a half dozen armed robberies in the Eureka area, is in custody after being arrested Wednesday night in the San Diego area.

The good news is he is in custody, and he didn't get himself shot, and he didn't take any others with him.

Now the question of course is - how long til he is back out on the street?

So, is he behind all these robberies, or are there a bunch of copycats?
◼ Eureka robbery rash worsens; gas station holdup is No. 9 since March 25
An early morning armed robbery of a Broadway gas station in Eureka on Tuesday makes it nine holdups of city businesses in less than a month.

At 12:48 a.m., Eureka police were dispatched to the Patriot gas station on the 1700 block of Broadway, where the store owner and his teenage son reported having been robbed. They told police that a man armed with a handgun and another armed with a knife entered the station and demanded money, while a third man stood guard outside.

The three men fled east on West Wabash. The first is described as a male, possibly Asian between 5 feet, 6 inches and 5 feet, 8 inches tall, skinny, wearing a white hooded sweatshirt with a black mask covering his face. The second is 5 feet, 6 inches to 5 feet, 8 inches tall, medium build, wearing a black hooded sweatshirt with a black mask. The third was only seen from the back, wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, and of a similar height and build.

The robbery follows one on Monday afternoon, during which a man demanded OxyContin tablets from an employee of Cloney's pharmacy on Harrison. Seven other armed robberies since March 25 are believed to have been committed by 26-year-old Ezra Williams.

Eureka Detective Ron Harpham said the investigation into that string of robberies is ongoing, and that there is no new information to release.

◼ Eureka armed robbery suspect nabbed at Mexico border; Ezra Williams in custody after reportedly attempting to re-enter U.S.
EPD Detective Ron Harpham said he has been in periodic phone contact with Williams since April 15, and believes the suspect was already in Mexico at that time. He said he thinks Williams was returning to the U.S. on Wednesday to surrender to law enforcement in Humboldt County.
”He knew he had to turn himself in,” Harpham said.

...If Harpham is correct that Williams left town on April 8, it seems the last robbery he could have committed in the area was at Sal's Off Broadway bar in the early morning hours of April 8.
Williams had been considered armed and dangerous, and there was some question if he would surrender peacefully if tracked down by law enforcement. According to EPD, Williams had stated to an acquaintance that he would not go to jail and would “go out gangster style,” although others reportedly told police Williams wanted to get caught. Police said they believed Williams may have been using methamphetamine and heroin, which may have accounted for the differing statements.

According to Humboldt County court records, Williams has a trio of convictions on his rap sheet, all for petty theft, with two occurring in 2005 and another in 2008. He was also arrested March 17 on suspicion of possessing heroin for sale and transportation of heroin for sale. He posted bail after the arrest, and Humboldt County Assistant District Attorney Wes Keat said earlier this month that his office was seeking an arrest warrant on charges stemming from that incident.
________________
Robberies investigated in connection with Ezra Williams:
March 25: Radio Shack on Myrtle Avenue at 9:30 a.m. (Williams booked on this case)
March 27: Texaco gas station on Broadway in the early-morning hours
March 31: Performance Fuels on Broadway at 1:40 a.m.
April 6: Madsen Realty on Christie Street at 10:49 a.m.
April 6: Bank of America on F Street at 2:11 p.m. (Williams booked on this case)
April 8: Sal's Off Broadway bar on Albee Street at 2:30 a.m.
April 12: Safeway on Harris Street and Harrison Avenue at 10:45 p.m.
Editor's note: Williams was booked in two cases noted above, the Radio Shack and the Bank of America robberies. The rest remain under investigation.

Podcast, Eric and Hank

◼ Eric Kirk and ◼ Hank Sims ◼ on KMUD talking local politics.

