The online comments from the Times Standard Story on the shooting of Jonni Honda are included here - posted as the first comment on this post - for those who cannot access the comments on the TS site. There were 113 comments at the time. For more up to date comments go to Standoff ends in shooting
Click on comments - below
1 comment:
With all of the negative, uninformed and just plain ignorant rantings of people that are anti-police, I felt the need to express my opinion, too. I support my local Police department 100%. I support EPD, FPD, APD and all the PDs in between. Police work is tough, stressful and one of the most thankless jobs out there. No one appreciates police presence unless they are a victim of a crime. It shouldn't be that way. These men and women go to work every day, knowing that they are putting their lives at risk- EVERY DAY. Can you say that about your job? And I am always amazed at the arrogance of people that say, "oh, this cop has it out for me, he's trying to get me." Do you really think you are worth that officers time? Police officers have way to much on their plate every day to "have it out" for someone. I'm not saying they won't remember you and your attitude, but they have more important ways to spend their time than think of ways to plot against the common dirt bag. I have always supported police officers, knowing that it's a difficult job. Now that I happen to be married to one, I not only respect them more for the job they do, I become incensed at people for not giving them the benefit of the doubt. This isn't LA. Sure, there are the random police officers that have a power trip- but you can't assume that every police officer is thinking, "Hm..who can I shoot today?" IT IS JUST NOT LIKE THAT! The general population doesn't even come close to understanding what the job is like. Police officers are on duty 24/7. They may not be riding around in their cruiser, but they are on duty. Sitting at home, thinking about that child abuse case they had earlier in the week, thinking about the meth lab that they know is there but they need evidence and a warrant before they can take it down, thinking about the rape victim that can't identify her attacker, the old woman who's caregiver is neglecting her and robbing her blind, but there just aren't enough APS workers to help out. Point made. It takes someone of incredible strength- morally, emotionally, physically- to deal with the crap that our is our current society. One officer I know described it as being, "knee deep in the human condition." Can't argue with that. In closing, thank you, EPD, FPD, APD, etc.
Elizabeth G. H.
Elizabeth H. | 12.12.06 - 6:57 am | #
To the cowardly anonymous alleged ex cop who fled the area. I am not a cop hater and doubt I am well known...I just "hate" the fact that they do not do their job. I "hate" the fact that they do not protect us, use lame excuses for not doing so and vilify anyone as being the hated enemy, "a cop hater", who dares to question the fact that they are out shooting women and children while all these violent parolees are at large committing crimes. It is because I love law and order that I hate the corruption and the cowardice of those in law enforcement. When your inept and corrupt brethren start protecting us I will be the first to offer the praise you all crave so very much. If it is true as I have heard that some major heroin suppliers have been busted then I congratulate those officers responsible even if it was just protecting local drug dealing turf from Mexicans or some such. Now maybe you can come get your heavily armed drug dealing buddies here in my neighborhood where Christopher Burgess grew up. The big drug movers here openly brag that they are well connected and can do anything they want.
The fact that you demonstrate very well in your out of hand dismissal of my argument with a smear, that law enforcement personal are severely segregated along an "us and them" line is a huge part of the problem and no doubt why I will never get protection if I dare to ask and why criminals all sport "Sheriff's Assc." and "DARE" stickers on their vehicles when they are moving drugs, AK47s and stolen items down the road. If law enforcement were not corrupt and part of a corrupt government they would be loved universally outside of the criminal community, the opposite of the way it is now.
Noel Adamson | Homepage | 12.11.06 - 4:33 pm | #
I almost didn't respond to this string, because so many comments are so painfully poorly thought out and articulated. In the end, I felt I had to write, in the hope that some facts might get through to some readers.
I agree with those who've condemned the broad generalizations about those on both sides of this argument, and I promise to refrain from any such judgments or assumptions.
To those who've painted the officers involved in this case as eager to pull a trigger, I beg you to read all accounts again. Days of waiting, countless attempts to communicate, at least 9 rounds of tear gas in at least 3 different volleys, and two taser shots. How much nonlethal force would you consider reasonable?
"Shoot him once in the leg"??? Are you serious? Even as a cliche this idea has died an overdue death. A gunshot wound to the leg isn't even incapacitating in old movies, let alone in the real world! So how do you envision this playing out: Shoot the suspect in one calf and ask him again to put down his gun? If he doesn't comply, do you shoot him in the other calf, and ask again? What next, the kneecaps? Then the thighs? How far would you take this preposterous scenario?
I've personally seen people shot numerous times who still had plenty of fight left in them, and remained determined to do lethal harm to someone. If I was in fear for my own life or those of colleagues and others around me, I would aim for a lethal point and shoot repeatedly.
By all credible accounts of this case, this criminal had days to consider his actions and to put down his weapons before coming out the door. (Calling Mr. Honda a criminal is not a reference to the Trinity County allegations, but to his clearly illegal acts during the past few days of his life)
Unfortunately, "suicide by cop" has become another cliche over the past couple of decades. ANYONE who brandishes a gun, knife, or anything else that appears to be a deadly weapon, in a threatening way in the presence of a cop should expect nothing less than the pre-emptive use of deadly force to eliminate that threat. To suggest that none of the recent three victims of officer-involved shootings made that choice, well, that just plain defies reason. If any of us blew past a motocycle cop at 60 MPH in a school zone, we should expect to be stopped and ticketed. That traffic cop isn't a bad guy for doing his job. In fact he'd be a bad guy if he did nothing, and a couple of third graders got mowed down in the crossing a week later because enforcement had been lax.
Many accounts, and at least one post here, quote Jonni as saying he wouldn't be taken alive, and mentioning "suicide by cop". How naive can anyone be in trying to absolve him of blame for his own ugly shooting?
Finally, I'll say I knew the man for years, and, sadly, was not surprised to learn that he died the way he did. The manner of his death is tragic for all concerned, and my heart goes out to his
A different neighbor | 12.11.06 - 12:21 am | #
I am friends with Chief Murl as well as several other police officers. We camp at the river and drink beer. We hunt for deer. I think that shooting them criminals and shooting deers is pretty much the same thing.
I also think that it is necessary for cops to shoot a citizen every once in a while, you know, to keep them in check. It's necessary. You have to keep them afraid of you, keep em' on their toes. That's what we say during our campouts and it's true. I don't care what any of you think because you're not a law enforcement official and you don't know what it's like so shut your trap.
Cousin Jerry | Homepage | 12.10.06 - 7:29 pm | #
Sorry 'Vern's Daughter', the reality is that he did point a gun at police officers, thats why he got shot. Everything else in this mans life was unfortunate, but none of that matters now.
