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

[Lilibet]

Lost Coast Outpost (LOCO) report for the afternoon of Day 1:

Bullock was still during this morning’s proceedings, but this afternoon he turned fidgety, bouncing his leg absentmindedly under the table as he sat next to his defense attorney, Kaleb Cockrum.

https://lostcoastoutpost.com/2016/feb/29/recorded-phone-call-bullock-pleaded-his-grandma-pu/

 

[Lilibet]

Day 2

More evidence at hearing described by John Chiv.

A photo of Fr. Eric lying on the floor next to a table with bruises on his chest, bloodied hands and arms and face covered with blood and contusions was identified.

http://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2016/03/photos-of-fr-erics-car-bloodied-and.html

 

[Lilibet]

Day 2

More evidence at the hearing this morning as described by Lost Coast Outpost.

Eureka Police Detective John Luken was first to take the stand in today’s evidentiary hearing. He described photos of Father Freed’s stolen car, found on Jan. 2, 2014, covered in branches at the Southern Humboldt County home of John and Carol Bruno, Bullock’s mother and step-father.
.....

Also in the image [of Freed's body] was a broken glass “vessel,” which appeared to match descriptions of a vase allegedly used in the torture of Freed.
.....

After these witnesses testified, Judge John T. Feeney resumed the process of winnowing down the jury pool by reviewing prospective jurors’ hardship questionnaires. The trial is scheduled to resume this afternoon and continue through mid-April.

https://lostcoastoutpost.com/2016/mar/1/witnesses-retrace-trail-evidence-bullock-murder-tr/

 

[Lilibet]

Day 2

General information from the Northcoast Journal.

Because of the notoriety of the crime and the projected length of the trial — it’s expected to stretch into April — it will likely take some weeks to empanel the 12-member jury and a handful of alternates.

http://www.northcoastjournal.com/Ne.../01/jury-selection-underway-for-bullock-trial

 

[Lilibet]

Interesting information about jury selection on Day 1 from the Eureka Times Standard, the only MSM source. I overlooked this yesterday.

At one point as the judge was going through the hardship applications, Isaac stated the importance of finding jurors who would be fully engaged given the complexities of the case.
A medical doctor and a woman about to start family leave with her infant had their applications granted. College of the Redwoods and Humboldt State University students with full class schedules also were excused. The judge also cleared several people who had pre-paid vacations they would have to sacrifice for a trial expected to last several weeks.
Feeney did not grant hardship waivers for dozens of other potential jurors who sought to be excused, including an IT manager who has projects in development. Several schoolteachers, an HSU professor and people with medical procedures planned during the trial will also be among potential jurors today filling out questionnaires designed to exclude candidates who might be biased or know too much about the case.

http://www.times-standard.com/gener...randmother-to-put-house-up-as-bail-collateral

 

[Lilibet]

Day 2

Afternoon evidentiary hearing posted by John Chiv titled:
[h=3]Keys with a HSU stamp, insurance paperwork and ID cards with photos and name of Fr. Freed recovered from the Eel river by Deputy who had to wear a wetsuit to reach access[/h]
According to John the evidentiary hearing is going smoothly.

http://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2016/03/keys-with-hsu-stamp-insurance-paperwork.html

 

[Lilibet]

Day 2

KIEM TV:

Some jurors stated they could not handle stress as a reason to be excused. However, Issac ensured the judge that despite the severity of the crime it would not be graphic in nature.
BBM

Not graphic? I don't know how this case can be presented without being graphic. Torture is one of the charges!

http://kiem-tv.com/video/jury-selection-continues-gary-bullock-priest-murder-trial

 

[Lilibet]

Day 2

From the Times Standard 3/1:

Attorneys in the trial of the man accused of killing a Eureka Catholic priest on New Year’s Day 2014 will begin questioning prospective jurors on Wednesday before Humboldt County Superior Court Judge John Feeney.
The possible jurors have filled out questionnaires designed to screen candidates who might be biased or know too much about the case. Groups of five will be called starting at 2 p.m. today for Bullock attorney Humboldt County Conflict Counsel Kaleb Cockrum and Deputy District Attorney Andrew Isaac to start following up with the information provided in the questionnaires.
.....

Police testified at Bullock’s preliminary hearing that a forensic pathologist found three contributing factors for Freed’s death: blunt force trauma to the head, trauma to the trachea and suffocation by compression that probably was caused by a broken vase being forced down his throat.

http://www.times-standard.com/gener...possible-jurors-to-be-questioned-on-wednesday

 

[Lilibet]

Day 3

John Chiv is the only observer in court this morning. Many photos were shown and he will post about them later today. Regarding jury selection he says:

Individual jurors will be questioned this afternoon and for the rest of the week. Due to the sensitive nature of the questioning and case, this will occur in a closed courtroom.

I can understand why the courtroom would be closed. When I was in a jury pool that was questioned for a molestation case, some of the questions were very personal and potential jurors had to reveal things about themselves that one would normally keep private. To eliminate biased jurors, I would expect the defense attorney to be asking if any jurors have ever been molested by a priest or have had family members with drug problems. The DA may ask if jurors have ever had drug problems themselves. JMO

http://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2016/03/photos-of-broken-window-drain-pipe.html

 

[Lilibet]

Day 3

John Chiv writes in detail about the photos shown in court, about the morning Fr Freed did not show up for mass and his emotions since then as a close friend of Freed. Heartbreaking.

Former EPD Detective Todd Wilcox, who now works as reserve staff for HCSO testified yesterday morning. Starting at #21 and ending at #120, photos and physical items recovered from the crime scene at St. Bernard's rectory and Church property were identified and admitted into evidence by the People in the Gary Lee Bullock case in the morning court session.

