from Thadeus Greenson’s story in today’s Times Standard about Chief Gunderson’s lawyer seeking a change of venue:
”The bottom line is that Humboldt County has been saturated with innumerable articles, broadcasts and cyber chat relating to this case,” [lawyer Russ] Clanton wrote. “The opportunity for a fair trial has been compromised by the tawdry, sordid themes that commercial journalism promotes in pursuit of profits.”
Jul. 3, 2008 at 11:42 am
The type of quote paid journalists live for.
Jul. 3, 2008 at 11:53 am
From Thad’s story….
“Clanton said that local blogs have gotten involved in the coverage, some making jokes at his client’s expense.”
But two local bloggers — Rose and Fred Mangels — love Gunderson. Paul Gallegos has some ammo to counter this argument by citing comments and posts from Rose and Fred in support of Gunderson to prove that the entire potential jury pool is not biased against his client.
Rose, Mr. Gallegos thanks you.
Jul. 3, 2008 at 1:51 pm
The word “titillated” was grossly misused by Mr. Clanton. Yuk.
Jul. 3, 2008 at 10:28 pm
Interesting that he’d bring blogs into the fray.Wondering if the general support the cops at all cost crowd would like to see Cherie Moore’s,Chris Burgess’s or Martin Cotton’s family use the blogs as fodder for their suits against law enforcement,for evidence of the possibility of tainted juries.
Jul. 4, 2008 at 9:30 am
Andrew, you just don’t know how to read.
Jul. 4, 2008 at 10:16 am
What Fred and I have said from day one that something about this doesn’t look good. And facts have shown us to be right. What I have done, and what offends Andrew and Gallegos’ choir, is simply post the facts that have come out in the articles, and keep a running list of links to all the articles - including one that shows what happened the last time Gundersen faced the lynch mob. The people in that case were oh-so-sure that they had him dead to rights and he ended up with a 6 figure settlement. So, looking at that, to simply say “hmmm, could the same sort of thing happen here?” becomes “you’re defending a rapist!” “You love Gundersen!”
In fact, I have not heard a single person defend Gundersen. (They get that same funny look on their face as they have when you say the name Hislop.) (That would be Gallegos’ investigator.)
But - I’ll say this, Gallegos’ wife representing the ex-wife, (who is integrally involved in this) in a custody dispute against Gundersen is problematic at the very least.
I’m looking, not at Gundersen, who is peripheral to the problem, but at Gallegos himself, whose schizophrenic choices for prosecution justify scrutiny.
This is a man who prosecutes linkSean Marsh for allowing his child to walk a few feet ahead of him, but tries to make allowances for a child beater……Resuming his analysis, Mr. Gallegos explained that this defendant had three different personalities. The first was that of a severely abused toddler, the second (I’m a little hazy on this one) of a neglected child through adolescence, and the third of a properly functioning adult. Mr. Gallegos, in all seriousness, rhetorically asked us to advise him which one of the personalities he should prosecute?… (That’s the late Mickey Fleschner describing a Gallegos appearance at a Trinidad Chamber of Commerce dinner meeting where Gallegos …referenced a pending case in sufficient detail for us to understand the defendant’s identity, After defining for us a psychological condition called “multiple personality disorder,” he paused to make these admonitions:
He presumed that none of us in the audience was in the “jury pool” of potential jurors in the case.
He cautioned us that we should not talk widely about this matter, hoping we would keep this example amongst ourselves.
He advised us that any of us called as jurors in this case would have to recuse ourselves form jury duty…
In the Gundersen case, besides the conflict of his wife’s involvement, and Gallegos’ known desire to get a cop, you have him releasing the name of a sexual assault victim, apparently threatening the victim-witness, and offering her immunity for god knows what - any reporter should be asking questions. You listening Andrew?
Jul. 4, 2008 at 8:39 pm
Yep, I knew my Beef-A-Roni post would cause some pretty far reaching consequences. Blogs rule!
Jul. 5, 2008 at 9:19 am
Rose and Carol…….
STOP YOUR TROLLISH NONSENSE AND GO BACK TO SCHOLL TO LEARN YOUR ENGLISH !
Jul. 5, 2008 at 9:19 am
That’s…school ! Your grammer is catchy !
Jul. 5, 2008 at 4:00 pm
Andrew, there are problems with the idea of submitting blog posts in opposition to a motion to change venue. First, of course, is that not all posts necessarily come from within the vicinage, so there is a relevance issue. Secondly, the fact or circumstance that the issue has been hotly debated within the community and that people have taken sides actually supports a change of venue. Thirdly, as far as Rose’s site goes anyway, (I don’t know who Fred is, sorry) I believe that it is not accuarate to say people who post there (and Rose) love Mr. Gunderson; I think it is more accurate to say that posts on Watchpaul indicate that a lot of people think Mr. Gallegos is a blithering idiot.
Jul. 6, 2008 at 9:47 am
Gallegos IS a blithering idiot. he’s a pretty good surfer though.
Jul. 7, 2008 at 11:05 am
No he attempts to surf and can stand up.
Jul. 7, 2008 at 4:57 pm
It says my Jul. 4, 2008 at 10:16 am comment is awaiting moderation so I don’t know if any of you can see it, but it essentially says that I’m looking, not at Gundersen, who is peripheral to the problem, but at Gallegos himself, whose schizophrenic choices for prosecution justify scrutiny. Such as going after Sean Marsh but making excuses for a guy who beat his kid to death or near death. Politically motivated cases like Palco and Debi August, and it looks like, Douglas and Zanotti and maybe even Gundersen.
Jul. 7, 2008 at 6:17 pm
You have to be kidding. Gunderson doesn’t get a pass on the dozens of rape and weapons felonies just so you can be satisfied that Gallegos isn’t picking on him for being a cop.
Jul. 8, 2008 at 12:27 pm
that’s alleged felonies, heraldo. try to think of him as a meth soaked knife wielding juvenile probation violator, and maybe you can level your own playing field.
Jul. 8, 2008 at 12:32 pm
Gunderson doesn’t get a pass on being charged with crimes, wise guy. He’s going through a criminal process to determine his guilt or non-guilt, just like anyone with such supporting evidence should.
Jul. 8, 2008 at 2:10 pm
that’s alleged felonies, heraldo. try to think of him as a meth soaked knife wielding juvenile probation violator, and maybe you can level your own playing field.
Yeah, nothing like the level playing field of bringing a knife to a gunfight. I mean, that kid could have stabbed a tree or something, good thing Liles was on hand to prevent that tragedy from happening.
As for tawdry, maybe if Gundersen wasn’t facing multiple counts of drugging women and then raping them this story would have a little more class.
Jul. 9, 2008 at 3:25 pm
knives are actually fairly dangerous items, as
the British are discovering in a bit of a panic.
and as for stabbing a tree, heaven forfend. this is humboldt. stabbing a tree, as opposed to stabbing a human (or a probation officer or police officer) might actually arouse public interest.
Not as much as stabbing a kitten or a puppy,
but close.
Jul. 10, 2008 at 5:26 pm
Heraldo,for all your blog work and writing skills, sadly you are idiot.