Officials: Bodhi Tree is 'person of interest' in last week's Eureka shooting

◼ Officials: Bodhi Tree is 'person of interest' in last week's Eureka shooting - Times-Standard

The Eureka Police Department has named double murder suspect Bodhi Tree, who was released from prison in April, as a “person of interest” in a shooting near Eureka High School last week.

EPD Detective Ron Harpham said the department has some evidence pointing to Tree as a suspect but officials are still trying to determine probable cause. “We are still chasing down some leads,” Harpham said.

Harpham declined to say what evidence was found, citing an open investigation. The 28-year-old suspect in Saturday's double homicide in Arcata pleaded not guilty on Wednesday to two counts of murder and the special circumstance enhancement of multiple deaths, which qualifies the case for the death penalty.

Eureka High school student Christina Schwarz, 18, and 27-year-old Alan “Sunshine” Marcet were fatally shot.

According to officials, Eureka native Rhett August, 24, was shot once in the upper abdomen after he stepped out into an alley near the 1900 block of J street in Eureka to answer a knock at the door.

Harpham said the person the department originally suspected in the shooting has now been cleared.
Humboldt County Chief Probation Officer Bill Damiano confirmed Tree was released from state prison at the beginning of April under post-release community supervision, a program enacted under California prison realignment.

”He would have been released either way, either on parole or through realignment,” Damiano said.

◼ Police Looking at Bodhi Tree as a ‘Person of Interest’ in Eureka Shooting Last Week - Hank Sims/Lost Coast Outpost

Manhunt for Shane Miller: Day 15

◼ Manhunt for Shane Miller: Day 15 - Times-Standard

Miller has a criminal record and served time in prison. Authorities consider Miller armed and dangerous.

Community members are encouraged to call the sheriff's office at 445-7251 or the tip line at 268-2539 if they see anything suspicious or 911, in the event of an emergency.

Latest update: Humboldt County Sheriff's Office Lt. Wayne Hanson said Wednesday there is nothing new to report and the office is still following any leads it receives.

”We have two officers in the area 24 hours a day,” Hanson said. He said tracking dogs and dogs used to find cadavers are no longer being used.

Humboldt County Sheriff Mike Downey has said the most likely scenarios are Miller has killed himself or left the area.

Arcata double homicide suspect Bodhi Tree pleads not guilty: Case eligible for the death penalty

◼ Arcata double homicide suspect pleads not guilty: Case eligible for the death penalty - Lorna Rodriguez/The Times-Standard

Bodhi Tree, 28, is accused of killing Christina Schwarz, 18, and Alan “Sunshine” Marcet, 27, with a handgun, Humboldt County Superior Court Judge Christopher Wilson said. A special circumstance enhancement was added because there is more than one victim, which makes the case eligible for the death penalty, Wilson said.

Humboldt County Assistant District Attorney Kelly Neel said the district attorney's office hasn't decided whether to seek the death penalty.

”It's too early to make that determination,” Neel said.

Public defender Kevin Robinson said he will represent Tree once any conflict of interest determination is made.

Tree audibly said, “I didn't commit no murders,” as he conferred with his attorney, who tried to quiet him in court. Tree, originally from Garberville, has a Humboldt County criminal history that stretches back to at least 2007 and includes a guilty plea to resisting arrest after a 2011 high speed chase, according to court documents.

UC Berkeley School of Law Professor Franklin Zimring said multiple deaths are one of several factors that can qualify a case for the death penalty.
__________________
◼ FOURTH UPDATE: No bail for double homicide suspect - The Times-Standard 5/18

◼ Officials: Looking for gun used in weekend's double homicide - The Times-Standard 5/21

----- Presumably, they tested his hands for gunpowder residue that night, right? ------

Well said.

◼ Those who can do, do; those who cannot sue - John Chiv/Words Worth

Eureka attorney Peter Martin finally revealed the true agenda behind the lawsuit filed against the City of Eureka and invocations by saying he hopes that his motion to dismiss Superior Court Judge Dale Reinholtsen will better his odds for a favorable ruling.

