◼ The California Commission on Judicial Performance — a state agency charged with ”investigating complaints of judicial misconduct and judicial incapacity” — today issued a public admonishment of Humboldt County Superior Court Judge Dale Reinholtsen for failing to decide cases in a timely fashion, and for submitting false salary affidavits claiming that he had. - Hank Sims/Lost Coast Outpost
◼ Missing paperwork: Free and Afraid - NCJ
Showing posts with label Judge Reinholtsen. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Judge Reinholtsen. Show all posts
Thursday, September 03, 2015
Tuesday, December 30, 2014
District Attorney Maggie Fleming swearing-in-ceremony on January 5 at noon: January 2015 key month for several high profile homicide cases
◼ The courtroom won't have two defense attorneys anymore" - John Chiv/Words Worth
If you look through the dates of these high profile trials, you will see that on January 12 and January 26, it will be a busy day for the Humboldt County courts.
These are not even all the cases in 2014 and others that are going through the process starting in 2014 into 2015. They are some of the cases that made headlines.
Vincent Sanchez
Gary Lee Bullock
Matthew Brown
Jason Arreaga
Juan Ferrer
Jason Warren
Limmie Curry
Details at the link.
The challenge here is the lack of prosecutors. These people need time to devote to the cases, time to immerse themselves in the details and in the relevant law, time to prepare for trial, meet the witnesses and experts who will testify... it is everyone's hope that there will be immediate improvements made to help in this regard.
BUT - don't expect miracles. You are going to have to give the new DA time. This thing will not be fixed overnight. But it will start to get better, and will get progressively better as the year, and her term, moves forward.
I know the Board of Chambers will be packed at noon when Maggie will officially be sworn in as Humboldt's District Attorney on January 5, 2015.◼ AND: Judge Hinrichs presiding judge for 2014; Judge Wilson asst presiding judge and a few other changes in Humboldt Superior Court
Judge Joyce Hinrichs will be the presiding judge starting next year, Judge Christopher Wilson will be the assistant presiding judge. He has been hearing family law cases and will now be back as a Judge for the courts overseeing criminal cases.◼ January 2015 key month for several high profile homicide cases; others like Ferrer and Warren will they actually make it to trial? - John Chiv/Words Worth
Judge Timothy Cissna will be hearing criminal cases. Judge Dale Reinholtsen, one of my favorite judges is going to be moving to the civil courts....
If you look through the dates of these high profile trials, you will see that on January 12 and January 26, it will be a busy day for the Humboldt County courts.
These are not even all the cases in 2014 and others that are going through the process starting in 2014 into 2015. They are some of the cases that made headlines.
Vincent Sanchez
Gary Lee Bullock
Matthew Brown
Jason Arreaga
Juan Ferrer
Jason Warren
Limmie Curry
Details at the link.
The challenge here is the lack of prosecutors. These people need time to devote to the cases, time to immerse themselves in the details and in the relevant law, time to prepare for trial, meet the witnesses and experts who will testify... it is everyone's hope that there will be immediate improvements made to help in this regard.
BUT - don't expect miracles. You are going to have to give the new DA time. This thing will not be fixed overnight. But it will start to get better, and will get progressively better as the year, and her term, moves forward.
Monday, October 06, 2014
Wednesday, September 17, 2014
Surf's up?
Where is Paul Gallegos?
◼ "Every week we come back and hear the same excuse"; attorneys in Ferrer case express frustration with delays by Gallegos - John Chiv/Words Worth
Today in Courtroom 4, the Ferrer case was scheduled for status of discovery and a motion to dismiss the case against Sophie Rocheleau. Paul Gallegos, who is prosecuting the case, has missed several court dates and hearings have been continued several times.
That happened again today. ADA Kelly Neel told the court some time when the hearing was underway that Mr. Gallegos is ill and that decisions regarding issues brought up by Mr. Marek Reavis who represents Juan Ferrer and Mr. Benjamin Okin, who represents Rocheleau, be discussed when Mr. Gallegos is back next week....
"Every week we come back and hear the same excuse," was Mr. Reavis' response and frustration when Ms. Neel responded to his statements at the start of hearing.
Several times, Mr. Reavis and the attorneys have requested X-rays and information on autopsy essential to their case, and finally today, only Mr. Reavis received two CDS, both which he said were duplicates. There were two dozen "images that had never been discovered before, according to Mr. Reavis." He told the Judge that "this is material that should have been discovered the first week."
He told Judge Reinholtsen he renews his request for sanctions. Mr.Okin and Ms. Jennifer Dixon who represents Nicholas Stoiber did not even get these CDS. - Read the rest.
