May 16, 2025

"Yesterday, EPIC and a coalition of environmental groups filed an amicus brief in a lawsuit brought by 17 states + DC and the wind power industry against Trump's executive order against offshore wind."




Tom Wheeler sent out legal filings and a press release. I have not seen it yet on other media with a message. The press release is lengthy. You can find the two documents online so I am only including the first page.

"Yesterday, EPIC and a coalition of environmental groups filed an amicus brief in a lawsuit brought by 17 states + DC and the wind power industry against Trump's executive order against offshore wind. We believe that Trump's order is hostile to the truth—that wind energy, when responsibly developed, can be a significant public good—and inappropriately weaponizes environmental laws in order to further the interests of fossil fuel companies."

City of Eureka to allow three hours of public comment regarding camping ordinance at May 20 City Council meeting

The City of Eureka will provide up to three hours of public comment during the City Council meeting scheduled for Tuesday, May 20, 2025, regarding Item H.1 — Bill No. 1040-C.S., the proposed Camping Ordinance. 

Hearings rescheduled in Stobaugh case; as for other issues public can decide if all parties are being treated fairly

 


I just did a post on the motion to continue by the District Attorney and receipt of subpoenaed records in sexually violent predator Richard Stobaugh's case. So this post will be only be an update with new information from today's hearing.

At 8:17 a.m., Judge Kaleb Cockrum asked Deputy District Attorney Whitney Timm if she wanted to come inside the courtroom. She was here waiting outside Courtroom.2. I was here early since Judge Cockrum had not made a decision on my media request yesterday. This morning I was told that Judge Cockrum is going to address media requests in open court. I don't know yet if KRCR/KAEF NorthCoast News request has been granted. In my media request, I wrote that I hope my blunt coverage of Judge Cockrum will not impact my media request. Once again, Judge Cockrum used his courtroom to waste time and show he has power when he could have denied and granted the requests just as every other judge. He usually cites specific law. He did not today.

8:22 a.m. Public Defender Luke Brownfield was let into the courtroom.

Dates have changed. There are three more hearings scheduled. The next hearing is on for receipt of subpoenaed records. That update will be added to this post.

You can decide after you read my coverage from today if Judge Cockrum is being fair in his decisions regarding other media and me and whether he is being fair to the DA and the public. Even Mr. Brownfield was fair and had the same objection to media requests. Judge Cockrum's denial of my media request but allowing KRCR's request which the same law he cited would apply to shows he is punishing me because I covered facts left out by other media. He is punishing me because I reported about his ruling in Trevor Earley was overturned on appeal. 

There is no law prohibiting taking a photo of a convicted sexually violent predator. Then his denial of yet another request by Ms. Timm about public access shows he is on a power trip and petty and being selective about who he choses to punish. He is using his robe to punish who he wants in the courtroom.

Unlike Judge Cockrum, I didn't publish a complaint about him because I apply the same criteria to all news tips. This claim is setting off some red flags, there is no evidence to corroborate was claimed. To that person, I am not the Commission on Judicial Performance. That is the agency who gets paid to protect the public and hold judges accountable. There is nothing in what was sent to me so far that indicates there is anything to what you claim, let alone it being newsworthy.

Judge Kelly Neel in the Daryl Jones case gave valid reasons for denying the media requests and also made the same decision for both KRCR and me. 

Let's see if the pattern to only deny me continues. In the past, my media requests have been granted.

NorthCoast News was not in the courtroom.  No other media was in the courtroom.

When the courtroom opened, Judge Cockrum first addressed receipt of subpoenaed records requested by the DA. He told Ms. Timm that "madame clerk had checked this morning and there are no additional records in the Court's file."

Ms.TImm told Judge Cockrum the State Department told her records would be ready today.

California Department Jane Hu said, "I haven't received copy of records." She offered to assist Ms. Timm. Either Ms. Hu or another attorney will appear at the 5/20 hearing which is for receipt of the same records.

