It's not over yet - BUMPED and UPDATED

It will take a long time to fix what has gone wrong in the DA's Office, with its ripples throughout the court system and law enforcement, and you will continue to see stuff like this, which is the direct result of Paul's tenure and mismanagement. Where other departments had largely thrown up their hands, they are ALSO now going to have to buckle down and do a better job. (Probation) So basically, despite efforts to secure justice, this one was allowed to tank... Sad.

◼ Judge Watson flubbed this one; victim still feels like a winner - John Chiv/Words Worth

You let a woman who slashed the mother of her grandchild go free with less than a slap on the wrist....

The original plea deal was approved by Paul. The defense attorney is Nesl Sanders, a Paul supporter....

So Judge Watson made a decision based on probation which screwed up and as a Judge he could have made a different decision.

◼ REACTION: (UPDATE, this one won't be going away) "I believe we have a dishonest judge in our midst who does not believe in victim's rights" - John Chiv/Words Worth

Frequent public meeting commenter and community advocate Kent Sawatsky called Judge Watson out today during public comment at the afternoon session of the Humboldt Board of Supervisors.

"I believe we have a dishonest judge in our midst who does not believe in victim's rights."

Mr. Sawatsky was referring to the Elmy Workman case.

Mr. Sawatsky and the public deserve answers from Judge Watson, the Probation department for their amended probation reports and all involved.

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BACKGROUND:
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◼ Elmy Workman was found guilty of PC 245(a)(1), assault with a deadly weapon and personal infliction of great bodily injury per PC 12022.7. - John Chiv/Words Worth
◼ Lost Coast Outpost prints the DA's PRESS RELEASE
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Previously/Background:
◼ Sneaky Plea Deal fails

◼ Allison Jackson scores another win for victim; deal between Gallegos and Sanders busted - John Chiv/Words Worth

◼ Allison Jackson puts a crimp in secret plea deal - John Chiv/Words Worth Jul 30, 2014
◼ Allison Jackson, who is representing the victim in the Elmy Workman case was never notified that the same plea deal that was rejected by Judge John Feeney was presented again to Judge Dale Reinholtsen. She was not also sure if Judge Reinholtsen had been given the background of the case. - John Chiv/Words Worth Jul 30, 2014
◼ Previous plea deal rejected back on table with no victim notification; exact deal - John Chiv/Words Worth Jun 30, 2014
◼ Judge Feeney tentatively rejects Workman plea deal; final decision is the same, case to go to jury trial - John Chiv/Words Worth Apr 15, 2014
◼ Elmy Workman sentencing postponed again, this time defense requests continuance based on amended probation report - John Chiv/Words Worth Apr 3, 2014
◼ Elmy Workman sentencing postponed again. - John Chiv/Words Worth Mar 20, 2014
◼ Defense and private attorneys run the courtroom under Paul's watch? - John Chiv/Words Worth Mar 12, 2014
◼ Another case where comments sections get out of control - Real News From The North Coast June 3, 2012
◼ Suspect arrested after woman stabbed in Arcata - Times-Standard May 31, 2012
◼ Blue Laker Slashed, One Arrested - Arcata Eye May 30, 2012
◼ APD Press Release - May 29, 2012

ELMY WORKMAN: Two plea deals rejected, case goes to trial but " resolved"?

◼ Elmy Workman was found guilty of PC 245(a)(1), assault with a deadly weapon and personal infliction of great bodily injury per PC 12022.7. - John Chiv/Words Worth

Basically, this one was not allowed to tank.
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◼ Well, look at this: link - Lost Coast Outpost prints the DA's PRESS RELEASE, which DOES NOT tell the story of how Gallegos/Zach Curtis tried to tank this case.

It is a grotesque misrepresentation of the story of the verdict. You can read the lousy thing at the link. The only good thing you can say is the DA's Office finally does seem to grok that there were life-threatening injuries.

A couple of comments shed some light:

Jacqueline Zumwalt • The district attorney was going to let her plea out to an assualt charge. Angel had to get a lawyer. The judge finally denied the plea agreement and made her stand trial for a felony charge. It took Angel 3 years for justice to be served. I wish that LoCo had told more of the story. If Angel hadn't fought hard for that justice, that woman would have been let off with probation. I hope the new DA better serves the Humboldt community.

