[UPDATE 2 p.m.: Kitchen Pleads Not Guilty] Sheriff’s Office Releases Booking Photo and Charges Against Marci Kitchen
This is a press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office. The information has not been proven in a court of law and any individuals described should be presumed innocent until proven guilty:
On behalf of the Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office, the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office is providing the following information in regards to the arrest of Marcia Maelinda Kitchen, dob 8/27/1977, from Fortuna.
On Wednesday, September 14th Kitchen self-surrendered to the DA’s Office on a Ramey warrant. Kitchen was booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility at 8:09 p.m. for the following charges: gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, driving under the influence and causing bodily injury to another person, fleeing a crime scene, causing great bodily injury in commission of a felony, and for causing bodily injury or death to more than one victim while driving. Her bail was set at $750,000 and was posted at 9:18 p.m. Kitchen will be arraigned today, September 15th at 1:30 p.m. at the Humboldt County Superior Court.
Any further information regarding this case should be directed to the Humboldt County District Attorney.
UPDATE 2 p.m.: At the 1:30 p.m. arraignment today, Marci Kitchen pled not guilty. Wearing a black shirt and grey pants and accompanied by her attorney Patrik Griego, Kitchen was told of the charges against her.
With the court formalities quickly over, she left the courtroom. The Preliminary Hearing is set for October 6.
Earlier Chapters:
- Hit and Run: Child Injured in Fortuna
- Two Teenage Girls Killed by Hit and Run Driver
- Witness May Have Seen Vehicle Fleeing Last Night’s Fatal Hit and Run
- Vehicle Involved in Hit and Run Death of Teens Found Near Home of Mother of One of the Teens
- CHP Confirms They’ve Recovered Vehicle Involved in Fatal Hit and Run at One of the Victim’s Residences
- Driver of Vehicle in Tuesday’s Hit and Run Has Contacted Law Enforcement
- A Candlelight Vigil for the Two Young Girls Tragically Killed in a Hit and Run Accident
- Grief Counseling Offered at Fortuna Middle School
- Good Progress’ Learning About Death of Fortuna Teens, Says CHP Spokesperson
- 911 Call Reporting the Hit and Run Which Left Two Girls Dead Last Week; Warning, This Is Graphic Audio
- CHP Asks For Help Finding Two Suspected in Hit and Run Deaths of Two Teenagers
- Suspect’s Attorneys Refute CHP’s Press Release
- Kiya Suzanne Kitchen: Full of Life and Love
- Friends Rally Round Joe Kitchen Whose Daughter Died in Fortuna Hit and Run Accident
- Marci Kitchen Arrested and Made Bail
- Sheriff’s Office Releases Booking Photo and Charges Against Marci Kitchen
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“commission of a felony”. Good.
For those wondering what that means ‘ The rule of felony murder is a legal doctrine in some common law jurisdictions that broadens the crime of murder: when an offender kills (regardless of intent to kill) in the commission of a dangerous or enumerated crime (called a felony in some jurisdictions), he/she is guilty of murder.
Beginners guide on how to get away with murder in humboldt county: 1 – Use a vehicle. 2 – make sure to flee the crime scene afterwards. 3 – higher THIS attorney.
It only takes steps 1 and 2.
and make sure your drunk !! im hearing 4 years….YES thats what i heard (close source) 4 YEARS !!!
Will it go to trial, since she plead ‘not guilty’ at the arraignment? It’d be great to see jurors come back with a ‘guilty’ verdict – on ALL charges. She doesn’t deserve to be offered a plea deal by the DA.. two life sentences, for the two lives taken.
yes, pleading ‘not guilty’ means it goes to trial. honestly don’t see why she would do that, there is pretty much no way in my opinion she will be found ‘not guilty’ even if they move the trial out of county.
what a total piece of shit
Why is there bail??? Now we know the value of two children’s lives in dumboldt. Maybe while she’s out on bail, she could run over my cartel neighbors…
Hey Kym, what ever happened to the young men that shot the guy in the eye with the paintball gun in Arcata?