May 15, 2025

Citizens for a Better Eureka looking into options including appealing yesterday's ruling to the State Supreme Court and say they will "push forward" on three other active lawsuits against the City of Eureka

 


Yesterday, I did this post. I reached out to City of Eureka, Wiyot Tribe and Ms. Gail Rymer, spokesperson for Citizen's for a Better Eureka.

CA AG issues legal alert authorizing new civil penalties for housing law violations



Doctor's report in for Daryl Jones, media requests denied, thanks to court scheduling and second judge disqualification today's hearing delayed for hours

 


Terroristic and criminals threat suspect Daryl Jones two cases were on for receipt of Dr. Mark Lamer's request this morning. I reported on May 9 about a second case filed by the DA charging Jones with criminal threats.

My second media request for Jones' booking photo was denied by Humboldt Presiding Judge Kelly Neel for the same reason as last time. Judge Neel said it is too early in the proceedings and identity maybe an issue and could impact a fair and impartial hearing. Criminal proceedings are currently suspended in both cases. KRCR/KAEF's first media request filed was also denied for the same reason.

Ms. Joanne Carter who represents one of the alleged victims in the case the first case filed for alleged threats to local schools and businesses was in court.

9:55 p.m.: Despite Judge Steven Steward being disqualified, today is the second time this case was scheduled before him. Since 8:30 a.m. attorneys, myself and NorthCoast News in this case have been sitting around in Courtroom 3. Thankfully, Judge Steward asked the court clerk to reach out to see if another judicial officer was available. The case has been sent to Courtroom 1 in front of Judge Cockrum to be called alongwith the 10:15 calendar.

10:17: Judge Cockrum disqualified himself since "my family was victim." Judge Cockrum later added his son one of the alleged victims. The case is now sent to Retired Visiting Judge Ksenia Tsenin. This case was charged and arraigned a month ago? Why didn't Judge Cockrum disqualify himself earlier? He knew there was a conflict.

Jones is no longer in admin segregation since he was in court in a regular orange jumpsuit. Deputy District Attorney Roger Rees is the prosecutor for this case. Conflict Counsel Supervising Attorney Meagan O'Connell is Jones' attorney.

Mr. Rees said that while Dr. Mark Lamers said Jones is not competent to stand trial, he "indicated concerns" that Jones was "malingering, deceitful" and mentioned Jones' "lack of credibility." For these reasons, a  second evaluation is being done by Dr. Ken Loya. 

Ms. O'Connell said that Dr. Lamers indicated Jones had a cognitive disability and she "was not sure" why Dr. Lamers was not doing  a psychiatric evaluation himself. Ms. O' Connell asked for a referral to Redwood Regional Center to see if Jones is eligible for their services.

Judge Tsenin ordered that Dr. Lamers to evaluate Jones for competency as well as cognitive disability. A referral was also made to Redwood Regional Center. Receipt of reports on June 25.

There were two people in court  who could be alleged victims or family members of alleged victims. Other people appeared via Zoom. 

Jennifer Facer arrested by EPD for failure to register as a sex offender

Jennifer Lynn Facer was arrested yesterday by Eureka Police Department for PC 290(b) failure to register as a sex offender. According to EPD, the conviction is out of Florida. 




Fortunately since Florida is not affected by the Ninth Circuit ruling, I can post Facer's booking photo. Other information about the sex offender is better than California's Megan Law website.

Facer has one 2025 criminal case that was dismissed and an upcoming court date this month for a 2025 traffic case in Humboldt Superior Court.

DA files motion to continue sexually violent predator Richard Stobaugh's hearing

 


Yesterday, I noticed a new date for a motion to continue filed by the DA scheduled for 5/16 scheduled in sexually violent predator Richard Stobaugh's case. E court has no details whether that is for the 5/21 or 7/14 hearing. The case is also on for receipt of subpoenaed records by the DA. 

9:19 a.m.: I followed up and confirmed the continuance is for the 5/21 evidentiary hearing regarding the alleged possession of child pornography. Given the volume of discovery handed to the DA last minute last week and the new development of the allegation that Stobaugh possessed  child pornography at the State Hospital, this continuance is no surprise.