J. | 12.10.06 - 6:42 pm | #
The allegations that those three girls had accused Jonni of may or may not of happened. None of us really know, except Jonni and the three girls. This could of easily happened to anyone else. It almost happened to my dad, only because the girl wanted to live in town with her 32 year old boyfriend and naturally what parent wouldn't want their 16 year old daughter to?! Vern raised me and I wouldn't want it any other way. Yes, maybe Jonni was an asshole sometimes. That is not the issue PEOPLE!!!! He fought the first case as well as he could, then he ran out of money. Then another case came up against him. How much can one person handle before going off the deep end and just giving up?! I have lived here only two years and I feel that the WHOLE system is messed up, so if he would of gone through this all over again, the Judge would of found him guilty no matter if he did it or not! For the majority of the people who live in Trinity County, they know this also! Jonni should not of gotten shot. He wouldn't of hurt anyone. He was already down and he didn't point the gun at anyone. He was basically shot for not going to court. I wouldn't of gone back to court either. I would of just ran a lot further away. Because of how this county works. ALL of it!!!!!! Those girls just wanted a way out of his home. Not because of their lies they accused him of. But just for the same reasons any teenager would rather be, almost anywhere but at home all the time. That was their way out!! Like I said, it could happen to any parent or foster parent. Jonni gave those girls a life that they couldn't have anywhere else. He chose to be a foster parent to give those girls what they needed. I truly hope this eats at those girls for the rest of their lives. None of us will ever know,except for those girls. Which foster parent is going to go through this again and ruin some more lives? IS
Vern's daughter | 12.10.06 - 6:17 pm | #
"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." George Orwell
Anonymous | 12.10.06 - 2:47 pm | #
AND DO IT RIGHT NOT BY KILLING BY TAKING THE GUILTY IN PROTECT AND SERVE DON'T KILL AND BRAG!!!!
JEN | 12.10.06 - 12:34 pm | #
really what kind of example are cops setting they used to be heros and now all the young ppl think they just kill so why shouldn't they. set an example be the hero not the enemy and for f*** sakes DO UR DAMN JOB!!!!
JEN | 12.10.06 - 12:33 pm | #
i think that it is very unfair to point out someone by name like that i have plenty of names i can say but i'm bigger then that... i am not a cop hater i have a lot of respect for cops or did untill recently when i called them and they did nothing for me, i know now that i will not call the cops if a situation like before happens its my property and nothing happend to the little skanks that violted my mother and my father along with my rights, so the cops are setting a horrible example. deal with it urself unless they feel like shooting someone that day.. what a joke. i have a family member who is a former cop because she along with me do not agree with the corrupt things that happen inside as well as outside the station. I really only have respect for one sheriff in this county and she is new to the force i just hope to god that the force doesn't change her and eat her up like it has every other badge wearing arrogant person and i can not say that i know all cops so i don't want to say they are all bad... but train more work harder and kill less!!!
JEN | 12.10.06 - 12:31 pm | #
I left law enforcement in Humboldt County about 8 months ago. I moved to another state and am pursuing a different career. I can attest to a few things: Eureka is an EXTREMELY violent town. Unbelievably so. It's one of the first stops for some of California's most VIOLENT felons: Pelican Bay parolees. Eureka's population of parolees is astronomical - to the point that State Parole CANNOT keep up with them. Call it whatever you want, and cite whatever reasons you want, but these people are extremely violent and are responsible for a good portion of the crime in Eureka, and a slightly lesser portion of the crime in the rest of the county. Now, this is only a part of the problem. Not the root of the problem. I'm only using this to cite the fact that Eureka has a major major problem that is well known, yet never taken head-on and addressed. It's like that ugly mole on your back. You know it's there, but nothing's really done about it. The town I worked in is much less violent, yet was only a few miles away. I would never taken a job at EPD because of the stuff they have to deal with.
I have trained with EPD's SWAT team. I am thoroughly impressed with their skill, professionalism, dedication, and the level of their training. EPD has been having staffing shortages for years because they don't pay what an officer deserves to make for the workload and level of risk that EPD officers take. They are an incredibly busy department, as well as being underfunded; yet the SWAT team trains regularly and is a tight-knit unit. I would whole-heartedly rely on them for my safety.
Furthermore, I am troubled by those who think because they've watched a few episodes of COPS that they have a good idea of 1) what happened at the scene, and 2) how the Police SHOULD have responded. This is a very narrow, black-and-white view. One thing I learned in Law Enforcement is that there are more shades of grey than one would have ever thought. The decisions that I had to make were mostly never fun to make. It always seemed like it was a lose-lose proposition. Damned if you do, damned if you don't. On top of that, you have a segment of the population in Humboldt County that are simply cop-haters. There is nothing that could be done or said that would win them over. Noel Adamson is a well known Cop hater. He calls for citizen review boards as a "solution". They're not. What ends up happening is that the review board examines all of the facts and ends up agreeing and supporting what the officer did. Noel makes it sound like he'd be satisfied with Law Enforcement if the review boards were instituted. Not going to happen. He'll always be a cop-hater, and this would only be one step in his effort to destabilize this part of the justice (not perfect) system.
You know, I should have been a firefighter. You're a hero, no matter what you do. Cops. Nobody wants you around unless they suddenly have a problem and need your help. Then they are usually not happy anyway.
Anonymous | 12.10.06 - 12:18 pm | #
JH it is too bad your book smarts didn't teach you that when using a weapon against an officer will result in unfavorable consequences. Also the guy shot is not the only victim. Maybe you should step into the shoes of law enforcement to see how the officer that had no other choice (if they were out to kill this guy they wouldn't have waited 30 hours) but to defend himself and others feels now that he has gone through this. We are all humans. Book smarts don't get you everywhere in life. Try learning some street smarts.
Annon. | 12.10.06 - 11:29 am | #
David, Let me proceed and calculate just who it is that you are. Let me guess, you are on SSI for a mental disability, but, for whatever reasons unknown, you have never been involved with law enforcement. Well, hey, I haven't either. They don't bother me, I am not a young, poor, or mentally disabled person. David, please DO NOT assume that because you are mentally challenged, that you will be o.k. "They" are out to get us all...............j/k
JH | 12.10.06 - 4:28 am | #
David, you even quoted me saying "Humboldt County has a higher unexplained death rate" David and that includes many from gun shot wounds and other causes not directly related to drug use. I have lived in this county for a long time and have listened to law enforcement officers say "we don't investigate 'hippie' murders", had friends call for help when being attacked by violent armed people only to be refused, seen law enforcement circumnavigate heavily armed drug production sites to bust some "hippie" with 6 pot plants etc. Do you think the meth lab bust rate reflects the number of these nasty operations going on in Humboldt County, including Eureka?
Police shootings of unarmed and lightly armed people are not new this year either. Crime rates for L.A. and other large cities are generally higher but more often investigated and identified as crimes. The hills of Humboldt County are undoubtedly filled with unmarked graves. By targeting the most defenseless amongst us rather than defending the most defenseless law enforcement are "defending themselves". By protecting the powerful, regardless of how their power is derived, they are "defending themselves" and clearly know which side their bread is buttered on. After a quick search at this late hour I could only find a list of the top 10 most dangerous jobs in America and, as usual the most dangerous is logging. If you want to award support to those who risk their lives for us reward loggers, the folks who put fish on your table and taxi drivers. Law enforcement officers are generally pretty far from the top ten. Eureka may be the subject of this thread but it is not atypical amongst law enforcement agencies in America, the most imprisoned nation on earth, today. It is time we fix our country.
Noel Adamson | Homepage | 12.10.06 - 4:12 am | #
No, I do not think that I am the fool. I do, however, think that you are. I don't give one flying poop about where he was from, all that I know is that he was killed here. And, yes, your grammar (with an a), and your spelling- is really bad (please DO NOT compare yours to mine). These grammatical errors could lead someone (with an education) to believe that it is merely one indicative factor in determining your intelligence. However, it does seem to compliment your ideologies and values. You certainly sum yourself up in such few words, such as telling everyone that they are a "fool". Nice try pal, but drop it.......
