Monday, January 31, 2011

Garberville man charged with attempted murder; victim escapes uninjured

Garberville man charged with attempted murder; victim escapes uninjured

A Garberville man was arrested Saturday after allegedly firing two gunshots at his stepdaughter during a heated argument, the Times-Standard learned Sunday.

Hugh Bradley Henson, 39, remains in custody after officers with the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office and California Highway Patrol responded to a 911 call on the 600 block of Locust Street in Garberville, according to a press release. Multiple witnesses at the scene reported yelling between Henson and his 23-year-old stepdaughter, Niccole Marian Lang, who arrived at the house to pick up some clothes late Saturday morning, said sheriff's deputy Bob Hamilton.

During an argument in which Henson's wife Penny Marie Krautheim, 47, tried to separate the two, Lang ran out of the house on foot. Henson then fired two shots at her with a .38-caliber revolver, said Hamilton, missing both times.

...During a subsequent search of the home officers reported finding approximately five ounces of concentrated cannabis and more than six pounds of processed marijuana, believed to be in preparation for the production of concentrated cannabis, or hash. Hamilton said that the marijuana is not believed to be related to the shooting in any way.

...Henson, who also had a pair of outstanding misdemeanor warrants for traffic violations, was charged with attempted murder, possession of marijuana for sale, possession of concentrated cannabis, maintaining a place for the purpose of selling/distributing a controlled substance and felony child endangerment likely to produce great bodily injury or death.

With prior felony drug-related offenses, Henson was also charged with illegal possession of a firearm by a felon.

Krautheim, who also goes by the last names Lang and Henson, was charged with knowingly renting a place for storage of a controlled substance, felony child endangerment and possession of concentrated cannabis.

Henson is being held on $500,000 bail, and Krautheim is being held on $50,000 bail. Both are expected to be arraigned on the charges this week.

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Intentionally or not, John Matthews is a Velveteen Reporter

North Coast Journal Editor Tom Abate with John Matthews 1/27/11
The new North Coast Journal Editor Tom Abate and Journal Publisher Judy Hodgson talk with John Matthews about the future of the weekly.

I am a fan.

Hello, Humboldt County Tom Abate at The Journal
Chron Staffer Named Editor Judy Hodgson at The Journal
Journal gets new editor heraldo reacts
More on the Journal’s big change again

And, welcome Tom.

Added: (I put this in comments below, but I think it is worth adding up front)
One thing that hasn't been brought up in the rollicking discussion on heraldo is the sheer amount of time that web work can take.

Blogging itself is not a 20-minute a day thing, there's a lot more time that goes into it - and Hank's online work could easily take up his entire day and into the night. we know he monitors the blogs, writes posts, and now apps, and has been a major force in perfecting the Journal's online presence - Plus writing s column, directing reporters, deciding on the content of the paper, approving the layouts, probably some copy editing - it truly is more than a one-man job.

Despite this - admittedly disastrous - interview - lighten up, give it a chance, Tom is a good guy. there are a lot of bugs to work out...

Paul Gallegos and Derek Bowman, redux - watch this one.

Multi-agency effort leads to arrest of parolee at large in Arcata

Three people were arrested Monday after a multi-agency search for a parolee at large ended at a gas station in Valley West in Arcata.

Derek Bowman, 29, was arrested by officers with California Highway Patrol after the Eureka Police Department asked for assistance in locating Bowman, who failed to report to his parole officer. Bowman is on parole in connection to an armed robbery in Fortuna, said CHP officer Paul Dahlen.

Officers also arrested two people who were in the car with Bowman at the time, and reported finding a small amount of methamphetamine in the vehicle, Dahlen said.

Georgina Archambault, 29, was arrested and charged with possession of a hypodermic syringe, possession of burglary tools and a violation of probation. Officers also arrested Nachel Black, 32, for an outstanding warrant, said Dahlen.

Scanner traffic at the time reported a fourth suspect who fled the scene on foot, possibly with a firearm, but Dahlen said that officers on scene did not verify the reports.

Multi-agency effort leads to arrest of parolee - Humboldt Beacon
Related stories:

Remember Derek? Whose nine felonies were swooped up and dismissed on a single day AFTER his parents, using the Tribe's money, gave Gallegos ten grand+ for his re-election campaign? After his parents, whose OTHER son MURDERED another Native American, stood on the Courthouse steps calling Gallegos' opponent, Worth Dikeman, a racist. (Worth put their other son away.)

What will Gallegos do this time? DECEMBER 13, 2006
ER - Bowman to undergo evaluation FEBRUARY 16, 2007
Oh Great. Inmate escapes from county mental health facility in Eureka
BREAKING NEWS - Derek Bowman Back In Custody AUGUST 14, 2007

Derek Bowman arrested on warrants
ER - Bear River members seek chairperson's recall
ER - Gallegos sidesteps questions about possible conflict of interest in Bowman charges
ER - Questions without answers hinder our newsgathering
ER - Bowman story not accurate
ER - Contribution made because Gallegos was the better of the two
ER - Questions remain in DA's handling of Bowman charges
ER - Bear River official discusses financial contributions from tribe
ER - Tribe's contribution to DA's campaign was made by the Tribal Council, not Bowman
ER - Gallegos is 'public servant,' not Legal Spiegel
ER - It's telling that Gallegos witch hunt didn't start until firing of Dikeman
ER - Writer appreciates editor's note that identifies writers
ER - Residents deserve answers to questions asked of DA's Office
ER - Bitter? You bet!
TS - Donations not improper, says Bear River Band
TS - DA's office: State OK'd handling of plea deal
(note: Eureka Reporter articles are no longer available online - but hard copies are available - if you are a reporter who finally pays attention to this travesty - the info is out there.)

