ONE BY ONE

The long-pending murder cases are being dispatched...

◼ Matthew Brown gets sentenced 40 years for killing Neil Decker today which was Decker's birthday - John Chiv/Words Worth 3/11/15 3:08 PM

Friends of Neil Decker told me before court opened today was Neil Decker's birthday. Family and friends sobbed as they read victim statements.

Decker's mother said after her statement in court,"You motherfucker I hope you rot in he'll "

Matthew Brown flashed a peace sign and smiled at Decker's loved one as he was lead away by the bailiff.

Chiv's coverage of this case:

◼ Matthew Brown sentencing on March 11 - 2/17/15

◼ "So what the heck is all this about? Doesn't matter what I believe, what Mr. Elvine-Kreiss believes, it matters what you believe." - 2/14/15
◼ Penalties and potential years in prison Matthew Brown could get for shooting Neil Decker - 2/14/15
◼ "This is a third world country, wild west in Humboldt County" - 2/14/15

◼ Jury finds Matthew Brown guilty of second degree murder - 2/13/15
◼ Verdict in for the Matthew Brown case...stay tuned - 2/13/15
◼ Closing arguments over, jury deliberating Matthew Brown's fate 2/13/15
◼ Matthew Brown was asked to come to the Johnson home to work out differences. Matthew Brown came over carrying a loaded gun." - 2/13/15

◼ Who will the Matthew Brown jury believe? HCSO denies any connection between Sohum murders despite defense probing - 2/12/15
◼ "I was waiting for the day Neil was going to kill me"; Matthew Brown infers who Alderpoint 8 leader was and who they reported to - 2/12/15

◼ Is there a connection between other unsolved murders and the shooting Matthew Brown is charged with? - 2/10/15

◼ "I didn't know I was going to Murder Mountain"; initially Brown denied shooting Decker; says Sheriff deputies saved his life; "I was scared as fuck" - 2/7/15
◼ Neil Decker died of "a single, shotgun wound to the chest" and "his blood was positive for meth" - 2/7/15

◼ "I know some of the things are not to be talked about in the community" - 2/5/15
◼ "He came home and he was really scared; he didn't know what to do; that he just came at him and he had to defend himself" - 2/5/15

◼ Day 2: Key Prosecution witness in Brown case decimated on cross by defense - 2/4/15
◼ Matthew Brown's ex-gf confirms victim called him "bitch boy" and provoked him into fight - 2/4/15

◼ "He shot me in my fucking heart" is what victim's girlfriend testifies in the Rancho Sequoia murder case - 2/3/15
◼ First day of Murder Mountain homicide covers meth, vigilante justice and the Alderpoint 8 - 2/3/15
◼ Minutes before opening arguments for Brown, jury told "sudden change" - 2/3/15

◼ Jury selected for Alderpoint homicide suspect Matthew Brown; opening arguments tommorow? - 2/2/15

◼ Rancho Sequoia murder suspect Matthew Brown finally starts jury trial - 1/26/15

◼ Alderpoint murder case trial delayed; dates expected to be set next week - 1/9/15

◼ Alderpoint murder suspect Matthew Brown spares us theatrics today while his jury trial date is confirmed - 1/5/15

◼ Matthew Brown murder case jury trial delayed a week 12/17/14

◼ Alderpoint murder suspect Matthew Brown jury trial to proceed on January 5 - 12/3/14

◼ Rancho Sequoia victim identified, male 57 years old - 7/23/14

◼ Suspect identified in Alderpoint shooting - 7/21/14

That was fast! Verdict in Brown case...GUILTY 2nd Degree

Chiv scoops:

◼ Verdict in for the Matthew Brown case...stay tuned - John Chiv/Words Worth

It pays to wait around. The jury started deliberating after lunch. They heard closing arguments this morning.

◼ Jury finds Matthew Brown guilty of second degree murder - John Chiv/Words Worth

UPDATES:

◼ Penalties and potential years in prison Matthew Brown could get for shooting Neil Decker - John Chiv/Words Worth
◼ "This is a third world country, wild west in Humboldt County" - John Chiv/Words Worth

"The person who can tell the truth is dead," said Ms. Neel. She was referring to Scott Johnson. It was the defense who questioned HCSO about Johnson's death and who the suspect was and they were tight-lipped.

◼ "So what the heck is all this about? Doesn't matter what I believe, what Mr. Elvine-Kreiss believes, it matters what you believe." - John Chiv/Words Worth

"So what the heck is all this about? Doesn't matter what I believe, what Mr. Elvine-Kreiss believes, it matters what you believe." This is a quote from DDA Kelly Neel's closing, just a couple hours later, Matthew Brown listened in shock as he was convicted of 2nd degree murder for the death of Neil Decker.

Who will the Matthew Brown jury believe?

