'I was in shock': Alleged murderer Jacob Steele retakes the stand UPDATE to 2010(2012) murder case

Update 6/28/2019

◼ Will the handling of convicted murderer Jacob Steele's jury trial work in his favor today?

This afternoon, there is a Franklin hearing/resentencing scheduled for Jacob Charles Steele. He was convicted of second degree murder of Jerry George in 2012. As of today, Steele is not eligible for parole until 2034....

◼ 'I was in shock': Alleged murderer Jacob Steele retakes the stand - TS - 2/2/12

Jacob Charles Steele testified Thursday that he didn't look at his friend Jerry George's body after shooting him in January 2010 and didn't know where the bullet struck but that he instantly assumed George was dead.

Taking the stand for the third consecutive day in his murder trial, Steele again testified that he feared for his life when he shot George in self-defense as the 29-year-old Louisiana native violently rushed at him on the night of Jan. 21, 2010. Steele said he raised his gun as George quickly approached and it went off -- possibly accidentally -- before he saw George fall to the ground.

◼ Richard: 'It was a stressful moment'; Jacob Steele's cousin offers gory rebuttal testimony in murder case - TS - 2/4/12

Richard Steele also testified Friday that when he and his cousin returned to the apartment later that night to move George's body, the wound was more than apparent. He said while he and Jacob Steele were wrapping George in the tarp, he was initially wrapping George's upper body -- with Jacob Steele wrapping his legs -- when George's head flopped over to the right.

”When you went to wrap him up in the tarp, what happened?” Gallegos asked.

”For real?” Richard Steele asked in response, seeming unsure whether to answer.

”Yes,” Gallegos answered.

”His brains spilled out all over my hands,” Richard Steele testified, prompting George's sister to stand up and leave the courtroom.

”What did you do then?” Gallegos asked.

”I kind of freaked out and said, 'Jake, you got to take the head,'” Richard Steele testified.

The End: 12 years, Voodoo Dolls, no remorse, and resounding commentary on Paul Gallegos' treatment of the victim's family.

From the family's statement, via John Chiv's post:

The family of Douglas would like to publicly thank DDA Roger Rees and DA Maggie Fleming for thier compassion and commitment to pursuing this case and obtaining justice for Douglas. They have restored our faith in the justice system which was badly damaged under the administration of Paul Gallegos.

Hopefully now the healing can begin.

◼ "The victim just happened to be my brother, it could have just as easily been anyone else", Doug Anderson's family express safety concerns for Humboldt County and Arcata citizens - John Chiv/Words Worth June 15, 2015

THIS MATTERS - JERRY BROWN, PAY ATTENTION. The victim's family read their statement today, as reported by John Chiv at the link above:

Don's wife, Patty Anderson was the last to read. In her own letter, she spoke very eloquently and powerfully about the anguish the family went through with the defense smearing the name of Doug in the past year and a half, how former DA Paul Gallegos hid facts from them, would not communicate with them, tried to railroad them into accepting the plea deal he wanted to offer and how he refused to give them current DA Maggie Fleming's contact information.

"I tried very hard to find forgiveness," she said. "I found forgiveness elusive." Citing the former prosecutor and DA Paul Gallegos who she singled out in scathing words, the defense smears and the complete lack of remorse by Juan Ferrer as reasons.

Patty Anderson talked about the "irreparable damage" done to "Doug's reputation" by the "resulting publicity in the Humboldt County DA's election." And she added, "No thanks to Paul Gallegos who argued against us in court."

She mentioned delay after delay or Paul Gallegos not offering them any explaination. All this has been detailed in my coverage last year when Paul Gallegos prosecuted the case. Patty Anderson said she found out about Nicholas Stoiber's and Sophie Rocheleau's plea deal in the media, not from Paul Gallegos.

That same refrain has played out over and over and over throughout Paul Gallegos' tenure as DA of Humboldt County. There have been complaints filed with the Attorney General, in hopes that something would be done, and nothing ever was. Any complaint was deemed 'political' and shelved.

It is a tragedy to see it yet again. The pain behind those tales, you need to pay attention, and not reward this man with any steps up the ladder. Not even on a pot board. ESPECIALLY NOT AS A JUDGE!

