Mar 28, 2024

Brett Watson files for divorce, may sue City of Arcata

 


Brett Watson was at the courthouse recently. I also received a tip that he is considering suing the City of Arcata. Brett Watson also filed for divorce from Mary Watson last month.

I contacted Arcata City Manager Karen Diemer to ask if the City of Arcata had received anything from Watson.

Fourth election report April Van Dyke 61.09 percent

 




Fourth post election report with the same candidates in the lead. April Van Dyke with 61.09 % with about 1,000 more votes counted since last week.

79 year old Dennis Katri deceased in Humboldt Hill crash


 

One pet deceased, 5 million building damage in fire caused by "improper discarding of burnt aroma materials"

Late in the evening of March 27th at approximately 11:50 pm, Humboldt Bay Fire responded to a structure fire in an apartment building on the 400 block of L St. in Eureka. Three engines, one truck, two Chief Officers, and one Fire Support Volunteer responded. 

HCSO footage of Widmark OIS footage edited? HCSO deputies told not to write reports are some of the claims made at press conference by Jesse Widmark's attorney

 

(Ms. Andrea Sullivan)



I have been regularly reporting on Brandon and Jesse Widmark court cases. On January 25, I reported that the assault case against Brandon Widmark was dismissed by the People. The Widmark brothers, Brandon and Jesse, have two 2023 cases as co-defendants. They were held to answer to charges in both cases after the preliminary hearing. They were arraigned on information. Trial confirmation in both cases is scheduled on 6/11; jury trial on 6/24.

Jesse Widmark is represented by Ms. Andrea Sullivan. Brandon Widmark is represented by Ms. Rebecca Linkous. 

This morning, Ms. Sullivan held  a press conference in the theater at the Carson block building. Ms. Sullivan started by summarizing the background of footage. I have uploaded a video clip played to Facebook. The screenshots above are from Ms. Sullivan's presentation. The raw footage is from discovery provided to the defense.

Sheriff William Honsal is here. Investigator Cisco Lassiter is here and he is working on this case. Raw footage played today was provided through discovery. Sheriff Honsal did respond to media questions after the press conference. He thanked Ms. Sullivan for allowing him to be present today after the press conference and again when he spoke with media who attended outside. 

Ms. Sullivan opened with  today's press conference is about the officer involved shooting on 4/18/23. Jesse and Brandon Widmark are half brothers. Ms. Sullivan summarized the events of the day, the release of partial footage by HCSO all of which is information previously released and covered.

"There was a near failure of body cameras," said Ms. Sullivan. "Both brothers were shot multiple times, Jesse was shot 6 times. The Sheriff and Undersheriff told deputies not to prepare written reports."

Ms. Sullivan said edits were made to videos. "HCSO blamed my client. Jesse reaching for a weapon is contradicted by raw footage."

"It is important that these boys get a fair trial," said Ms. Sullivan. She said there was "material manipulation" and "evidence tampering and "the law enforcement was incredibly chaotic."

In response to media questions,  Ms. Sullivan said, "anything my client is alleged to have done that is illegal to law enforcement had passed by the time the video starts."

I asked Ms. Sullivan if she thought law enforcement used excessive force to take her client into custody. "We as a society don't generally shoot at surrendered suspects." There is a separate issue of civil liability.

Sheriff Honsal said, "These are pretty serious allegations." He received the announcement about the press conference yesterday. I asked him specifically about the excessive force and evidence tampering claims made by Ms. Sullivan.

Sheriff Honsal said that Ms. Sullivan misrepresented what would be the focus at the press conference today. Nothing presented today supported the excessive force claim, said Sheriff Honsal. He said what was presented today is a narrative Ms. Sullivan wants.

Sheriff Honsal said the District Attorney can use raw footage if they choose to in court. "We blur faces and that corresponds with public information" released by HCSO.  "We don't want to taint the jury pool. Ms. Sullivan would love a change of venue."

"The case went through a preliminary hearing," said Sheriff Honsal. "She could have cross examined my deputies. The DA and EPD did the investigation."

"Our deputies are victims," said Sheriff Honsal. "They are heroes in this case. They ( Widmark brothers) were going towards a preschool." Sheriff Honsal said there could have been other tragedies if it were not for law enforcement containment and taking the suspects into custody.

"The evidence in place is that Sgt. Conan Moore is firing at Brandon; not Jesse. The transcript of the preliminary hearing is public record."

Sheriff Honsal said that Deputy Chad Crotty had his weapon out. "You see the weapon on the body cam. Sgt. Moore saw a threat and took action.

Ms. Sullivan passed on responding to Sheriff Honsal's comments.

Exclusive details are that the DA and law enforcement had been informed in advance. There were supposed to be extra patrols in case there is a reaction to the information presented today. For his own safety, even Jesse Widmark did not know about the press conference in advance.