The ACLU DA Forum

◼ YOUTUBE videos and original post at http://www.johncosborn.com/?p=1141 John thanks Mason Long (thanks again), for recording the debate.
broken into segments due to YouTube limitations:

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The ACLU site: ◼ http://redwoodaclu.blogspot.com/
◼ Allison Jackson
---on Facebook
◼ Paul Hagen
---on Facebook
◼ Kathleen Bryson
---on Facebook
◼ Paul Gallegos
---on Facebook

The HCDCC Endorsement Process

◼ HCDCC Make Endorsements, Vid of Presentations - John Osborn/The Reporta - who notes Special thanks to Mason Long, who recorded everything









Osborn's link includes candidates for Assessor and 4th District and 5th Supervisors as well.

Election Roundup: Humboldt ACLU hosts district attorney candidate debate

◼ link

The Redwood Chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union will have a debate on civil liberties for the four ballot-qualified candidates for Humboldt County district attorney today from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the senior room of the Arcata Community Center, 321 Community Park Way.

This debate will be held before a live audience, up to the room's 100-person capacity. It will also be aired live on public access Channel 12 and will likewise be available for later viewing online.

Horror to the north

◼ Certificate outlines cause of death in Klamath killing; Del Norte DA claims political attack behind motion to prevent him from prosecuting
The manner and cause of death in a March killing outside Klamath is particularly unusual and graphic, and statements to that end by Del Norte County's district attorney are being used by the suspect's defense in an attempt to bar him from trying the case.

Taylor Powell, 21, of Crescent City was killed in a Requa residence in the early morning hours of March 21. Del Norte County Sheriff's deputies, responding to a 911 call, arrested Jarrod G. Wyatt, 26, at the scene on suspicion of murder.

Wyatt now stands accused of murder, aggravated mayhem -- causing permanent disability or disfigurement -- and torture, with special allegations of using a “sharp-bladed instrument.” A mixed-martial arts fighter, Wyatt is said by his attorney to have been under the influence of psychedelic mushrooms at the time. He entered a plea of not guilty to all the charges in late March.

Powell's cause of death has not been officially released, but his death certificate shows that he bled to death after his heart was removed.

”Decedent had his heart removed from his chest while he was alive, causing exsanguination,” the certificate reads.
Exsanguination is more commonly known as bleeding out. The death came within seconds after the heart was removed, the certificate indicates.

Other significant factors are listed as blunt-force trauma to the head and neck, external compression of the neck, and “excision of the face,” which experts say can be read to mean removal of the face.

Del Norte County District Attorney Mike Riese told the Times-Standard in a previous interview that the killing was “very grotesque, very gruesome.” Defense attorney Michael Fallman is trying to have Riese removed from the case, in part due to that statement, which Fallman said shows Riese's intention to try the case in the media....

REWARD OFFERED

◼
Reward offered for info leading to Eureka armed robbery suspect's arrest
A Eureka resident has started a reward fund to help spur citizen tips to help the investigation into a recent string of robberies that have hit businesses close to his home.

”I know all these stores,” said Rex Bohn. “I shop in some of them -- that was my grocery store that was robbed.”
Bohn has put up $1,000 through the Eureka Police Department and is encouraging other community members to contribute funds to act as a reward for information leading to the arrest of suspect Ezra “Eazy” Keith Williams, 26. Williams is suspected of committing seven armed robberies throughout Eureka in the past few weeks that have targeted stores, gas stations, a bank and other businesses...

”I worry this is going to escalate, not that it hasn't already escalated, into shooting,” he said...

The robbery spree
March 25: Radio Shack on Myrtle Avenue at 9:30 a.m.
March 27: Texaco gas station on Broadway in the early-morning hours
March 31: Performance Fuels on Broadway at 1:40 a.m.
April 6: Madsen Realty on Christie Street at 10:49 a.m.
April 6: Bank of America on F Street at 2:11 p.m.
April 8: Sal's Off Broadway bar on Albee Street at 2:30 a.m.
April 12: Safeway on Harris Street and Harrison Avenue at 10:45 p.m.

No endorsement

◼ HCDCC Agrees on Neely, Little Else - The Journal
...Most notably, incumbent da Paul Gallegos failed to earn the Democratic seal of approval (in a crowded field of four Democratic nominees), garnering just 10 yea votes to 11 nays and four abstentions. Hagen also fell short with four yeas, 16 nays. Allison Jackson garnered eight yeas and 13 nays, while Kathleen Bryson failed to even earn a motion for consideration....
◼ Humboldt County Democratic Central Committee endorses candidates April 14th, 2010. Samoa Softball
◼ Democratic Central Committee Makes Endorsements - The Reporta - Err, or no endorsement, as the case may be.

