William Nelson tries to postpone his own sentencing, goes on a fantasy rant; sentenced to life in prison with an additional 20 years

◼ He called his trial a sham, he ranted on about his attorney with the same accusations he made during closing arguments in his outburst and when he got to speak, which is his right, he strung together sentences with unrelated legal words and rambled on. - John Chiv/Words Worth

Judge Miles stated her tentative decision of denying probation and sentencing Nelson to prison for life for attempted homicide of a peace officer with the possibility of parole. She gave him an additional consecutive term of 20 years for the special allegation of discharging of a firearm.

The attorneys got to speak next. " There is not much for the People to say," said Ms. Neel. "This is a mandatory sentence. This is something that did not have to happen. Mr. Nelson does not want to take responsibility for his conduct."

◼ Justice for Bang today? - John Chiv/Words Worth

◼ Deputy’s shooter sentenced to life - Times-Standard

Guilty on all counts, justice for Bang

◼ The jury found William Nelson guilty of attempted homicide of a peace officer with use of a firearm. - John Chiv/Words Worth

Verdict in for Shelter Cove man who shot Deputy Cao

Busy day in Shelter Cove case

◼ Jury instructions finalized, closing arguments to start shortly in Shelter Cove case - John Chiv/Words Worth

Thad Greenson is the only one here from local media. However, he could not stay and left. Judge Miles just started instructions. First set of jury instructions concluded.

◼ Nelson interuppts ADA Neel's closing in court; almost causes mistrial - John Chiv/Words Worth

In the middle of ADA Kelly Neel's second closing argument, William Nelson, the man charged with shooting Deputy Bang Cao, jumped up in court and started yelling. He would not shut up despite the Judge's initial admonishment and even verbally attacked his own lawyer.

◼ "I am asking you to find William Nelson guilty of willful, deliberate, premeditated murder" - John Chiv/Words Worth

"I am going to ask you to come back with a single vote. I am asking you to find William Nelson guilty of willful, deliberate, premeditated murder." This is how ADA Kelly Neel opened her closing yesterday.

With exhibits of pictures, detailed timeline and testimony, Ms. Neel in two days, with a very powerful presentation explained why William Nelson should be found guilty of the charges against him....

"That fucking Chink" is what Nelson said when he locked eyes with Deputy Bang Cao.

From that moment, "he walked through the house, thinking about it, thinking about it before", Ms. Neel referred to Nelson's threats against law enforcement.

"The officer was doing his job and for that Willy Nelson shot him. For that he should be held accountable."

◼ Yesterday's jury instructions seem prophetic in light of Nelson' s outburst today - John Chiv/Words Worth

◼ "You don't get to blame officers for escalating a situation that Mr. Nelson escalated"; ADA Neel counters defense assertions - John Chiv/Words Worth

◼ "I believe the evidence that was presented to you in the last week was mistakes by HCSO and Mr. Nelson; the difference is Mr. Nelson made a justified mistake" - John Chiv/Words Worth

People and defense rest in Shelter Cove case where HCSO deputy was shot

◼ Closing arguments, jury instructions will take place this afternoon and the jury can start deliberations as early as today. - John Chiv/Words Worth
◼ Local "media" does not think HCSO deputies being shot at is worth covering - John Chiv/Words Worth

So, maybe the media will show up later after my post? Or the TS could always just call and have the DA's office fill them in and basically write their article. Maybe NCJ could pull some probation reports and string an article about William Nelson's past?

Why bother doing actual reporting? This is news, this is local. Reprinting press rleases and national associated press stories on issues that don't affect people should take a backseat to live coverage.

◼ Jury trial for Shelter Cove man who shot HCSO deputy on hold while 402 hearing is being conducted; deputy is moving to Marin - John Chiv/Words Worth

William Nelson shot HCSO Deputy Bang Cao in the chest. His jury trial is currently on hold while a 402 hearing is being conducted. (Chiv does) not have any more information because the 402 hearing is being heard in a closed courtroom.

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John's right.

William Lloyd Nelson trial continued to October 6

◼ Defense requested continuance to schedule experts and get discovery from DOJ. Nelson is the Shelter Cove suspect who shot two Sheriff Deputy Suspects when they tried to serve him a civil eviction. - John Chiv/Words Worth
◼ "Just doing my job" says a modest Deputy Bang Cao recognized - John Chiv/Words Worth

For God's Sake, How Many More Of These Guys Are Out There?

