Trial for Michael Coen under way - will Gallegos let him go again?

The jury selection phase of the trial for a Fortuna man accused of attempted murder got under way Wednesday.

Michael Alan Coen faces numerous charges stemming from a July incident in which he allegedly shot Michael Cooper at a home on the 3400 block of Hillras Way, prompting a multi-agency manhunt for his capture. Coen is accused of attempted murder, assault with a firearm, illegal possession of a firearm by a felon and resisting arrest.

He pleaded not guilty to all the charges, and is in custody at the Humboldt County jail. Coen's criminal trial will trail a revocation hearing, and is slated to begin after the jury is selected.

◼ Trial for Michael Coen under way

◼ Trial for man accused of attempted murder to start next week; case will likely be delayed until April
Coen's attorney, alternate conflict counsel David Lee No word on who the prosecutor is.
◼ 'Armed and dangerous' -- authorities arrest suspect in connection with Fortuna shooting
◼ Suspect in Fortuna attempted murder arraigned in Humboldt County court
◼ Hearing pushed back for Fortuna man 8/11/201
◼ Fortuna Police are searching for person of interest

◼ Work with me to rebuild our District Attorney's Office
Remember Coen? C'mon reporters!

In July, a man named Michael Coen was arrested for attempted murder. This was not his first brush with the law. He'd been sent to prison for eight years for an assault that left a man in a coma. This was before Gallegos was elected.

Coen was paroled in 2007, but in March 2008 was picked up for participating in a gang. No charges were filed, and instead the new offense was treated as a parole violation.

In July 2008, he was arrested for his involvement in another beating that resulted in serious injury. Again, no new charges were filed by Gallegos, and again the offense was treated as a simple parole violation. Coen was out in five months.

December 2008 found Coen arrested yet again -- this time for driving under the influence and running from the police. Gallegos charged the DUI, but then pled it down to a less serious offense. Once again, it was treated as a parole violation.

Back out on the streets in May 2009, Coen was immediately re-arrested for participating in a gang. Again, no charges. Another parole violation; another brief stint in jail.

Coen was released again in August 2009. The following month, he assaulted two men, breaking the jaw of one man who happened to be a serviceman home on leave from Iraq.

Even though Coen was already on parole for felony assault, and even though he had five prior parole violations, Gallegos plea bargained this new case and agreed to Coen's release in November 2009.

Three months later, Coen was arrested again. The charges this time -- robbery, car-jacking, illegally possessing a weapon, and participating in a gang. The case was referred to the DA, but for some unexplained reason, it was never charged. At all. Even though the investigating officer reported Coen admitted his involvement. He remained out on the street until he was picked up a few months ago for allegedly attempting to kill a man.

This is one example. There are many more. This year alone there have been 29 felons on parole found to be in possession of firearms. The DA charged only six of those. One parolee was picked up three times for being in possession of a firearm before he was charged. That was when he was found with a loaded Glock in his waistband after being stopped by the California Highway Patrol.
This is where we are. This is what eight years of Gallegos has gotten us.

◼ A case of judgment; district attorneys wield tremendous discretion

Yes, they do. Let's see if Paul Gallegos, the great savior of western civilization can actaully do his job this time.