Supe's salaries

◼ Grand jury recommends reducing Humboldt supervisors' salaries; supes challenge findings, say there will be detailed response to report
◼ Grand Jury slams Supervisor salaries

Armed robberies continue Update: REWARD OFFERED

◼
Reward offered for info leading to Eureka armed robbery suspect's arrest
A Eureka resident has started a reward fund to help spur citizen tips to help the investigation into a recent string of robberies that have hit businesses close to his home.
”I know all these stores,” said Rex Bohn. “I shop in some of them -- that was my grocery store that was robbed.”
Bohn has put up $1,000 through the Eureka Police Department and is encouraging other community members to contribute funds to act as a reward for information leading to the arrest of suspect Ezra “Eazy” Keith Williams, 26. Williams is suspected of committing seven armed robberies throughout Eureka in the past few weeks that have targeted stores, gas stations, a bank and other businesses
◼ Eureka armed robbery spree continues; Safeway robbed at gunpoint -- police name suspect in seven holdups

...Most recently, (Ezra "Eazy") Williams is alleged to have held up the Safeway on Harris Street and Harrison Avenue. Humboldt County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Brenda Godsey said deputies received a call at about 10:45 p.m. Monday stating that a white male adult dressed in all dark clothing and wearing a black ski mask approached a cash register at the store and brandished a handgun.

”He demanded that (the cashier) empty her register,” Godsey said. “She complied, and put money in a plastic grocery bag.”

Godsey said the suspect -- who a witness later identified as Williams...

Williams appears to be becoming more brazen in his alleged activity, as he first targeted a business early in the morning, then moved on to robbing some gas stations in the early morning hours, before finally robbing a bank and a grocery store. Law enforcement has also said that Williams did not wear a mask when allegedly robbing Sal's Off Broadway bar on April 8.

”He's really had a string of success, so success breeds success (in his mind),” Capron said. “Probably another factor in this, with someone this brazen, is I would suspect you have some sort of drug abuse involved.”

According to Humboldt County court records, Williams has a trio of convictions on his record, all for petty theft, with two occurring in 2005 and another in 2008. He was also arrested March 17 on suspicion of possessing heroin for sale and transportation of heroin for sale. He posted bail after the arrest, and Humboldt County Assistant District Attorney Wes Keat said his office is currently seeking an arrest warrant on charges stemming from the arrest...

Williams is a white male adult, 26 years old, about 5 feet, 5 inches tall, weighing about 140 pounds. He has brown hair and brown eyes and several tattoos, including one on his neck that reads “outlaw” and is accompanied by skulls. He also has a one-inch scar on his forehead.

He should be considered armed and dangerous, according to law enforcement. According to an EPD press release, Williams stated to an acquaintance that he will not go to jail and will “go out gangster style.” However, others who know the suspect have reportedly told police he wants to get caught.

In a previous interview with the Times-Standard, Harpham said police believe Williams may be using methamphetamine and heroin, which may account for the differing statements....

Harpham said detectives believe all the Eureka robberies are linked because of the physical description of the suspect and his mannerisms while committing the crimes.

”He kind of does a lot of the same things and says a lot of the same things,” Harpham said, before noting the suspect's slight stature. “If you had six different robberies done by six different white males, the likelihood of them all being 5 foot, 6 inches is almost nil.”

Harpham said there have also been consistencies in the firearms used in the robberies, as well as the clothing worn by the suspect. He said he expects EPD may have also found a lead in the case Monday with the arrest of one of Williams' close friends. He said he was preparing to serve a search warrant on the friend's vehicle.

”It appears there is evidence in that vehicle that ties (Williams) to at least one of the robberies,” Harpham said....