◼ Juan Ferrer made a voodoo doll to try and control the trial and after being convicted, was caught saying even after he "fucking killed" the victim Humboldt County gave him voluntary manslaughter instead of murder - John Chiv/Words Worth June 15, 2015
In one of the phone recordings he said he had no remorse for killing Doug and that he did not know how he would display remorse when probation would interview him. He said even though he "fucking killed" the victim, Humboldt County gave him voluntary manslaughter instead of murder.

In these recordings he said he described a voodoo doll he drew of DDA Roger Rees, drew pins on it and then covered it with his own blood he got from testing his blood sugar so he could control the outcome of the trial.
◼ Instead of expressing remorse, Ferrer makes his statement all about himself - John Chiv/Words Worth June 15, 2015

As he was being led away in cuffs, he turned to his family and said, "I'll be all right, I'll appeal and win."

◼ Juan Ferrer sentenced to maximum term of 12 years - John Chiv/Words Worth Jun 15, 2015

Judge John Feeney sentenced Ferrer to the maximum term of 11 years for voluntary manslaughter plus 1 year for special allegation of using a weapon.

The term is consecutive and Ferrer will be on parole/post supervision release for 3 years after his release.

◼ Ferrer sentenced to 12 years in prison - Paul Mann/Mad River Union June 15, 2015

Jurors dealt with a considerable lack of evidence: the murder weapon was missing and there were no usable blood samples, impartial eyewitnesses to the stabbing or surveillance videos of the physical encounter.

Another retrial, cleaning up the mess UPDATED from 5/11

◼ Deal? Trial? What will the next court date for twice tried alleged child molestor Timothy Littlefield be? - John Chiv/Words Worth May 28, 2015

Timothy Littlefield has come close to prison twice. The decision in the last trial is under appeal and so Round 3 is in limbo. There is a court hearing on June 11 for disposition and reset. I bet it will be continued.

◼ Next court hearing for Timothy Littlefield set for June 11, guess round 3 is on, alleged charges include sodomy with child under 10 - John Chiv/Words Worth May 12, 2015

◼ "Looks like we will be going round 3 in the Littlefied case", will the third time be justice for Timothy Littlefield - John Chiv/Words Worth May 8, 2015

If you are not familiar with the Timothy Littlefield case, you may want to click on the links below. For those following the saga, the above quote is from Littlefield's attorney Russ Clanton....

Follow John Chiv's blog for ongoing coverage of this and other Humboldt County court cases...

Background:

◼ Molestation trial in jury's hands; McKinleyville man faces eight life sentences if convicted - Thadeus Greenson/Times-Standard UPDATED: ON 10/27/2011

Timothy Floyd Littlefield, former manager of the Arcata iCenter medical marijuana dispensary, was arrested by Humboldt County sheriff's deputies in February 2009 and faces a total of more than eight life sentences if convicted of the 11 molestation charges confronting him. The victim in the case, identified in court documents only as Jane Doe, is now 11, and was an 8-year-old family member of Littlefield's at the time of the alleged acts of molestation.

◼ McKinleyville man convicted of 11 molestation charges ... - Thadeus Greenson/Times-Standard UPDATED: ON 09/13/2013

The trial was Littlefield's second on charges that he molested a little girl repeatedly over the course of a year, coming after a jury deadlocked 11-1 in favor of convicting him last year, causing a judge to declare a mistrial in the case.

◼ Unconfirmed as of now but Timothy Littlefield case to be retried? - John Chiv/Words Worth May 9, 2014

Several community members have called recently to ask me to check and see the status of Timothy Littlefield, the Mckinleyville man convicted of 11 molestation charges last year and eight life sentences without parole.

◼ McKinleyville Man Facing 8 Life Sentences Granted Mistrial ... - North Coast Journal - May 12/2014

Timothy Floyd Littlefield was facing eight life sentences in state prison without the possibility of parole stemming from convictions on 11 child molestation charges when he stood before Humboldt County Superior Court Judge John Feeney last week at a sentencing hearing. Instead of sentencing Littlefield to serve 188 years to life, as he said was his intent, Feeney declared a mistrial in the case, finding juror misconduct in the months-long trial that wrapped in September....

