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Opinion
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- Written by: David W. Smith
Now that the trial in the power boat vs. sailboat is over, what's next?
In that terrible accident, there was a loss of life. Will someone be held accountable?
A few years ago, I lost someone, at the hands of another. Unfortunately, California legislation protected that person, and the statute of limitations has all but run out.
Will this case be swept under the rug and the statute of limitations be allowed to run out? Can anyone answer these questions?
I ask again: What's next?
Dave Smith lives in Nice.
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- Written by: Aileen Krewson
With your positive well wishes and support, Jerry and I are trying to put all of this behind us and move on. Needless to say there were no arrests ... as there was nothing for them to find. In fact, we have not heard a word from these "Feds" since June 5, the day of the "raid." Sadly, we've not been successful in opening the shop, My Sister's Attic, since that day, though we have tried. It has become an emotional issue for us so we've decided to close it down.
We have retained an attorney in San Francisco, referred to us by the American Civil Liberties Union, and will be striving to attain his fees. We cannot say too much in regards to the "case" at this time. But we are confident that we will prevail and prayerfully keep this from happening to other innocent people!
We can tell you that we have also put our home on the market as Aileen is having a difficult time feeling safe there, since it was our home they "raided" first. Yes, you are reading it correctly. Fourteen federal agents with guns drawn came to our door with a battering ram at 8:30 a.m., held a gun to our cocker spaniel because she barked as they jerked me outside into the front yard while in my pajamas and proceeded to frisk me. I was held hostage in our kitchen, not being allowed to use the phone (Jerry had just left for work prior to their arrival and had no idea what was going on), while they continued to go through everything in our entire home, garage, game room, yard even downloaded both our computers … nothing left unturned. Low and behold … there was not one thing found that they apparently expected to find and we're supposed to just close our eyes and pretend it didn't happen. Well we can't!
As much as we hate to, this is the part where we have to ask for your help! No, we don't have a "can" with our picture on it, nor have we started a "bank fund" ... But what we are doing is trying to raise the $8,000 attorney fees with the biggest yard sale ever! The entire shop is now in our yard … plus the contents of two other storage areas. We are asking you to come, buy some cool stuff CHEAP! There is something for everyone! By doing that, you get something for your buck and we get the funds we need to stop these people from ever doing this again.
The sale will go on daily from today through Sunday, 9 a.m. until ?? or at least 5:30. It is located on the corner of Government and First Street in Upper Lake. Sunday we will have donuts and coffee for you to show our gratitude. Thank you again, so very much.
Aileen Krewson lives in Upper Lake.
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- Written by: Ron Green
Some think Hopkins prosecuted Dinius to protect Captain Russell Perdock. Although that might have been his motivation at first, once the civil case against Perdock and others was settled, with Perdock’s insurance paying the $300,000 policy limits, the protection factor ended, and the best way for Hopkins to protect Perdock at that point would have been to dismiss the case against Dinius, rather than making a public spectacle of Perdock at the trial. I think that Hopkins’ hardheadedness and extreme tunnel vision led to this embarrassing trial, and prevented him from rationally evaluating the evidence in this case. If he had, he surely would have decided to dismiss the entire case against Dinius. This would also have been in Perdock’s best interest, unless Hopkins decided to prosecute Perdock instead.
Given the facts of this case, and the necessity for all 12 members of the jury to agree in order to convict Dinius, I simply don’t understand how any rational prosecutor could expect to convict Dinius. Hopkins didn’t lose the trial because he is an awful trial lawyer, he lost the trial because it was an unwinnable case that should never have been filed in the first place. His poor judgment in bringing this case led to the unanimous not guilty verdict, not his questionable trial skills. How he expected to convince one jury member to convict, let alone all 12, is beyond my comprehension. Attorneys and laypersons alike could see that this was an unwinnable case, and perhaps the wrong person was on trial, why couldn’t Hopkins?
Hopkins’ lengthy open letter about this case to the county newspapers, on July 17, 2009, as the jury was being picked, was shocking, outrageous and embarrassing, and may have been a violation of the California Bar’s Rules of Professional Conduct. A letter like that on the eve of trial is unheard of in legal circles, and again highlights Hopkins’ extremely poor judgment. It seems that Hopkins, in writing this desperate letter, was much more concerned about his public image and re-election than justice.
We need a district attorney with impeccable judgment. Hopkins has demonstrated that he lacks good judgment and common sense. Who from outside the DA’s Office will come forward and run against Hopkins for district attorney in the next election? Maybe we shouldn’t wait for another election, perhaps the voters of Lake County should immediately wage a recall campaign against Hopkins.
Attorney Ron Green is based in Lower Lake.
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- Written by: Lake Family Resource Center Board of Directors
On behalf of Lake Family Resource Center, the Board of Directors and staff would like to take this opportunity to recognize and express sincere gratitude to Paula Bryant and staff at Umpqua Bank, Lakeport branch.
The bank's support has allowed Lake Family Resource Center to continue to serve members of our community and keep its doors open with the lateness of the state budget and the financial uncertainty that brought.
We have found Umpqua Bank to be responsive, responsible and tremendously supportive of its community. Thank you!
In this challenged and uncertain financial climate, Umpqua Bank continues to support Lake Family Resource Center and its goal of strengthening our community, one family at a time.
The Lake Family Resource Center Board of Directors includes Barbara Breunig, Bill Cornelison, Ilene Dumont, Gloria Flaherty, Kathy Fowler, Barry Parkinson, Christina Roth, John Tomkins and Joanne Van Eck.