Toldja. No death penalty in Bodhi Tree Arcata double murder

◼ Death penalty not sought in Bodhi Tree case, trial continued to April 7 - John Chiv/Words Worth

...Witness lists had been exchanged. Ms. Firpo told the Court that the Defense intended to have an expert witness and while she had a CD, she did not have the accompanying report. Therefore, Ms. Firpo requested the trial date be continued.

Ms. Holmquist said the report would be given to Ms. Firpo by the end of the week. Both sides agreed on the April 7 date. Judge Reinholtsen noted based on the list of witnesses, this could potentially be a long trial. There was discussion about questionnaires and jury selection.

April 2 is the Trial Readiness date to discuss any outstanding evidentiary issues.

◼ Tree's trial date pushed back to April 7 - Kimberly Wear/The Times-Standard

The man accused of fatally shooting a teenage girl and the man who came to her defense at an Arcata home in May will not face the death penalty if convicted of their murders, Humboldt County District Attorney Paul Gallegos said Monday.

”The death penalty is not being pursued in the Bodhi Tree case,” he said.

The department has a review process for all cases which qualify for the death penalty, including a detailed review of the facts and allowing the defense to present mitigating factors about the defendant, according to Gallegos.

Uh-huh.

During a court hearing on Monday, Tree's trial was pushed to April 7 to allow Deputy District Attorney Elan Firpo time to receive a report about an expert witness the defense plans to call at trial. She said the prosecution plans to call 57 witnesses.

”I'm requesting a continuation of the trial, so I can review that report with my experts,” Firpo said.

◼ Gallegos: No Death Penalty in Arcata Double Murder Case - Thadeus Greenson/the Journal

Tree has pleaded not guilty to the charges and faces 50 years to life in prison if convicted in the case. The Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office is expected to announce its decision not to pursue the death penalty in the case at a hearing this afternoon. Read prior Journal coverage of the case ◼ here. (image(s) source)

EARLIER:
◼ Bodhi Tree determination re death penalty case yet to be determined - John Chiv/Words Worth
◼ Rhett August, Tree's alleged victim, released on cruz waiver on his own court case - John Chiv/Words Worth
◼ The trial for a man accused of murdering a teenage girl and the man who was apparently trying to defend her was set Friday for March 24. - Lorna Rodriguez/The Times-Standard
◼ ...Judge Dale Reinholtsen presiding. Elan Firpo, prosecutor. Attorney for Tree, Heidi Holmquist.... - John Chiv/Words Worth
◼ Bodhi Tree to be charged with Eureka shooting; details emerge in Arcata double homicide, defendant's mental health history - Thadeus Greenson/The Times-Standard

...Tree, an ex-convict who court documents indicate has a history of mental illness and had been released from prison just six weeks before he is alleged to have opened fire in a Eureka neighborhood. The court documents also indicate Tree confessed to the Arcata killings, telling a friend he'd “just shot two people.”

◼ Officials: Bodhi Tree is 'person of interest' in last week's Eureka shooting - Times-Standard
◼ Police Looking at Bodhi Tree as a ‘Person of Interest’ in Eureka Shooting Last Week - Hank Sims/Lost Coast Outpost
◼ Arcata double homicide suspect pleads not guilty: Case eligible for the death penalty - Lorna Rodriguez/The Times-Standard
◼ 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
◼ DOUBLE HOMICIDE ON EYE STREET (Update 2) - Kevin Hoover/Arcata Eye
◼ Update: Police searching for Arcata double homicide suspect - Times Standard
◼ Suspected Double Homicide in Arcata This Morning (UPDATING) - Hank Sims/Lost Coast Outpost
◼ 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
◼ 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

◼ Parents of Murder Victim: ‘Her Light Will Always Shine’ - Ryan Burns/The Journal (image source)