◼ Eureka man arrested as person of interest in robbery spree
After (Jamie Delos) Jeffery was detained, officers found 3 grams of tar heroin, a digital gram scale, syringes and a large amount of cash on his person. During a search of his car, officers found more syringes, drug-smoking paraphernalia, a small quantity of heroin, unlawfully possessed prescription medications, numerous small baggies and apparent pay/owe notes further indicating drug sales activity, according to the press release. Officers also located possible evidence in the vehicle related to the armed robbery spree, but EPD did not release details on this evidence.

Jeffery was arrested and transported to the Humboldt County jail, where he was booked on suspicion of possession and transportation of heroin for sale, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and hypodermic syringes, being under the influence of a controlled substance and driving on a suspended license, according to the press release.

EPD is still looking for Ezra “Eazy” Keith Williams, 26, who is wanted in connection with the multiple armed robberies in Eureka. Anyone with information about Williams' whereabouts should call the EPD at 441-4044.

Gallegos' campaign manager called us at the end of the business day on Wednesday, April 7th

◼ link

Submitted by copwatch on Sun, 04/11/2010 - 4:59pm
WHY WE PROTESTED AT THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE

On Thursday, April 8, 2010, fifteen to twenty community members gathered in the reception area of the District Attorney's office, fourth floor of the courthouse, to address Paul Gallegos regarding a recent incident and the systematic injustice related to that and many other instances. As you may remember, on March 15th of this year, two people from Redwood Curtain CopWatch were arrested because Sheriff's Deputy Joseph Marsh did not want to be videotaped while he was detaining and searching a man in Eureka.

On April 6, 2010, the two of us who were arrested learned that the DA had not (yet) charged us with any crime related to our arrests. After we were arrested and in jail, we signed Agreements to Appear in court on April 6th. When signing an Agreement to Appear, the document informs the signer that if s/he does not appear on that date, s/he can be arrested again.

On April 6, we were not on the court schedule, which means the DA had not yet decided what charges or if he would charge us at all.

We called the DA's office many times over a 3 week period, emailed him, and had personally delivered a letter regarding the bunk arrest and the holding of our copwatch cameras. Because Paul Gallegos' campaign manager received the (open) letter through an email list and contacted Paul Gallegos with concerns about our cameras, he apparently made a call to the Sheriff's Department so that the cameras would be returned. Gallegos' campaign manager called us at the end of the business day on Wednesday, April 7th; but when Kim Starr went down to the Sheriff's Dept., it was too late to retrieve the cameras.

The next morning, we went and got the cameras and the video footage we had recorded with them- prior to and during our bogus arrests. When we called the DA's office for the umpteenth time and asked if we had been charged with anything, we were told the case was still "pending." Later that afternoon, 15-20 community members were at the DA's office to insist that the DA officially decline to charge the copwatchers who had been arrested. ...

Excuse me again? The CAMPAIGN MANAGER?

WHY WE WERE ARRESTED AT THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE

While we were at the office from about 2pm on, we made clear that we wanted to speak to DA Paul Gallegos. We said we wanted justice. Gallegos never showed. About 10 minutes before the office would close for the day, one of the DA's investigators, James Dawson, walked through the group and, out of anger, shoved our friend's trumpet into his lips and then laid his hands on Kim Starr. Within about 7 minutes after the assaults by Dawson, a bunch of Sheriff's Deputies congregated in the DA's office and arrested each of us who were still there- five of us, and cited our friend with the trumpet....

UPDATED: Have you seen this man?

◼ TS - Sixth robbery in alleged spree leads to suspect ID
Eureka police are searching for a suspect in an armed robbery today, and believe he may also have been involved in a spree of five other recent armed robberies.

Witnesses and police have identified the suspect as Ezra Williams, 25, seen in this photo from a prior arrest.

Williams allegedly entered the Sal's Off Broadway Sports Bar on Albee Street at about 2:30 a.m., and pointed a gun at a female employee, and tied her up in front of witnesses. The man did not attempt to disguise his identity, according to a press release.

Investigators consider Williams a suspect in other robberies, including at Bank of America and Madsen Realty Tuesday, according to the press release.