JH | 12.10.06 - 4:11 am | #
JH, who cares about spelling, I'm not writing for spelling purposes. My gramer is no worse than yours. And do I care if another citizen of Eureka has been killed, this guy wasn't a citizen of Eureka, he fled here, he was from Trinity you fool, read the articles and keep your mouth shut, you're the FOOL!!!
David | 12.10.06 - 3:29 am | #
"I think Humboldt County has a higher murder rate, or at least "unexplained death" rate than L.A." Have you ever lived in LA??? If you haven't then don't think because it makes you look like a fool. Most of the "unexplained deaths" in Eureka are due to drugs or drug related issues, not many shooting by police, yes we have had 3 this year and for a long time there hasn't been any. You go to LA or New York, sure you don't "hear" about that many either, but there are more than you think.
I had a friend who's son was killed he was 13 years old. Now the courts let this guy go as they said he wasn't a bad person. Tell that to my friend and his wife, did their son deserve to die, no! was he running from the police, no! He was sitting in a car when this guy got pissed and ran the car off the road and pulled the trigger killing this young man. You all sit and say our courts are corrupt, it's not the courts it's not the system, the people who are voted in to those positions, the jury these are the corrupt ones (these are all people, not the system).
Am I pissed, yes, as I have seen it from both sides.
My friend was convicted for child molestating, he was innocent too, he did fight, yes he was sentence to 4 months in jail and probation. Did he do this, no but he didn't plead guilty either, nor did he run.
David | 12.10.06 - 3:26 am | #
David, You don't feel sorry for anyone....you're an ass. Do us all a favor and stop writing. You don't know how to spell and it is obvious that you are a freaking idiot. You have no regard for life and no empathy. Do you know what empathy is? It is the ability to place yourself in another's shoes and feel what they feel. I am sorry, but I cannot see you capable of that much. You do not care that another citizen of Eureka has been killed, so why do you even respond?
JH | 12.10.06 - 3:17 am | #
Actually, David, I think Humboldt County has a higher murder rate, or at least "unexplained death" rate than L.A. and Eureka certainly has more police perpetrated homicides per capita than L.A. or New York who's crime rates stay high in spite of or, I believe, in large part because of the shared philosophy of brutality. Furthermore, David, the training is not generally that vigorous as local people have found upon investigation. College of The Redwoods is just a couple of miles from here.
The bottom line, or summation, seems to me to still be that no one expects a fair trial in America. We are known for this world wide.
Noel Adamson | Homepage | 12.10.06 - 3:05 am | #
If it is a normal and reasonable reaction to commit homicide upon someone who is brandishing a firearm, they'd've'athunkit, what about Jonni Payton, confronted by a very large number of police all brandishing such weapons, all with a license to kill without any real accountability and all well known to resort to lethal levels of violence on any pretense and already with no hope of his own exoneration in the overtly crooked courts. Don't tell me that the law enforcement officers court room faces are who they really are either. Police everywhere are known liars with the justification that the end justifies the means and that "cleaning up the streets" demands such ruthless behavior. They have driven by demonstrators after the murder of Christopher Burgess and yelled with a sadistic grin on their faces that they intend to kill again. Attorneys I have interviewed tell me that that is a given and also that one of the most common reactions from clients is shock when they read the police reports obtained through discovery to find that false allegations have been added by law enforcement officers to embellish and strengthen their cases or just frame someone. Adding an open container to a weak or not real DUI charge seems to be the most common one but it goes right on up the line. While they may think they are doing the public a service by getting "bad guys" (and believe me most of them think in such terms as "good guys" and "bad guys")off the streets they have made a mockery of American jurisprudence along with a rubber stamp, assembly line, court system and left the door open for other forms of corruption.
Noel Adamson | Homepage | 12.10.06 - 2:58 am | #
Lets sum this all up and say if you all are so afraid of living here in Eureka, move. Go spend time in LA, Oakland, SF etc. you will actually see how many shootings there are, not only from bad people, but from cops. When I have to travel to these spots, I hate listening to the news or reading the local papers, all the headlines (everyday), is murder, roberies etc. For the one who said that just because a police wears a bullet resistant (as you noticed I said resistant not proof) vest, nothing can happen to him/her. Well let me tell you, a bullet resistant vest, the vest do not stop knives, ice picks and high powered rifles nor will it stop a flare gun. So just because he is wearing one doesn't mean he doesn't fear for his/her life. And for all of you fools who do not think they have training, our police force go through very rigid training, most of you would not be able to finish or complete. It's too bad that this Jonni Honda was such of a coward to commit suicide by himself, and now a police officer has to go through life knowing he killed someone. You poor poor ignorant people. I feel really sorry for you.
David | 12.10.06 - 2:57 am | #
I too have had females want to do harm to me, and the best way is to accuse you of something. The police and judges are immediate sympathetic to them and women know this. I have had guns pointed at me and when I cooperated they (EPD) beat me up. If I have a weapon then they would of had all the excuse needed. I feel sorry for this man.
Don | 12.10.06 - 2:29 am | #
Don't brandish deadly weapons... it is a crime within itself. Also , officers are obligated to defend themselves if threatened, and are expected to respond with elevated force (i.e. deadly force). In fact, if an officer has reason to shoot at a suspect, they are expected to kill (deliberately wounding is frowned upon-- inhumane).
I would respond in similar kind, if confronted by someone with a deadly weapon-- if they posed any reasonable threat.
they'd've'athunkit | 12.10.06 - 1:44 am | #
For everyone that does not know jon then you have no reason to even commit on what has happened. Jon was married to my sister. The two girls that he supposedly molested are known liers and hated jon. The justice system is flawed. Anytime it will take the word of a known of a child and a known lier, there's got to be something wrong. To all of his family I love you and am praying for you.. to all other go to HELL Jon was a good person and didnt deserve was happened to him. If you were faulsly accused of something that terrible you would have done the some thing. I know I would have. Jon's little brother was right. If he wanted to kill someone that night he would have. He could have taken a few with him..
jack jennings | 12.10.06 - 1:16 am | #
I am sorry for your loss Mr. Payton but it is hard to just leave this alone when we are all subject to the same corrupt judicial system that your big brother was pilloried up in. As you said, "guilty or innocent... he was screwed". I invite anyone who thinks that justice is fair to go sit in on different courts for a few days. Try Judge Brown's or Judge Neville's. Watch the parade of bewildered homeless people, low income workers and alleged pot smokers being processed through this assembly line system where there is no time for deliberation, only prejudice of the same sort as the "profiling" that the police use to judge their victims. If Jonni Payton was wealthy he could commit whatever crimes he wanted and walk free but since he was not his guilt or innocence didn't matter a bit legally.
To the insane people who say they are glad the EPD shot him and that it is an appropriate means of "cleaning up the streets", you are just as despicable as anyone you condemn, displaying an even greater disregard for human life, civilized justice systems, democracy and most certainly the Christianity most of you profess so visibly on Sundays. In addition our streets are obviously less safe than ever not in spite of your hatred and contempt but because of it.
