News

SUICIDE SQUAD (Rated PG-13)

A world without Superman’s superhero powers is what happens in “Suicide Squad,” where the DC Comics anti-hero characters are so dark and nihilistic that the interest in director David Ayer’s gloomy vision mostly rests, one would imagine, with the fanboys sure to turn out in droves.

The trend to the dark side of the comic book superhero adventures has been realized lately with “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” and the still edgy but funnier “Deadpool.”

And let’s not forget that “Captain America: Civil War” even raised the stakes on high-octane action with a clash of the superheroes. In this universe of murky conflict, “Suicide Squad” is a comfortable fit.

In a crazy plan that could only be concocted by government bureaucrats, Viola Davis’ Amanda Waller, an intelligence officer who believes what is best in her mind for the United States is what is best for everyone else, puts forth a plan that causes plenty of teeth-gnashing in the corridors of power.

Given that the plot is messy and often baffling, the apparent evil force that requires superhuman efforts to defeat rests with the ancient goddess Enchantress who takes possession of the body of Dr. June Moone (Cara Delevingne).

Complicating matters is the fact that Dr. Moone is the love of the life of Colonel Rick Flag (Joel Kinnaman), the career military man and reluctant right hand to Waller who believes the enemy can be defeated the old-fashioned way, with a team of top-notch Navy SEALs.

Apparently, Flag didn’t read comic books while growing up, otherwise he would have known that only a wacky scheme of taking criminal degenerates and blackmailing them into doing a job deemed too down and dirty for undercover agents would result in the mission assembled by Waller.

At the Belle Reve maximum security prison in the swamp land of Louisiana, the world’s most dangerous super-villains possessing an assortment of strange powers or special skills are caged in special solitary confinement cells similar to the Hannibal Lecter experience.

The natural leader among the group of misfits, killers and psychopaths, even though he is a loner, is Deadshot (Will Smith), a highly-disciplined assassin who never misses his target, whether using a handgun, assault weapon or rifle with a powerful scope.

Deadshot is also an enigma since he loves with all his heart his young daughter, who tries in vain to get him to quit the nasty business of being a murderer for hire. He might join the mission just to get a chance at redemption.

It was also up to Deadshot to figure out that his services for the government in order to get out of prison would result in him and his colleagues being patsies that would become, in his words, “some kind of suicide squad.”

Another interesting character in the rogues gallery is Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie), a former prison psychiatrist gone bad, who is now crazier than any inmate she may have treated in therapy sessions.

Now tattooed and looking like a fallen cheerleader turned into a nasty killing machine, Harley also happens to be the girlfriend of the Joker (Jared Leto), a very twisted character familiar to all “Batman” fans.

Regrettably, given his insanely psychotic nature, the creepy Joker has few scenes in this film, more often than not pining away like a slobbering school boy for his beloved Harley.

With limited screen time, the Joker is unable to make a lasting impression in the pantheon of “Batman” villains that have gone before him.

Other notable villains recruited into the suicide mission include Killer Croc (Adewale Akinnouye-Agbaje), a genetic mutation with a bad skin condition who thrives underground in the sewers.

The one bad guy who seems to have a conscience is Diablo (Jay Hernandez), a repentant pyromaniac and one-time gangbanger who has backed away from criminality as his life is filled with regret for his inability to control the flames that fly from him when he’s enraged.

Offering a bit of comic relief is a renegade from Down Under, master thief Boomerang (Jai Courtney) who couldn’t care less about the other people on the suicide squad and doesn’t hold back on some caustic remarks.

Neither in the mutant or criminal category is samurai warrior Katana (Karen Fukuhara), a deadly beauty who became a sword master to avenge the death of her husband. She’s loyal to the mission and has Rick Flag’s back when the going gets tough.

“Suicide Squad,” though bleaker and darker than recent films in the DC Comics universe, may hold interest for the targeted audience. Even if the story has more holes than a block of Swiss cheese, the characters are interesting, in a weird sort of way, to watch for a variety of reasons.

The filmmakers incorporated music into “Suicide Squad” that would strongly define the action and energy. The film is infused with everything from classic rock to urban funk to alt rock and rap, with tunes from current artists and legendary rockers.

