watchpaul: April 2015

Wednesday, April 29, 2015

Interested to see HOW THIS GETS TREATED, 2 Million dollar bail set, bail be paid by legit sources.

◼ Bail raised to 2 million for Kailan Meserve charged with kidnap, rape by force and other serious charges; DA will insist bail be paid by legitimate sources - John Chiv/Words Worth

◼ Kailan Meserve who was busted for sexual battery, forcible rape, oral copulation and more is Dave Meserve's son - John Chiv/Words Worth

Former Arcata City Council member Dave Meserve was in court this morning. His son is charged with 17 counts including threats to commit crime resultung in death, first degree burglary, forcible oral copulation (several counts), sexual battery, kidnap to commit robbery, penetration by a foreign object and assault with a deadly weapon. A criminal protective order has been served on him.
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It's obviously being taken seriously. Very sorry for Dave Meserve and his family.

(By how it gets treated, I am talking about media and commentariat, vs how other cases with high profile parents have been treated vis-a-vis respect. IN case you were wondering.)

UPDATE: May 5, still no coverage.

◼ Rest of media covers hearings on Trevor Bohn who did not face charges yet ignores any coverage of Dave Meserve's son or Hezekiah Allen - John Chiv/Words Worth

The former co-defendant (the girlfriend) speaks (UPDATED)

As you saw in yesterday's post, this case has received a lot of attention. It's stirred controversy, and had its twists and turns. If you believe that the victim was yelling at the soon-to-be killer, it's a case of men behaving badly, and it didn't need to end this way. Ferrer should have laughed and kept walking. But by his own admission, he didn't. It is a shame. And I suspect he will pay for his 'fatal' mistake. Read John Chiv's complete coverage, at the link.

◼ Defense forensic pathologist bolsters prosecution argument in Ferrer case, saying if Anderson had received medical help immediately, he could have survived - John Chiv/Words Worth May 6, 2015 (UPDATE)

DDA Rees has destroyed Ferrer's credibility, he has poked holes in Rocheleau's credibility and if the trend continues with Stoiber, the defense case is looking very bleak at this point.

◼ Possible witness tampering in Ferrer case? - John Chiv/Words Worth May 6, 2015 (UPDATE)
◼ DDA Rees exposes yet another key defense victim and Ferrer's former girlfriends's testimony; even on direct her testimony further sinks Ferrer's defense case - John Chiv/Words Worth May 6, 2015 (UPDATE)
◼ "Would you call it a violent punk night?" Sophie Rocheleau's denial later called out on cross by DDA Rees by showing a facebook post - John Chiv/Words Worth May 6, 2015

◼ Ferrer defense witness 3 and 4 don't make much of a difference - John Chiv/Words Worth Apr 29, 2015

No one except Ferrer, Stoiber and Rocheleau were at the altercation. Anderson is dead. That leaves Ferrer whose credibility is toast due to his own actions and words. Character witnesses can't rehabilitate that damage.

◼ She saw the open knife in Ferrer's hand and he said, "we need to get rid of this and I saw him toss it somewhere" - John Chiv/Words Worth Apr 29, 2015

Rocheleau said they walked away from Anderson at a fast pace and could hear "incoherent yelling" from Anderson. When they turned at 12th Street, "Joey stopped and said, 'Oh shit, I think I stabbed him.'." Rocheleau said both her and "Nick were like, what? I didn't believe it; it's not what I saw. It didn't seem plausible."

◼ "Oh shit, I think I stabbed him", is what Ferrer said to Sophie Rocheleau who made a very credible witness for the defense today but her truthful testimony further shows Ferrer's isn't telling the whole truth

Law enforcement and the DA's office has maintained that Stoiber and Rocheleau were truthful in their testimony from day one. Court took a short break and when Rocheleau walked out, she briefly glanced at Ferrer who did not eveen acknowledge her.