Both myself and KRCR have also submitted media requests for Stobaugh. No decision on that yet, as of this morning.

This morning, Humboldt Superior Court Assistant Court Operations Manager asked me, "If I was going to write about the DA's motion to continue?" This while I am trying to check on multiple court minutes and this morning's court cases before a very busy morning and 8:30 calendar. The motion is tomorrow. He then said something about the poor public defender. I reminded him of the stats and numerous continuances by the Public Defender's office and that is not just in this case. I didn't have to say compared to the requests by the DA. Then he said something about the optics and the DA. I reminded him, optics also apply to Judges. 

Want to solve shortstaffing in the courts and agencies who work with the courts? Start with disbanding the cliques and Humboldt DOGE every department and reward good management. It isn't as if the California Judicial Council or State Bar of California will actually do their jobs or Gavin Newsom to address local or state abuse of power and incompetence. 

May 14, 2025

Citizens for a Better Eureka loses again, City of Eureka and Wiyot Tribe awarded costs on appeal, Judge Feeney ruling affirmed

 






In Citizens for a Better Eureka v. City of Eureka, case number A170214 in the California First Apellate District, the final disposition and an opinion was issued today.

"The order dismissing the petition for writ of mandate and complaint for declaratory and injunctive relief is affirmed. Respondents and the Tribe are awarded costs on appeal. (Cal. Rules of Court, rule 8.278(a)(1), (2).)"

So far, Citizens for a Better Eureka and Brad Johnson 0; City of Eureka, former City of Eureka attorney Autumn Luna and Wiyot Tribe 2.  Humboldt Superior Court Retired Judge John Feeney's ruling affirmed.

I am not going to add the entire ruling. You can read it online if you want. Other than lawyers and people who think CEQA is "exciting reading", most of the 22 pages will bore the average reader. I have added 4 pages that should give even a new reader some basic information.

I have contacted the City of Eureka; Wiyot tribe's attorney Ms. Siena Kalina, associate at Berkey Williams LLP and Citizens for a Better Eureka spokesperson Gail Rymer. City of Eureka Assistant Manager and Clerk Pam Powell has forwarded my request to current City of Eureka Attorney, Mr. Robert Black. Ms. Rymer is also working on getting me a response. Replies will be added to the post which could be today but more likely tomorrow.

May 13, 2025

Federal jury indicts suspended judge Hannah Dugan after testimony from her court clerk, a fellow juge and the former attorney of Eduardo Flores-Ruiz





Witnesses included Alan Freed Jr. who was  Dugan's court clerk; Mercedes de la Rosa the former attorney for Eduardo Flores-Ruiz who is in the U.S. illegally. De la Rosa withdrew from Ruiz's case and Milwaukee County Judge Kristela Cervera, a misdemeanor judge whose courtroom is next to Dugan's. She arrived and left with her defense attorney, Mr. Michael F. Hart.

May 15 is the next court date where suspended Judge Hannah Dugan is expected to enter a not guilty plea.

Second time in two consecutive court days, David Celli had to fill in for two deputy public defenders; one was a no show in court

Deputy Public Defender David Celli had to fill in for the second time for a colleague on two consecutive court days. On Friday, for Deputy Public Defender Wade Orbelian. Yesterday for Deputy Public Defender Emery Welton. Today, Mr. Celli was at the Board of Supervisors meeting. Where is Public Defender Luke Brownfield? 

Sheriff William Honsal showed up for his office today at the Board of Supervisors meeting. District Attorney Stacey Eads showed up a few minutes after Deputy DA Carolyn Schaffer. Mr. Celli was there and I did not see anyone else from the Public Defender's office while I was there.

Maybe we should just make Mr. Celli the public defender since deputy PDs MIA and not in court is quite frequent. The current Public Defender should be doing what other attorneys in his office end up handling in court. Mr. Brownfield who told Judge Kaleb Cockrum, "what do you want me to do?"  when Richard Stobaugh was not on Zoom in court at the last hearing. The California Department of State Hospitals' attorney had to handle Brownfield's job.