If our legal system was not so corrupt, our sentencing so extreme and our mammoth prison system so barbaric maybe the job of police would be even safer than it is now*. If our police were better trained, drug free and armed with effective non lethal deterrents there would certainly be a lot fewer problems too. If our own government was not facilitating the importation and distribution of massive quantities of drugs, from the Contra supplied crack epidemic of the 80s to the current mega-waves of Afghani heroin the judicial system might be freed of much of it's burden and better able to deal rationally with actual criminals.
*Bus drivers have a higher on the job mortality rate than law enforcement officers as do many other professions.
Noel Adamson | Homepage | 12.10.06 - 12:11 am | #
HELLO- Anyone with a brain can see that it is not the decision of a mentally ill woman, a 16 year old boy, or an "alleged" child molester to be killed by the EPD. They did not "make" the officers shoot them. You are the one in a fantasy world when you claim that it's o.k. Oh yeah, it was just a mentally ill woman, a kook; it was a probation kid on meth, who had a shitty parent (right); it was a "child molester"; make all the excuses you want, but the Eureka Police Department is sadly lacking in training. Do you really think that these victims of the EPD were not afraid for their lives? Do you really think that Chris Burgess, who was pepper sprayed twice, could even see that he was that close to the officer? Do you think that maybe Chris Burgess was scared when he realized that an officer had an assault rifle aimed at his chest, knowing he was going to die? Chris Burgess didn't have a bullet proof vest on or an assault rifle, or the expert "training" that the officer did. The EPD are supposed to be well armed officers with training on how to handle these situations. Many law enforcement in other ares do not shoot to kill. And..the cold and heartless replies by some of you are shameful. To assume that the people who speak against the EPD's actions are "on drugs", or "living in fantasy worlds" is highly offensive, because, truth be known, we are educated members of this community who work hard. I am not a "hippy", nor do I do drugs, but I do pay taxes and abide by the law. I will not call the EPD if I need help, thanks anyway. And, finally, when you refer to someone as: a discusting (disgusting) waste of flesh, or a worthless human being, then you only legitimize that it is o.k. to shoot someone because, according to you, they were not worthwhile members of society. I can assume by your comments that since they are not the rich and powerful and they made mistakes, then it is o.k. to kill them? What if it were one of the wonderful Arkley's? Are they any better than these victims? (Oh, I am sure that they, of all people, abide by the law and don't hurt anyone) They have openly made statements about treating people badly (well, the poor people anyway). Rob Arkley was overheard saying that it was not the police who are bad here, it is the "shitty people." Sorry, but I don't agree with him, I personally think that he is a member of the "shitty people" that he speaks about. And Megan, it is nice that you know the officers, it really makes me feel so much better, especially your analogy of "comply or die", and your "joke" about the officers being open to suggestion. Why in the hell would they be open to suggestion , they didn't do anything wrong, or did they?
JH | 12.09.06 - 11:54 pm | #
If you are falsely accused then you don't plead no-contest, and you don't run. None of that is relevant though. It doesn't matter if he spent his Saturday nights reading to the blind and quoting Mother Teresa. If you pull a gun on police there is a very strong likely hood of being shot. In my opinion he knew this. He was not a victim of over zealous police officers. They wouldn't have waited over 30 hours, and tried every other means possible if that were the case. He made statements that he was not going back to jail. Now he isn't. Weather he was guilty or not of the crimes he was accused of really doesn't matter. Attacking the credibility of three children and making the man into some sort of saint now that he is dead is wildly inappropriate. Just my opinion. Also this situation was very different from the other two police officer involved shootings that have made the headlines recently. I don't think they can be compared. I personally have never had EPD or other agencies treat me badly. But then I've never run from them or pulled weapons on them. Go figure.
S | 12.09.06 - 11:35 pm | #
my name is donald payton....jonni was my big brother and i love him very much.
some of you are calling him a mean and nasty person, some are saying he was a great guy. he was both....just like i am and probably just like you are.
what i know is that guilty or innocent, he was soooo tired trying to prove his innocence, that he felt terrible for draining my moms retirement money on lawyers.
that he felt that no matter what, he was screwed.
basically that he wanted to get it over with...and that's what he did.
i was in constant contact with the eureka police during this incident. as a matter of fact the detective on the case used to own the local hamburger joint in the town me and jonni went to school in.the cops tried everything they could think of to get jonni out alive. i knew that he was gonna die cause he told me so.
nobody else...cops or civilian got hurt during this and if you knew my bro you know he could have hurt some people during this incident. all he wanted to do was die....thats it
suicide by cop i think they call it.
please please leave this alone, you are hurting family members of his by some of your comments...true or not ...let us grieve in peace for a few days...take his body home ...and do our ceremony...please
dp class of 75 GO WOLVES
donald payton | 12.09.06 - 11:27 pm | #
I find it amusing how many people have the mob mentality to have an individual tried and convicted...perhaps you need to experience being falsely accused and have to pay the thousands of dollars to achieve justice...just experience a vidictive ex wife...our justice system is corrupt....remember the commandment, thou shalt not bear false witness against another?...that commandment originated thousands of years ago...for people wiser then than now understood how such accusations could and will destroy a society.
annonymous | 12.09.06 - 10:59 pm | #
The police did have all the time in the world. That is, of course, until he walked out and pointed a gun at them. At that point, nothing else really matters. Good person, bad person, it doesnt really matter when you point guns at police officers.
J. | 12.09.06 - 9:01 pm | #
O.K. An officer has the right and obligation to protect him/her self and the public. And in a fast breaking situation the need to use deadly force can come at you fast. HOWEVER, in this case, and in the case of Cheri Moore, officers had all of the time in the world to consider all of the possible scenarios and outcomes. I CANNOT believe that the deaths of these individuals was necessary or inevitable.
As for Mr. Honda ... if he was guilty, it is a terrible thing to have done! But he is to be presumed innocent until proven guilty. It was law enforcements duty to arrest him so that he would stand trial-not execute him.
Anonymous | 12.09.06 - 8:08 pm | #
our county is rid of another discusting waste of flesh. praise whatever sort of god you'd like - and thank the epd for cleaning up our streets and working hard to keep our children safe.
oprah would be proud of our men in uniform. i know i am.
SF | 12.09.06 - 7:38 pm | #
I totally agree with Megan! I know officers that were also on scene. I feel like everybody wants to portray these officers to be horrible people with bad judgement. I would like to see all the people who judge these officers to go through what they go through daily in the city of Eureka while on shift.
Anon | 12.09.06 - 7:10 pm | #
Now that's a fact! Is that STRAIGHT enough for you?
Anon | 12.09.06 - 7:06 pm | #
I'm not saying that Mr. Honda wasn't nice and didn't help people but his actions result in unfavorable actions against him. I personaly know some of the officers involved in the situation and it's not fair for those officers to take the wrath of the suspects' bad judgement while they were doing their job.
Megan | 12.09.06 - 7:04 pm | #
Maybe if your uncle would have abided by the law none of this SH*T would have happened.