◼ U guys were going to put the beat on him" ; "Do you think Doug's family wishes he could have the luxury to go home?" Deputy District Attorney Rees asks Juan Ferrer - John Chiv/Words Worth Apr 29, 2015

On a brief re-cross, DDA Rees brought that statement up and said, "Do you think Doug's family wishes he had the luxury to go home?"

Ferrer snapped at Mr. Rees, "I knew you would bring that up. That is a stupid question to ask."

And that is the image Ferrer left the jury with this morning.

◼ Even when given a chance to express remorse for his actions on the stand, Ferrer calls Douglas Anderson "rabid jackal" - John Chiv/Words Worth Apr 29, 2015
◼ Two family members drove all night to be here for the trial of the man who denies killing Douglas Anderson - John Chiv/Words Worth Apr 29, 2015

One thing I know, Doug was loved.

◼ Considering the history of this case: Yesterday's post includes the links to coverage by John Chiv, KIEM, The Mad River Union, Times-Standard and Lost Coast Outpost

◼ Ferrer’s girlfriend testifies she saw him punch stabbing victim - Will Houston/Times-Standard 4/29/15
◼ Ferrer gives testimony in Arcata chef murder trial - Will Houston/Times-Standard 4/28/15

Tuesday, April 28, 2015

Considering the history of this case (Updated)

It's interesting where it is ending up.

It's a good thing it went to trial.

◼ "You keep using that word fatal, why?"; "So he didn't fall on the knife, it went into his chest when you pushed him off?" DDA Rees uses Ferrer's own words to trip him up - John Chiv/Words Worth Apr 28, 2015

DDA Roger Rees was masterful in his cross. If this was a chess game, DDA Rees got Ferrer to checkmate with every move; in this case every question. This is how Mr. Rees opened his cross of Ferrer.

DDA Rees: "You were angry because you never got to see a photo of Anderson-Jordet?"

Ferrer: "Yes."

◼ "I will fucking kill you"; "I will fuck that fat bitch up", Ferrer recalls statements today never brought up before - John Chiv/Words Worth Apr 28, 2015

This is the first time we have heard these threats mentioned. This interaction is also important because when Mr. Rees questioned Ferrer on cross, he gets caught in his own words.

◼ It was not a good day for the defense.: "I was lying, yes" admits Ferrer to DDA Roger Rees who decimated Ferrer's credibility on cross following Ferrer's own direct testimony which caught him in a mess - John Chiv/Words Worth Apr 28, 2015

DDA Roger Rees got to finally question Ferrer during the last hour until court adjourned at noon. He was masterful in decimating Ferrer's credibility and catching him in lie after lie and inconsistency and one point when DDA Rees questioned Ferrer, his response was "I was lying, yes."

History of the case:

◼ Ferrer defense witness 3 and 4 don't make much of a difference - John Chiv/Words Worth Apr 29, 2015

No one except Ferrer, Stoiber and Rocheleau were at the altercation. Anderson is dead. That leaves Ferrer whose credibility is toast due to his own actions and words. Character witnesses can't rehabilitate that damage.

◼ She saw the open knife in Ferrer's hand and he said, "we need to get rid of this and I saw him toss it somewhere" - John Chiv/Words Worth Apr 29, 2015

Rocheleau said they walked away from Anderson at a fast pace and could hear "incoherent yelling" from Anderson. When they turned at 12th Street, "Joey stopped and said, 'Oh shit, I think I stabbed him.'." Rocheleau said both her and "Nick were like, what? I didn't believe it; it's not what I saw. It didn't seem plausible."

Law enforcement and the DA's office has maintained that Stoiber and Rocheleau were truthful in their testimony from day one. Court took a short break and when Rocheleau walked out, she briefly glanced at Ferrer who did not eveen acknowledge her.

On a brief re-cross, DDA Rees brought that statement up and said, "Do you think Doug's family wishes he had the luxury to go home?"