You're still left with $11,100 and a publicity stunt given to Paul Gallegos, and Bowman getting out from under all charges against him, free to return to his job as Bear River Casino surveillance (security).

That's Paul Gallegos making our communites safer. (That was in 2006)

Is he still working at Bear River Casino?

Maggie Jean Wortman pleaded not guilty Tuesday to allegations that she killed her 6-week-old son by feeding him methamphetamine-laced breast milk. UPDATED

Loleta mom pleads not guilty to manslaughter charge; mother allegedly passed lethal dose of meth to infant son through breast milk

A 26-year-old Loleta woman pleaded not guilty Tuesday to allegations that she killed her 6-week-old son by feeding him methamphetamine-laced breast milk.

Maggie Jean Wortman stood before Humboldt County Superior Court Judge Timothy Cissna clad in a blue jail jumpsuit Tuesday with her hands shackled in front of her and pleaded not guilty to charges of involuntary manslaughter and two counts of felony child endangerment. If convicted on all counts, Wortman faces a maximum prison sentence of nine years.

Wortman was polite and respectful of the court, but reserved, throughout her brief court appearance Tuesday. When Cissna called the next case on his calendar, Wortman sat down and appeared to begin to weep until being led from the courtroom by a bailiff.

Humboldt County Sheriff's Office detectives arrested Wortman at the jail on Friday after a two-month investigation. She was in custody for an alleged probation violation stemming from a conviction for maintaining a residence for drug activities. The investigation spawned after Wortman's son, Michael Phillip Acosta III, was transported to a local hospital because he wasn't breathing on Nov. 21 and was later pronounced dead.

A forensic pathologist who reviewed autopsy and toxicology results on the infant concluded his death was caused by “methamphetamine toxicity.” A subsequent toxicology screen of Wortman's 19-month-old daughter also came back positive for methamphetamine, prompting Child Welfare Services to take her into protective custody.


Acosta?

UPDATE: ◼ Judge dismisses murder charge against Loleta woman - Thadeus Greenson/Times Standard

A Humboldt County judge has dismissed the murder charge facing a Loleta mother accused of killing her baby with methamphetamine-laced breast milk last year.

In a ruling filed Wednesday, Humboldt County Superior Court Judge Bruce Watson threw out the murder charge against Maggie Jean Wortman, 27, finding that no evidence was presented at the case's preliminary hearing to establish that Wortman knew she was endangering her infant son's life when she breastfed him after allegedly smoking methamphetamine.

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Paul Gallegos' DA's Office on FOX news online - HOPE THEY'RE PAYING ATTENTION.

Not guilty plea in CA meth-laced breastmilk death Jan 26, 2011 7:32 PM EST
A Northern California woman has pleaded not guilty to killing her 6-week-old baby by feeding him methamphetamine-laced breast milk.

Prosecutors say 26-year-old Maggie Jean Wortman of Loleta used methamphetamine and passed it to her two children while breast-feeding.

Detectives arrested Wortman last week after a two-month investigation found her son died in November due to "methamphetamine toxicity."

Wortman entered her plea Tuesday in Humboldt County Superior Court. She is charged with involuntary manslaughter and two counts of felony child endangerment.

The Times-Standard of Eureka reports that authorities placed Wortman's 19-month-old daughter in protective custody after she tested positive for methamphetamine.

Wortman faces a maximum prison sentence of nine years if convicted on all counts.

___
Information from: Times-Standard, http://www.times-standard.com

Loleta mom pleads not guilty to manslaughter charge; mother allegedly passed lethal dose of meth to infant son through breast milk

Gallegos hits the big time.

More schizophrenic charging UPDATED: Charges dismissed against Maggie Jean Wortman

Higher penalty for accidental fireworks than for dosing your kids (plural) with meth and killing one as a result....
Loleta mom pleads not guilty to manslaughter charge; mother allegedly passed lethal dose of meth to infant son through breast milk

A 26-year-old Loleta woman pleaded not guilty Tuesday to allegations that she killed her 6-week-old son by feeding him methamphetamine-laced breast milk.

Maggie Jean Wortman stood before Humboldt County Superior Court Judge Timothy Cissna clad in a blue jail jumpsuit Tuesday with her hands shackled in front of her and pleaded not guilty to charges of involuntary manslaughter and two counts of felony child endangerment. If convicted on all counts, Wortman faces a maximum prison sentence of nine years....