Police arrested Littlefield in February 2009 on allegations of repeatedly molesting Jane Doe, who was an 8-year-old family member of his at the time of the offenses. Prosecutors argued during both trials that Littlefield kept the girl in isolation and threatened her to keep quiet as he molested her in secret for more than a year. Clanton argued at the trials that Jane Doe, her mother and another witness concocted the allegations to get back at Littlefield for abusing his wife.

Littlefield appeared crushed at the jury verdict in September, when he collapsed onto counsel table, sobbing, as the court clerk rattled off the guilty verdicts to all counts. In the wake of the conviction, Clanton has worked extensively to try to get the verdicts vacated, filing a number of motions, including one alleging that advocacy groups were texting witnesses in the case from the courtroom as the trial was proceeding. Feeney denied the motions until the topic of juror misconduct came up last week.

◼ Timothy Littlefield posted bail and is out of custody - John Chiv/Words Worth May 15, 2014
◼ The Timothy Littlefield story the mainstream media did not cover; another juror gives perspective - John Chiv/Words Worth May 16, 2014

On May 9, I posted on this blog that the Timothy Littlefield case would be retried, possibly due to juror misconduct. Since I was not in court, I wanted to verify and get some information.

The next week, the NCJ and Times-Standard followed up. Those publications said that the case has a retrial and that a mistrial was declared due to juror misconduct. The first time this case was tried, the jurors deadlocked 11-1; the second time, all jurors found him guilty of 11 charges and he was sentenced to eight life sentences without parole. The District Attorney's Office is appealing Judge John Feeney's decision to the State Attorney General. That's it.

◼ Trial date for child molestation case vacated - Daily News 6/11/14

The date for what would be McKinleyville resident Timothy Floyd Littlefield's third trial for 11 child molestation charges was vacated Tuesday to allow more time for the state Attorney General's Office to review an appeal request by the Humboldt County District Attorney's Office, according to District Attorney Paul Gallegos.

...Littlefield was arrested in February 2009 on accusations that he regularly molested an 8-year-old family member for over a year. The case has been tried twice - in 2011 and 2013 - with both ending in a judge granting a mistrial.

The most recent mistrial was declared in May for jury misconduct after a juror indicated in a declaration that the defense did not prove that Littlefield was not guilty. As the burden of proof is the responsibility of the prosecution and not the defense, Superior Court Judge John Feeney saw this as misconduct.

◼ Timothy Littlefield deal in the works? - John Chiv/Words Worth Jun 30, 2014
◼ The Timothy Littlefield story the mainstream media did not cover; another juror gives perspective - John Chiv/Words Worth May 16, 2014

On May 9, I posted on this blog that the Timothy Littlefield case would be retried, possibly due to juror misconduct. Since I was not in court, I wanted to verify and get some information.

The next week, the NCJ and Times-Standard followed up. Those publications said that the case has a retrial and that a mistrial was declared due to juror misconduct. The first time this case was tried, the jurors deadlocked 11-1; the second time, all jurors found him guilty of 11 charges and he was sentenced to eight life sentences without parole. The District Attorney's Office is appealing Judge John Feeney's decision to the State Attorney General. That's it.

◼ Yet another delay in Timothy Littlefield retrial - John Chiv/Words Worth Jul 15, 2014
◼ Littlefield retrial set for Oct 20, defense hopes to resolve before then - John Chiv/Words Worth Jul 29, 2014

This (was) the third time this case is being tried. The jury verdict of the second trial resulted in a mistrial being declared by Judge John Feeney. That decision under appeal. DDA Jackie Pizzo appeared instead of Paul Gallegos.

◼ Will he won't he go to trial for the third time? - John Chiv/Words Worth Sep 23, 2014

Timothy Floyd Littlefield's victim will have to keep waiting to see if there will be yet another trial or if appeals court will uphold the second trial jury verdict.

◼ Timothy Littlefield case keep getting continued, now next hearing on January 18 - John Chiv/Words Worth Oct 15, 2014

◼ Attorney General to default on Littlefield molestation case? Will Paul do his job? - John Chiv/Words Worth Nov 25, 2014

◼ Attorney General files opening brief in Timothy Littlefield child molestation case - John Chiv/Words Worth Dec 18, 2014

◼ OTHER: [DOC]Filed 6/28/13 Littlefield v. County of Humboldt CA1/3 NOT ... - COMES AS A DOWNLOAD, not a link

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.