Angel Dawn • Thank you. Allison Jackson is a hero. She took my case, probono, two hours before this crime got a three year probation result. It's sad the DA's office didn't do their job themselves. I hope Maggie Fleming can turn that office around for the better. I got lucky. Think about how many cases didn't get proper justice :/..it's stomach turning

swede • If you all would read the Chiv blog regarding this case, I don't have a link, you will learn that Gallegos twice attempted to gain a plea bargain for probation for this convicted vermin apparently falsely asserting special circumstances existed. Allison Jackson had to represent the victim because the DA was more concerned with expediting the prosecution (sic). Per the blog, Jackson represented the victim in front of Feeny and Feeny denied the plea bargain as Jackson successfully argued the special circumstances did not apply and the wounds received by the victim were evident the criminal was attempting to eviscerate her (purposeful "J" incision with severed liver, etc). A status was set for June 30th of this year. Apparently when Jackson and the victim appeared on the 30th they learned Gallegos had already in early June attempted and achieved his same plea in Reinholtzen's court. As I understand, Jackson had that matter reversed.

Jackson rightfully called out Gallegos for "forum shopping" attempting to find a judge who would approve his plea bargain attempt while totally disregarding the victims rights per a recently passed proposition requiring DAs' to notify victims of prosecutorial actions against their assailants.

It is a relief to see that this matter was finally brought to its rightful, final conclusion. We all should be relieved Gallego's time as the top law enforcement officer in this County is now numbered in the days.

Jacqueline Zumwalt • Excellent Swede. Thank you for posting that info/history. Gallegos actually told Angel that she had no rights or say in what deal was made with the woman who tried to kill her.

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John Chiv was the only one to cover the case as it went its tortuous way through the courts. LoCo is remiss in not pointing this out and linking people to the coverage - OR asking for a full report with a byline. As it is, you don't know the half of it. But those commenting DO.

TWO Plea Deals tossed, NOT by the Perp. BY THE COURT. Denying a victim's rights, judge shopping (BY THE DA!), a complete and utter failure to act in an ethical and transparent manner.... and yet he, the DA, no less, lectures the people of the County about their 'priorities.'
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Previously/Background:
◼ Sneaky Plea Deal fails

◼ Allison Jackson scores another win for victim; deal between Gallegos and Sanders busted - John Chiv/Words Worth

◼ Allison Jackson puts a crimp in secret plea deal - John Chiv/Words Worth Jul 30, 2014
◼ Allison Jackson, who is representing the victim in the Elmy Workman case was never notified that the same plea deal that was rejected by Judge John Feeney was presented again to Judge Dale Reinholtsen. She was not also sure if Judge Reinholtsen had been given the background of the case. - John Chiv/Words Worth Jul 30, 2014
◼ Previous plea deal rejected back on table with no victim notification; exact deal - John Chiv/Words Worth Jun 30, 2014
◼ Judge Feeney tentatively rejects Workman plea deal; final decision is the same, case to go to jury trial - John Chiv/Words Worth Apr 15, 2014
◼ Elmy Workman sentencing postponed again, this time defense requests continuance based on amended probation report - John Chiv/Words Worth Apr 3, 2014
◼ Elmy Workman sentencing postponed again. - John Chiv/Words Worth Mar 20, 2014
◼ Defense and private attorneys run the courtroom under Paul's watch? - John Chiv/Words Worth Mar 12, 2014
◼ Another case where comments sections get out of control - Real News From The North Coast June 3, 2012
◼ Suspect arrested after woman stabbed in Arcata - Times-Standard May 31, 2012
◼ Blue Laker Slashed, One Arrested - Arcata Eye May 30, 2012
◼ APD Press Release - May 29, 2012

Sneaky Plea Deal fails

Shame. This is the one where the deal was killed by one judge, so they schlepped it to another one, without telling the Judge or notifying the victim or her attorney. Good Going, Paul, and Neal.

◼ Allison Jackson scores another win for victim; deal between Gallegos and Sanders busted - John Chiv/Words Worth

The case is (NOW) scheduled to go to trial on November 3 at 8:30 a.m.. Trial Confirmation is on Oct 20 at 3 p.m. and pre-trial conference on September 8 at 2 p.m. in Courtroom 4.
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Zach Curtis hung out to dry - again.
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Previously/Background:
◼ Allison Jackson puts a crimp in secret plea deal - John Chiv/Words Worth Jul 30, 2014
◼ Previous plea deal rejected back on table with no victim notification; exact deal - John Chiv/Words Worth Jun 30, 2014
◼ Judge Feeney tentatively rejects Workman plea deal; final decision is the same, case to go to jury trial - John Chiv/Words Worth Apr 15, 2014
◼ Elmy Workman sentencing postponed again, this time defense requests continuance based on amended probation report - John Chiv/Words Worth Apr 3, 2014
◼ Elmy Workman sentencing postponed again. - John Chiv/Words Worth Mar 20, 2014
◼ Defense and private attorneys run the courtroom under Paul's watch? - John Chiv/Words Worth Mar 12, 2014
◼ Another case where comments sections get out of control - Real News From The North Coast June 3, 2012
◼ Suspect arrested after woman stabbed in Arcata - Times-Standard May 31, 2012
◼ Blue Laker Slashed, One Arrested - Arcata Eye May 30, 2012

Tuesday, May 29 at approximately 6:45 p.m., officers responded to Mad River Community Hospital on the report of a woman arriving at the emergency room that had just been stabbed....The victim attempted to flag down the suspect to speak with her adult son who was in the vehicle.