Ferrer snapped at Mr. Rees, "I knew you would bring that up. That is a stupid question to ask."

And that is the image Ferrer left the jury with this morning.

One thing I know, Doug was loved.

Monday, April 27, 2015

Coming to an end: People Rest In The Ferrer Case

◼ Despite taking the stand, Ferrer's brief testimony today paled in comparison to People's last two witnesses - John Chiv/Words Worth Apr 27, 2015

"I'm a vegetarian, not a killer," said Ferrer. "I was scared." DDA Roger Rees asked Deputy Harris if Ferrer ever said he was in fear of his life, of great bodily injury or that he was afraid for his companions. To all questions, Deputy Harris replied with "No."

◼ Ferrer: "My grandma is fucking crazy, she has dementia"; "My girlfriend is autistic, she has Asperger's"; Ferrer throws loved ones under the bus - John Chiv/Words Worth Apr 27, 2015

Sergeants ask what should happen to the person that stabbed Douglas Anderson. "Nobody should die for hurling an insult, maybe bitch slapped or something."

Acting Sgt. Ortega: "Give me a reason why Sophie and Nick would say you stabbed him?

"I don't know," responds Ferrer.

◼ "When this is presented to 12 people who have to make a decision about you, don't you want them to see your side?"; "You are insulting the intelligence of people who will make the decision..." - John Chiv/Words Worth Apr 27, 2015

"I don't know what you are talking about," says Ferrer. When they mention his two friends again and that they will be held responsible for something he did, Ferrer responds, "That's unfortunate."

◼ People rest in Ferrer case; first defense witness today is the defendant - John Chiv/Words Worth Apr 27, 2015

◼ Dueling surprises at Ferrer trial - Paul Mann/Mad River Union Apr 27, 2015

◼ Week two, Ferrer murder trial “I just stuck him, to get past him” - KIEM-TV News w/video

◼ Forensic pathologist testifies that Arcata chef could have survived stab wound, had he got to the ER within the hour - John Chiv/Words Worth Apr 24, 2015

Forensic pathologist testifies that Arcata chef could have survived stab wound, had he got to the ER within the hour
This morning's testimony in the jury trial for Juan Ferrer started with forensic pathologist Dr. Mark Super testifying that Douglas Anderson did not have to die. If he had made it to the ER, his life could have been saved and the wound to his heart repaired.

The defense immediately called Arcata murder suspect Juan Joseph Ferrer to the witness stand in surprise testimony today, April 27 after the prosecution abruptly rested its case without calling some of its key witnesses.

◼ Lawyers in fatal stabbing case spar over ‘reasonable doubt’ - Paul Mann/Mad River Union Apr 21, 2015

◼ D.A.: ‘Ferrer ran and hid’ - Paul Mann/Mad River Union Apr 21, 2015
◼ Lawyers in fatal stabbing case spar over ‘reasonable doubt’ - Paul Mann/Mad River Union Apr 21, 2015

Rees used Ferrer’s post-arrest statements to Arcata police to portray the suspect as a liar and a dissimulator who sought to avoid coming forward and taking responsibility for his lethal action against a lone, unarmed victim who did no more than shout curse words at Ferrer and his two companions on H Street in downtown Arcata.

Marshaling police interview recordings, Ferrer’s text messages and a Power Point of the defendant’s statements to police, Rees zeroed in immediately on the defendant’s credibility.