Despite some major flaws, there is offbeat fun to be had in the wild beat of “Suicide Squad,” where the fast-paced action sequences move everything along at a speed that makes the whole enterprise palatable for fans of the genre. For others, it could be a bit too much to take.

Tim Riley writes film and television reviews for Lake County News.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – On Friday, at the end of several weeks of testimony, the case of a man on trial for a fatal 2015 shooting in Clearlake was handed over to the jury.

The closing arguments in the murder trial of Billy Raymond Mount, 36, of Clearlake wrapped up on Friday.

For the last six weeks Mount has been on trial for the July 2, 2015, shooting death of 40-year-old Steven Galvin of Clearlake.

Galvin, as he lay dying, told Clearlake Police Det. Ryan Peterson that it was “Cyclops” – or David Cox, a skinhead living in Clearlake – who had been responsible for his shooting.

However, Deputy District Attorney Sharon Lerman – a former newspaper reporter – told the jury in her closing arguments that Galvin's dying statement was the headline to the story, not the story itself, and that they needed to look further and they would see Mount was indeed the guilty person.

However, Mount's defense attorney, Andrea Sullivan, argued that the story is as straightforward as that headline suggested, and that Galvin was in fact a more truthful and accurate witness to the events that ultimately took his life.

As court got under way on Friday morning, a woman seated in the audience handed a letter for Judge Andrew Blum to Sullivan.

Sullivan asked to give it to the judge. Blum, in turn, asked if it was an ex parte communication, then added that it wouldn't be lawful for him to accept such a letter from anyone.

A short time later, another woman – Penny Wisterman, identified during testimony as Mount's girlfriend – also attempted to give Blum a letter by handing it to Sgt. Don McPherson, the bailiff, who promptly gave it back to her.

The trial also has seen attempts by audience members to influence the jury, a strict violation of law.

Members of the audience contacted jurors in the hallway outside of Blum's Department Three courtroom during a break on the day of opening arguments to speak on Mount's behalf. Blum had issued a stern warning at that time that anyone who attempted to contact the jury in that way could end up in jail.

Then, on Wednesday, the case came close to a mistrial when another woman contacted jurors during a break to tell them that Mount was innocent. The woman was brought into court and questioned, and only after the jurors were polled about the incident's possible impact on them – they said they could proceed – did court resume.

Lerman told Lake County News on Friday that the woman who contacted the jurors on Wednesday could be facing charges at some point.

Messing with the 'white boys'

Before closing arguments began, Blum read to the jury their instructions for handling the case before Lerman started her closing arguments.

Lerman told the jury that, about a week before his death, Galvin told his girlfriend that, “When you mess with one of the white boys, you mess with all of them,” a statement that she said is chilling for how accurate it turned out to be.

Galvin had spent months dealing with Cox, who believed that Galvin was responsible for taking a new $50 tablet Cox had purchased at Walmart from Cox's girlfriend's purse during a get-together.

Cox, a skinhead, had involved in the dispute his circle of friends, who along with Cox were involved in confrontations with Galvin right up until two days before he was shot.

Galvin was struck by a bullet from a .22-caliber pistol while walking through a neighborhood along 35th Avenue, collapsing in a front yard.

The bullet left only a tiny entry wound on his back and one on the front of his body, Lerman said, but the damage it did inside of Galvin's body would prove fatal, severing his aorta and irreparably damaging his liver and lungs.

“He was dead inside of 45 minutes and never got the chance to tell us anything else,” she said, besides his statement to Peterson that “Cyclops” – or Cox – had been responsible for the assault on him.

Lerman suggested that, with his last gasp, Galvin chose to name Cox after months of conflicts with the skinhead. However, Lerman argued that it actually was Mount who pulled the trigger because Mount, also a skinhead, was having problems with Cox and wanted to get out of trouble.

A small white pickup had been seen pulling up to where Galvin was before the shooting. Sean Whiteman, one of the trial's witnesses, had testified to having driven his white Chevy S-10 pickup around with Mount as a passenger.

Jeremy Green, a friend of Mount's, also had testified to having ridden around with the men on the day of the shooting, but was dropped off at a gas station and so didn't see the incident occur.