Positive change is already evident.

John reports on it. And I have been hearing it from so many people.

◼ In 10 days Maggie has done more than Paul (Gallegos) did in the last 12 years - John Chiv/Words Worth

Paul who?

Prop 47 and Maggie Fleming: Two articles of interest

In this week's North Coast Journal: (Online flip version for now) ◼ Click here ...Grant Scott-Goforth interviews Maggie, for Greenson it's Gallegos on Prop 47.

You'll get some idea of what we're up against.

Here's the 'regular' online version:

◼ Catch and Release - Thaddeus Greenson/The Journal Jan 8, 2015 vol XXVI issue 2

◼ Maggie's Method - Grant Scott-Goforth/The Journal

After living in office limbo for several weeks, Maggie Fleming took over the District Attorney's office at the beginning of the year. Fleming spent much of the last year planning ways to improve the office. On Jan. 2, she sat down with the Journal to discuss some of her ideas and the immediate actions she'll be taking to work with her 10-attorney staff....

End of an error

January 5th, 2015

Fleming to make Humboldt DA history on Monday

◼ Paul Gallegos prepares to leave office after 12 years as Humboldt County district attorney. - Juniper Rose, Eureka Times-Standard 01/03/15, 10:09 PM PST

Gallegos, 52, announced last November that he was not going to run for a fourth term. The decision was multifaceted, Gallegos said.

“I saw that the job as a district attorney is to make tough decisions all the time,” Gallegos said. “To make tough decisions on behalf of the community, and to protect the individual from the community and to protect the community from the individual.”

Over the years, Gallegos launched a controversial and ultimately unsuccessful lawsuit against the Pacific Lumber Company, survived the resulting recall attempt, was re-elected twice, saw many of his experienced prosecutors leave, and was criticized for his office’s charging decisions in several cases, but along the way he persistently maintained that his No. 1 priority was equal access to government for all of the citizens of Humboldt County.

Gallegos said he prefers not to dwell on the past 12 years, and that it is time for him to move on.

This realization was spurred by his oldest son — who wasn’t even in elementary school when Gallegos took office — leaving for college.

“Because the community had entrusted me with this position, I felt that my priority needed to be the community,” he said. “Twelve years later, my kid is getting ready to go to college and I was confronted with all the things I wanted to do with him that I hadn’t done. I am not going to let that happen with my other kids, I won’t get to undo those things, but I’m going to be there for my kids.”

Gallegos also has a daughter in high school and a son who is 12.

He plans to return to working with his wife at the private law firm they started together and take the time to surf, hike and climb mountains with his kids. He said his wife tells him almost every day how happy she is about his decision.

A look back: 2014 stories of the year...

One in particular:

Maggie Fleming handily won the June 2014 primary election for Humboldt County district attorney, and will be sworn in Jan. 5, becoming the first woman in county history to hold the job. TIMES-STANDARD FILE PHOTO

◼ New era in the DA’s Office

After a tumultuous three terms in office, Paul Gallegos’ time as Humboldt County district attorney is coming to an end.

Stepping into the role will be Maggie Fleming, who handily won the June primary election against three other candidates. She will be sworn in Jan. 5, becoming the county’s first female district attorney.

When Gallegos announced in November that he would not be running for re-election, he said he was proud of his tenure as district attorney, but wanted to spend more time with his family. Gallegos surprised many when he was first elected to the post in 2002, beating longtime District Attorney Terry Farmer — who held the office for 20 years. Over the years, Gallegos made a series of controversial decisions and garnered many critics.

“It’s a wonderful job. It’s a wonderful honor. It’s just, at some point, you have to say, ‘I’ve done that, and I’ve served,’ ” Gallegos said after announcing he would not run. “It’s time for me to serve my family.”

Fleming comes to the job with 25 years of experience, having worked for 17 years in the office as a deputy district attorney and most recently as a deputy county counsel.

“You work in a DA’s office because you hope to make a difference,” she said in a recent interview. “I think helping mentor the attorneys is a critical task — currently the office is young, career-wise, as prosecutors. Another part is rebuilding the office; we are down a number of attorneys.”

