Sounds like this fight was started by somebody screwing somebody else's boyfriend or girlfriend and nobody gets stabbed up like that for nothing.

While I feel very badly and lament the many murders of black youth by principally white officers across this nation, there are fomenters of racial tensions and division in our community now that are using this tragedy to further their own agendas and enunciate their own hatred of whites. They have brought their racial stereotypes and proclivities to Humboldt County, from parts south, and now want to make this crime all about supposed hate and racism in our community when there is little evidence that this crime has anything to do with racism. There is no evidence that racism exists at a rate any higher here compared to any other rural community in California. If there is any racism that surrounds this case, it is the hatred and racial epithets that were hurled at first responders and EMTs when they were trying to save Josiah's life. If JusticeForJosiah organizers want any sympathy and understanding from the community they need to lose the racist attitudes and focus on the crime for what it was. And stop impugning local towns like McKinleyville. The town had nothing to do with this crime. It is doubtful that Josiah's mother approves of some of the tactics being used the JusticeForJosiah followers to divide this community along racial lines.

Well put.

Taken from Josiah's Supporter's Pamphlet:

"The rationale was that there wasn’t enough “hard evidence” to meet the
probable cause “standard.” Thus, the court was lenient and obligated to
release Zellner from their custody back into the general public; despite
the safety hazard of releasing a suspected killer on the streets."

do these people have any idea how our justice system works?

the inmates are running the asylum

John is there a way you could find me on fb and send me a message? I would like to talk to you about Lawson. It's really important and I understand you were there that night. It would be greatly appreciated.

First, I hope they do not plan to disrupt or bring their protest to the fun events that will be offered to the public today and the coming weeks. Not the place for negativity and conflict The demands seem reasonable; but if they demand the girls be arrested and fingerprinted, it would serve justice for the people who beat Zoellner be fingerprinted and arrested also. Several crimes were committed that led up to the killing that night, but nobody seems to know much about the stabbing except for assumptions. Justice should be for everyone who was victimized. As long as they protest peacefully and avoid what happened in Arcata, those are their rights. They lost my respect for what happened that day. Condolences to the family of Josiah.

Lawson was the one who got killed zoellner was the one who got beat up knocked unconscious and arrested for the stabbing and had charges dropped due to lack of evidence not meeting the standard to proceed to trial in front of a jury or judge.

Oops....corrected my error. Thanks

there has always been violence at these kinds of parties. locals and implants all getting inebriated and crowding into a small area... what could go wrong? with drugs more prevalent than ever my advice to all HSU students is remember the bubble of safety on campus is just that... if you want to jump into the mix and party it up with the late night scene be careful. not here to make excuses or justify this BS.

Your statement seems to ignore the problem of racism in the community.

You only hear what you want to hear, so i feel sorry for you.

Go ahead, feel sorry for someone with an open mind. I suppose that's some kind of psychological defense mechanism.

If these people are so "passionate" about finding murderers - why are not they calling out for all the persons murdered in Humboldt? Crime has gone up around here - my guess is because alcohol and drug abuse has gone up - regardless - why is one murder special over another?

If you haven't figured that out yet, you're not paying attention.

Why is Josiah's girlfriend not held accountable? Josiah's BU brother even testified they started to leave after they had been pepper sprayed, yet she turned around to get what? Even? Civil justice? To escalate it even more? Because that's what happened. Should have stayed walking away and taking the high road.

If your white child? I'm pretty sure anybody of any ethnicity would be upset.. do you know how many white, mixed, indian, and Mexican kids have been murder out here? Just curious.. I'm guessing you don't though. Or you wouldn't say stupid shit like your white kid. Oh and quit contradicting yourself you agree there isn't enough evidence and nobody knows, yet bitch and make a racist statement in the following paragraph.

te, why don't you come forward and identify yourself-even generically if you prefer. Because I believe you are one of these fomenters of racial strife in our community I spoke of. You seem to have little respect for others and your prose gives clues you are not local. What are your goals besides finding the person that killed Josiah. Who knows, maybe you are a false flag??

You just said that Aracta Dad was talking crap but what he said was true and your one to start talking about being amazed at people.

You do realize everything you just stated would make you the most irrational and illogical juror ever right

I was on a jury where a defendant's past rape arrests were brought up by the current victim while testifying. The trial was declared a mistrial because his past could not be used in the current trial; and we, the jury, had no right to that info. I was dismissed and it started all over. So, his past cannot be used against him in this case.

I'm all for peaceful demonstrations that do not infringe on other peoples constitutional rights.But a hate crime?

Seems likely, hopefully we'll get to the bottom of this soon.

Yes....a hate crime.

What real evidence is there that it wasn't just a drunken fight?

Their list of demands seems reasonable except the assignment of the hate crime label. We do not have a solid, unquestionable suspect yet. We therefore cannot pinpoint hate as a motive. But if it is an element in the actions of the person who is identified as the killer, it needs to be brought with the charges and as an enhancement/special circumstance to whatever they might be convicted of.

However, I am rather more supportive of this approach to the situation and am glad to see HSU and the city opening a dialog. It is an interesting and salient point to make that students from the Black community elsewhere might not be ready to accept that they are not under threat immediately from a predominantly white community. Nonetheless, I feel they are not in any increased danger in Arcata as compared to some (much more diverse) communities in the rest of the state. But they can increase that risk by responding to their inner fears in a negative way, just like anyone else can.

