COURT ROUNDUP
Woman accused in homicide accepts deal
On Feb. 24, a Eureka woman accused of killing another woman on Hilfiker Lane in 2019 entered a plea agreement.
Daniella Moore, who is pleading guilty to killing 19-year-old Hannah Hayhurst, was considered not mentally competent for trial for the majority of her over three-year incarceration at the county jail — she cannot post bail — but a doctor recently signed off that she was competent enough to understand proceedings. The plea agreement could carry a 15-year-to-life sentence since she is pleading guilty to murder and assault with a deadly weapon. The special allegations attached to the murder charge — murder with torture and use of a deadly weapon, which in this case was a pair of shears, while committing the crime — were dropped in addition to the torture allegations levied against her.
Court documents note that Hayhurst’s father spoke at the Feb. 24 hearing. Moore is set to be sentenced April 7.
Lawyer: New evidence in Arcata man’s death
On Thursday, the case against two Arcata residents accused of fatally shooting a local homeless man as he slept in his tent was rescheduled while the parties wait for additional evidence.
Andrea Sullivan, who represents Devon Cathey — the man accused of killing Nicklas Sellar, while Vonda Carlson was charged with being an accessory to the crime — told the court that she is waiting on crucial evidence.
“There is (Department of Justice) DNA evidence that would be very important for my client to have,” Sullivan said. “We believe it will be exonerating.”
Deputy District Attorney Trent Timm, who was standing in for Deputy District Attorney Whitney Timm, said the prosecution had no objection to the request for a continuance.
Deputy Conflict Counsel R.J. Leohner, who represents Carlson, also did not object, though he asked to fill out the form allowing him to appear on behalf of his client without her presence unless specifically requested by the court. Carlson is not in custody, whereas Cathey is.
The new setting date for the case’s preliminary hearing will be March 16.
Police chase case could be near resolution
On Thursday, the preliminary hearing setting date in the case against a man accused of trying to kill police officers with his car during a 2021 Eureka chase was rescheduled to give the man’s attorney time to discuss a resolution with him.
Little Eagle Moon must decide whether or not to accept the plea deal offered by the prosecution, and his attorney Kathleen Bryson must discuss the terms with him.
“I believe we have a resolution,” Bryson said via Zoom.
Representing the prosecution, Deputy District Attorney Luke Bernthal said that Trent Timm, the assigned prosecutor, told him he would not object to the continuance.
March 23 will be the case’s next hearing.