Several witnesses at the scene saw the small white pickup. There also were different statements about a bald man who got out of the truck, who had no facial tattoos and a light-colored goatee, and appeared to be arguing with Galvin, before the truck started to pull away and two shots were fired.

Showing pictures of Cox and Mount side by side, Lerman argued that the man at the shooting scene couldn't have been Cox, who has distinctive facial tattoos and at the time had a dark-colored mustache. Mount also is bald and had a brown goatee and mustache.

Lerman said there were several key pieces of uncontroverted evidence: the crime was committed from Whiteman's pickup, Mount and Whiteman were together on the day of the shooting, an AC/DC compact disc found in Whiteman's pickup had Mount's DNA and fingerprints on it, Mount had a tense meeting with Cox a short time before the shooting, and Whiteman witnessed the shooting, recounting details only a witness would know.

She said it was Whiteman who led police to the handgun used in the shooting, found in a culvert. She said the gun had prints and DNA on it, although the prints couldn't be lifted nor the DNA extracted by experts. “That gun was meant to remain hidden.”

She showed phone records for Penny Wisterman's phone, arguing that it was Mount who used that phone to call Cox. Earlier in the trial, the prosecution brought up a statement that Mount had reportedly made to Cox in that call, “I seen T-Bone. I got him,” but which on the stand last week Cox said he didn't remember making.

Lerman maintained that Mount showed that he intended to kill Galvin by shooting twice.

Cox had testified that he felt “1 percent” responsible for Galvin's death. Referring to that statement, Lerman asked the jury, “Do you believe that he directly ordered the defendant to kill Steven Galvin?” Or, she asked, was Cox an idiot because one of the people in his circle had taken it further, ending in the shooting.

Ultimately, she told jurors they didn't have to decide which of those two scenarios to believe because Cox didn't pull the trigger.

“The man who pulled the trigger is the person on trial,” she said.

The victim's own words

Sullivan began her closing arguments by playing video from Peterson's body camera, which had been played on the first day of testimony in the trial.

It showed Peterson arriving at the scene, where Galvin was being attended to by paramedics.

Peterson asked Galvin, “Who did this to you?” To which Galvin clearly stated “Cyclops” several times between gasps and stating, “I can't breathe.”

Sullivan maintained that a lot of evidence had been presented at trial that showed Mount didn't commit the murder. She said none of the witnesses at the shooting scene identified Mount, and no physical evidence on the gun or ammunition was connected to him.

Then there were what Sullivan called the “severe credibility issues” with a number of the prosecution witnesses.

“The most important evidence has been drowned out – the words you just heard,” Sullivan said, referring to Galvin's responses in the video. In that moment, when he said Cox's name, Galvin “told you everything you need to know.”

Peterson had experience dealing with injured people, Sullivan said. When he knelt down to speak to Galvin about who was responsible for the assault, “He got a clear, unequivocal answer: Cyclops.”

Sullivan said Galvin wasn't confused, as the prosecution argued. He knew what had happened to him.

Meantime, the prosecution has pointed the finger at Mount. “If you're going to call somebody a murderer, you need to have evidence to back it up,” she said, noting the only physical evidence comes off of a CD case.

She said the prosecution had twisted Galvin's words into a theory that Mount was on the outs with the skinheads and needed to commit the homicide, while the evidence, she added, suggested Cox was the killer.

Two of the eyewitnesses at the scene didn't pick Mount out of a line up, and one female witness had only seen Cox's photo a week before testifying at trial, Sullivan said.

Sullivan said the woman's memory was fragile, like writing on the sand along a beach. Over time, the details and clarity were lost.

She faulted the accounts of witnesses such as Jeremy Green, a friend of Mount's who was high on heroin when Peterson interviewed him, and Whiteman, who she said never recounted Mount making any phone call to Cox as they were riding around in the pickup.

While Galvin had never admitted to stealing Cox's tablet, he had said he would replace it. Sullivan said Galvin probably made that offer because he was terrified due to being accused by Cox.

Galvin was shot on July 2, at the start of the month, a time that Sullivan said was important to the people in this case because that is when they get their checks. Galvin had told Cox he would pay him at the start of the month, but months had gone by and it didn't happen.

“There's a clear progression of escalating violence,” said Sullivan, noting that there was a cycle of expectation and disappointment, and the third time – or the third month that had passed without Galvin paying Cox – was the charm.