This was a good way to send the students home, with their wants communicated and some of the air cleared about their preconceptions. I have said several times that I hope the investigation gets more resources and the testing is sped up. The FBI and DOJ could probably do more to speed up the forensic testing and analyses, which would be very good indeed. I do, however, remain unconvinced that Zoellner stabbed anyone.

Finally, I am glad that Elijah Chandler is not featured in this article. He severely decreases the level of sympathy with his rhetoric and his (let us be plain) off-point antics and creeping, shifting account of that night's tragic events. I am not sure he is trustworthy, and I wonder why he stands out among the BU witnesses with his changing storyline, but for now I will chock it up to PTSD, his personal rage and panic.

Let's hope they have a preliminary-proof arrest and a trial underway before the students return.

There list of demands were all wiped out as B.S as soon as i got to the last one. "hate crime" It showed just what all the shit is about the national obama movement that everything is a hate crime unless of coarse the crime is committed by a person of color on a white person then its just a crime. They dont want justice, if they did then they would want the real person who did the crime not have the mayor convicting a person who was beat with in inches of his life by an angry mob of thugs who now they say woke up from being knocked out and stab him.All gains in race relation over the past 30 years have been wiped out and set back to the 50'S thank to president obama and liberals like the mayor. i just cant wait for the next mayoral election from her convicting a person without a shred of evidence to her wanting arcata a sanctuary city i hope all the voters remember this

Why is "hate crime" such a trigger? Yes it was a hate crime. Why do you think Josiah was singled out? Why did those girls continue to try and escalate the situation? Wake up.

I'm not agreeing with the last guy at all(fact based), I am 100% progressive politically, but I don't get why this is being called a hate crime? I haven't seen any real evidence to that end, and calling anything that happens to any black / gay / minority person a hate crime, diminishes that designation. It's just crying wolf. It really bothers me that the BU were claiming the EMT were racially biased, that's just ridiculous, I know those guys.

What happened to the person who sent the detailed anonymous email? Did they ever come forward?

Thanks Hank for having a comments section. Just wondering or maybe food for thought: would all this drama and constant headline news be going down if it was a white kid who died?

No it probably wouldn't. White people can generally expect a murder case to be handled correctly, to receive medical attention timely, and for charges against their attacker to stick.

maybe he would have gotten timely medical attention if his "friends", didnt decide to start up the "fuck the police" BS for no reason.

yes. see the drama and news coverage of the Kitchen case.

The Kitchen victims' supporters organize daily protests, marches, disrupt local farmers' markets, sit down with the Arcata City Council and other government officials and the D.A?

If Kitchen walks, or serves less than 20 years, I sure as hell hope the victims supporters organize protests, make a scene at the farmer's market, and more. How many local murderers have gotten off light because no one bothers to rally in support of their victims and put pressure on the justice system?

I'm curious why you're acting like speaking to the city council and the district attorney is a bad thing? Pretty sure talking to the DA is pretty standard for a murder victim's family....if they care about them, that is.

That's a good point.

Somebody must have a pretty powerful kick to do enough damage to a baby inside a woman inside a truck to "almost cause a miscarriage". Sounds awful suspicious to me. Maybe she should put signs all over the truck saying "pregnant driver, do not hit"...

These protesters are not just "kids". The vigils, marches and protest included the family and was also comprised of government officials, educators, local professionals and students. These protests are calling attention to a very significant event in our community that needed to....and still needs to....be handled professionally and effectively to fill in the "missing pieces" as you rightly point out. Those united on this matter have specific concerns that have been presented to law enforcement and the city government. Concerns that, if addressed, could advance the progress of this investigation which is what everyone in this community should want. It is not a problem to call further attention to this situation with protests. Advocacy and unity DO help resolve cases....as history has shown. If people are feeling more aggravated by these protests and not by the murder of Josiah and the subsequent stalling of this investigation then said people should take a long hard look at their own character, values and privilege....because said people are living a far too comfortable life.

Josiah's mother seems like wonderful lady.

Since TD appears to be shuttered on this event, I figured the Right Thinking Men's Glee Club would be here voicing their totally unbiased and sensitive opinions : DAV, bumdady, DAV, HUUFC, kneelander and DAV yet again. Never fail to disappoint, do ya fellas?

Perhaps you should print up some clever signs and go march and demonstrate for what you believe in other than the dyspepsia that churns in your gut over what others find important in their lives. Put those armchairs on wheels, hook up your paper bag IVs and entertain all of us with some meaningful insight into your grievances. You suffer no lack of them. I'm sure LoCo will gladly take photos.

Get off your pink asses and - just do it!.

I love their list of grievances, such as...
Why wasn't the crime scene properly secured?
Why weren't the girls arrested and fingerprinted?
Why weren't all witnesses accounted for?
Why weren't the clothes of the girls collected?

Hmmm.... perhaps because the cops showed up to a scene of a hundred drunken, unruly, uncooperative partygoers who told them (incorrectly it appears) that Zoellner was the one who did the stabbing.

The cops could not control the unruly crowd and the Brothers United group apparently fingered the wrong guy. Those two items answer most of the questions.

......and since then? No one has followed up on those girls. Could have been done at any time. It wasn't.

How do you know that no one has followed up?
Are you privy to the investigation?
Are you friends with the girls?

Because Arcata PD only has a handful of officers, i.e., not enough resources, which is one of the things Josiah's friends brought up in this article.