Mr. Wilcox was on the stand from 8:35 a.m. to 12:05 p.m. with one 15 minute morning break.
......

There was no one in the audience except me, only the Judge, the DA Investigators, bailiffs, the attorneys and court staff and Bullock.

http://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2016/03/first-photos-of-blood-soaked-t-shirt.html

 

[Lilibet]

Day 4

Jurors are being questioned in a closed courtroom. Bullock has been in jail for 791 days. He has gained weight since his booking photo.

http://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2016/03/day-4-jury-trial-for-gary-lee-bullock.html

 

[Lilibet]

As John Chiv mentioned in an earlier post, his coverage of the trial will be from the unique perspective of a friend of Fr Freed and parishioner at St Bernard's. Here is one of those posts, including a news photo of John at his friend's grave.

http://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2016/03/photos-that-tell-how-st-bernards-was.html

 

[Lilibet]

Day 5

John Chiv writes this morning that no one is allowed in the courtroom as jury selection continues. Fr Freed's family is arriving. Bullock's mother and a family friend are there. There will be no court on Wednesday. There is some kind of gag order, so I'm not sure how much information will be available this week. It's day to day.

http://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2016/03/individual-jurors-continue-to-be.html

 

[Lilibet]

Day 8 (I think)

No court on Wednesday and jury selection has continued behind closed doors, so I'm calling this Day 8.

http://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2016/03/jury-selection-continues-in-gary-lee.html

 

[Lilibet]

Day 9 (Monday, March 14)

I've hit a pay wall on the Times Standard site, but from the little I can see it seems that jurors were questioned today about their feelings about the Catholic Church and Bullock's insanity plea. If anyone can get access to the article, feel free to post more. Thanks.

http://www.times-standard.com

 

[Lilibet]

Day 10 (Tues. March 15)--Missing jurors cause delay

Jury selection was supposed to continue in the open courtroom today, but eleven jurors from the pool were missing, so it was rescheduled for tomorrow at 8:30 a.m. Some jurors told court staff that the message machine was not working last evening.

http://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2016/03/courtroom-hallway-packed-with-potential.html

 

[roguelady]

Lilibet, just wanted to thank you for keep us updated on this horrific case. I lived in Humboldt County (attended HSU) and have family ties there. It's so sad to see what has happened to such a beautiful area. Also, up until a few months ago, I resided in the Rogue Valley for 14 years - so I am very aware of Stephanie's case. I appreciate all of your intelligent insights on many of these threads. I rarely post here, but sending WS hugs to you from the Oregon coast.

 

[Lilibet]

Lilibet, just wanted to thank you for keep us updated on this horrific case. I lived in Humboldt County (attended HSU) and have family ties there. It's so sad to see what has happened to such a beautiful area. Also, up until a few months ago, I resided in the Rogue Valley for 14 years - so I am very aware of Stephanie's case. I appreciate all of your intelligent insights on many of these threads. I rarely post here, but sending WS hugs to you from the Oregon coast.

Thanks so much for your kind words, roguelady. WS hugs right back!

It's pretty rare to find someone who has lived in both places. What has happened to Humboldt breaks my heart. This trial is going to be a tough one, so it helps to know a few are reading along. Stephanie's thread is pretty quiet now, since there is nothing new made public. Just a vigil, sadly. Thanks for stopping by!

 

[Lilibet]

The Times Standard article from Monday (Day 9) that I couldn't open earlier, suddenly opened for me today, so here is an excerpt:

Proceedings began two weeks ago Monday before Humboldt County Superior Court Judge John Feeney with prospective jurors being asked to fill out a 15-page questionnaire designed to screen candidates who might be biased, be too familiar or have a connection to the case.
In Feeney’s explanation to the jurors, he explains that they will be asked questions of a personal nature.
“Let me assure you that the court does not wish to embarrass you or pry into your private affairs,” Feeney wrote. “However, the parties to this action are entitled, by law, to ask questions that do require personal answers. This written form may be easier than being required to answer questions in open court.”
Dozens of prospective jurors were at the courthouse Monday afternoon, being called into closed court in groups of five as Deputy District Attorney Andrew Isaac and Kaleb Cockrum from the Office of Conflict Counsel continue screening the men and women who could decide Bullock’s fate.
.........
In addition to biographical data, work history, military service and family ties, potential jurors were asked about their experience with religion and with people suffering from mental illness.
“Do you have any particular thoughts or feelings about the Catholic Church in particular or organized religion in general that might affect your ability to impartially consider the facts of this case?” question 41 reads.

More at link:
http://www.times-standard.com/article/NJ/20160314/NEWS/160319930

 

[Lilibet]

Day 11 (Wednesday March 16)--Jury Selection Continues

Second day of jury selection.

Bullock's attorney , Mr. Kaleb Cockrum, questioned all 12 before mid morning break. Deputy Deputy District Attorney Andrew Isaac questioned the jurors after the break.

Due to extensive individual questioning of jurors, this morning's jury selection proceeded very smoothly. In the morning session, Mr. Cockrum questioned all the jurors together; Mr. Isaac questioned each juror individually, eliciting laughter and some light hearted moments, especially when he made a reference to Cleopatra, the service dog that belongs to his jury consultant, Mr. David Prendergast who left after the mid morning break. He also said he was going to ask jurors what their favorite book was, "something I have never tried before", that question was popular and potential jurors were eager to share.
.......

A jury panel could have been selected as early as 2 p.m. today and alternates could have been seated, but at the end of the day, it was close but no cigar, jury selection continues tomorrow at 8:30 a.m.

So far, the break up of the jury has varied, either 8 women, 4 men or 9 women and 3 men.

http://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2016/03/after-some-glitches-jury-selection.html