A forensic pathologist who reviewed autopsy and toxicology results on the infant concluded his death was caused by “methamphetamine toxicity.” A subsequent toxicology screen of Wortman's 19-month-old daughter also came back positive for methamphetamine, prompting Child Welfare Services to take her into protective custody.

Humboldt County Assistant District Attorney Wes Keat said prosecutors are alleging that Wortman used methamphetamine and passed it along to her children while breastfeeding.....


Involuntary manslaughter is a misdemeanor - yet isn't this really second degree murder. Anyone who has had kids and worried about drinking coffee or wine knows the effect, and knows the importance of staying clean when you are pregnant or have nursing babies. And other cases like this are mentioned in this article.

Humboldt County deputy pleads not guilty to child endangerment; arraigned in July 4 fireworks accident case - he is charged with felony child abuse resulting in great bodily injury.

Exposing the child to meth is child abuse - and should get her 3-4 years, manslaughter will get her a year. She's charged with felony child abuse and voluntary manslaughter and he faces one year for the death of her child and he faces up to 10 years for an accidental injury.

UPDATE: ◼ Judge dismisses murder charge against Loleta woman - Thadeus Greenson/Times Standard

A Humboldt County judge has dismissed the murder charge facing a Loleta mother accused of killing her baby with methamphetamine-laced breast milk last year.

In a ruling filed Wednesday, Humboldt County Superior Court Judge Bruce Watson threw out the murder charge against Maggie Jean Wortman, 27, finding that no evidence was presented at the case's preliminary hearing to establish that Wortman knew she was endangering her infant son's life when she breastfed him after allegedly smoking methamphetamine.

Tom Abate Joins NCJ Staff; New Editor is SF Chron Alum

Tom Abate Joins NCJ Staff; New Editor is SF Chron Alum

The Fireworks case

Humboldt County deputy pleads not guilty to child endangerment; arraigned in July 4 fireworks accident case 1/26/2011
Arraignment for sheriff's deputy pushed back 1/22/2011
Cal Fire Fourth of July fireworks accident report in District Attorney's hands; injured girl's mother hopes for accountability and awareness 12/21/2010
Head over heels for local girl: Community comes together at Cartwheels for Jessi 8/01/2010
Cartwheels for Jessi: Fundraiser planned for girl injured in July 4 fireworks accident 7/30/2010
Cal Fire investigating July 4 fireworks accident; Sheriff's deputy, 10-year-old girl reportedly still hospitalized 7/17/2010
Off-duty Humboldt County deputy, 10-year-old girl hospitalized after July 4 fireworks accident 7/07/2010

Monday, January 24, 2011

Get y'er T-shirts! (update)



"I was on heraldo and all I got was this crappy t-shirt"

$15 a pop! Takin' orders!

****
OK - so, it was a joke, generated from a comment Jack made on the thread at the link - so-o-o-o-o, people seem serious about wanting to order some of these shirts. I'll look into it.

A whole new world of predatory lawsuits

Climate Change, Unlimited Liability, and the End Of Capitalism
...These lawsuits seek to introduce the concept of unlimited liability into our already shaky economy – the notion that American companies can be held liable for damages based on the whims of the same anti-capitalist “scientific community” that has already been caught falsifying data. They could even be soaked for gigantic damages over events in distant lands, as the priesthood throws its statistical chicken bones and declares this tsunami or that blizzard to be a result of “global warming” caused by whichever American companies still have pockets left to pick....

Thursday, January 20, 2011

14TH ANNUAL ARCATA EYE BALL


AT THE ARCATA THEATER LOUNGE
SATURDAY, JAN. 29, 7 P.M.
Featuring the Eye Rockestra, Dell'Arte's Odd Fellows, the Pom Pom Queens, the Eureka Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence and more. Hosted by Terrence McNally. Auction donations now being accepted, thank you – contact Debi Farber Bush at farbergirl@gmail.com.
Arcata Eye Facebook
arcataeye.com

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Sheriff's deputy stabbed... Jesse James Petty charged with attempted murder of a peace officer

Sheriff's deputy stabbed in Southern Humboldt County; Garberville man charged with attempted murder of a peace officer
A pair of deputies responded to the 800 block of Redway Drive in Garberville on a report of a man threatening others with a knife shortly after 10 a.m., according to a press release. The suspect, later identified as Jesse James Petty, 20, ran from the scene when the officers arrived, said Sgt. Ernie Stewart....

Petty, who is on probation for resisting/obstructing an officer and has a prior conviction of petty theft, was transported to the Humboldt County jail and charged with attempted murder of a peace officer. He is expected to be arraigned later this week.

Friday, January 14, 2011

Out

Driver in 2008 fatal crash out on parole; Anthony Flores released 27 months after crash that killed 9-year-old girl

Anthony Marques Flores, 21, of Eureka, was released from state custody Jan. 12, a little more than one year after being sentenced to serve a total of three years in a plea agreement with prosecutors....

Reached Thursday, Nicole's father, Kenneth Quigley, declined to comment other than to say Flores' being paroled “is a perfect example of everything that's wrong with Humboldt County and the state of California.”


How many more is it going to take?

Meanwhile - the DA's Office is melting down. There's no one left driving the bus.