Sullivan asked the jurors to think of the trial as a sale, not a race, suggesting they imagine how they would respond to Cox, Whiteman and Green if they showed up on the porch trying to sell a product.

She explained that in reaching a guilty verdict, the jurors must have an “abiding conviction,” meaning that, “a year from now, you're going to feel confident in that guilty vote.”

Sullivan added, “I urge you to give Galvin justice by listening to his last words.”

In her response to Sullivan's arguments, Lerman acknowledged that there were no angels in the case.

However, she maintained that the witness statements lined up, and while the female witness wasn't shown a picture of Cox until just before the trial, Lerman said the woman knew Cox, so she questioned what difference that made.

She said it was obvious that Galvin was confused, but he wasn't wrong when he named Cox. “He knew that whoever attacked him was one of Cyclops' white boys. He couldn't tell us the rest of the story.”

Cox's constant talk and complaining about the tablet, and enlisting people's help in his feud with Galvan, “that got somebody killed.”

She said it was many things, taken together, that pointed to Mount's guilt – from witness statements to the fingerprints and DNA on the CD case in Whiteman's truck.

“You must find him guilty of this murder,” she said of Mount.

With Lerman's arguments complete, Blum read final directions to the jury, which then left the courtroom.

Just after 4 p.m. the jury convened behind closed doors, asking the court for a large piece of paper as jurors began to consider the weeks of evidence in the case and, ultimately, to determine just what the case's final headline will be.

Editor's note: A previous version of this story incorrectly stated that it was Lerman who asked to give the judge an ex parte letter, when in fact it was Sullivan.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.

COBB, Calif. – The work to replace the bridge at Anderson Creek is set to begin this month, according to the Lake County Public Works Department.

Beginning on Monday, Aug. 15, and continuing through Nov. 23, Foard Road at Anderson Creek bridge will be closed to all traffic in order to replace the bridge.

A detour will be in place for the traveling public.

During this time, occasional traffic control may occur with maximum delays of 15 minutes expected.

Please drive with caution in this area.

 

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Branch 168 of the Lake County Sons In Retirement announced plans to attend two shows in the fourth quarter.

The first is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 27.

The trip includes the bus to Sacramento to see a matinée performance of “Sound of Music” at the Sacramento Musical Theatre.

In addition to seeing this great musical, the group will follow the show with lunch at the Spaghetti Factory.  The package includes bus, lunch and great seats at the show for $94 per person.

Make your reservations ASAP as they're limited to 49 spots. Call Bob at 707-279-0187, Bill at 707-277-8846 or Dick at 707-489-8792.

Just after Thanksgiving, Nov. 29 through Dec. 1, SIR will sponsor a trip to Reno to see the ever-popular, “Miracle on 34th Street.”

The package on this trip includes bus, two nights at the Silver Legacy, two buffet breakfasts, a “yuletide” cocktail party, a Christmas shopping trek and the dinner show. They also will stop at their favorite Bavarian Bakery for pastries to take home.

Cost for the package is $183 per person, double occupancy. Call Bob at 707-279-0187, Bill at 707-277-8846 or Dick at 707-489-8792.

Sons In Retirement is a social organization for men of retirement age who are pursuing the goal of enjoying their later years. 

Branch 168 holds a Luncheon on the second Friday of each month at the TNT Restaurant in Lakeport. 

If you are interested in learning more about Sons In Retirement please feel free to contact Larry Powers, chair of the membership committee at 707-263-3403 or visit http://sirinc.org/sirhappenings/ .

Thomas Koker
July 6, 1939 - July 23, 2016

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – It is with the deepest sorrow we say goodbye to Tom Koker, the rock and cornerstone of his family.

He was a man greatly beloved and respected by his family, church and community.

A native Californian, Tom grew up as a young child in Lake County, attending schools in Kelseyville and Clearlake Highlands.

He later moved to Southern California where he served in the Coast Guard and eventually met and married the love of his life, Donna. Tom and Donna returned to Lake County to raise their family in the early 1960s.

As a highly skilled master tradesman, Tom worked and engineered thousands of projects throughout the county. He was extremely gifted and had a heart as big as the state he called his home.