The County is paying an out of area law firm to defend Brownfield and former Public Defender Marek Reavis in the lawsuit filed by former Public Defender Rory Kalin. Gregory Kreis, the third co-defendant in that case settled with Kalin. 

I doubt First District Rex Bohn is going to do anything about Luke Brownfield and some of the other Public Defender's lackadaiscal behavior. They are being paid by the taxpayers. I would hope the other four Supervisors look closely at the PD's position and how the office is being run since budgets are an issue. Conflict Counsel is a much smaller office and staff and they show up for court and they don't have an attitude like certain people from the Public Defender's office. 

5/14: I received an email from Mr. Brownfield today saying he and Deputy Public Defender Ryan McClurg spoke at the meeting.

Mr. Brownfield: " I saw you reported on the board of Supervisor meeting. Just wanted to let you know that all my attorneys who weren’t in court were present. Dave Celli, Ryan McClurg and I all spoke. Here is the Times Standard article if you have more interest in what happened at the meeting."

My response:  "Thanks for the email. I don't need to read a report of the Times Standard 1. Their reporting is late and often inaccurate. That may not be the case in this instance.  2. They have a paywall 3. I reported what I saw while I was at the meeting while I was there. I don't report on one story a day or in a week and unlike the TS, I don't have the have the time or luxury to sit around and watch a video later. 5. I have written about short staffing in the courts on a regular basis. My observations that certain PDs were not in court are based on court records and live court coverage. 

I will add to my post that you emailed me and that you and Mr. McClurg also spoke."

5/14: Make that third time in less than a week for Mr. Celli. Today, he appeared in court for Deputy Public Defender Adrian Kamada on Alyssa Brook's case. When I came out of Courtroom 3, Mr. Brownfield was sitting outside court.

Even with an ankle monitor, Sean Lundy fails to appear for court, that is what happens when there is no fear of consequences

 



Sean Lundy. No show in court yesterday. His Deputy Public Defenser. No show in court. Deputy Public Defender David Celli had to fill in for Deputy Public Defender Emery Welton.  

Thankfully the case yesterday was in front of Judge Timothy Canning and not Judge Kaleb Cockrum whose poor decision thwarted the DA's effort to keep the public safe. I wrote about my direct experiences with Lundy more than once so this isn't a hypothetical concern. 

Judge Canning issued a bench warrant for $25,000 but it is held until 5/16.Lundy should not be put on mental health diversion and that has been obvious even before this latest failure by Lundy to follow the law. Deputy District Attorney Rebecca Buckley-Stein has opposed the defense request for mental health diversion.

With Ms. Andrea Sullivan relocating, Jackson Parrott's new court appointed attorney is Gregory Kreis

 



I had previously reported that private attorney Ms. Andrea Sullivan is relocating to Southern California. 

She was one of the few private attorneys who regularly took court appointments and in serious cases. Thete was a directed verdict in convicted felon Jackson Parrott attempted murder, mayhem and torture case granted by Judge Kaleb Cockrum. Parrot still has to be sentenced. I had heard quite a few cases that Ms. Sullivan was appointed on would be going to Mr. Gregory Kreis. Yesterday, he was court appointed to represent Parrott. Setting of sentencing was continued again with three future dates scheduled for 5/15, 7/29 and 8/11.

May 12, 2025

Evolution Hospitality, LLC sues Benbow Inn, Inc, Rogue River Investments LLC and Benbow Valley Investments LLC for $398, 714.28, attorney fees and other relief

Today, there was a case management conference scheduled in a lawsuit filed by Evolution Hospitality, LLC against The Benbow Inn, Inc for breach of written contract. 


A cross complaint was filed in January 2025. The defendants filed an answer on 5/8/25 denying "both generally and specifically each and every allegation" and the plaintiffs "take nothing."

Evolution claims it is owed $398, 714.28 and details of what else is requested is in court documents provided. Evolution is represented by two attorneys from the Los Angeles firm Saul Ewing LLP.