Sunday, October 25, 2015

More homicides to enter into the long list...

A man was stabbed to death at a Valley East apartment complex tonight. Second homicide in as many days. - Lost Coast Outpost
A 52-year-old man was stabbed to death at an apartment complex off Giuntoli Lane, Arcata Police Chief Tom Chapman has confirmed.

In a brief conversation a few moments ago, Chapman told the Outpost that police were called to the complex at about 6:30 p.m. tonight for a report of a man bleeding on a walkway outside the complex. When officers arrived, they found that the man appeared to have suffered multiple stab wounds. Police attempted lifesaving measures and an ambulance transported him to Mad River Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.
HOMICIDE IN ARCATA - Kym Kemp/RedHeaded Blackbelt

Humboldt County or Homicide Central? Locations just a year ago I felt safe walking at night - John Chiv/Word Worth

HOMICIDE IN EUREKA: Two victims in Watson street shooring, one dead, other expected to survive - John Chiv/Word Worth
On 10/24/15, at about 9:55 PM, Eureka Police Department officers responded to the report of shots fired in the vicinity of F and Watson Streets. Upon arrival, officers found an adult male victim in the street with an apparent gunshot wound.

The victim was transported by ambulance to a local hospital where he was later pronounced deceased. Officers subsequently learned, after he arrived at the hospital on his own, another male had also been shot, possibly during the same incident. He is expected to survive.
Eureka Police Provide Info on Last Night’s Homicide - Lost Coast Outpost



Homicide in Eureka; One Person Dead, Another Injured Following Shooting Near F and 15th - Lost Coast Outpost
An officer at the scene tells the Outpost’s Andrew Goff that one person has been detained. A car was seen fleeing the scene. EPD Chief Andrew Mills is currently at the scene, and confirms to the Outpost’s Andrew Goff that one of the victims has expired.
One man is dead and another was wounded possibly during the same shooting in Eureka near F and Watson Streets on Saturday night. - Times-Standard
Scanner traffic indicates City Ambulance is responding to a gunshot victim with injuries to the left side of their chest in the vicinity of G and 15th in Eureka.
A shooting in Eureka and Redheaded Blackbelt was on the scene soon after. - Kym Kemp/RedHeaded Blackbelt
HOMICIDE INVESTIGATION: ONE DEAD, ONE INJURED IN LAST NIGHT’S SHOOTING IN EUREKA
Victim Had Pocketknife in His Hand, Says Witness to Saturday Night’s Homicide - Kym Kemp/RedHeaded Blackbelt

Residents Near Last Night’s Homicide Found Bullet Holes in Apartment This Morning - Kym Kemp/RedHeaded Blackbelt

Man shot dead in Eureka; another victim arrives at hospital - Mad River Union

Saturday, October 24, 2015

Shoe leather on-the-spot reporting... real life scoops

It's a little thing, by John's own account, but this is what makes his reporting different than the others.

It's more than press-releases, scanner traffic...

Man arrested last night maybe the one who tried to break into Advanced Cellular and the Empire last night at 9 p.m. - John Chiv/Words Worth

...Both Advanced Cellular and NorCalBonds have him on video. I was in the Advanced Cellular store moments ago when EPD officer Ben Omey was taking a police report and watching the video. I also saw the video....

Police at the Scene of Suspected Commercial Burglary in Downtown Eureka - Lost Coast Outpost

Friday, October 23, 2015

Not surprised. Arreaga, hung jury (Updated and bumped)

UPDATE:
Jury in Fieldbrook double homicide case second trial finds Arreaga not guilty on both counts - John Chiv/Words Worth 2/25/2016

Angel Tully's sister makes a statement on the outcome of today's trial - John Chiv/Words Worth Oct 23, 2015

Hung Jury in Trial of Fieldbrook Homicide Suspect; Case Scheduled to be Retried in December - Hank Sims/LoCo
Multiple news agencies and courthouse blogger John Chiv are reporting that Jason Arreaga, named suspect in the September 2014 murder of Harley Hammers and Angel Tulley, will have to be tried again, after a jury today was unable to reach unanimity.

Hung jury in Fieldbrook double murder trial - Times-Standard.

Hung jury in Arreaga case - Mad River Union.
Handing a major setback to the Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office, the jury was unable to reach the unanimous decision required to convict double murder suspect Jason Michael Arreaga, 30, of Lucerne in Lake County.

After some 15 hours of secret deliberations, the hung jury was split on its second and final ballot, nine (guilty) to three (not guilty) when it stood down Oct. 23.
Jury deadlocks in Fieldbrook double homicide, 9 guilty, 3 not guilty, new trial date December 14 - John Chiv/Words Worth
Dressed in grey khakis and a white shirt, once he heard the final outcome of the case, Jason Arreaga took off his glasses and looked shocked, then anxious.

After, they had been discharged, the jury foreperson told the defense investigator that the witness testimonies were conflicting. When Judge Miles had asked him in court, how the Court could assist in any way with further deliberations so they could reach an unanimous verdict, he responded, "Other than witnesses and more evidence."