The last info I have is on the arrest. https://kymkemp.com/2015/08/18/one-arrested-in-paintball/
Thanks for the coverage miss Kym!
I’m so happy to see that many charges against her. Here’s hoping every last one of them sticks and she gets the max sentence. How gross is it that she has 75,000 laying around to get herself out of jail on charges like this. I hope she knows no judge will believe that not wearing make-up and slapping on a frown for your mugshot means she has any shame in what she did. Actions speak louder than your mugshot B.
My thoughts exactly. I bet her lawyer told her what to do for her mug shot. If she didn’t do so much…. (White stuff) id think the black circles and blotchy skin was from make up. Trying to make herself look like a grieving mother…. Are you kidding me?
“j”, You can hope all you want, problem is you have no idea what happens in a courtroom, especially one in Humboldt County. There is no way to prove she was behind the wheel, no way to prove she was intoxicated and no way to prove it was intentional. The prosecutors have little to no case worth their time.
What a judge believes isn’t how the court system works. A jury will decide her fate, unless a plea bargain is reached, which would be under the control of the DA.
Even if she didn’t look as good as she does without it, what would be the purpose of wearing makeup for an arrest?
BTW, doesn’t everyone in Humboldt have a substantial amount of cash stashed away for emergencies? If not, they suck at growing….
How nice of you to attack me for being hopeful, your a real sweetie huh? Also very interesting to watch you speculate how much a stranger knows about the judicial system. My optimism was hoping for a better outcome than other recent intoxicated manslaughter cases. Just so you know not everyone is willing to settle for being a loser who grows tons of weed and has 75,000 laying around. I’ve chosen a much fuller life and give too much to the less fortunate to have 75,000 laying around for when I commit a crime. The most illegal thing I do is driving 69 on the highway so I don’t need bail money buried in my backyard. P.s. mugshot was taken at end of day and she normally wears make up so not having it on at 8:00pm is likely intentional to look more distraught and like she’s loosing sleep.
She had to put up collateral that has to be worth more than a million as well as the 75k to get bailed out, plus another 200k or so for legal fees while you have what….hope? Is your life that full?
I would have to say, a lot more full than this skeez’s life. She has money and no daughter, as well as a community against her. So full of life this one!
Ya, I’ll definitely take loving friends, a meaningful job, a house in the forest and a comfortable income over being her or any super wealthy pot grower. Optimism to get me through the shitty parts is just the icing on the cake:)
Fuller life? Who do you think you are? Lots of very full, loving lives have been spent cultivating marijuana around here. Lots of depressed angry judgemental ones have been lived by others.
Sorry I don’t find joy in your lifestyle. Should everyone want to grow pot, no. We all have to find our own joy and that lifestyle brings me none. The second I find a really meaningful loving life led by a mega grower then my mind will change.
People put their property up for a bail lien , etc. you don’t have to have cash to make bail..
None will stick…
She made no statement, and needing that warrant, the state can’t prove she was driving, and it shows.
If there is anything to come from this it’s the lesson of NEVER talking to police, EVER.
If you don’t say anything, most of the time the state has nothing on you.
Always demand police leave your property, never consent to searches, keep your mouth shut.
She will walk, it’s going to take time, but the state has nothing.
Very sad, but true.
Hope the families have support and don’t go crazy in rage when she walks or Humboldt may get a lesson in JURY NULLIFICATION.
Fuck the police, their gang is weak… HELL’S ANGELS should be voted in for every open slot.
Her jeep was spotted at the scene and then left and hidden at her residents, not sure a jury will let her go free with no answers.