Anon | 12.09.06 - 7:03 pm | #
Get your facts all straight none of you know the facts so stop argueing and leave the story alone
Nephew | 12.09.06 - 6:40 pm | #
How Bout if u dont personally know him do not talk about him. He helped tons of people. He was the best EMT i ever met he tried hard to save everyone uncle he knew there was no chance. Mr. Honda was a great man I believe in him and hope that people Learn about the great things he did for his community and family.. God bless
Nephew | 12.09.06 - 6:36 pm | #
Well maricela that's my real opinion. Is there a prerequisite that say's the bad guy needs to pull the trigger first before the cops take action. And I would like to hear what your better idea's are of handling the situation. I keep hearing there's got to be a better way. I'm sure the cops are open for suggestion. Where are you getting your information that there were 8 or 9 shots fired? May I ask what difference 8 or 9 shots makes? Do you know that he pointed the gun at the officers? What would you do with a gun pointed at you? Wait for him to pull the trigger first and then figure out what non-deadly force you will use to subdue the suspect?
Megan | 12.09.06 - 6:32 pm | #
It must be nice for some of you to live in your little fantasy worlds. If you go to any other city in the world and point a gun, flare gun, or otherwise attack a police officer with a deadly weapon then the EXACT same outcome will occur. The only reason the kid wasnt shot in Arcata last week was because there where too many inicent by-standers and the officer did not have a clear shot. Thank god the officer wanst hurt because of this worthless human being.
J. | 12.09.06 - 6:25 pm | #
also i do not think that law enforcement is not needed, life would be crazy without them, i just think that theres got to be a better way than death,he may have loaded the gun but they pulled the trigger,i mean was 8 or 9 shots really needed?
maricela | 12.09.06 - 6:04 pm | #
well megan
thanx for your opinion, hope it was real n not a smart ass one
maricela | 12.09.06 - 5:52 pm | #
Well Maricela one thing is for certain if Mr. Honda would have complied with officers he would still be alive to comment. And as for what to do now, maybe people should start learning from these situations and comply with officers instead of threatening them and thinking they will get away with it.
Megan | 12.09.06 - 5:29 pm | #
clearly theres is so much that is not known and will never be known. mr. honda is not around to comment on everyones oppinions, so what to do now?
maricela | 12.09.06 - 5:13 pm | #
Megan I stand by your opinon 100%!
Anonymous | 12.09.06 - 5:02 pm | #
It wasn't like he was accused once, he was accused a couple of times, he got what he deserved.
Anonymous | 12.09.06 - 4:50 pm | #
Everybody who is standing up for him, you should be ashamed, he is a NASTY NASTY child molester. Would you want your children to be molested by a 50 year old perverted man? He deserved what he got. If he didn't do it he should have just stood up like a man, or taken a polygrpah test.. Whatever it be, if he wasn't guilty he should've tried alot harder, and never have given up.
Anonymous | 12.09.06 - 4:48 pm | #
I think a lot of people are talking without knowing all of the facts. I agree with David 100%. All three of the people killed had choices and they made the wrong ones. Law enforcement doesn't just go around looking for someone to kill. Try complying with the police and you would have a better outcome. If you think these three were the only ones in this town that have come in contact with the law in the last couple of months you're crazy. No they're just the ones that made the extreme wrong choice and left the police with no other actions to take. Maybe the next time another one of these situations arise we should call up all of these people who think they can better handle these situations and let them deal with it. Why aren't all of you do gooders going to the police acadamy and trying to make a difference instead of just complaining? Have any one of you ever had anyone threaten you the way these officers have been? Just because they're officers doesn't mean they have to have their lives threatened and just let someone harm them. As for the family it is a tragedy you lost your dad but it was ultimately his choice. And for all of you complainers our society isn't perfect but if you think some other country has a better system then why don't you go live there.
Megan | 12.09.06 - 4:46 pm | #
The article is not up-to-date. He left the room with a gun in his hand. He was tazered twice before he was shot. He did not come out shooting, but he had a weapon in his hand. He was given every opportunity to end this peacefully. He apparently wanted to die. He ran out of options, the police ran out of options. The police were appropriate and decent to him. He did not want to shoot any of them, and they did not want to shoot him. I am sure that the officer who had to do so feels it deeply and with great sorrow as well. That cop has to live with the death of a human being on his hands, a flawed human being, but who among us is not. None of this was easy or done without thought. Days of it.
Anon | 12.09.06 - 4:11 pm | #
A NEIGHBOR, I totally agree with you!
Anonymous | 12.09.06 - 4:08 pm | #
Vern
Don't lie, the three girls in question never told you they lied. If they had, there would have never been a case brought against Jonni. The Judge threw out the plea bargain because the evidence and his own admissions dictated a stiffer sentence. Jonni chose suicide by the police. You and a few others seem to think that the police live to kill. I think they kill to live. They have a responsibilty to ensure their safety. There is now an officer out there that has to live with the fact that he / she killed another human being. It would appear that no one is considering how the officers feel about this. According to you and others they must not have feelings or a conscious. If it was not for Jonni, none of this would have ever happened.
A NEIGHBOR | 12.09.06 - 4:03 pm | #
When did it become ok to pull a deadly weapon on a police officer? The last time i pulled a gun on a police officer.........oh wait i am not a dumb idiot. You idiots should not justify this kind of action. If you pull a weapon on an officer or anyone for that matter you better think first.
how dumb are you people | 12.09.06 - 3:59 pm | #
"All you stupid people get off your higher than thou power trip (mostly you Arcatian types), get off the drugs and wake up. You take the disapline power away from parents reap the stupidity of children." -David.
I just wanted you to be able to read what you wrote again so that you will realize how completely retarded you really sound.
First of all, you can't spell and you don't use correct grammar. Stop trying to sound smart. Secondly, who is on a "higher than thou power trip"? The citizens, or the police? And lastly, when you put a large group of people into a stereotype and accuse them of being on drugs simply based on where they live, it makes your statement meaningless to others. They will simply write you off as an ignorant jerk. Are you trying to say that all of the world's problems are caused by inadequate parenting? So who is it really that needs waking up? While bad parenting does in fact affect future behavior, it doesn't make it or break it except in extreme circumstances. My father was abusive to my mother. Does that mean I am more likely to become a criminal than someone who grew up in a middle-class, quiet home? I don't think so.
As far as this particular shooting, I don't know enough to form an opinion yet. Based on EPD's recent past, it seems as though they are falling into an unnecessary and deadly pattern.
poop | 12.09.06 - 3:51 pm | #
In my opinion/suggestion: All Public safety officers, CPS workers, Judges & "Big Brother" need to change their training programs & schooling and use old Andy Griffith Mayberry RFD films for their training programs. A one bullet per person may be a good srart. Both sides of this situation will develope soon we all hope. I have to agree on the comments that yes "These three people that were shot should have obayed PD orders".
Jerry | 12.09.06 - 3:41 pm | #
If he would have abided by the law, he would be sitting in jail right now instead being shot. He chose his destiny!
Anonymous | 12.09.06 - 3:41 pm | #
If he would have complied with the police department he would be living right now, wouldn't he? Obviously we don't know all the details...so don't think the officers murdered him just because they felt like it...
anonymous | 12.09.06 - 3:39 pm | #
You all are so darn rightous, the CHP is looking for good people to hire and train. Why don't you who think the police are in the wrong go and do something like become a police officer. You all would do so much better since you have the insight of everthing on the outside looking in. And for the person who doesn't think that you can protect yourself if you are threatened. If you have a gun permit and a concealment permit as I know you would not be carring a gun in plain sight because your a law abiding citizen and were threatened by someone with a gun, yes you would have the right to protect yourself. Yes you would have to go to court but it would come out that you had a right to carry the gun and that you were protecting you or someone with you.