The Tully and Hammers families did not wish to comment at this time, Hammers' cousin Irene said "please keep the family in prayers."
Arreaga jury asks for testimony readback, third full day of deliberation follows the same pattern - John Chiv/Words Worth Oct 22, 2015
Both the Hammers and Tully family members and friends have been in the courtroom every day and have been on the second floor waiting for the verdict every day.
Second question by Arreaga jury has attorneys in courtroom for an hour - John Chiv/Words Worth Oct 21, 2015

First question by jury in Fieldbrook double homicide case - John Chiv/Words Worth Oct 2o, 2015

Jury deliberations start in Fieldbrook double homicide case - John Chiv/Words Worth Oct 19, 2015

"But I don't have to prove every little fact. I don't have to prove Shavonne Hammers and Jerry Bachus spoke the truth." - John Chiv/Words Worth Oct 19, 2015

"Police do get the wrong guy", "How does a person get arrested for a crime they did not commit? " What physical evidence shows that Mr. Arreaga pulled the trigger? - John Chiv/Words Worth Oct 16, 2015

"I don't think this is an implied malice case, it's express malice case" - John Chiv/Words Worth Oct 16, 2015

"Before you consider Shavonne Hammers testimony against the defendant, you must decide if she is an accomplice to the crime. Did she aid, participate or abet in a criminal conspiracy? - John Chiv/Words Worth Oct 16, 2015

It was the best of closing arguments, it was the worst of closing arguments, Arreaga's attorney magnificent in today's closing - John Chiv/Words Worth Oct 16, 2015

Defense rests in Arreaga case, closing arguments scheduled for Friday - John Chiv/Words Worth Oct 14, 2015

(auto spell keeps trying to respell his name)

The murder trial everyone forgot (June 19, 2013 TO NOW)

Jury trial starts for Eureka man charged with "willful, deliberate, premeditated" murder of Mckinleyville man in 2013 - John Chiv/Words Worth

Jury selection is currently going on in Courtroom 1 for Michael Youravish, a Eureka man was arrested in 2013 for the "willful, deliberate and premeditate" murder of Forrest Croft Lovejoy. There is also a special allegation of "killing while lying in wait."

The murder allegedly occurred in the "Baldy area" of Mckinleyville. The death penalty had been considered for the case.

PREVIOUSLY: Friday, May 16, 2014
Another murder: Prosecutors Weighing Death Penalty in Murder Case

The Humboldt County District Attorney's Office is still in the process of deciding whether to pursue the death penalty against a 22-year-old man accused of brutally stabbing a man to death in a wooded area outside of McKinleyville last year. - Thadeus Greenson/The Journal
Police arrested Michael Raymond Youravish June 19, 2013, hours after finding the body of Forrest Croft Lovejoy, 33, dead of multiple stab wounds to the neck, chest and abdomen on a foot trail north of C Avenue in McKinleyville. Youravish has pleaded not guilty to a single charge of murder and denied a special allegation that he laid in wait....

During a two-day preliminary hearing this week, new details about the case emerged, including that Youravish allegedly had someone take a video recording of the attack with his cell phone and bragged about the killing....

Thursday, October 15, 2015

SHAME ON YOU, NORTH COAST JOURNAL.



Richard Salzman is a liar. The North Coast Journal won an award exposing his Web Of Lies, remember? SHAME ON YOU, NORTH COAST JOURNAL, for allowing the fevered figments of his imagination to taint the election process once again. SHAME ON YOU. It demeans your publication. I am embarrassed for you. You should, at the very least add a disclaimer to his letters when you let them litter your pages.

Monday, October 12, 2015

TWO INCIDENTS: CRESCENT CITY AND SO HUM

Crescent City "bomb package" was a "duffle bag full of clothing" - JOHN CHIV/WORDS WORTH

"From what I know and I cannot discuss at the moment but the two incidents do not appear to be linked" - JOHN CHIV/WORDS WORTH
the man arrested in the Sohum incident was taken to Sempervirens, "that is unconfirmed."

"I am very grateful that this did not turn out to be a bomb," said Supervisor Fennell. "It was very concerning for me due to the safety of the firefighters who we rely on greatly and also for the safety of the neighborhood."
Bomb squad on scene in Crescent City, will x-ray bag and then "determine the best couse to deal with http://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2015/10/bomb-squad-on-scene-in-crescent-city.html situation"

"It turned out to be a liquid with no explosive capabilities"; CHP arrests man who planted device in Sohum for terroristic threats
Undersheriff William Honsal. CHP was notified that "a subject had planted a device on CAL Fire property on Alderpoint Road. Bomb techs responded. It turned out to be a liquid with no explosive capabilities."

Undersheriff Honsal said that "for safety, the package was exploded in place and evidence collected. It was a homemade package made to look like a bomb."
[UPDATE 11:45 A.M. ‘SUSPICIOUS DEVICE’ CONTAINED NO EXPLOSIVE MATERIALS] BOMB THREAT AT CAL FIRE STATION CLOSES ALDERPOINT ROAD - KYM KEMP
According to Denton Carrick of Humboldt County Public Works, a Southern Humboldt resident has been taken to Sempervirens Psychiatric Health Facility after telling emergency services that an explosive device had been placed “underneath the Smokey Bear” near the Cal Fire station near Garberville.