She had a passenger who will be compelled to testify that she was driving. Her son already testified she drove in within a minute of the accident. Her boyfriend was also at the house, probably either following or in front of her in his car. With possible accessory liability hanging over their heads, these people will testify. We don’t know if the 911 caller can identify her. He was able to tell it was a woman. I wouldn’t worry about putting her in the driver’s seat. I do think they may have trouble proving she was under the influence based on the officer’s testimony, the son’s testimony and the hospital staff’s testimony. It would be good if they had receipts from the place they were leaving. It is hard to prove without a test.
Honeydew . . I see you’ve moved from the marines to the Hell’s Angels. What’s next, ISIS?
Hmmm,I dont understand why they would not consider her a flight risk,considering it was hit and RUN!
Because they have nothing on her…
She never made a statement, which is how people incriminate themselves.
She’ll walk two years from now.
The only weapon the cops have is a fresh arrest to revoke, and keep bail.
I don’t see how they can get the drinking admitted, since no breathalyzer was administered. Unfortunate but true. They may have witnesses, but I do not think that will fly. I hope that if she is guilty, she gets the max possible, but I am dubious about what will stick. IMHO
They can get it in based on Expert Testimony. When she talked to the CHP they noted that the mother was intoxicated. They can’t tell to what degree but I think they have another witness back at the brewery who will probably testify to how much she had to drink. Not positive but in my opinion I would guess she will enter into a plead deal with some pretty hefty jail time. Not 25 years but maybe 8-10 years.
It has been said that she left from a bar. No doubt witnesses saw her drinking while there. “More than one” drink (depending on body weight) constitute driving under the influence.
How about the girl that killed the guy in the hit-and-run and only got 180 days?!
I’d still like an explanation of that one.
https://lostcoastoutpost.com/2016/jun/8/19-year-old-sentenced-180-days-september-2015-hit/
I’ve been thinking about that, too and I think Spewydog is right. af
At least in that case, the dude who died was walking on the side of the freeway (which is illegal) and it was also at night. Sure the girl fled but still, she is young and I think that case probably really was an accident. Unlike the mari kitchen case which I think most people are leaning towards was a murder instead of an accident.
From what I understand, that girl didn’t even know she hit a person as she hit some small trees or fencing (don’t quote me) when she veered off the road. Then when it was released that she had actually struck and killed a person the next day, she turned herself in. But, I still think it wasn’t much of a punishment.
um. what??????????ever
sorry, wrong comment wrong section my apologies wow! idk how to delete !!!!?
If the da is smart they will file one count and prosecute only on behalf of the other families daughter, no sympathy that way towards Marci losing her own daughter.Don’t even mention driving under the influence, just show a picture of the road where the accident took place.
I say prosecute on behalf of both families. Kiya has a father & brother & other Realitives who deserve justuce for the careless and reckless loss of their realitive too.
Marci is going to be homeless trying to pay restitution on a wrongful death suit if the jury trial doesn’t get good results for the People. Nobody is going to want to have anything to do with this woman, if they don’t already.
Yeah, right. Unfortunately from past perceptions I expect this lady will get a slap on the wrist, re-integrated into society. Did I mention fast-tracked for a public-service job?
I’m thinking that the reason that they are only charging her with the death of one child is because if they are not able to convict her, they can still charge her with the death of the second child. That way they have two chances.
It reads “…bodily injury or death to MORE THAN ONE PERSON.”
What a horrible smirk on her face. Maybe she will do insanity…
And I would NEVER go to Griego, unless I was trying to get away with murder. He represents the crooked, the wicked, and the GUILTY.
Interesting just how fast she got a hold of him. Was her daughter’s body still warm when she grabbed for her phone to make that call?
I hate to say it but it would NOT surprise me… not even this much!!! :-C
She probably made that call while her scum bag boyfriend was driving her back to the scene!
There’s no excuse for the delay in charging this woman, and she shouldn’t have been allowed to post bail.
How much do ya wanna bet Ms Kitchen will cost taxpayers $$$ in the long run (& she plead not guilty, really!) as nobody in Humboldt has NOT heard of this tragedy – thus, how will an “unbiased jury of her peers” ever be picked? I smell change of venue for this ‘innocent – until – proven – guilty – hit – & – run – monster’. What a waste all around.