David | 12.09.06 - 3:36 pm | #
dave n anonymous,
this is not a movie, did he not try n the end to comply with the officers, yes they mad bad choices (as does everybody) we do weird things when we are scared, n as far as why would an 11 n 12 year old make something up, sure but these are clearly not normal children that have been raised n sheltered the way they should, i bet they have seen plenty of wrong in there life other wise they would have been with there familys right.
maricela | 12.09.06 - 3:33 pm | #
Our criminal justice system may be corrupt in some ways but it doesn't mean that all police officers are bad people...they're just like everybody else...they go to work do their job...come home and spend time with their families...The only reason Mr. Honda died was because he didn't walk out with his hands up! If he would have surrendered the police wouldn't have to respond they way they did...so how about everybody stop blaming the officers for doing their job...and start blaming the dirtbags who put the officers in those positions.
Anonymous | 12.09.06 - 3:29 pm | #
i think that every cold hearted person should just be thankfull this is not happening to them and let the family moarn there loss!!
maricela | 12.09.06 - 3:25 pm | #
i just hate how things get over looked when you wear a badge.
JEN | 12.09.06 - 3:24 pm | #
think if i saw someone on the street and felt threatend and they have a wepon and i killed them i would be in jail so fast my head would spin, why not the same for the police?
JEN | 12.09.06 - 3:23 pm | #
I totally I agree with you 100% David!
Anonymous | 12.09.06 - 3:23 pm | #
sure we cry out for help but we would not MURDER!!!! GOT IT
maricela | 12.09.06 - 3:22 pm | #
i agree with you also jen
maricela | 12.09.06 - 3:20 pm | #
david... i don't understand how you can say that the dead ones are wrong..
JEN | 12.09.06 - 3:19 pm | #
dave get a grip
maricela | 12.09.06 - 3:19 pm | #
i know child molester n abusers that have been turned in n nothing has been done, i would run if i was falsly accaused not if i was guilty, iam sure he felt his world was falling apart n he had no control of the situation regardless he did not deserve death n thats all, n to his family i can not imagine what you are going through n them to have to read the oppinions of people who also have no idea how your whole world has been turned upside down just 48 hours ago. iam truely sad for every one effected by this.
maricela | 12.09.06 - 3:18 pm | #
there are still other ways to handle these situations, other then killing.
JEN | 12.09.06 - 3:17 pm | #
Jen, get a grip on life...3 people didn't have to die is right...It was their choice and they decided to take the wrong choice. Cheri could have put her hands up and walked out, but she pointed a weapon (loaded or not), at the moment she pointed the weapon towards the officers, it's life threatening, these officers do not know if it's loaded or not. The young man who was swinging a 9" knife around, had a choice, to drop it and put his hands up and walk out. He made the wrong choice. Honda could have put his hands up and walked out alive and he made the wrong choice. The officers didn't make the choices for these poeple they made it. Once these people made the wrong choice, the officers acted accordingly to protect themselves. You all speak as if you all have been in theses situations. If you had been put in the situations of each of these officers, I really would like to know what you would have done. Don't speculate either or you would not be any better than the dead ones, you still would be WRONG.
David | 12.09.06 - 3:14 pm | #
i agree with you maricela!!!
JEN | 12.09.06 - 3:13 pm | #
you people are crazy, if it was your father or son that was murdered n YES HE WAS MURDERED, but if it was someone close to you it would be different right? thats what i thought.
maricela | 12.09.06 - 3:08 pm | #
as far as domestic problems every body has them, this does not mean that he is a child molester, n YES childen do lie!!!
maricela | 12.09.06 - 3:04 pm | #
TO the Person who wasys the Know Jon well i getti know hin as well and i want to say i also know the girls and they ar such liers and they told me so , yes i know jon was not the nicest person in the owrld but he did NOT desurve to Die for eny reson
and im sure you know who i am and if you world like to talk about this come see me
i feel that Judge go Jon Killed
and my heart gose out to all the family and his Mother who loved him very much.
Vern | 12.09.06 - 3:04 pm | #
all i know is that iam sure the situation got way out of control, n no i dont think this man deserves death n i will pray for the family of mr.honda
maricela | 12.09.06 - 3:02 pm | #
I know this person very well and have known him for many years. He was not a nice person. His daughter may not have seen the true Jonni Honda. He almost beat one of his wife's to death. There are three different kids making the same allagation. One just recently came forward long after the first two. You don't run if your innocent and you don't plea bargin if your innocent. Why would anyone plead guilty to molesting a child if they were innocent. The Judge threw out the plea bargin because the punishment did not fit the crime. The District Attorneys office was going too soft on him. The only person responsible for anything and everything that happened to Jonni Honda is Mr. Honda himself. Jonni was a bully to anyone that would let him. What a sad and pathetic man.
A NEIGHBOR | 12.09.06 - 2:46 pm | #
I just think that something has to be done, 3 people that didn't have to lose there life in the last year have and that is very unfair, the situations could have been handled in a way in which people didn't lose there lives, grandchildren didn't lose there grandparents, mothers there son etc. the police do not think before they act and i think it is ridiculous that people actually think that is ok.
JEN | 12.09.06 - 2:43 pm | #
as a convicted felon in humboldt county who has on numerous occasions dealt with epd officers and hum co sheriffs officers i can honestly say that i was never mistreated by the officers who caught me even when i ran. i have however been in the jury box (awaiting sentencing) and listened to a man who admitted to molesting 2 young children for a significant amount of time get sentenced to time served 8 yrs probation and told not to be caught within the city limits of the town he molested the 2 children in. it made me sick i was getting ready to do my first of 2 prison terms for possesion of stolen property and here was this man who had sex with 2 children and was basically walking free. the family of the children were outraged, as far as i am concerned molesting children is the worst possible crime in the world and should be treated like a murder. i will not pass judgement on the man who was accused of molesting these 2 children or condone the actions of the law enforcment officers involved but will say i ran from the law because i was guilty i ran because i didnt want to get locked up. if he molested those girls he basically would have been slapped on the wrist slipped through the system on protective custody and been out in a matter of no time. if he didnt was wasnt he back home doing everything he could to make sure he was proven innocent. like i said i ran from the law because i was guilty. if he molested those girls or even just simply had sex with them he deserved to die.
Anonymous | 12.09.06 - 2:40 pm | #
Some kids do lie! They don't want to be grounded, spanked, or diciplined in any way and will lie to get out of the home. They are taught early in school how to use the system. They think foster care will be better for them to do what they want, and to hurt thier parents. Years ago kids behaved for fear of getting into trouble.
the police are shooting too much, I agree with using tear gas, tazer gun, or tranquilizer gun!
Also, I know for a fact that a man can be accused of molestation and not be able to prove he didn't! The system does suck in many ways, I could go on and on...
Anonymous | 12.09.06 - 2:40 pm | #
yes you are very right the police do there job very well in certain situations, i just think that they handle somethings very wrong.
JEN | 12.09.06 - 2:39 pm | #
Few people believe they will get a fair trial in the United States today. We live in a country that has by far the highest prison rate on earth. We have 50% more people locked up per capita that the next most imprisoned country and fully 25% of the world's prison population. Few people believe they will receive "hot food and blankets" upon surrender either; that law enforcement do not act as judge jury and executioner in cases like this either. No one has more contempt for the judicial system than members of law enforcement.
