Flurry becoming a snowstorm

◼ Another "news" release from the Humboldt County District Attorney's Office

NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 18, 2010
CONTACT: District Attorney, Paul Gallegos
PHONE: (707) 445-7411

On May 18, 2010, a jury convicted Eureka resident William Ray Seymore, 33, of felony possession of a short barreled shotgun. Mr. Seymore also admitted that he served a prior prison term for felony auto theft. Sentencing is set for June 15, 2010, at which time Mr. Seymore faces 4 years in prison.

In the late-afternoon hours of February 24th, 2010, Eureka police responded to a 911 call from the manager of the Texaco station. The call detailed an on-going disturbance in the fueling area between a male and a female. The male, later identified as William Seymore, left the scene prior to law enforcement’s arrival. By way of the 911 call and the statement provided by the female party to the disturbance, Eureka Police Officer Drake Goodale learned that Mr. Seymore likely had a sawed-off, or short barreled, shotgun inside his vehicle. From the Texaco station, Officer Goodale responded to the Blue Herron hotel, where he located the suspect vehicle and observed a sawed-off shot gun laying in plain view on the driver’s side floor board. Mr. Seymore was taken into custody without incident.

Mr. Seymore contended that the shotgun, which had neither finger print evidence nor a serial number, and which was found in a vehicle not registered in his name, was not his.

The case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Ben McLaughlin.

Sentencing for the case is set for June 15, when Seymore will face up to four years in prison.
***

NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 19, 2010
CONTACT: District Attorney, Paul V. Gallegos
PHONE: (707)268-2568

SCHOOL ATTENDANCE REVIEW BOARD (SARB)

All Humboldt County schools utilize a School Attendance Review Board (SARB) to address problems with students who are habitually truant. The intent of SARB is to address problems early on, when attendance issues are first identified, and to work closely with the student and his/her family to find solutions to the problem.

SARB is usually successful with intervention efforts and most attendance issues are resolved after the 1st or 2nd intervention. In severe cases, when regular compliance cannot be attained through intervention efforts, the case is referred to the Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office for review. When appropriate, the HCDA’s Office files charges against the student’s parents for violations of Education Code 48293 (Failure to send a child to compulsory school). In some cases, warrants are issued – commanding that the defendant be brought before a magistrate to address the charges against them.

Within the past month, the HCDA’s Office has received several complaints about truant students and their negligent parents. After careful review, charges were brought against (5) parents - Rosalie Herrera, Krissey Hanley, Tiffany Menniweathers, Mandi Naves, and Edythe Donne. Warrants were issued for the arrest of Herrera, Hanley, and Menniweathers. It is anticipated that warrants for the others will be issued soon.

On 05-05-10, HCDA Investigators located Rosalie Herrera (age 48) at her McKinleville residence. Upon contact, she was cited and released for her outstanding warrant with a court date of 05-27-10.

HCDA Investigators then sought the assistance of the Fortuna Police Department, who located Krissey Hanley. Hanley was also cited and released with a court date of 05-26-10.

Menniweathers has also been cited and released on her outstanding warrants.

District Attorney Paul Gallegos stated, “Parents need to understand that children are their responsibility and that they have a responsibility to ensure that they attend school regularly. When they don’t, they are harming their child’s future. My office is committed to doing everything it can to ensure compliance with school guidelines and the laws pertaining to the children’s education.”
***
NEWS RELEASE
May 3, 2010
For Immediate Release
Contact: Assistant D.A. Wes Keat 445-7411

District Attorney Paul Gallegos announced today that convicted murderer Candace MacDonald was denied parole.

MacDonald applied for release for the seventh time at a hearing before the Board of Parole Hearings at Valley State Prison for Women. Though MacDonald, now 59 years old, attributed her criminality to methamphetamine addiction, the panel found that she was still unsuitable for release on parole for at least the next three years.

Convicted of first degree murder, MacDonald was sentenced in 1982 to serve a life sentence for the 1980 slaying of Solon Dunton. Dunton, 73 years old, was bound, robbed, stabbed, beaten and suffocated to death inside his Eureka home by MacDonald and crime-partner Michael English. English is also serving a life term in state prison. State law provides that those serving life sentences are released only upon approval of the Board of Parole Hearings. Assistant District Attorney Wes Keat argued against MacDonald’s release based on the risk she poses to the safety of the community.
**

NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 19, 2010
CONTACT: Deputy District Attorney, Ben Mainzer
PHONE: (707) 268-2567

DANIEL JAMES BRADLEY

On April 28, 2010, a jury convicted Daniel James Bradley, 29, of McKinleyville, of misdemeanor driving under the influence and driving with a blood alcohol concentration of above .08 percent. The Honorable Marilyn B. Miles presided.

On August 22, 2009, Bradley drove to a McKinleyville gas station to purchase beer after having already consumed multiple alcoholic beverages that evening. While on the premises, Bradley was contacted by Humboldt County Sherriff's deputies who happened to be parked at the gas station. After speaking with Bradley, the deputies suspected that Bradley had been driving under the influence. The deputies then handed off the investigation to the CHP. The responding CHP officer conducted a DUI investigation which confirmed the deputies' initial suspicion. Bradley was then arrested for driving under the influence and driving with a blood alcohol concentration of above .08 percent. He was subsequently transported to the Humboldt County Correctional Facility.

The case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Ben Mainzer.

This is getting to be pretty funny.