◼ HCSO denies any connection between Sohum murders despite defense probing - John Chiv/Words Worth

Until last Friday, prosecution witnesses were helping the defense a bit more than the prosecution with their testimony. As the Matthew Brown case concluded Friday, prosecution played two interviews: one which was video-taped right after Matthew Brown was arrested and the second 24 hours later.

In those interviews, the only thing that hurt Matthew Brown was that he denied shooting Neil Decker. Monday through Wednesday morning, the prosecution and defense presented witnesses and Brown's attorney, Mr. Greg Elvine-Kreiss tried to elicit something definitive to build a connection between his client's case and the unsolved murders of Scott Johnson and Garrett Rodriguez. In this post, I am including testimony from when HCSO Sgt. Diana Freese, Investigator Todd Fulton and Detective Jennifer Turner....

So far, no suspect has been identified in the murder of Scott Johnson, the only eye witness, all relevant witnesses agree on was present in the room when Brown shot Decker. When Mr. Elvine-Kreiss tried to question Sgt. Freese about the unsolved murder of Johnson, DDA Kelly Neel objected to this question and the Judge sustained the objection.... KEEP READING

◼ "I was waiting for the day Neil was going to kill me"; Matthew Brown infers who Alderpoint 8 leader was and who they reported to

...Brown said that he was talking to Johnson, he was talking about the welder that Decker stole from Johnson. Anther witness, "Hana" said that Decker (who was upstairs in the office area across the bedroom with "Hana") went in twice in the room and told Brown to mind his own business but Brown said that Decker came in twice and glared at him but he came in a third time and said, "I need to keep his name out of my mouth. and that he was sick of me and that it's over."

Then Brown said Decker reached behind his back (like he had many times before; those time Decker acted like he was reaching for a gun). Given what he had just heard from Decker, Brown was afraid that that was the moment he had been afraid of and that he was going to get killed or shot. "I thought that was the moment."

That is when he shot Decker.

"Did you feel forced to shoot Neil at that moment," asked Mr. Elvine-Kreiss.

"I felt cornered" said Brown. "I had nothing to gain from it."

John Chiv: Murder Mountain Homicide Day 4

◼ Neil Decker died of "a single, shotgun wound to the chest" and "his blood was positive for meth"

Day 4 of the murder trial in which Matthew Brown is charged with murder of Neil Decker continued with testimony from HCSO Sgt. Diana Freese. She had started her testimony on Thursday, February 5, briefly before court adjourned at noon. She resumed her testimony yesterday morning. It was brief again and interrupted because Dr. Mark Super, an out of county forensic pathologist, gave his testimony. KEEP READING

◼ "I didn't know I was going to Murder Mountain"; initially Brown denied shooting Decker; says Sheriff deputies saved his life; "I was scared as fuck"

The jury got to see two interviews conducted with Matthew Brown, the murder suspect in the murder of Neil Decker. The first one was done when he was taken into custody on July 23, 2014, five days after the incident. The second one was 24 hours later.

Brown has a full head of hair now but in that interview he is dressed in orange and has a shaved head like his booking photo. Sgt. Diana Freese and Detective Sam Williams interviewed him and it starts with them offering him food, which he scarfs down and thanks them profusely a few times. He had been on the run, hiding in the woods before he was taken into custody. Most of the questioning is done by Detective Williams.... KEEP READING

John Chiv: Murder Mountain Homicide Day 3

◼ "I know some of the things are not to be talked about in the community"

If you have been following the saga of the Rancho Sequoia murder on this blog, in day 3 of the trial for suspect Matthew Brown who is charged with the murder of Neil Decker, testimony continues to lean towards the defense opening arguments. Except for HCSO Sgt. Diana Freese who briefly started her testimony today, and Johanna Hames who testified the last two days, most prosecution witnesses and their testimony so far have helped the defense more than the People....

Today's hearing started off with Scott Johnson's and Neil Decker's friend and Brown's ex-girlfriend Williams ( also known as Kessler) finishing her testimony. Mr. Elvine-Kreiss resumed questioning her. She said "everyone had guns", even people who she didn't recognize but came to Johnson's property on and off.

"Are you in fear of answers you are giving?, asked Mr. Elvine-Kreiss.

"I know some of the things are not to be talked about in the community," Williams responded.... KEEP READING

◼ "He came home and he was really scared; he didn't know what to do; that he just came at him and he had to defend himself"

The quote in the title is from Sarie Stillwell, the young woman Brown started seeing after Williams.
Williams was 11 years older than Brown, Stillwell is 6 years younger. By her own testimony, Williams said she was not in love with Brown. However, she broke up with Brown after learning he had started seeing Stillwell, something he told her. By by her own testimony, Williams had a relationship of convenience with Brown. Stillwell is younger and more attractive compared to Williams. Both women testified that they think of Brown as a friend but both reveal feelings for him from the actions and words on the stand . Stillwell wore her feelings very openly on her sleeve while testifying.