In a May 17 Times-Standard article, Martin was quoted as saying that he decided to request the dismissal of Reinholtsen because he feels that the judge is “on the right flank of the political bent.”

Kim Starr must be kicking herself for not thinking of this brilliant and objective strategy in Occupy Eureka’s lawsuit against the City. In the last 2 years, the mantra of those who only know how to blame and create drama has been: “If I don’t get my way and if my mud slinging does not work, I will just sue” has backfired both at the ballot and with the public. Nevertheless, they continue to employ the same tired tactics. It has hurt any legitimate cause and sincere people Martin and Starr claim to represent.... read the rest, at the link.

Double homicide in Arcata: Suspect in custody

◼ DOUBLE HOMICIDE ON EYE STREET (Update 2) - Kevin Hoover/Arcata Eye

Two people, a male and a female, were killed in a house on Eye Street early this morning.

People staying at the house said that a suspect, another houseguest, shot the two with a revolver. Police have no one in custody, but are pursuing a “person of interest,” according to APD Lt. Ryan Peterson.

Victims have not been identified. The houseguests said the female was an 18-year-old high school student.

Peterson said the female was pronounced dead at the scene. The male died shortly thereafter at Mad River Community Hospital. names have not yet been released.

◼ Update: Police searching for Arcata double homicide suspect - Times Standard
◼ Suspected Double Homicide in Arcata This Morning (UPDATING) - Hank Sims/Lost Coast Outpost (image source)

The suspect has been taken into custody on Shirley Avenue. Photos by Andrew Goff. (Click to enlarge.)

◼ Bodhi Tree, 28, arrested in connection with this morning's double homicide. - Kevin Hoover/Arcata Eye

◼ SECOND UPDATE: Police ID suspect arrested in double homicide - Times Standard

In October 2011, a 26-year-old Eureka man named Bodhi Tree was arrested following a high-speed pursuit by Humboldt County sheriff's deputies that began at the Bear River Casino parking lot and ended with the suspect arrested on suspicion of vandalism to a patrol car, resisting arrest, assault with a deadly weapon and public drunkenness.

◼ Bodhi Tree Booked On Two Counts Of Murder - Kevin Hoover/Arcata Eye

◼ A footnote to history: Bodhi Tree is used to being arrested, sometimes with the aid of APD K-9 officers. He has a history of petty crime in Arcata and elsewhere.... - Arcata Eye Facebook

◼ High Speed Chase Ends with Officers uh…Treeing Suspect (click here for previous arrest information) - Kym Kemp/Lost Coast Outpost

◼ THIRD UPDATE: APD details search, arrest of double homicide suspect - Times Standard

Stay updated at ◼ The Eye, ◼ Lost Coast Outpost, and ◼ The Times Standard. (Also, ◼ The Eye on Facebook)

But the amazingly greedy nature of this shakedown was clearly a bridge too far. And not only is the Amazon Defense Front coming up on the short end of the stick, but one of the American law firms engaging in this practice may wind up paying a hefty sum for their involvement.

◼ DC firm shaking down Chevron learns lesson about poking the bear - HotAir

There’s been a new, and some might say long overdue twist in the ongoing saga of Ecuador’s Chevron shakedown. We’ve been covering this story here since January of 2011 and it’s been a wild roller coaster ride. From the time the environmental groups involved were initially awarded a huge payday in a kangaroo court, we’ve seen blatant fraud uncovered on the part of the plaintiffs, “investors” in the lawsuit claiming they were defrauded, and the judge in the case admitting that he was bribed.

◼ Chevron seeks to sue Patton Boggs for fraud and deceit - Fortune

Since late 2010, Washington, D.C. law firm Patton Boggs has been poking a sleeping tiger. It has filed three peculiar federal lawsuits -- in its own name, not on behalf of any client -- against Chevron, the third-largest corporation in the United States. These cases have fared poorly; two were quickly dismissed, and a federal magistrate judge recommended tossing the third in March.