__________________
C'mon, MAN! It's a couple more months is all. Then you're free. DO YOUR JOB.
◼ "Every week we come back and hear the same excuse"; attorneys in Ferrer case express frustration with delays by Gallegos - John Chiv/Words Worth
Today in Courtroom 4, the Ferrer case was scheduled for status of discovery and a motion to dismiss the case against Sophie Rocheleau. Paul Gallegos, who is prosecuting the case, has missed several court dates and hearings have been continued several times.
That happened again today. ADA Kelly Neel told the court some time when the hearing was underway that Mr. Gallegos is ill and that decisions regarding issues brought up by Mr. Marek Reavis who represents Juan Ferrer and Mr. Benjamin Okin, who represents Rocheleau, be discussed when Mr. Gallegos is back next week....
"Every week we come back and hear the same excuse," was Mr. Reavis' response and frustration when Ms. Neel responded to his statements at the start of hearing.
Several times, Mr. Reavis and the attorneys have requested X-rays and information on autopsy essential to their case, and finally today, only Mr. Reavis received two CDS, both which he said were duplicates. There were two dozen "images that had never been discovered before, according to Mr. Reavis." He told the Judge that "this is material that should have been discovered the first week."
He told Judge Reinholtsen he renews his request for sanctions. Mr.Okin and Ms. Jennifer Dixon who represents Nicholas Stoiber did not even get these CDS. - Read the rest.
C'mon, MAN! It's a couple more months is all. Then you're free. DO YOUR JOB.
Wednesday, August 13, 2014
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.
__________________
Zach Curtis hung out to dry - again.
__________________
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 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.
Zach Curtis hung out to dry - again.
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
Wednesday, July 30, 2014
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
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
Monday, June 30, 2014
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!!
__________________
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!!
Monday, March 10, 2014
Gallegos to decide whether or not to pursue the death penalty in Bodhi Tree - DOUBLE - murder case.
◼ Bodhi Tree determination re death penalty case yet to be determined - John Chiv/Words Worth
The Bodhi Tree trial is still set for March 24. Whether this will be a case in which the death penalty will be sought or not is a determination not yet made. Elan Firpo, who is prosecuting the case for the People told the court that "Mr. (Paul) Gallegos (District Attorney) will be making that determination."
That decision is expected to be made by March 17, which is the date for Trial Readiness Conference, at a special set time of 4 p.m. Trial Assignment Conference is at 8:30 a.m. on March 21.
Bodhi Tree is charged with allegedly shooting Rhett August on May 15 in Eureka and allegedly murdering Alan “Sunshine” Marcet and Christina Schwarz in Arcata on May 18.
Before his case was called, Tree briefly talked to one of his attorneys, Public Defender Casey Russo. His other attorney is Public Defender Heidi Holmquist....
Judge Dale Reinholtsen asked when the determination would be made about this being a death penalty case, at which point Ms. Firpo stated the date and that Mr. Gallegos would be making that decision. This is relevant because if it is a death penalty case, there are procedures to be followed.
__________________
◼ 'Chiv'd' - another word for 'Scooped!'
__________________
◼ KIEM report
__________________
Here's what PVG is playing with. A thorough overview of the relevant state and federal issues from the Federal Circuit court that would get any appeal from Mr. Tree.
◼ ca9.uscourts.gov/district/guides/capital_punishment_handbook.pdf
The Bodhi Tree trial is still set for March 24. Whether this will be a case in which the death penalty will be sought or not is a determination not yet made. Elan Firpo, who is prosecuting the case for the People told the court that "Mr. (Paul) Gallegos (District Attorney) will be making that determination."
That decision is expected to be made by March 17, which is the date for Trial Readiness Conference, at a special set time of 4 p.m. Trial Assignment Conference is at 8:30 a.m. on March 21.
Bodhi Tree is charged with allegedly shooting Rhett August on May 15 in Eureka and allegedly murdering Alan “Sunshine” Marcet and Christina Schwarz in Arcata on May 18.
Before his case was called, Tree briefly talked to one of his attorneys, Public Defender Casey Russo. His other attorney is Public Defender Heidi Holmquist....
Judge Dale Reinholtsen asked when the determination would be made about this being a death penalty case, at which point Ms. Firpo stated the date and that Mr. Gallegos would be making that decision. This is relevant because if it is a death penalty case, there are procedures to be followed.
◼ 'Chiv'd' - another word for 'Scooped!'
◼ KIEM report
Here's what PVG is playing with. A thorough overview of the relevant state and federal issues from the Federal Circuit court that would get any appeal from Mr. Tree.
◼ ca9.uscourts.gov/district/guides/capital_punishment_handbook.pdf
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