John Chiv: Murder Mountain homicide Day 2

◼ Day 2: Key Prosecution witness in Brown case decimated on cross by defense

It is only the second day of the jury trial in the Matthew Brown case. Today, Scott Johnson's girlfriend, Johanna Hames continued her testimony. She was upstairs in an office near the bedroom where Neil Decker was shot.

Mr. Greg Elvine-Kreiss decimated her on cross. Confronting her with inconsistencies in testimony between what she told the pilice and now; making her back pedal when she changed what she said in direct and cross within minutes this morning, her testimony today proved the defense's opening argument.

DDA Neel did a brief redirect which did not help because Hames dug a ditch with her own testimony.
Ms. Neel clearly asked her, "You have taken an oath to tell the truth here today?" and Hames said "yes" and about relevance to which Mr. Elvine-Kreiss asked on re-cross. "So you only tell the truth when it is relevant?" KEEP READING

◼ "Be careful what you say about the Alderpoint 8, media is here... John Chiv is here"

Channel 3 is the only other media present but Decker's family was oblivious to their presence since no cameras are allowed. One of these family members is the same woman who was ejected from the courtroom the first day.

◼ Matthew Brown's ex-gf confirms victim called him "bitch boy" and provoked him into fight

Prosecution's third witness today was Matthew Brown's ex-girlfriend Kara Williams, also known as Kara Kessler.

A conflicted witness, she briefly smiled at Brown. DDA Kelly Neel asked her, "Are you stressed?" She responded with, "I am feeling a lot of things."

Williams cried as she was shown a picture of Scott Johnson, the man who died 4 days after Brown allegedly shot Neil Decker, the victim in this case. She cried every time his name was mentioned this morning.... KEEP READING

John Chiv: First day of Murder Mountain homicide covers meth, vigilante justice and the Alderpoint 8

◼ TESTIMONY: "He shot me in my fucking heart" is what victim's girlfriend testifies in the Rancho Sequoia murder case

...Toner said she ran upstairs and that "Neil was standing by the window, he looked at his chest and he was bleeding. He said, 'He shot me in my fucking heart.' We said I love you to each other and those were the last words Neil said to me." Toner was crying at this point....

◼ "On that evening, Matt had no choice but to shoot"

"Mr. Brown and I both understand the seriousness and sadness in a case where a human being was killed," is how Brown's attorney, Mr. Greg Elvine-Kreiss started his opening to the jury this morning.

"Mr. Brown tried to work this out with Mr. Decker. Evidence will show that Mr. Decker was intimidating. Mr. Brown shot Mr. Decker in the chest; Mr. Decker shot in self-defense."

◼ Matthew Brown was asked to come to the Johnson home to work out differences. Matthew Brown came over carrying a loaded gun."
◼ DDA Kelly Neel and Brown's defense attorney, Mr. Greg-Elvine Kreiss presented equally compelling opening arguments which were followed by Neil Decker's girlfriend and Scott Johnson's girlfriend testifying this morning.

Is Matthew Brown, a man who gunned down "an unarmed and defenseless" Neil Decker or "on that evening, Matt had no choice but to shoot."

◼ Minutes before opening arguments for Brown, jury told "sudden change"
- John Chiv/Words Worth
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Whoa! Coverage!

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

◼ Fieldbrook double murder suspect in court, February trial date set - Will Houston, Eureka Times-Standard

A man and woman were also in the car with Arreaga when he was pulled over on U.S. Highway 101 at the Singley Hill offramp in Loleta a few hours after the shootings. Multiple attempts to contact the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office regarding any investigation into the two individuals were not immediately returned.

◼ Trial setting in fatal shooting delayed - Will Houston, Eureka Times-Standard

The setting of Benjamin Jasper Carter’s murder trial date was continued until next week during a Monday hearing at the Humboldt County Courthouse due to a possible change in prosecutors....

Deputy District Attorney Luke Brownfield told presiding Judge John T. Feeney that a possible change in prosecutors could take place before the trial. Along with that, Brownfield said that they were “still talking about possible resolutions.”

◼ Jury selection in Rancho Sequoia murder trial to begin Jan. 12 - Will Houston, Eureka Times-Standard

Matthew Aaron Brown, 30, is accused of fatally shooting 49-year-old Neil Decker on July 18 over a personal property dispute. He has pleaded not guilty to one charge of murder with two special allegations — the intentional use of a firearm and the use of a firearm that caused great bodily injury or death.

◼ "The body has been cremated so there is nothing left to analyze"; Benjamin Carter So Hum murder suspect hearing continued due to possible change of counsel from DA's office. - John Chiv/Words Worth

DDA Luke Brownfield told Judge John Feeney that there would be a possible change of counsel. He alluded to his change of assignment. With Maggie Fleming being sworn in today as Humboldt's new District Attorney, that news does not come as a surprise.

◼ Alderpoint murder suspect Matthew Brown spares us theatrics today while his jury trial date is confirmed. - John Chiv/Words Worth
◼ Fieldbrook double murder suspect jury trial set for February 23. - John Chiv/Words Worth