GUILTY CA - Father Eric Freed, murdered in church rectory, Eureka, 1 Jan 2014

[Rosebutter]

Hi again Lilibet, I did remember that your family had a connection to Gary Bullock when he was a child, sorry for how that must make you feel. Seems like Gary has had lots of time to think and maybe sober up over the last 2+ years. I guess only Gary knows what is in his mind. Maybe someday he will share with others what went on in his head and why it all happened. I suspect he will spend the rest of his life in prison and it is too bad that two lives are lost and many people affected. Thanks again for all the info.

 

[Lilibet]

SENTENCING--May 11, 2016--LIFE WITHOUT POSSIBILITY OF PAROLE FOR MURDER, SECOND LIFE TERM FOR TORTURE, 12+ CONCURRENT YEARS FOR FELONIES INCLUDING CARJACKING, FIRST DEGREE BURGLARY AND ATTEMPTED ARSON

North Coast Journal

Multiplemediaoutlets are reporting that Gary Lee Bullock has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the Jan. 1, 2014 murder of St. Bernard’s Catholic Church pastor Eric Freed.

http://www.northcoastjournal.com/Ne...ed-to-life-without-parole-fir-priests-slaying

KIEM TV

Humboldt County District Attorney, Maggie Fleming read a statement to the courtroom regarding Bullock. She said, "He made a choice to destroy a life and a community" and that "he has never once expressed remorse." She also read Bullock’s most recent phone conversation with his mother Carol Bruno. In the call Bullock estimated he would get 50 years to life. Bruno said, "But you'll automatically get an appeal." Bullock’s response, “There's nothing to appeal. I'm guilty. I was in the wrong.”

http://kiem-tv.com/video/bullock-se...father-freed’s-sisters-read-impact-statements

Mad River Union

Freed’s siblings read impassioned victim statements to the court aloud while a screen monitor displayed a large four-color image of Freed’s tombstone decorated with a bouquet of brightly colored flowers.

http://madriverunion.com/bullock-gets-life-without-parole-as-predicted/

Lost Coast Outpost

First, sister Lisa Wienke spoke on the theme of choices, saying Bullock chose to kill “a man who believed in love and peace … and did what he could to alleviate suffering.” Yet she has chosen to forgive Bullock, she said, for two reasons — because it’s what her brother would have done (“and probably did,” she said) and because her faith as a Seventh Day Adventist compelled her to do so.
“I pray for your salvation as that is what Eric would want, what I want,” Wienke said. “God is just waiting to forgive —and he will. But again, it’s your choice.”

https://lostcoastoutpost.com/2016/may/11/gary-lee-bullock-sentenced/

KRCR TV

Freed’s family was visibly emotional during the sentencing when they made their statements to Bullock in the courtroom. Karin Freed, Father Freed’s twin sister, said she could not forgive Bullock for what he did.
“You are a waste of skin,” she said. “You took half of me. Eric was my twin brother.”

http://www.krcrtv.com/north-coast-n...secutive-life-terms-for-freed-murder/39502070

Times Standard

“You schmuck, you didn’t have to kill him,” Freed’s older sister Anita said to Bullock before the sentencing while struggling to hold back tears. “He probably would have given you the keys to the car, or maybe even a ride home. So how many times did my brother say, ‘Let’s talk about this’ or ‘I forgive you’ or ‘God forgives you’ before you shoved the pilsner glass in his mouth to make him be quiet?”
Having been distant with her younger brother growing up, Anita Freed said she had been reconnecting with him in the last seven months before his murder.
“You had no right to take that chance away from us,” Anita Freed said to Bullock.

Bypass paywall through FB:
https://www.facebook.com/TimesStandard/posts/10153814501049081
http://www.times-standard.com/general-news/20160511/you-didnt-have-to-kill-him-bullock-given-two-life-sentences

 

[Lilibet]

SENTENCING (continued):

John Chiv:

Gary Lee Bullock sentenced to life without possibility of parole, life without parole and a determinate sentence

http://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2016/05/gary-lee-bullock-sentenced-to-life.html

For what you have done to Eric--my twin--is pure evil and you are a waste of skin. So, Gary Lee Bullock when you get to hell, you better beg the devil for mercy because I don't and I won't!"