Williams is allegedly armed with a handgun, and is considered dangerous. According to police, he has stated in the past he will not go to jail and will “go out gangster style.

◼ TS Eureka Police Department continues search for suspect in six armed robberies

The sixth armed robbery in less than two weeks hit Eureka early Wednesday morning, but this time the robber did not disguise himself.

Witnesses and police have identified the suspect of Wednesday morning's robbery as Ezra Williams, 25, of Eureka. Williams allegedly entered Sal's Off Broadway Sports Bar on Albee Street at about 2:30 a.m. Wednesday, pointed a gun at a female employee, then tied her up in front of witnesses. The man did not attempt to disguise his identity, according to a Eureka Police Department press release.

Investigators now consider Williams a suspect in five other Eureka robberies, said EPD Detective Ron Harpham. It is unclear at this point if there is a connection to the Minor Theatre robbery in Arcata.

The string of armed robberies started last month with Radio Shack on Myrtle Avenue on March 25. Since then, Texaco on Broadway, Performance Fuel on Broadway, Madsen Realty and Bank of America have all been robbed at gunpoint. In some of the robberies, the suspect wore a bandana over his face, according to a press release.

Several factors have led police to suspect Williams committed the string of robberies -- the words the suspect used, his mannerisms, the way he held his handgun and other factors are similar in the six robberies, Harpham said. The suspect's body description has also been consistent as being about 5 foot, 5 inches tall with a slender build.

”For a white male, that's a pretty unique size,” Harpham said....

The Eureka Problem-Oriented Policing Unit arrested Williams in mid-March for allegedly possessing a half ounce of heroin packaged for sale and drug paraphernalia, according to a press release.

And, THANKS to a tip from the comments - why is this guy out on the streets? A little history...
◼ U.S. Marshal’s Office Arrests 16 Fugitives in Humboldt County
Eureka, CA – U.S. Marshal Federico Rocha of the Northern District of California announces the arrest of 16 individuals in Humboldt County during a Fugitive Task Force Operation conducted Monday.

The arrests include:

– Troy Welsch (Hoopa) for violation of parole and failure to register as a sex offender;
– Cedric Hostler (Hoopa) for violation of parole and failure to register as a sex offender;
– Amanda Chenault (Weitchpec) for attempted murder;
– Shana Gatlin (Hoopa) for violation of probation;
– Dana Hawkins (Arcata) for violation of parole and felon in possession of ammunition;
– Tracy Manion (Arcata) for grand theft
– Jason Owsley (Eureka) for violation of parole;
– John Hanley (Fortuna) for violation of parole;
– Terry Matlock (Fortuna) for violation of probation;
– Baekky Gee Khongsaengdao (Eureka) for violation of probation; and
– Erick Skillman (Eureka) for violation of probation

In addition, the Eureka POP (Problem Oriented Policing) Team, while assisting the task force, observed a traffic violation resulting in the arrests of Lee Adams and Ezra Williams, both of Eureka. They were arrested for state drug violations. Authorities seized approximately ½ ounce of black tar heroin packaged for sale and drug paraphernalia from the vehicle.

The Task Force continues to search for David Ramirez aka Luis Carrasco for passport fraud; Delores Sarmiento and Michael McBride Jr., for violation of probation; and Bradley Walker for violation of parole and violation of state sex offender requirements.

Anyone who has information on the whereabouts of these fugitives should call their local law enforcement agency or the U.S. Marshals Office at 707-442-4875.

The U. S. Marshals Northern California Fugitive Task Force is a cooperation of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies that conduct fugitive investigations and operations to locate and arrest fugitives. Local agencies that participated in Monday’s operation are the Humboldt County Sheriff Department, Humboldt County Probation Department, Eureka Police Department, Fortuna Police Department, Rio Dell Police Department, Arcata Police Department, Trinidad Police Department, FBI, National Marine Fisheries and State Parole. humboldtonline

Note - no DA Investigators with AR-15s this time.

◼ Fugitive Sweep Results in 16 Arrests in Humboldt County http://www.usmarshals.gov.
◼ Humboldt Herald Thursday, March 18th

Excuse me?