If law enforcement had nothing to hide they would not resist the formation of police review boards and say they can "investigate each other". It is patently absurd. Perhaps they should have let Mr. Honda just investigate himself. If law enforcement has nothing to hide they would not resist mandatory, verifiable drug testing of their gun toting officers.
If law enforcement took 2% of the pain they take to defend themselves to defend the rest of us we would live in a much safer country and actual criminals would be locked up rather than poor people. In spite of being the most imprisoned people on earth we have one of the highest crime rates.
We need to return respect to our judicial system not by making respect mandatory but by making the judicial system respectable. If they can't command respect they should not demand it.
God bless Mr. Honda and his family. God help our corrupt country.
Noel Adamson | Homepage | 12.09.06 - 2:39 pm | #
I dont have time to waste my breath on stupidity. If you would have actually read what i wrote you might get it. As for those of you who think that police brutality doesn't exist you need to stop living in denial. I think YOU need to wake up and face reality.....
jessica | 12.09.06 - 2:39 pm | #
i think a hostage situation is a little different then this don't you??
JEN | 12.09.06 - 1:28 pm |
JEN IT IS EXACTLY LIKE A HOSTAGE SITUATION. HE WAS HOLDING HIMSELF HOSTAGE. I WONDER WHAT EVERYONE WOULD DO IF ALL LAW ENFORCEMENT LEFT HUMBODLT COUNTY???
YOU'D ALL WHINE AND COMPLAIN WHEN YOU BECAME A VICTIM OF SOMETHING.
Anon | 12.09.06 - 2:36 pm | #
I think judging the officers of Eureka is wrong...they did a fantastic job on scene! They did what they were trained to do!
Anonymous | 12.09.06 - 2:35 pm | #
reality is that the cops are out of control and need to stop killing people. and i'm not a hippie nor do i do drugs i am a mother of a young son and i no longer feel safe in the hands of our police.
JEN | 12.09.06 - 2:32 pm | #
I think you need to wake up and face reality...
Anonymous | 12.09.06 - 2:29 pm | #
oh i think there are to many police officers with a power trip. not all are bad but the ones that are need to be stopped. oh and don't judge me you don't even know me. Don't be mad b/c you are gullible.
jessica | 12.09.06 - 2:26 pm | #
Since Parent's rights have been taken away from them and the kids have been given the power of adults, things like this happens. Just like the case of the boy weilding a knife around, he took the adult role and paid for it with his life, if his mom was a true mom, he would never have been in that situation. This guy that stood the police off had to be guilty of something, non-guilty people don't run, hide or threaten police. You read that he took in foster kids, but if these kids were able to be disciplined they might not be in foster care. Give the power back to the parents and the false allegations will stop.
The Police are trained to protect life at all cost (stupid morons who don't know that and just lash out). They are protecting theirs or someone else's. In the heat of the battle, you try shooting in the leg, I am not a police but I will aim for the biggest mass the chest if I had to be put in that situation. All you stupid people get off your higher than thou power trip (mostly you Arcatian types), get off the drugs and wake up. You take the disapline power away from parents reap the stupidity of children. All this angers me as most of you want to place blame on the police (it's easier that way), put the blame on not being able to parent our own children.
David | 12.09.06 - 2:24 pm | #
To Jessica,
I don't know what Hollywood movies you have been watching, but with any concealed weapons permit you are taught to kill when you pull out your gun...same with any police academy you are taught to shoot between the shoulders and the abdomen! So make sure you do your homework before posting inadequate information!
Anonymous | 12.09.06 - 2:24 pm | #
To all of you who don't agree with the polices handling of the situation, apparently you don't have friends or family in law enforcement. They need to use the force necessary to make it home to their family at the end af their shift.What makes this man so special that he is above the law and can baracade himself in the hotel? He should have been smart and continued the legal fight. This county is filled with too many hippies who speak without thinking first. I hope you get into a situation where you need the EPD and they treat you with more respect than you have shown them.
A. | 12.09.06 - 2:15 pm | #
I honestly cant believe what i am reading on here. Regardless of whether he was innocent or not he shouldnt have ran from the police. But the police obviously do not know how to handle situations properly....and by the way cops are taught to shoot people in the legs...not to use deadly force. But no one knows what really happened. There is absolutely no reason this standoff should have lasted this long in the first place....why couldnt they have shot tear gas in on Thursday night instead of dragging it out. The bottom line is that police brutality needs to stop. For all of you gullible people who actually think that it is not happening you are just making it worse on our society b/c it is not okay for the police to just shoot and kill whoever they please. For this to stop we have to rise up and make a change together.
jessica | 12.09.06 - 2:07 pm | #
Having worked on both sides of the system, I can
tell you that false allegations do occur. Fortunately for some places, good cops and good investigators frequently discover this. Small children rarely lie, but hysterical parents can literally convince kids something happened. Bigger kids, and adolescents, can be manipulative and vindictive, and thanks to
tv and the internet are quite sophisticated about it.
Most children are telling the truth, or think they are, but blind acceptance of an allegation does no one, not the child, not the alleged perpetrator, not
either family, any good.
anon | 12.09.06 - 1:49 pm | #
I think it's pretty safe to say that if you don't steal cars, run from the law, hole up in a motel for a day or so only to come out armed and brandishing or aiming weapons at law enforcement, you won't get shot.
Don't blame the police for this. They are representing all of us. They are protecting our society. Would you rather have an orderly society or would you rather live in (more) fear of drug dealers, child molesters, and people who would go to such extremes.
Frankly, we should devote more resources to mental health, child protection and eliminating the drug problem in our communities instead of just blaming the police when they have to deal with the aftermath of that kind of social blight
Anonymous | 12.09.06 - 1:38 pm | #
The Eureka Police are obviously not trained well. I lived in Crescent City, which is similar to the dynamics of Eureka (economic problems, meth problems etc). I have never heard of the Crescent City PD shooting anyone. Other law enforcement in this area do not shoot to kill like the EPD either. There is something horribly wrong with that department. If you want a glimpse of what the new interim police chief is like, check out his website: www.murlharpham.com. This will tell you something about the department and how twisted they really are. Also, it was his son, Rocky Harpham that shot Cheri Moore.
anonymous | 12.09.06 - 1:28 pm | #
i think a hostage situation is a little different then this don't you??
JEN | 12.09.06 - 1:28 pm | #
You guys are absolutely ridiculous! That's what the police officers were trying to do is to get him out of that motel room without any confrontation, negotiations and tear gas grenades. He himself confirmed his own guilt by dragging the situation out and not coming out. He knew he was guilty and didn't want to go to jail. The law enforcement agencies must do their jobs and protect the other citizens, people around the situation as well as themselves. What are they supposed to do, sit quietly for days on end trying to coaz him out only to find themselves being shot at when he does? Ridiculous thinking people. As for "being scared for your children," don't be, unless your children lunge at police officers with 9 inch knives! The police don't just shoot at whomever they want to, they have to have a reason. And yes, sometimes deadly force is necessary to take down a suspect coming at you. It's either your life or theirs, even if it is just a "child." In my opinion children just don't pull knives out at police officers either. Think about this: how would you feel if you were ever taken hostage and the police didn't use all means necessary to take down the person who was holding you hostage? He deserved what happened to him because he chose to stay inside that hotel room and evade the law. Popular belief is that there are a lot of innocent people in jail for no reason, which just isn't the case. An 11 or 12 year old would have NOTHING to gain in making up a story like this. The man shouldn't have been running from prosecution and warrented being taken down with leathal force.