What level will ms kitchen sink too
I guess she even missed her own child’s funeral? Very Sad, Very Dark. Her life sucks. You watch, do you see were OJ lives these days? Karma …
She wasn’t allowed at the funeral. Kaya’s father made that clear.
Kym, the HCSO press release says “gross vehicular manslaughter”, but the picture of the Felony Complaint said “VEHICULAR MANSLAUGHTER WITHOUT GROSS NEGLIGENCE”.
Will you please find out which is accurate? It seems to make a big difference.
Thank you.
It seems clear this woman is only feeling sorry for herself. Her actions are completely selfish and 100% dishonor the lifes of those girls by hiding like a coward. Shes only thinking of herself and her own little pity party. Doubtful anyone who knows her doesnt want to spit in her face, especially after pleading not guilty. She has noone but herself to blame. Seems the only thing in this case that might ease her conscience would be to come clean, but apparently she truly has no conscience.
I was curious about the unbias jury in Humboldt as well considering the high profile case. Will they end up transferring it? I don’t think there is a soul that has not heard about this in this county. They should transfer it to wherever she is going to have to live after this is said n done.
Sadly…..it sounds like she’ll walk. There is a part of me that hopes the guilt will be a sufficient punishment. I don’t envy that life.
Her lawyer will defenetly put in a request for this case to be moved out of county, the first thing he will present the jury is that convenient little news story that aired two weeks after this tragedy about how dangerous eel river drive is and the lack of sidewalks. Every time I pass those little girls memorial I just think how could someone accidentally hit two people on that stretch of road, mile long unobstructed straight away, and have it be your own daughter, what are the odds…
@Ronfullofrage – I agree with everything you said, and indeed what are the odds of really accidently running over and killing 2 people and 1 just happens to be your daughter. If I had to guess, I’d say the odds are about the same as getting struck by lightning while your also being attacked by a shark.
Million dollar Life insurance or umbrella policy ?
The comments here are so ugly. I’m no Christian, but I do believe in Jesus’ teachings. I think she deserves compassion. That’s all I have to say.
We don,t believe in that fairy tale
Compassion for being “The Devil?” 😈👹👿👺 and causing this 💔 to thousands….all because this is alleged 🍸🍺🍻🍷🍹 or this🌿 or this 🍄 or this 💉 or meth…. and then a run away and hide.
Argh…..
💆💪👎
Yes. Compassion. Dipshit.
It’s harder to have compassion for you Hoj. Is it difficult to put her down and jump on the bandwagon? Nope. Is it the right thing to do? I don’t think so. I think she’s a lady who made an unbelievably bad split second decision and ruined her life as well as others. It could happen to any of you I bet.
I think people were willing to give compassion at one point. Once it became clear she wasnt going to admit what she had done that went out the window. I think she deserves to be treated as a criminal who took the lives of two innocent girls by choosing to drink and drive. Much less on a road she knew her child frequented to board. Drinking and driving isnt a split second decision. Its a calculated choice. People who drink and drive do it regularly. They are comfortable doing it. Time to change that by treating them like murderers and the selfish thoughtless people they are. We all know the risks of drunk driving so its time stop treating these vehicular murders as accidents. If some random person had ran over these girls id bet my life the mother wouldnt have had compassion for them…..
Bail? Why…
I hope she gets life in prison with NO parole!! She is a monster
She pled ‘not guilty’ huh?? I don’t see why she would do that, my understanding is if you do that then this will eventually go to trial at which time you will have to prove your innocent not only in front of a judge, but ALSO a jury. Man I sure hope the jury does the right thing. There’s no way she’s ‘Not guilty’ and If I was sitting on the jury I would insist to the judge that her charges be changed to two counts of murder instead of ‘vehicular manslaughter’.