__________________
Tumultuous? BS. His term was a slow degradation of the office. The only 'tumult' was in the early year when he was filing a lawsuit at his backers behest. And allowing them to plot ways to get themselves paid (and how to let their buddies pay for a public prosecution) via a "trust fund.' After that 'tumult' he slowly allowed the office to fall into ruin. Lost talent, lost grants - and he never rose to the occasion, never made an attempt to solve the problem, like any normal person would have done.

Oh well.

At long last you will have a competent DA. Humboldt County will be well served.

Derek Bowman back in Humboldt County jail....

On a writ... you wouldn't...

Who celebrates incompetence and the destruction of an office?

◼ Letter: Saluting Pal Gallegos’ service to community - "R. Trent Williams" (Richard Salzman himself)

Lying, conniving and slavishly loyal to the end.

If you go - shame on you.

If you go, you're celebrating taking a working office from almost 20 to under 10, the horrific working conditions resulting from being severely understaffed, you're celebrating the horrible reputation the Humboldt DAs Office has earned under Gallegos' tenure (No one wants to work here), inexplicable schizophrenic prosecutions (letting bad guys go, and going after people like the toddler-wanderer Dad). These things are not in dispute.

It's a sorry state of affairs, and it is in very poor taste to advertise it like it is some kind of achievement. But, that's "R. Trent." He doesn't say whether they'll be passing the hat.

(Fitting that there's a typo...)

RIGHT UP THERE WITH THE 'YES ON MEASURE T' VIDEO

It's a cameo appearance, to be sure, but be sure to watch the video explanation of 'special treatment' by the DA's Office.

◼ State Parks Ranger Detained for DUI Received Unusual Treatment - Lost Coast Outpost
◼ I-TEAM: PHOTO OF DRUNK ON-DUTY PARK RANGER RAISES QUESTIONS ABOUT SPECIAL TREAMENT - ABC 7

ABC7 News asked Humboldt District Attorney Paul Gallegos if anyone else in that position would have gotten the same treatment.

"It's a fair question, I think it's fair for you to conclude that you probably would not have," Gallegos said.

Humboldt County District Attorney Paul Gallegos confirmed that it is the normal procedure to book a DUI suspect into jail to let them sober up. Data obtained by the I-Team under the Freedom of Information Act shows that so far this year, the Garberville Area CHP arrested 234 DUI drivers and just five, including Tyson Young, were cited and released. Fabbri could not say whether those other four were also government employees or their friends and family.

"We should aspire to treat everyone similarly, everyone should be entitled to the same protections and consequences associated with the law," Gallegos said.

Note: I don't think it is all that surprising, after watching so many drunk driving charges dropped to 'wet reckless' and passed through. For years.

"We are trying to find Mr. Gallegos"

The Question Of The Day was: ◼ Will Paul show up this time? Will the Arcata chef stabbing case ever go to trial?

This afternoon, yet another hearing is scheduled to discuss the ongoing soap opera of the case involving the stabbing of Arcata chef, Douglas Anderson-Jordet. It is on for status of discovery, again, in Courtroom 4 at 2 p.m. with Judge Dale Reinholtsen.

District Attorney Paul Gallegos, who is prosecuting the case, makes ocassional guest appearances, often leaving either ADA Kelly Neel or DDA Zach Curtis to cover for him. The "every week we come back" will put that statement in context.

And then: ◼ Paul did saunter in 20 minutes later and apologized to the Court twice. - John Chiv/Words Worth

Humboldt County justice came to a standstill today for several minutes in Courtroom 4 because no one could locate District Attorney Paul Gallegos. Calling of the case was delayed twice today because of him. "We are trying to find Mr. Gallegos," said DDA Zach Curtis, the first time Judge Dale Reinholtsen tried to call the case.

◼ Ferrer case continued again until Nov 10 - John Chiv/Words Worth

After District Attorney Paul Gallegos finally appeared in court, he then appeared to change his mind about the agreement he made with Ms. Jennifer Dixon, Nicholas Stoiber's attorney....

The 995 motion to dismiss the case against Rocheleau and other matters such as the status of discovery which has still to be addressed will be dealt with on November 10 at 2 p.m. in Courtroom 4.

◼ Ferrer/Stoiber/Buttercup=Rocheleau background

The DA of San Luis Obispo got it right!