Anonymous | 12.09.06 - 1:25 pm | #
In my previous comment i made all police officers look bad, and i know this isn't the case, there are still plenty of good ones, and thank you to those.
JEN | 12.09.06 - 1:23 pm | #
This is to Jons daughter... I can't even imagine what you are going through right now but i can honestly say that people in our community are ridiculous to think that what the police are doing is ok... I mean come on just look at all the things surrounding the 3 shootings, a flare gun, a knife, come on do u need to shoot someone for that? I just really hope that you do realize that you do not need to keep trying to prove your point that your father was a great man to the invalents in this community. I do not know the facts so i can't say much except i do not agree with the police force shooting people as if its sport, there are plenty of other ways to handle these situations. So I really am sorry for your lose, and the only question i have is, When is enough finally going to be enough with the police action??? You are in my prayers. your whole family is in my familys prayers. JEN
JEN | 12.09.06 - 1:20 pm | #
We remarked earlier about the kill-lust of Humboldt County and particularly, Eureka police. This just keeps going on and on. Next comes an inquiry and evaluation which will, of course, find that the officers involved acted legally. The usual outcome. Each time their actions are approved, they are encouraged to continue to satisfy their distorted needs to kill. We will now boycott Eureka. Our favorite stores, WinCo, Costco, and Swandlunds we will miss, but so be it. Our milktoast DA will make a few vague comments and continue to wear his nondeserved "liberal" badge. Farewell Eureka!
Don | 12.09.06 - 1:18 pm | #
This is something I forgot to add in my previous comment. We NEED a police oversight committee in this town. Things will not change until this happens.
James | 12.09.06 - 1:14 pm | #
I WANT TO THANK ALL THE OFFICERS WHO PUT THEIR TIME AND EFFORT INTO THIS CASE. WORKING EXTREME LONG HOURS THROUGHOUT THE NIGHT. ALL OF YOU DID GREAT!
Anonymous | 12.09.06 - 1:07 pm | #
this is another example of Eureka Police justice. First with Cheri Moore, then Christopher Bodgess and now this guy. When will EPD stop shooting!!! this is getting ridiculous, even kids are now openly afraid and have a honest dis-trust to the police in this area.
I would imagine alot of the police are ex military, and being said werent they trained to fire a few shots and ASSESS the threat? why arent our local police doing the same thing? I have a suspiscion they are on a blood lust, they get a whiff of this and enter a frenzy like sharks to blood.
Recently in Arcata, the police faced a situation with a kid and a knife, they tazered him, couldnt that have been done here? what abot non-lethal force? the police had plenty of time to get ready, they had the SWAT van, FBI, etc
I am afraid for my children being pulled over by EPD, or even myself and being shot! This has to end.
I am far from saying this man was innocent, but shot 8 to 9 times?
this is ridiculous and borders insanity of our supposed law enforcement.
will EPD have another shooting this year of 2006, or have they met their quota and are waiting for 2007.
anonymous | 12.09.06 - 12:59 pm | #
It's sounds like the EPD shoot a lot of people.
Jon's Daughter | 12.09.06 - 12:58 pm | #
I am just so shocked...children are engaging in sex at the ages of 10, they know what molestation. The system teach them. My dad went to court for almost two years...tying to have a fair trial. In a case like this, no evidence is needed. Just the word of the these kids. My family took in these kids to try and help them have a better life. F*** those girls. They will face God and be judged. I hope that the ones judging him will never have to endure what he has gone through the last two years. To Mr. Anonymous I pray that you will never have to be in my dad's shoes. He tried to go about it the legal way.
Stop judging and talking like you know what he went through.
Jon's Daughter | 12.09.06 - 12:57 pm | #
Shame on those who are judging this man without knowing all the facts of the case. He had lots of family that loved him and will be forever missing his presence in their lives. He tried for a long time to get a fair outcome,but the system in Trinity County is, lets say, Not on the Up and Up. He felt like he wasn't capable of getting a fair trial. Stop for one minute and think about being in his shoes. The fear of going to prison for something you knew you didn't do. To Jonni's kids, We love you and your in our prayers.
Auntie | 12.09.06 - 12:19 pm | #
The fall out from Reganomics is causing alot of people to have alot of problems and unless the police are willing to kill every person with a problem then they need to concider using a tranqulizer gun to avoid the death from everyone they shoot.
jerry | 12.09.06 - 12:11 pm | #
I hope the police release more information about why this guy was shot. Before then we can't make any judgments on how the police acted.
I do find it odd that they waited so long before taking action. Look how long it took them to do something about Cheri Moore. Did the FBI and US Marshals being on the scene have anything to do with this?
James | 12.09.06 - 12:07 pm | #
as far as 11 and 12 year old kids not knowing what molestation is, i was just wondering what kind of dark age you're living in?...Recentley in our family circle one of the 7 year olds accused an adult of wrongfully touching her which led into a huge investigation...and the outcome? She was lying...I agree that kids will say just about anything to get what they want, its just sad that some feel they need to use extremes to get what they want.
Anonymous | 12.09.06 - 11:59 am | #
I never said he was innocent, I just dont think that the cops have to kill everyone, theyre supposed to be the tough guys, our protectors.
Dannielle | 12.09.06 - 11:41 am | #
FIRST OF ALL POLICE ARE NOT TRAINED TO SHOOT SOMEONE IN THE LEG. IF THEY ARE IN ANY BAD SITUATION WHERE THEIR LIVES ARE IN DANGER, THEY USE DEADLY FORCE! IF THIS MAN WAS INNOCENT HE WOULD NOT BE RUNNING FROM THE LAW!!!
anonymous | 12.09.06 - 11:27 am | #
About that last comment, I really dont think that 11 and 12 year old kids would lie about something like that! What would they get out of it? Im sure the kids dont even know what molestation is. And about the standoff, the police could have just gone in there and shot him in the leg once. And he would have been fine. But thats not how it works in this town.
Dannielle | 12.09.06 - 11:09 am | #
Your dad should have listened to the police. Instead he decided to do it the wrong way. He should have just went to court and fought it out. He does not know the out come until it is over. He could have been found not guilty. But instead he wanted to fight with the police and end up dead. I think the police did the right thing and should be praised for their efforts.
Anonymous | 12.09.06 - 11:05 am | #
I do not know how to feel. Angry for killing my father, or relieved that he is in peace. My father is NOT NOT a child molester. Those girls used the system, just like everyone else. To get what they want. See my mom and dad did foster care, taking care of the children who had loser parents. They blamed my family for that and said that they would do what ever they had to do to go back to their family.
Well isn't ironic, they may have their family back, but now mine is gone. My dad would never hurt anyone in that way. You know the CPS law "Children never lie" BS, sometimes I wonder if they have children of their own. Chances didn't look good for him. Tell me, would you want to go to prison for something you didn't do. Something that serious?
I love my DAD so much, I know he was scared. He is a great man. He will be missed so very much.
Hon's Daughter | 12.09.06 - 10:08 am | #
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