◼ (Paul Gallegos' 'Campaign Manager' Natalynne) DeLapp said. "We've trained him on our dime, [and] he needs to be able to continue."

Really? Only a dime?

Maybe more like a million something, if you calculate the salary, benefits and everything else over the last 7 years...

And what about
DDA Ed Borg
DDA Worth Dikeman
DDA Frank Dunnick
DDA Eamon Fitzgerald
DDA Heather Gimle
DDA Paul Hagen
DDA Andrew Isaac
DDA Allison Jackson
DDA Elizabeth Norton
DDA Murat Ozgur
DDA Gloria Albin-Sheets
DDA Nandor Vadas
DDA Rob Wade
PLUS:
Investigator Chris Andrews
Investigator Chris Cook
Investigator Jim Dawson (retired)
Paul's secretary Gail Dias
Office Manager Linda Modell
Investigator Eric Olson
Investigator Kathy Philp (retired)
Investigator Dave Rybarczyk
Investigator Dave Walker
PLUS from CAST:
Child Interview Specialist Laura Todd
Child Interview Specialist Gillian Wadsworth
Senior Legal Secretary Melissa Arnold
Alternate Child Interviewer Jennifer Maguire

and a whole bunch more - all "trained on our dime." Funny, now it's supposed to matter?

Local candidates to address HCDCC

◼ Election Roundup: Local candidates to address Humboldt Democrats

detectives believe that Ernest Samuel Christie Jr. was Turpin's killer, and behind at least two other drug-related kidnapping and torture cases

that were never reported...


◼ Family secrets; killer's son brings decades-old Humboldt County murder to light
Nearly 22 years ago, the body of 27-year-old Lysandra Marie Turpin was dumped in a Fieldbrook ditch and burned in a pile of tires and gasoline.

In February, Humboldt County Sheriff's deputies found Turpin's remains, just 14 teeth, some bone fragments and a few articles of burnt clothing. On Wednesday, those teeth were positively identified by a forensic odontologist in Cloverdale as Turpin's, bringing an end to a long-cold missing person's report.

Detective Steve Quenell said that Turpin's life came to an end after weeks of physical abuse, and before the eyes of her murderer's son. And Turpin was apparently not the only victim of such abuse, Quenell said the son told him recently.

After corroborating statements and discovering evidence, detectives believe that Ernest Samuel Christie Jr. was Turpin's killer, and behind at least two other drug-related kidnapping and torture cases that were never reported. Christie died on June 29, 2006, of congestive heart failure.

It was his son, Ernest Samuel Christie III, who recently informed detectives of what he witnessed when he was 16. Quenell said the younger Christie told him that his father, who was a frequent methamphetamine user, had picked up Turpin and brought her back to his house on Fieldbrook Road. The younger Christie said the woman was held captive in a bedroom for weeks, and that her condition worsened over time.

Sometime in June 1988, the son told Quenell, his father said they would be getting rid of Turpin, and loaded her, wrapped in a blanket, into the trunk of his car. The son said that he saw his father take a hard object -- described as a pestle -- and repeatedly strike Turpin in the head. The son said that they then drove a short distance away to an 80-acre parcel owned by his family, put the body in an open ditch, piled tires on it, doused the pile with gasoline and burned it....

◼ Son Says Dad Killed Missing Woman In 1988
,,,,.Son Calls Deputies To Say He Witnessed Father Kill Woman
◼ Cold Case of Lysandra Marie Turpin Solved!

Gallegos on KMUD

◼ Wednesday, March 24, 2010 8:33 pm 1:15:15

ANOTHER ONE - Magnitude 7.8 quake shakes Indonesia's Sumatra

◼ Magnitude 7.8 quake shakes Indonesia's Sumatra Tuesday the 6th
7.2 EarthQuake - BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO

◼ link

◼ Magnitude 7.2 - BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO

◼ Magnitude-7.2 Quake in Baja Shakes SoCal
A magnitude-7.2 earthquake in Baja California could be felt in Los Angeles on Sunday afternoon. Several aftershocks or other quakes have been reported.
Initial reports said the quake was magnitude-6.9, but officials with the USGS mentioned that number might change.
The quake's epicenter was located about 108 miles east-southeast from Tijuana, about 38 miles southwest San Luis Río Colorado, Sonora, Mexico, and about 16 miles south-southwest Guadalupe Victoria, Baja California, Mexico.