◼ District Attorney Gerry Shea resigning so DA-elect Dan Dow can assume the post. - The Tribune

District Attorney Gerry Shea will step down two months before his current term expires and allow newly elected District Attorney Dan Dow to take over early.

“I’m really convinced it’s in the best interest of the office to do this,” Shea said, noting that there are many significant policy and hiring choices that Dow should be allowed to make sooner rather than later.

Sadly, it looks like our particular train wreck will continue into January.

The Eddie Lee Trial: Murder, robbery, mutilation UPDATED

You know, this one doesn't have the oh-so-famous lawyer involved, but it really is a very interesting case, on a lot of levels - one of them the effect of Pot on a good student, who could have made something good out of his life.

◼ Witness and DA in Eddie Lee case make an oops in Lee case; Judge has to fix it - John Chiv/Words Worth Sept 4, 2014

◼ Father-son like relationship triumphed over Lee's past heroin use, victim's past cocaine use - John Chiv/Words Worth Sept 3, 2014
◼ Judge Feeney clarifies sexual penetration charge in Lee case - John Chiv/Words Worth Sept 3, 2014

(Essentially, the statute has to do with mutilation of remains - in this case, burning)

◼ Limmie Greg Curry trial set for November 10; defense requests daily transcripts of Lee trial - John Chiv/Words Worth Sept 3, 2014
◼ Eddie Lee "fell in love with this area" and chose HSU over other options; the story of a dreamer who ended up accused as a murderer - John Chiv/Words Worth Sept 2, 2014

Mr. Stallworth ended his opening statments by telling the story of Eddie Lee. A young child of bi-racial parents with blue eyes and wavy black hair that everyone loved. A kid and a young man who never got in trouble, even being raised in Michigan, in a city of crime. Lee was recruited into a mentor program, "I had a Dream" as a youth, got great grades. Lee chose HSU instead of UC Davis or Sacramento State and pre-med major in biology because he "fell in love with this area."...

He had problems finding affordable housing in Arcata. Mr. Stallworth said that at this point he met Moriah Foster, a cocaine user who "smoked a lot of marijuana" and "she changed his life." Lee was in love for the first time.

◼ Eddie Lee to "take the stand" ; "He has waited 41/2 years to tell you what happened and he will tell you what happened" - John Chiv/Words Worth Sept 2, 2014

"This is not a ID case. Limmie Curry killed William Reid. Eddie Lee was present. My question to you is did Eddie Lee know? Did he aid and abet? That is your task."

"Eddie was 21 years old when he was arrested and charged. He has been waiting 4 1/2 years to come and tell you what happened. He will fill in the gaps in this case; everything else is conjecture."

◼ Crime of murder, murder committed while commission of robbery, mutilation of grave remains and special allegation of sexual penetration of human remains are the alleged charges the District Attorney's office filed against Eddie Lee, whose jury trial started today. - John Chiv/Words Worth Sept 2, 2014
◼ "In a society where personal worth is equated with economic growth and guns are readily available, it is surprising we don't have more violence" - John Chiv/Words Worth Sept 2, 2014

◼ DOLLISON’S DOCKET: Marijuana, Violence and Greed - Allan Dollison/Lost Coast Outpost

Gallegos' Opening Statement

◼ Whatever happened to Eddie David Lee? - On Feb 23, 2011, we asked: Almost a year ago Eddie David Lee pled not guilty to murder charges. Where is he now and where is Gallegos at on this case?

EARLIER:

◼ Eddie Lee and Limmie Greg Curry cases to be tried separately - John Chiv/Words Worth Jun 2, 2014
◼ Eddie Lee and Limmie Greg Curry pre-trial conference update. Will Curry's attorney make an appearance? - John Chiv/Words Worth Apr 4, 2014
◼ Limmie Curry and Eddie Lee - Times-Standard Jul 24, 2013

Jurors hear closing arguments in Curry case; defense: Evidence points to other murder suspect...

After listening to more than two months of testimony in the case, jurors on Tuesday heard two distinctly different arguments as to what story that evidence tells.

In the portion of his closing statement that jurors heard Tuesday, Fletcher said evidence in the case clearly indicates someone else is guilty of William “Billie” Reid's murder, and that Curry has been set up to take the blame. Humboldt County District Attorney Paul Gallegos, on the other hand, told jurors that evidence in the case points to only one conclusion: That Curry shot and killed Reid on his rural property off State Route 299 near Willow Creek, doused his body with gasoline and set it aflame, later burying Reid's charred skeletal remains on the property.