Tom was happiest when he was working on a project for someone, or simply offering a helping hand. He retired with 17 years of service to the county of Lake as buildings and grounds supervisor.

This giant of a man put his heart into everything he did, no matter how difficult or challenging, large or small the task. He loved to create art; unique, one-of-a-kind art that spoke of his love and respect for nature and God.

As a Deacon of Community Baptist Church, he was forever remodeling something or playing his harmonica during a special service.

Tom Koker was a man who loved hard and sacrificed much for the people he loved. Yet in spite of his neverending projects, Tom was undeniably his most joyful at the side of his one true love, Donna. They’ve lived and loved life together for 55 years, did everything together, and were the very best of friends.

He leaves behind the love of his life, Donna Koker; three children, Curt Koker, Pam Staver and Terrie Sullivan (Greg); nine grandchildren, Seth Staver (Anna), Lauren Dwyer (Joe), Melody White (Conan), Tom Koker (Michelle), PJ Staver, Casey Sullivan (Chelsea), Amy Statham (Sayre), Valeree Sullivan and Shane Koker; also 11 great grandchildren. We will miss him forever.

A memorial service will be held at Community Baptist Church in Nice at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 16.

For further information please contact Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary at 707-263-0357 or 707-994-5611, or visit www.chapelofthelakes.com .

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – California Department of Public Health Director and State Health Officer Dr. Karen Smith announced the first confirmed death in California this year due to West Nile virus.

The person who died was a senior citizen in Sacramento County, Smith said.
 
“West Nile virus can cause a deadly infection in humans, and the elderly are particularly susceptible, as this unfortunate fatality illustrates,” said Dr. Smith. “West Nile virus activity in the state is increasing, so I urge Californians to take every possible precaution to protect themselves against mosquito bites.”
 
CDPH has reported 10 human cases of WNV from eight California counties this year. In addition, 764 dead birds from 26 counties have tested positive for WNV in 2016 and 1,487 mosquito samples from 30 counties have also tested positive for WNV this year.
 
The number of WNV positive dead birds and mosquito samples exceeds the numbers at this same time last year and are above the state’s most recent five-year average.

In Lake County, there have been no human cases so far this year, according to local and state officials.

Lake County has had several human cases over the past decade. While the county had no human cases from 2007 to 2011, and no cases in 2013, it had one case each in 2012 and 2014, and two cases in 2015, state records showed.

The first case of West Nile virus in a bird – a domestic turkey from north Lakeport – was confirmed July 1, as Lake County News has reported.

Since then, two more dead birds – including a great blue heron – in Lake County have been confirmed to have the virus, along with a total of 13 mosquito samples, according to the case count.

State officials said the virus is now active in 34 of California's 58 counties, compared to 37 counties with the virus at this time last year.
 
West Nile virus is influenced by many factors, including climate, the number and types of birds and mosquitoes in an area and the level of WNV immunity in birds. West Nile is transmitted to humans and animals by the bite of an infected mosquito.

The risk of serious illness to most people is low. However, some individuals – less than 1 percent – can develop serious neurologic illnesses such as encephalitis or meningitis.
 
People 50 years of age and older and individuals with diabetes or hypertension have a higher chance of getting sick and are more likely to develop complications.
 
CDPH recommends that individuals protect against mosquito bites and WNV by practicing the “Three Ds”:
 
– DEET: Apply insect repellent containing DEET, picaradin, oil of lemon eucalyptus or IR3535 according to label instructions. Repellents keep the mosquitoes from biting you. Insect repellents should not be used on children under two months of age.

– DAWN AND DUSK: Mosquitoes usually bite in the early morning and evening so it is important to wear proper clothing and repellent if outside during these times. Make sure that your doors and windows have tight-fitting screens to keep out mosquitoes. Repair or replace screens that have tears or holes.

– DRAIN: Mosquitoes lay their eggs on standing water. Eliminate all sources of standing water on your property, by emptying flower pots, old car tires, buckets, and other containers. If you know of a swimming pool that is not being properly maintained, please contact your local mosquito and vector control agency.
 
California’s West Nile virus Web site includes the latest information on WNV activity in the state.

Californians are encouraged to report dead birds on the Web site or by calling toll-free 1-877-WNV-BIRD (968-2473).