All three sisters who read the statement addressed Bullock directly in their statement. They all teared up, his sister Anita could not finish reading her statement and it was completed by Victim Witness Advocate Mary Beth Bian.

http://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2016/05/for-what-you-have-done-to-eric-my-twin.html

It's never going to be over; there is partial closure"; exclusive interview with Fr. Eric's family and photos

After the sentencing was over, parishioners and community members who knew Fr. Eric gathered in a small conference room. KIEM, North Coast News, LOCO, TS, Mad River Union and I all received copies of the victim statements, made by three of Fr. Eric's sisters. His sister Melissa (with the cap) was unable to make it to the trial but she is here for the sentencing.

They agreed to speak only with me, privately, to answer any questions. I was so overwhelmed myself with emotions that I could not think of many questions.

http://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2016/05/its-never-going-to-be-over-there-is.html

 

[Lilibet]

District Attorney Maggie Fleming addressed the court before sentencing yesterday.

"For years, the rectory has served as a safe place where people turned for refuge. It is in this house, the defendant chose to break in and kill."

More at link:
http://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2016/05/for-years-rectory-has-served-as-safe.html

 

[Lilibet]

I overlooked this article in the Eureka Times Standard after Bullock withdrew his insanity plea last month. It is a lovely tribute to the victim Eric Freed. Maybe this is the best time to post it anyway.

http://www.times-standard.com/article/NJ/20160416/NEWS/160419908

 

[Lilibet]

Preoccupied with his death and killer, I missed many tributes to the life of Eric Freed along the way since January 2014. It's a good time to share them. Googling will find many more.

A Facebook page memorializing Fr. Eric Freed.There are many photos, personal tributes and articles. He was much loved.

https://www.facebook.com/Fr.EricFreed/

His obituary has more information.

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/times-standard/obituary.aspx?pid=168888585

A tribute to his life from the Humboldt State University Lumberjack newspaper.

http://thelumberjack.org/2014/01/22/remembering-father-eric-freed/

 

[Lilibet]

I can't confirm this in MSM yet, but John Chiv says that Gary Lee Bullock was admitted to San Quentin.

http://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2016/05/gary-lee-bullock-admitted-to-san.html

 

[Lilibet]

Gary Bullock’s appeal is moving slowly. Oral arguments have been requested but not scheduled yet.

http://appellatecases.courtinfo.ca.gov/search/case/dockets.cfm?dist=1&doc_id=2146396&doc_no=A148543

http://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2017/10/oral-arguments-for-gary-lee-bullocks.html#more

This link confirms that Bullock is in San Quentin.

http://appellatecases.courtinfo.ca....neys.cfm?dist=1&doc_id=2146396&doc_no=A148543

 

[Lilibet]

It appears that a date has been set for oral arguments in his appeal on 12/6 at 1:30 p.m.

http://appellatecases.courtinfo.ca.gov/search/case/dockets.cfm?dist=1&doc_id=2146396&doc_no=A148543

http://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2017/11/oral-arguments-scheduled-for-gary-lee.html

 

[Lilibet]

Bullock’s appeal was denied. Trial court judgement affirmed on all three points.

Quoting the decision document:

On appeal, defendant argues the trial court should have suppressed certain statements he made during a police interview after he asked the interviewer, “Can I see a lawyer?”Defendant also argues the evidence adduced at trial was insufficient to support the torture conviction and the torture-murder special circumstance. Finally, defendant contends that Penal Code section 654 bars punishment for both the murder and the torture convictions.

The ruling in two different formats. Warning: graphic in parts.
http://www.courts.ca.gov/opinions/nonpub/A148543.PDF
http://www.courts.ca.gov/opinions/nonpub/A148543.DOC

History:
http://appellatecases.courtinfo.ca....wLSInLkg9WyBFSCI9WEtIUEw6UVxfJyBeUz5TTDtKCg==

 

[Lilibet]

An article from December 2017 explaining why Bullock lost his appeal.

Why Gary Lee Bullock’s attempt to appeal his murder, torture conviction failed

 

[Lilibet]

I’m not sure whether this is current or correct information, but it appears Bullock has been moved from San Quentin to Coalinga—Pleasant Valley State Prison.

Inmate Search: Gary Lee Bullock AZ9184, Coalinga, California

Inmate Gary Lee Bullock is currently incarcerated in CDCR - Pleasant Valley State Prison (PVSP) located at 24863 W Jayne Ave, Coalinga, CA. Connect with GARY LEE using InmateAid.

www.inmateaid.com

However the official Calif Department of Corrections website says he is at Donovan State Prison near San Diego and was admitted in 2016 after his sentencing. So I don’t know what’s up with the Coalinga info.

CDCR Public Inmate Locator Disclaimer