Prosecutors allege that Curry and Eddie David Lee killed Reid on Feb. 3, 2010, in order to rob him and take over his marijuana growing operation. Eddie Lee, Reid's roommate, has pleaded not guilty in the case and is slated to stand trial in January.

◼ We welcome federal attention -- in the right places - Times-Standard EDITORIAL Mar 16, 2012

Marijuana cultivation by some estimates accounts for 26 percent of Humboldt County's economy. It's not going to disappear, despite decades of federal effort. But appropriate use of federal power in other ways can be far more helpful.

And so we applaud the recent decision by the U.S. Attorney's Office to prosecute a Humboldt County murder case. It is the first time in decades -- indeed, the only time in local enforcement officials' memory -- that the federal government has done so.

◼ Pre-trial set for suspect in Willow Creek murder case - Times-Standard TOPIX Comment Thread Sep 6, 2010
◼ Icky-sounding Murder Investigation - North Coast Journal Feb 22, 2010

Two high profile jury trials; one murder; another human trafficking scheduled for tomorrow

◼ The Eddie Lee murder trial is being tried separately from his co-defendant Limmie Curry. District Attorney Paul Gallegos prosecuting and Lee being represented by Bay area lawyer Darryl Stallworth. - john Chiv/Words Worth

Worth noting as it could be Gallegos' last trial....

Jurors being questioned in Eddie Lee trial; first witness expected to be called around September 2

◼ Today in Courtroom 1, Judge John Feeney, District Attorney Paul Gallegos and Eddie Lee's Bay area attorney Darryl Stallworth questioned potential jurors for Lee's trial, which is expected to start around September 2. -  - John Chiv/Words Worth

Related, history:
◼ New trial date for Limmie Greg Curry who is accused of murdering William Reid allegedly for marijuana - John Chiv/Words Worth 6/27/14
◼ Hung jury in Curry case; mistrial declared as jurors can't agree - Thadeus Greenson/Times-Standard 7/31/13
◼ Icky-sounding Murder Investigation - Ryan Burns/The Journal 2/22/10

Lotta 'continuing' going on...

◼ McCovey three co defendant case continued; Sept 15 preliminary scheduled - John Chiv/Words Worth

All these cases piling up, time running out, regular questions about 'WHERE IS PAUL?"

Look, technically, he only has to go into the office something like once a month. He can ride this thing out at full pay until mid January.

Imagine the mess by then.

Ferrer UPDATES

Today was the day to decide whether to sever the Ferrer case(s) - try the defendants as one or separately...

◼ Ferrer jury trial date of August 4 vacated based on request by defense - John Chiv/Words Worth

New date will be set on July 21st. Defense has not received discovery essential to the case and that they also need to provide to expert witnesses. In Juan Ferrer's case and Sophie Rocheleau's case, two expert witnesses schedules also impacted the decision.

◼ Motion to sever Ferrer, Stoiber and Rocheleau cases temporarily on hold until July 21st - John Chiv/Words Worth

District Attorney Paul Gallegos opposed the motion to sever each case.

◼ Gallegos gets a bit of a dress down in defense's oral arguments before the court today in Ferrer case

Gallegos's decision to edit, leave out statements in Ferrer case was called incorrect by defense counsel, Benjamin Okin who represents Sophie Rocheleau and he was told to listen to interviews by Ms. Jennifer Dixon, who represents Nicholas Stoiber.

Mr. Gallegos suggested that statements implicating other co-defendants could simply be excluded and redacted and this was challenged by all three defense counsel.

"I think Mr. Gallegos incorrectly purports..." said Mr. Okin. He said that Mr. Gallegos thinks by changing pronouns from we to I cannot prevent the reason all three defense counsel are requesting cases to be severed.

"These statements cannot be carved out by scapel," said Mr. Okin. "It is not possible to not use the statements in their entirety. Without the statements of the three defendants, there is no case. The only way to proceed is to sever all three cases"
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So, if the media shows up for the case when the race was on, but not after - then who was politicizing the case? The candidates? Or the media?

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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