◼ Defense claims anti-gay bigotry in fatal stabbing case - Paul Mann/Mad River Union Apr 15, 2015

Thursday, April 23, 2015

The evolving story, the texts are particularly damning

◼ Watching his client's case tank, defense attorney in Ferrer case takes an unprofessional swipe at the prosecution in an outburst in court - John Chiv/Words Worth Apr 23, 2015
DDA Roger Rees continued to build a successful case on the third day in the jury trial where Juan Ferrer is charged with the murder of Arcata chef Douglas Anderson-Jordet. KEEP READING
◼ A lone hiking sandal, blood and urine near the sidewalk and glasses; Anderson-Jordet died alone on the streets of Arcata less than 2 blocks away from making it home - John Chiv/Words Worth Apr 22, 2015

The rest of Detective Ortega's testimony was a very detailed description on how they identified Ferrer and his two friends, how they obtained the two videos from Humboldt Clothing and ReMax, how they tracked the timeline of the events leading up to the parties path's crossing. At the end of his direct testimony, Mr. Rees had Detective Ortega mark all the significant spots mentioned in his testimony: where the body was found, the bars were located, the businesesses that gave the video surveilance and the location of the Crew house.

◼ Lawyers in fatal stabbing case spar over ‘reasonable doubt’ - Paul Mann/Mad River Union Apr 21, 2015
◼ D.A.: ‘Ferrer ran and hid’ - Paul Mann/Mad River Union Apr 21, 2015

Text messages obtained by police include:

• “Long as that weapon don’t come up I think we are cool.”

• “Only my sister aside from you and soph and my fam are gangster no snitching.”

• “You think we’re clear?”

• “Clear enough. Not (cq) witnesses besides us.”

• “Word thanks brother.”

The defense attorney's job, of course, is to get his guy off.

◼ "Only my sister aside from you and soph and my fam are gangsters no snitching" - John Chiv/Words Worth

Opening arguments in the Juan Ferrer jury trial this morning paint two completely different sides of the man charged with the death of Arcata chef Douglas Anderson-Jordet, which occurred when he was stabbed by Ferrer in November 2013.

...DDA Roger Rees gave a very powerful opening statement in which he played an audio recording where Ferrer's own words contradict a self-defense claim and his own texts incriminate him. Showing pictures of "Doug", Mr. Rees made a far more effective opening to the jury. The above quote is from a text between Juan Ferrer and his friend Nicholas Stiober, who was originally charged as a co-defendant and plead out to simple assault.

◼ Rees: "Without that video, we would never know the defendant was responsible for Doug's death," - John Chiv/Words Worth

You are here because that defendant killed that man, killed him right here in the streets of Arcata and left him to die". That is how DDA Roger Rees ended his very powerful opening statement to a four women, 8 man jury with five alternates, which includes one woman this morning.

◼ Reavis: "However Mr. Jordet was to his family and friends, what Mr. Ferrer knew was a drunk, homophobic individual"; defense claims "he fell on that knife" - John Chiv/Words Worth
◼ Defense states Arcata chef fell on knife in Ferrer trial opening statements - Will Houston, Eureka Times-Standard

For those who are following this case:

◼ Earlier posts here
◼ Earlier posts at Words Worth
◼ Earlier coverage at The Mad River Union
◼ Times-Standard links

Incompetence moves up the chain

◼ Backers of legal marijuana face challenges in crafting a ballot measure - LA Times

Although the state’s multibillion-dollar marijuana industry does “immense” environmental harm, he said, state oversight could diminish the damage.

“We need to see this problem as an opportunity to develop a regulatory scheme,” Gallegos said.
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It's no secret Paul's handlers wanted to move him up the chain. Looks like they found an opportunity. If this is the quality Gavin Newsom brings onto his team....one has to wonder who he's listening to. So now he's got a guy saying they need to develop a regulatory scheme (that's rich) who lost grants, lost half his staff, and left an ungodly mess in the DAs Office. It's comical really. Maybe Newsom ought read the Grand Jury report and do a little research.

Monday, April 20, 2015

Judge Wilson grants motion by both parties and Judge Feeney will be the trial judge for the Bullock case

◼ "This is a joint request from both parties for assignment of Judge Feeney," said Judge Wilson. "The only hesitation I have is if there are time sensitive issues. Judge Feeney has several matters but since time has been waived, I will grant the motion." - John Chiv/Words Worth

◼ Next court date for Gary Lee Bullock case may result in a trial date - John Chiv/Words Worth

The next court date in the Gary Lee Bullock case is on May 6 at 2 p.m. in Courtroom 1 at 2 p.m.