On Friday, the tiger awoke. Chevron (CVX) sought a federal judge's permission to bring counterclaims against the 455-lawyer firm for alleged fraud and deceit for its conduct in representing the Amazon Defense Front, which obtained a $19 billion environmental judgment against the oil giant in Lago Agrio, Ecuador, in February 2011. Chevron also seeks to charge the firm with "malicious prosecution" for having pursued its three lawsuits in bad faith. Chevron seeks to hold the law firm liable for any damages Chevron suffers from the Front's allegedly fraud-infested litigation, plus punitive and treble damages.

Interesting searches

◼ limmie greg curry, showing up in google searches...

Lots on the manhunt, too. Such as: redding petrolia manhunt cogswell

Search for Miller escalates in Mattole Valley manhunt; Tour of the Unknown Coast sees loss in participation

◼ Search for Miller escalates in Mattole Valley manhunt; Tour of the Unknown Coast sees loss in participation - Catherine Wong/The Times-Standard

As the Mattole Valley manhunt for triple homicide suspect Shane Miller entered its fourth day, more law enforcement officials joined the search even as authorities lifted checkpoints for hundreds of bicyclists in Saturday's 35th Annual Tour of the Unknown Coast.

As of Saturday, more than 70 deputies and officers from the Humboldt and Shasta county sheriff's offices; the Fortuna, Arcata, Eureka and Rio Dell police departments; the California Highway Patrol; the Humboldt County, Shasta County, Sonoma County and California Department of Corrections SWAT teams; the U.S. Marshals Service; the Bureau of Land Management; CalFire and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife are involved in the search, according to a press release.

Search teams are using a specialized communications truck -- brought by the U.S. Marshals Service-- and helicopters from CHP's Redding airbase and the Kern County sheriff's office. Humboldt County Sheriff's Office Lt. Steve Knight said they are also using tracking dogs and a plane.

Miller, 45, is the lone suspect in the killing of his wife and two daughters Tuesday night at their Shingletown home in Shasta County before fleeing roughly 200 miles west to the Mattole Valley area. Officials say he is considered armed and “extremely dangerous.”

◼ Shelter in Place Request Lifted—Caution Still Advised as Authorities Search for Homicide Suspect, Shane Miller - Kym Kemp/Lost Coast Outpost

SHANE FRANKLIN MILLER, White male adult, 45 years old, 5-10, 200 lbs blue eyes, red hair.

Believed to be armed and dangerous. If sighted call 911

Anyone with information for the Sheriffs Office regarding this case or related criminal activity is encouraged to call the Sheriffs Office at 707-445-7251 or the Sheriffs Office Crime Tip line at 707-268-2539.

One has to wonder...

Did any of our local political orgs - Paykeeper, Humboldt Watershed Council, The so-called Alliance For Ethical Business, Healthy Humboldt, ERF, and others - have to answer questions like these asked by the IRS of 'conservative' groups:

List each past or present board member, officer, key employee and members of their families who:
a) Has served on the board of another organization. Has previously conducted similar activities for another entity.
b) Was, is or plans to be a candidate for public office. Indicate the nature of each candidacy.
c) Has previously conducted similar activities for another entity. (Like Humboldt Watershed Council/Healthy Humboldt?)(Like Local Solutions, Alliance for Ethical Business, Redwood Progressive, CREG, DUHC, Friends Of Paul Gallegos, Our Humboldt, Behind the Redwood Curtain, Curtain FOPG-Listserv
Friends of Chris Kerrigan, and God knows how many more...)
d) Has previously submitted an application for tax exempt status.

Please provide the following regarding your merchandise sales:
a) A vendor list. Indicate if the vendor is a related party.
b) A list of items sold.
c) Your cost for each item.
d) The selling price of each item.

Fully describe your youth outreach program with the local school district.