Mar 27, 2024

"Chicago John"'s bail hold lifted; "KGB" supervised release maybe modified or terminated

 


There have been a few changes in human trafficking and money laundering suspects Uonan Uonan aka "Chicago John" and Nicholas Machado aka "KGB" cases since my last post. Yesterday, Uonan's case was on for preliminary hearing and  source of bail. 

Alleged molestor Gary Landergen no longer living in Humboldt, jury trial continued again due to Humboldt courts being "impacted" as usual

 


Alleged molestor and former Fortuna High School coach Gary Landergen is no longer living in Humboldt County. He travels to Humboldt for his court hearings.

Samuel Sheldon Sims Eannarino is one of the rare arrests recently who isn't a repeat offender

 


Samuel Sheldon Sims Eannarino was arrested by Arcata Police Department yesterday for PC 496d(a) buying or receiving stolen motor vehicle, trailer, construction equipment, or vessel. He posted bond.

Mar 26, 2024

Why is a Sonoma County activist interested in Humboldt and targeting the same Councilmembers as recently failed candidate Roy Gomez?

 


(Adina Flores Facebook)



(Roy Gomez's Facebook)

About half an hour ago, Sonoma County activist Adina Flores whose bio includes working at the Sonoma County Gazette sent an email to Eureka Mayor Kim Bergel, Eureka City Councilmembers and some local media. It is a very lengthy email and I am including some screenshots. Ms. Flores links various articles, including one of mine.

Former Humboldt County agitator Renee Saucedo is no longer in Humboldt County. Ms. Flores' is raising some issues brought up by Roy Gomez? I have contacted the City of Eureka Assistant Manager Pam Powell as well as Mayor Bergel and Eureka Councilmembers about the email and cced City Attorney Autum Luna and City Manager Miles Slattery. 

County hires Foley & Lardner LLP in lawsuit filed last

 


On March 20, I was the first to report on this lawsuit filesd on 3/15 in Sacramento Superior Court. One part of my PRA response was answered last week about this lawsuit being on today's BOS agenda.

Today, I received an answer to the second part of my PRA request. Mr. Adam J. Hepworth from Foley & Lardner LLP will represent the County in this lawsuit. Foley and Lardner have offices nationwide  including LA, Sacramento and San Francisco.

Guns, infidelity and law enforcement training highlighted in jury selection and opening statements in Lt. Sam Williams trial

 




Twelve jurors, 4 men and 8 women were sworn in HCSO Lt. Sam Williams jury trial yesterday at 11:25 a.m. Alternate jurors were questioned until lunch. Court resumed at 1:30 and alternate jurors, two men and two women were sworn in at 1:45. Judge Timothy Canning read opening instructions to the jury. Deputy District Candace Myers gave her opening statement. Deputy Public Defender David Celli gave his opening statement. The first People's witness was Danielle Williams, Lt. Williams' wife. She does not look like her facebook profile photo I included in a previous post which is obviously not a recent photo. She was speaking very softly and confirmed they are still married. The second People's witness was Brian Kelsey, Jr. the alleged victim and Danielle Williams' lover.

No other media was in court and no one else in the audience.

Mar 25, 2024

Umpqua Bank robber held to answer for robbery after preliminary hearing

 


Umpqua Bank robber Jonathan Hening was charged with one count of PC 211 robbery.

Mixed verdict in Leggett's man trial; guilty on most counts

 


The Earl Castillo jury started deliberating on 3/21. This afternoon, the jury came back with a mixed verdict on the remaining counts. Not guilty on Count 8. Not guilty on Count 1 as charged but guilty of a lesser offense and guilty on remaining counts. Sentencing is on 4/12.

On 3/19, Count 6 was dismissed by People at defense request. On 3/21,there was a question from jury regarding unlawful turn movement. On 3/22 jury requested readback of People's witness Kimberly Ray and there was a question from jury regrading gross negligence and ordinary negligence.

Deputy District Attorney Emily Norgaard is the prosecutor. Deputy Conflict Counsel RJ Leohner is Castillo's attorney. Castillo was charged with killing Stephen Allen Ray.

Temporary restraining order requested by Danco granted, Bollman also charged with criminal threats against Dan Johnson, she now has 11 open cases

 


Keeping up with Aunna Bollman's open cases is getting ridiculous. She needs to be placed back in custody. Bollman now has a Eureka address in court records.

She now has 11 open cases, this includes the two restraining orders already requested and granted by the County and City of Fortuna. The threats and violence documented in petition are vulgar, specific graphic with poop emojis on several attached documents. Bollman was evicted by Danco.

This morning, there was a hearing in one of her 9  cases to modify the protective order filed by Conflict Counsel. She is charged with assault and elder abuse in the case on calendar this morning. The motion was denied and the preliminary hearing is scheduled for 4/17.

While checking on that case, I see a request restraining order filed by Harland Law Firm and Bollman is to be arraigned on that case on 3/29. Commissioner Sarah Kaber already granted Danco's request for a temporary restraining order. There is also a criminal case filed for PC 422 criminal threats against Dan Johnson filed with arraignment and bond status on 4/17 when all her other cases are scheduled.