Wednesday, April 15, 2015

The 'peaceful Buddhist' and the murder trial

Interesting report from John Chiv on the Ferrer jury selection process: ◼ Juan Ferrer invoking auspices of Krishna before his upcoming jury trial? - John Chiv/Words Worth

Juan Ferrer who has been described by his defense attorney as a peaceful Buddhist, had a photo similar to the image (at the link) of Hindu deity Krishna playing the flute with a cow placed in front of him on the table in the courtroom.... Ferrer is charged with the murder of Arcata chef Douglas Anderson-Jordet.

Peaceful Buddhists are supposed to be averse to killing, not even killing gnats, or mosquitos.

Whatever else happens here, there's been no dispute about who stabbed the chef. Just a dispute as to why. No dispute that this guy and his friends left the chef to die. Just some dispute as to why.

And, a message from the victim's family:

◼ Dear Mr. Chiv, - John Chiv/Words Worth

...Mr. Ferrer took Douglas’ life (a point Mr. Ferrer does not dispute) and now he and his attorney are trying to smear Douglas character in an attempt to invent a plausible defense. We find this particularly shameful.... (There's more, and it is well worth your time, if you've been following the case.)

Tuesday, April 07, 2015

Ferrer trial...

Lots of questions on this one. It became a high profile case during the last election, and became a hot-potato case when paul took it away from Elan Firpo. Arnie Klein was working with the victim's family.

◼ "Sexual orientation is a key issue, this is how all this started"; homophobia and views on LGBT community important in Ferrer jury trial - John Chiv/Words Worth

The case for the stabbing of Arcata Chef Douglas Anderson-Jordet is expected to take approximately 8 weeks including Jury selection.

◼ Day 2 of Juan Ferrer's jury trial: Defense says Ferrer statement of "killing fucking sandniggers" not his view but a response to law enforcement about what white, conservative majority thinks of Arabs - John Chiv/Words Worth

Will add other media links as they become available.

Paul Gallegos

The Humboldt County Grand Jury found that "Weak leadership and poor managerial practices" have undermined the office... Implicit in all evidence gathered by the Grand Jury - including interviews with the D.A. (Paul Gallegos) - is the unfortunate truth that the D.A. (Paul Gallegos) exhibits a limited understanding of how things are done in the department" Gallegos "lacks the global perspective needed to keep the department operating efficiently," and quotes an unnamed staff member as saying, "The D.A. (Paul Gallegos) does not fully understand the functionality of many of the things we do here" - Years later, in his own words: "I’m not an administrator, they didn’t elect me to be an administrator, they elected me to make sure this office runs..."

Douglas & Zanotti

CASE TOSSED The district attorney misrepresented the law and failed to provide evidence of former Eureka Police Chief David Douglas' and Lt. Tony Zanotti's innocence during a criminal grand jury inquiry into the 2006 shooting death of Cheri Lyn Moore, defense attorneys argued in court documents filed Thursday... ”Our judicial system stands as a real and necessary check on the grand jury indictment process,” one of the documents states. “This court has the authority and the means by which to halt this prosecution, which is justified neither by the undisputed facts, nor by the law.”

Gallegos has taken what was "arguably the state's best small DA's office, with a cutting edge CAST program that "trained the trainers"... into a bunch of time serving bureaucratic wannabee brown nosers, lightly sprinkled with a couple of earnest learners who are sure to split as soon as possible.