Provide information regarding the (Humboldt Democrat Central Committee, ERF) and your
relationship.

Provide a list of all issues that are important to your organization. Indicate your position regarding each issue.

It appears you have received training (______). Provide the following for all persons or organizations that have provided educational services to you:
a) The name of the person or organization.
b) A full description of the services provided.
c) The political affiliation of the person or organization.
d) A copy of the educational material used.

Provide details regarding your relationship with (Richard Salzman, Michael Shellenberger (sic).

Has your organization engaged in any activities with the news media? If so, please describe those activities in further detail and, if available, provide copies of articles printed or transcripts of items aired because of that activity. News media activity may include the following:

a) Newspaper advertisements
b) Press releases
c) Interviews with news media
d) Letters to the editor
e) Op-ed Pieces

A hard copy printout of the website – A PDF file emailed to the IRS will not suffice (and this is the high-tech Administration)

List all Social Media outlets being used (Facebook, Twitter, etc) and include hard copy printouts of every posting

A narrative description of every activity of your organization since June 30, 2010 (filing date) – And they do not want a mere description of the event, but full details – including; who conducted it, their qualifications, who was allowed to take part in the activities and how they were selected, was there a fee? (how much)

The IRS also wants to know about the members of the group and their roles and more, asking specifically for the “name, address, and corporate federal ID of all organizations that are members of our organization”
[...]
Public events are also under scrutiny with the IRS demanding to know the time, location and content schedule of each event.

Copies of any and all handouts must be included.

Names and credentials of all instructors and copies of any workshop materials used.
All speakers must be identified and copies of every speech must be included.

AND THERE'S MORE: “Have you attempted or will you attempt to influence the outcome of specific legislation? If so, provide the following … all communications, pamphlets, advertisements, and other materials.”

“Have you conducted or will you conduct candidate forums? If so, provide the following details… The issues that were discussed. Copies of all handouts provided.”

“The names of persons from your organization and the amount of time they will spend on the event. Indicate the name and amount of compensation that will be paid to each person.”

“All copies of your corporate minutes from inception.”

“Please identify your volunteers.”

“The names of donors, contributors, and grantors.”

“Do you encourage eligible voters to educate themselves, register to vote, and vote? Explain in detail how you do this.”

“You were formed 12/28/10. Provide actual financial information for 2010 & 2011, and a budget for 2012. Provide details regarding each item listed.”
______________

This level of inquiry goes well beyond the scope of the Form 1023 application for exempt status - and appears to be applied to one side and not the other.

In particular, we know that Humboldt Watershed Council and The AEB ran ads here locally, oh so many years ago. The AEB never showed up on any of my searches of IRS databases. Humboldt Watershed Council, on the other hand has a substantial record on Guidestar, and in the early days, at least, showed their 'educational' requirement was fulfilled.

It's quite a racket.

And, more than that, it's pretty disturbing when the full power of the federal Government/IRS is brought to bear on one side and not the other. There are thousands and thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of 'left-wing' orgs, we know they are formed and used and discarded just like boiler room stock scammers. Michael Shellenberger himself had quite a list, including Apollo Alliance, "The Rose Foundation," "The Committee of Concerned Maxxam Shareholders," "As You Sow Foundation" - No small potatoes there.

◼ Senior Internal Revenue Service officials knew agents were targeting tea party groups as early as 2011, according to a draft of an inspector general's report obtained by The Associated Press that seemingly contradicts public statements by the IRS commissioner. - AP

Manhunt in Humboldt for suspected killer; father suspected of shooting wife, 2 daughters; officials on the lookout in Petrolia area

◼ UPDATED: WOMAN, DAUGHTERS SHOT TO DEATH - Record Searchlight staff
◼ Shane Franklyn Miller, 45, is being sought by deputies and is considered armed and dangerous. Via Times-Standard

...(A) woman and her two daughters found dead Tuesday night at their home suffered multiple gunshot wounds.