From the early days of Gallegos' tenure (2003 to now), the complaint has been, they're out before the ink is dry. We've chronicled a never-ending parade of bizarre plea bargains, the endless saga of letting seriously bad guys go. Charges reduced to nothing. Out on probation, picked up again, let out again, increasingly violent, let out again, and again, and again til someone ends up shot, or dead.

◼ The Escalation of 'Wild Bill' - Documents raise questions about an officer's shooting - Thadeus Greenson/The Journal

It was about 2:45 p.m. on May 6, when a Humboldt County Sheriff's deputy and a sergeant arrived at a residence on Shelter Cove's Kelly Road, where 55-year-old William Lloyd Nelson was living. Several weeks earlier, Nelson's girlfriend of 15 years, and the mother of his son, filed a request for a domestic violence restraining order from the Humboldt County Superior Court, alleging that Nelson had threatened her life, coming to her door with a loaded Glock pistol in one hand and an ax in the other. She alleged that Nelson knocked holes in her walls with the ax and "waved the gun around" while threatening her. The court set the matter for a hearing and granted the temporary restraining order, as well as an accompanying "move-out" order that required Nelson to immediately vacate the residence, which was owned by his girlfriend and her father.

Court records indicate deputies initially attempted to serve Nelson with the order on April 27 but were unable to find him. They returned on May 6 and, according to Sheriff Mike Downey, spoke with Nelson. Downey declined to discuss the exchange in detail, but said the situation escalated and culminated with Nelson opening fire on the officers with a handgun, shooting one in the chest before retreating into the home. Downey said the officers returned fire as they attempted to flee to safety. A bullet-proof vest likely saved the injured deputy's life, Downey said, adding that he was shot at "close proximity."

...Probation reports from Nelson's prior convictions, unsealed after he was charged May 9 with the attempted murder of a police officer, show a string of contacts between Nelson and local law enforcement dating back to 2006. They paint a picture of a man with a propensity for stock piling weapons and disregarding the terms of his probation, and they raise a host of questions....

August of 2006... pulled over for speeding on U.S. Highway 101 and found to be drunk...handcuffed and placed in a patrol car, at which point he "proceeded to smash the window of the vehicle." A search of Nelson's car found a pair of semi-automatic pistols, a shotgun, a number of loaded magazines and night vision binoculars. Charged with drunk driving, felony vandalism and resisting arrest, Nelson ultimately pleaded guilty to a single count of misdemeanor drunk driving, commonly known as a "wet and reckless," and was placed on three year's summary probation.

(June 2007) assaulted a man with a firearm.... The case went to trial but the jury hung, after which Nelson pleaded no contest to a single count of negligently discharging a firearm. He was sentenced to time served and three year's summary probation.

(July 2008/2009?) prosecutors filed a complaint alleging Nelson had used an assault rifle to shoot up a cell phone tower neighboring his Shelter Cove home....

"Some Shelter Cove residents referred to him as 'Wild Bill' and it was known when the defendant became angry with people he would show up at their residences and shoot 'stuff,'"...

Read the whole piece, there's more, and more and more - and were it not for a bulletproof vest, we'd have another murder on the docket.

January of next year cannot come soon enough.

How many more? How many increasingly violent repeat offenders that Gallegos has failed to do anything about? How many more people will get hurt? How many more will die?
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◼ Officer Shot - HCSO PRESS RELEASE
◼ UPDATE: Deputy Shot in Shelter Cove, Suspect in Custody - Thadeus Greenson/The Journal

In May 2011, Nelson was sentenced to serve 336 days in county jail, three years in prison and three years probation after being convicted of felony vandalism, shooting at an unoccupied vehicle, discharging a firearm in a negligent manner and possessing a firearm within 10 years of a felony conviction.

◼ (UPDATING) Reports of Shooting in Shelter Cove - ANDREW GOFF/Lost Coast Outpost 5/6/14
◼ (UPDATED) Nelson Arrested: Shelter Cove Shooting Suspect Taken Into Custody Early This Morning - Kym Kemp/Lost Coast Outpost 5/7/14
◼ Update: Deputy shot in chest during Shelter Cove eviction - Times-Standard 5/7/14
◼ Suspect arrested in shooting of California deputy - SF EXAMINER 5/7/14