According to Arcata Police, when the suspect and victim pulled their vehicles off the roadway, the discussion turned to an argument. During the argument, the suspect slashed the victim across the abdomen with a knife, resulting in a moderate injury requiring hospitalization.

◼ APD Press Release - May 29, 2012

Allison Jackson puts a crimp in secret plea deal

Pay ATTENTION. This is a big deal.

Denying a victim's rights, judge shopping, a complete and utter failure to act in an ethical and transparent manner.... and yet he, the DA, no less, lectures the people of the County about their 'priorities.'

◼ Allison Jackson, who is representing the victim in the Elmy Workman case was never notified that the same plea deal that was rejected by Judge John Feeney was presented again to Judge Dale Reinholtsen. She was not also sure if Judge Reinholtsen had been given the background of the case. - John Chiv/Words Worth

Judge Reinholtsen said he had received Ms. Jackson's letter and a letter from Mr. Sanders and while he had reviewed the file, he needed to review it with depth. One of the reasons he mentioned was the three month plus Bodhi Tree trial and that he could not delay evidentiary rulings and reviewing jury instructions because they had already lost two jurors and one alternate and there are other schedules to consider after August 11.

He mentioned two options: one to hear oral arguments from all three attorneys, then rule a week from now or do everything on one date. Both Ms. Jackson and Mr. Sanders said there was no rush and they were willing to wait for the ruling. The next hearing is on August 13 at 2 p.m.

Judge Reinholtsen said he had received Ms. Jackson's letter and a letter from Mr. Sanders and while he had reviewed the file, he needed to review it with depth. One of the reasons he mentioned was the three month plus Bodhi Tree trial and that he could not delay evidentiary rulings and reviewing jury instructions because they had already lost two jurors and one alternate and there are other schedules to consider after August 11.

He mentioned two options: one to hear oral arguments from all three attorneys, then rule a week from now or do everything on one date. Both Ms. Jackson and Mr. Sanders said there was no rush and they were willing to wait for the ruling. The next hearing is on August 13 at 2 p.m.

The text of Allison Jackson's letter is at the link.

◼ http://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2014/03/elmy-workman-sentenced-today.html
◼ http://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2014/04/elmy-workman-sentencing-postponed-again.html
◼ http://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2014/04/judge-feeney-tentatively-rejects.html
◼ http://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2014/06/previous-plea-deal-rejected-back-on.html
◼ http://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2014/03/defense-and-private-attorneys-run.html

Bad deals

When you have a serious violent felony - which this is - you can't get probation. The legislature has said NO probation unless there are unusual circumstances, laid out BY the legislature. Judge Feeney, looking at all the facts, ruled no unusual circumstances that would allow for probation - so the (previous plea) was rejected.

This issue was decided.

Now - oddly - it has been put back in play - with the same plea deal (that was rejected) another judge, another courtroom, no notification to the victim...

You have the usual game of musical-chair-prosecutors, looks like judge-shopping, and back-room deals.... what's going on...

◼ Previous plea deal rejected back on table with no victim notification; exact deal - John Chiv/Words Worth

THEN... you've got a rumor of a plea deal cooked up WHILE the case is under appeal (for a mistrial)

◼ Timothy Littlefield deal in the works? - John Chiv/Words Worth

Black Friday, 75% Off Already Low Discount Prices! Fire Sale! But wait, there's more!!

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On reporting, and, NOT reporting.

◼ What is the value of a human life? It is not just Paul that irks me - John Chiv/Words Worth

...I do not cover cases off press releases. The Cook case has been going on for a year, no one covered it, not even after I posted the first report. The Workman case, same thing. We do have a shortage of reporters but we seem to have article after article on the same polarizing issues and people show up at BOS and City Council meetings for the GPU or ridiculous stuff like raw milk yet cases like the Cook case that affect lives and generations go unnoticed.... Read the rest at the link.

John Chiv: Defense and private attorneys run the courtroom under Paul's watch?

◼ In the last Humboldt County election, Paul Gallegos was criticized not because plea bargains were being made but how Paul let criminals off easy and abused the process.

Covering the courtroom now on a pretty regular basis, I see plea bargains being made. Each case is individual but I would have to agree with the above criticism....
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Read it and weep.