"The husband and father was responsible for the alleged 3 homicides," said Lt. Dave Kent at a press conference this afternoon.

The three victims, 34-year-old Sandy Miller, and two daughters, Shelby Miller, 8, and Shasta Miller, 4, were found dead at their home on the 28400 block of Alpine Way. The children's father, Shane Franklyn Miller, 45, is the lone suspect sought by deputies and is considered armed and "extremely dangerous."

Deputies said they couldn't go into details about why they believe Shane Miller killed his family. They said they couldn't confirm what Miller used to allegedly shoot his family.

At a press conference held this afternoon, sheriff's officials said they entered the home Tuesday and found the three victims with gunshot wounds.

Lt. Tom Campbell said that an alert issued earlier this afternoon contained incorrect information about the suspect's vehicle. Authorities are still looking for a gold 2010 Dodge Mega Cab pickup truck with a camper shell, license plate 8Z75988.

They received a 911 call from the home around 7:45 p.m., but deputies wouldn't say who called authorities, except that the call came from the home where the victims were killed.

Deputies said there had been a domestic disturbance at the home in April, but said they couldn't confirm whether a domestic dispute played a part in the shooting.

An alert issued by law enforcement at about 10:30 a.m. today said Miller, whose birthday is today, was possibly headed to a cabin in Ferndale, where he may have a cache of weapons.

◼ Humboldt Connection in Shasta Triple Murder - Kym Kemp/Lost Coast Outpost (watch for updates)

Miller is 5 feet, 10 inches tall, weighs 200 pounds and has red hair and blue eyes, sheriff’s Lt. Tom Campbell said. He is driving a gold 2010 Dodge Mega Cab pickup with a camper shell and California license plate of 8Z75988, according to the Sheriff’s Office

◼ ...Humboldt County Sheriff's Office Lt. Steve Knight said an active search was being conducted Wednesday evening in the Mattole Valley area of Petrolia for triple homicide suspect Shane Franklyn Miller, 45. The sheriff's office reported the discovery of the gold 2010 Dodge Mega Cab pickup truck Miller had been reported driving earlier, parked and vacant on the 30000 block of Mattole Road.... - Redding Searchlight and Times-Standard staff
◼ Vehicle of Suspect in Shasta County Triple Slayings Found at Mouth of Mattole - Kym Kemp/Lost Coast Outpost (watch for updates)

UPDATES FROM LOST COAST OUTPOST:

◼ Mattole Schools Close as Manhunt Continues - Kym Kemp 5/8
◼ Sheriff Downey: Where We’re At in the Mattole Manhunt - Kym Kemp 5/9
◼ Afternoon Manhunt Update: No Leads to Report, But Tour of the Unknown Coast Will Go Forward - Hank Sims 5/9
◼ Photos of Petrolia as Hunt for Triple Homicide Suspect Continues - Kym Kemp 5/9
◼ Dead Body Rumors Unfounded, Says Lt. Hanson - Kym Kemp 5/10
◼ No News From the Shane Miller Manhunt in the Mattole Valley - Hank Sime 5/10
◼ More Officers Arrive to Search for Triple Homicide Suspect - Kym Kemp 5/10

UPDATES FROM TIMES-STANDARD:

◼ Sheriff's office: Triple murder suspect's truck found on Mattole Road; stay indoors - 5/8
◼ Second Update: Mattole manhunt continues, Miller an ex-convict - 5/9

Murder suspect Shane Miller has been in trouble with the law before, according to the Associated Press.
In 2002, Miller was charged in San Francisco with making and selling marijuana for distribution, being a felon in possession of a firearm, possessing a machine gun and money laundering, according to court records. He pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a gun and was sentenced to three years and 10 months in prison. He was released in May 2007, according to the federal Bureau of Prisons.