The quake had a depth of 20.1 miles and struck at 3:40 p.m. The quake set high rise buildings in Riverside, Los Angeles and San Diego rocking back and forth. It also was felt in Palm Springs...

A magnitude-5.1 earthquake struck the Imperial area at 4:15 p.m. At 4:09 p.m., a magnitude-4.5 quake was reported about 21 miles south of Ocotillo.

One reporter in the Inland Empire clocked the duration at 45 seconds. An NBCLA.com visitor in Movjave said movement could be felt for one minute.

A Granada Hills resident said things started to settle after about one minute.

"But it seemed like forever," he added.

The quake was felt for about 40 seconds in Tijuana, Mexico, causing buildings to sway and knocking out power in parts of the city. The Associated Press reported that families celebrating Easter ran out of the homes, with children screaming and crying.
Earlier this weekend, a series of small-to-moderate quakes hit the geothermally-active area....
◼ Baja California quake magnitude raised to 7.2

◼ 7.2 Quake Based Near Mexicali Shakes Up SoCal - Tremors Felt In Mexico All The Way To Santa Barbara
◼ List of recent quakes

Friends report 19 earthquakes in the last hour and a half... (h/t: Dorian)

Snow.

for Easter. Almost a blizzard.

Happy Easter

◼ No paints or brushes are used in this traditional process of egg "painting". It's all down to wrapping an egg in natural things - leaves, flowers, onion peels - and then boiling them in water with more onion peels. Even the bright orange color was achieved this way. And you never fully know what you're gonna get - every egg is unique
◼ Easter Egg One by ~captsolo deviant art
◼ How To Dye Red Eggs with Onion Skins for Greek Easter
◼ Silk-Dyed Eggs {aka TIE-Dyed!}
◼ How to Make Tea Dyed Easter Eggs
◼ Naturally coloring eggs and creating flower and leaf patterns

More 'O that flurry of Press Releases

NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 2, 2010
CONTACT: Deputy District Attorney, Christa McKimmy, Humboldt County District Attorney’s Environmental and Consumer Protection Unit
PHONE: (707)268-2575

HUMBOLDT COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, IN COOPERATION WITH THE CALIFORNIA ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE AND THE STATE WATER RESOURCES CONTROL BOARD OBTAIN ONE MILLION AND ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLAR JUDGMENT AGAINST BIG OIL & TIRE, CO.

The Humboldt County District Attorney's Office announced today that a judgment was entered against Big Oil & Tire, Co., for One Million and One Hundred Thousand dollars ($1,100,000.00) arising out of Big Oil's failure to maintain and test their underground fuel storage tank systems which resulted in potential releases, leaks and discharges at the defendant's facilities. The case was prosecuted in partnership with the California Attorney General's Office, the California District Attorneys Association, and the State Water Resources Control Board.

In addition to the monetary judgment, the judgment requires Big Oil & Tire to make any and all necessary repairs to make their underground storage tanks compliant with state and federal laws and regulations; install and maintain functional spill and overfill prevention equipment on their tanks; submit to and receive a certification that each of their underground storage tanks passed secondary containment and cathodic protection testing; and submit to all necessary compliance inspections. Big Oil & Tire, Co., is also required to cooperate with the People in any future investigation involving violations of environmental laws should such violations be revealed to the People.

District Attorney, Paul Gallegos, credited the judgment to the hard work and dedication of Supervising Deputy Attorney General Robert Byrne; Deputy District Attorney, Matthew Maclear; the California District Attorneys Association Circuit Prosecutor Project; David Boyers, State Water Resources Control Board Senior Staff Counsel and the many dedicated state and county regulatory employees that made the judgment possible.

How many more will there be?