She does not have to prove her innocence. The DA has to prove she did every crime beyond a reasonable doubt. The burden is completely and totally on the DA. That is the reason it has taken so long to bring this case to where it is now. The DA’s case is going to be full of holes and I’m not sure they can convict her. Not sayong she didn’t do it, but it will be hard to prove
Her attorney doesn’t have to prove her innocence. It’s up to the DA to prove beyond a reasonable that she committed this heinous crime. Personally I hope they hang her out to dry. She wasn’t so under the influence that she didn’t have the presence of mind to hide her vehicle.
Let’s just get her in the general prison population the prionsers will give out the approate sentence
It doesn’t seem to get “less sad”, & I didn’t know Kiya & Faith, but I have nieces & it’s heartbreaking to imagine how the families can go on after such a tragedy. I wonder: what was Marci’s purpose for being on Eel River Drive at that very moment? Was she going to pick them up in her Wrangler as a mother might do when dusk has arrived? Was she hammered & distracted & ??! It may be revealed but in the meantime, I’ll keep a prayer going for the girls.
She lives(d) less than a mile from the scene of the crime.. Taking Eel River Dr. would have been her route home. Question is, how do you hit AND kill both girls?
By driving like an a$$hole under the influence of white man’s drugs!
Intentional run down in a fit of rage? Or, eyes not on the road. Brakes not work?
The covering up of the vehicle (involved with the crimes) in the back yard with a tarp is “damnifyingly quite telling of 😈👹👺👿”.
The vehicle was never covered with a tarp. Thats how it was spotted. There were definitely no break marks on that road so she plowed right through. Also, if you saw pictures of the jeep, there is an indentation all the way up to the windshield. Theres no way she didnt see the girl after she hit her. No fucking way.
Think about it for a minute. Would you trust your fate in a trial as serious as this to twelve people that weren’t smart enough to get out of jury duty?
I’m curious how she can afford a cracker jack lawyer?
Where does this case go from here—I thought there was a hearing (or something else? ) scheduled for September 30 ?
Is there any new news on this? Is she just going to get away with murder?!
Kym, I appreciate your keeping us posted on this, and hope you will continue to do so. I have a few comments. Firstly, there was a second juvenile victim that has avoided the limelight, and I want to express my sympathies to both families, but most especially to them.
Secondly, I hope the DA is working hard on this. My thoughts are that the 911 caller stated “she” was driving. We can only hope he can identify the driver. Regarding her “hiding out” so there is no proof of her BAL (blood alcohol level), I doubt a jury will need it, as the driver was rumored to have left a bar. I would expect witnesses would have observed her drinking. Any more than one drink (depending on her body weight) within an hour prior to driving should suffice as proof of DUI. The 911 caller witnessed the vehicle first stopping and then leaving the incident site. A conviction of hit and run is further assured.
Thirdly, to have filed a claim against the city is an embarrassment. Nothing like poking a stick at your community, stirring folks up even more, AND expecting them pay for it. Keep in mind, should the driver win a judgment or settlement from the city, both of the victims’ families would stand to collect any winnings (and potentially any other asset the driver owns or ever will) through a civil suit against the driver. That would be the family of the second victim, as well as the father and brother of the first victim. (Families be aware of the statute of limitations) No doubt, her attorney(s) will request a change of venue for the criminal portion. The community should be there with a strong and important presence in the courtroom, wherever it may be.
Lastly, just my opinion, had the driver entered a plea of guilty and thrown herself upon the mercy of the Court, at least she would have displayed an ability to do the right thing. There’s dignity in that.
Does anyone else see anything wrong with: Art and Wine in the Park, the Rodeo weekend drinkin’ party, and hey, don’t forget about Hops in Humboldt! Let’s get drunk and raise money! The Ftna Finest will be waiting for you to exit the park… But hey, none of these ‘community events’ have anything to do with drinking and driving….and certainly have nothing to to with any guilt! bs!