◼ Third update: Search for Miller ongoing in Petrolia after truck sighted - 5/8

◼ Humboldt manhunt continues; search for suspected killer leaves Petrolia area residents on edge - Kaci Poor 5/10

There are obvious similarities between this search and the 2011 manhunt in Mendocino County for Aaron Bassler, the 35-year-old man wanted in the killings of two men in the Fort Bragg area, Downey said. In both cases, the wanted men were believed to be armed, dangerous and familiar with the region in which they were hiding.

”There are also distinct differences,” Downey said. “The area we are looking at searching is not as containable as the Jackson State Forest region where Bassler was hiding. This area is very rugged and forested. It is going to have its own set of problems.”

◼ Gunshot victim found in Myers Flat, unrelated to manhunt - 5/11
◼ Mattole manhunt continues Friday with ramped-up effort; classmates remember Miller as experienced outdoorsman - Kaci Poor/The Times-Standard 5/11

Miller spent his freshman year of high school living with Zachary Davis on Cleveland Street in Ferndale. Davis said his family regularly took on young boarders from Petrolia or Honeydew so they could attend high school in Ferndale or Fortuna. Mattole Triple Junction High School in Petrolia wasn't built until the 1990s, he explained.

Davis remembers Miller as a mean, angry 14-year-old with a penchant for cruel practical jokes.
”I didn't care to know him, and I didn't try to get to know him either,” Davis said. “I was not surprised at all when I saw his name in the paper. What surprised me the most is that it took him this long to do something this evil.”

Davis said Miller -- like most young people raised in the Mattole Valley -- could take care of himself in the wild. Miller could build a fire and a lean-to, Davis said.

”When you're raised out there, you are brought up a little differently,” he said. “You are taught about guns really young, you know how to hunt, set snares and traps. I think Shane could take care of himself out there, but I don't know for how long -- I guess it just depends on what gear he's got.”
Davis said he thought it was unlikely that anyone in the community would want to help Miller, even if he did contact old friends....

Knight said the sheriff's office has not canceled the Tour of the Unknown Coast, which is set to ride down Mattole Road today. Knight said a law enforcement presence will be posted along the route as a safety precaution.

The Bureau of Land Management's Arcata Field Office posted notice that the King Range National Conservation area, including the Lost Coast Trail, would be closed until further notice. Knight said he hopes the public honors the closure.

”We want people to stay out of there for their own safety,” he said. “Having people hiking around complicates things. It is a safety issue for them and for our staff.”

Anyone with information
on his whereabouts should call 911
or the sheriff's office at 245-6540.

Judge upholds sentence for Arcata molester: 18 years for ex-pastor who preyed on 2 adopted daughters

◼ In making his ruling, Judge Bruce Watson said he stood by his original sentencing of Cardelli to 16 years in prison on counts of sexually abusing his two adopted daughters and two consecutive years in prison for attempting to dissuade one of the girls from testifying. - Kaci Poor/The Times-Standard

Following his arrest in September 2010, the prosecution charged Cardelli with three counts of lewd and lascivious behavior with a child under 14 years old, seven counts alleging there were multiple victims in the case, two counts of oral copulation with a child under 16, recurring sexual conduct with a victim under 14 and a special allegation of a victim under 14.

In December 2010, Cardelli was given explicit orders from the court to refrain from any contact with the pair of alleged minor victims in the case, including both phone and Internet contact.

Prosecutors argued in January 2011 that Cardelli had used a throw-away cell phone and a “false” Facebook page to contact the one of the victims.

During Cardelli's initial sentencing in August 2011, Watson said the man took advantage of a vulnerable victim, a girl he'd adopted at the age of 5 and who was 13 when the acts of molestation began. The judge said Cardelli then repeatedly attempted to dissuade the girl from cooperating in the case.

Standing by his previous comments, Watson said Monday the former pastor used his position as an adult, a father and a pastor to betray the trust and confidence of his daughter, his community and his congregation.

Under the terms of his sentencing, Cardelli will serve at least 85 percent of his 18-year prison sentence, will be put on supervised parole for 20 years after his release and will have to register as a sex offender for life.