Monday, October 05, 2015

Finally some information on the Arreaga murders with UPDATES

UPDATE:
Jury in Fieldbrook double homicide case second trial finds Arreaga not guilty on both counts - John Chiv/Words Worth 2/25/2016
Up till now, next to nothing has been known about the reason for the double murder... the usual stories didn't surface. Finally, some answers. And from the sound of it, this is about to get much more interesting, as well as sickening and disheartening.

Arrega's ex girlfriend (Carly Michaels) takes the stand; as she testifies Arreaga puts his head down - John Chiv/Words Worth
There were some key moments in her testimony such as her saying that she heard two pops inside the trailer at the time Shavonne Hammers was inside. That she heard Arreaga shout "Don't go in there, my girl is in there." And that Shavonne Hammers thanked Arreaga for shooting Harley Hammers, her husband.

Michaels did not witness who shot Harley Hammers and Angel Tully.
Blood trail found leading near one of the victims in Arreaga case; possible gunpowder residue on Tully's back - John Chiv/Words Worth
HCSO detectives and Coroner testify in Arreaga trial on day 3 - John Chiv/Words Worth Sep 28, 2015
Jason Michael Arreaga

HCSO photo via LoCo

Two Double-Murder Trials Begin - Thadeus Greenson/The Journal
For the first time in recent memory, the Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office is in the process of simultaneously trying separate double-murder cases.

Prosecutors gave opening arguments Sept. 24 in the case against Jason Michael Arreaga, the 30-year-old Lucerne man with a violent past who stands accused of gunning down Harley Hammers and Angel Tully in front of a Fieldbrook home last fall. Then, four days later, special prosecutor Paul Sequeira began the process of selecting a jury to hear the case against Jason Anthony Warren, who is accused of murdering Dorothy Ulrich and Suzanne Seemann in 2012.

Jury selection may take awhile in the Warren case, which will see full days of trial testimony and is expected to stretch into December. Meanwhile, the Arreaga case, which is being handled by Deputy District Attorney Zach Curtis, is expected to conclude by early November.

As deputies described finding the victims, the sobbing and pain of the loved ones in the courtroom brought home the loss more than any testimony could - John Chiv/Words Worth Sep 26, 2015
"We need you to tell the truth" and ""You understand that this is a murder trial. You are one of the main witnesses." - John Chiv/Words Worth Sep 26, 2015
On cross examination, Chavonne Hammers get tripped up by defense and questions about motives arise - John Chiv/Words Worth Sep 25, 2015

Chavonne Hammers said she did not remember telling Angel Tully that "if she did not back off from her boyfriend and her kids, bad things would happen?"

"She started coughing and blood started coming out of her mouth, she started gurgling." - John Chiv/Words Worth Sep 25, 2015

Before Chavonne Hammers, the People's first witness, started her testimony yesterday in the Jason Arreaga case, Deputy District Attorney Zack Curtis showed her a copy of the immunity agreement she had signed on Wednesday, September 23....
A press release shows Chavonne Hammers did not tell the complete truth about the McDonald incident and Harley Hammers - John Chiv/Words Worth Sep 25, 2015
In her testimony yesterday in the Arrega case, Chavonne Hammers said she left Harley Hammers after he let her get arrested in the McDonald parking lot for a stolen vehicle.

To paraphrase her, these were not her exact words, but she basically insiniuated he let her take the rap.

According to the press release, Harley Hammers was also arrested....

Related ◼ Home Broken into Multiple Times—Property Including BMW Stolen
Harley Hammers is upset with Mr. Arreaga; Ms. Tully is upset with Chavonne Hammers. Somewhere in there they start to advance towards Mr. Arreaga, he shoots Angel Tully in the chest and he shoots her again." - John Chiv/Words Worth Sep 24, 2015

... Chavonne Hammers...Carly Michaels...Jason Arreaga (the accused)...Gary Backues...Angie Ehlers...Harley Hammers (victim)...Angel Tully (victim)...

Open and shut case or reasonable doubt? Two very convincing opening arguments in Fieldbrook double homicide jury trial - John Chiv/Words Worth Sep 24, 2015
Both sides agree on many of the facts and the basic version leading up to the double homicide; the difference being that the People hope to show that the evidence points to Arreaga as the man who murdered Harley Hammers and Angel Tully but the defense raises questions about other suspects, their motives, in particular the People's first and key witness today, Chavonne Hammers....

"Mr. Arreaga is an easy person to blame in this case. He is an outsider and a large man." (Defense atty Ms. Holmquist said)

"By all accounts this was supposed to be a quick road trip, see the Humboldt Redwoods, do a favor for a neighbor. It resulted in Mr. Arreaga becoming intertwined in the Humboldt underworld and being arrested for a double homicide."
HUMBOLDT JUSTICE WITH JOHN CHIV: OPENING STATEMENTS IN THE TRIAL OF JASON ARREAGA FOR DOUBLE HOMICIDE - Kym Kemp/Redheaded Blackbelt

* Edited to correct the spelling of Chavonne Hammers' name.