One weeps for Max Cardoza who won Angellel, and for Maggie Fleming who won so many impossible victories. Mired in Humboldt for personal reasons, they have to suffer the ignominy of working for Paul, with Yougo, yes, yougo who has freed more people as a prosecutor than he did as a defense attorney. As has Paul. Anonymous comment

Gallegos has answers for everything. I’ve never met anyone whose answers came so quickly, with such polish - except about his law school(s). He likely sounded the same way when promising to get prosecutors off their anachronistic “at will” status and onto civil service status. It never happened. Indeed, he told them, “Disloyalty will not be tolerated” – a real morale builder.

He sounds great. What progressive doesn’t want to believe in him? But it’s a myth. He’s an intellectual lightweight and self-aggrandizer who tries to please everybody with glib answers. Jim Fahey for The Arcata Eye

The Humboldt County DA's office is one of the most exciting prosecutorial
offices in California.

Its District Attorney, Paul Gallegos, is willing to charge anyone who commits
wrongdoing--no matter how wealthy, sacrosanct, or ruthless. He believes in total equality before the law. He also plans to be innovative in promoting programs of prevention and treatment. He wants to make it the best prosecutorial office of its size in the nation.... Gallegos' Help Wanted ad

Gallegos' OWN Quotes

★ ...District Attorney Paul Gallegos said he believes the statute of limitations clock, even on misdemeanors, doesn't start running until law enforcement knows or reasonably should have known of the offense. In this case, Gallegos said, that means the statute of limitations would not run out at least until Feb. 8, 2009, or one year after Gundersen's arrest and the discovery of the photographs in question...

★ "...some people actually molest out of different feelings, some times out of feelings of love....” DA Gallegos explaining why Child Abuse prosecutions were down

★ “I never said that the information was not available under the Freedom of Information Act. Quite the contrary, I informed you that our use of force policy is not a public record.” Paul Gallegos to the Times Standard 5/25/07

★ ...“One is that I do everything to make people happy which means I don’t stand for anything except for just something,” he said. “The other is I stand for something and I try to be a leader and take some people, a group of people, a community someplace and I say guess what folks, this is who I am. I stand for your beliefs. We share these beliefs or we don’t. You get the option to judge that. This is who I am and I am committed to leading us this place, wherever it is...." Eureka Reporter Gallegos defends record, looks ahead 7/3/2005

★ Note the difference between what he SAID, and what he DOES..."...So what are these issues? Top on Gallegos' list is the proliferation of "garbage cases," small-time crimes and overcharged cases that he said are clogging up the court system.

Garbage cases, said Gallegos, come in two forms: Cases that would lose if actually brought to trial and cases that are overcharged for the crimes committed. The idea behind filing both kinds of garbage, he said, is to get the defendant to plead guilty, netting a conviction without having to go into court.

Again, the IRONY is astounding! Look at what he SAYS, and then think about what he DOES! "Probably 95 percent of the cases that are filed plead guilty. In fact, there are a lot of cases that are filed on the assumption they will plead guilty, because of the time and expense involved in defending them. But these cases shouldn't even be filed in the first place, because if they were challenged, they would lose," Gallegos said. Better yet: If they weren't filed at all, it would save the county time and money...." North Coast Journal 2/21/02 Too bad he didn't take his own advice.

★ “Tim’s a stud,” he said. “He really is; anyone would be stoked to have him.” Gallegos on his second in command right hand man Assistant District Attorney Tim Stoen. (Former second in command right hand man to Jim Jones/People's Temple.)

NOTE:

"Helping Crush Progressivism" - ie: exposing the predatory litigious orgs and those who seek power for power's sake.... The original purpose of watchpaul is to post important documents relating to Humboldt County District Attorney Paul Gallegos and his handlers who seek to gain power through the acquisition of political offices. This includes, but is not limited to, the manipulations of "Humboldt Watershed Council," "EPIC," "Baykeeper," and other activist groups - the unregulated orgs. It also includes the master manipulators, such as Richard Salzman and Ken Miller.

Links to key stories and documents are also included in the sidebar, so that you do not have to try to scroll back through what has become a lengthy series of posts. I encourage you to use the Search and Labels features as well.

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