[UPDATE: Victim Identified] Man Shot in Hayfork

This is a press release from the Trinity 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:

jamesOn January 10, 2017 at approximately 11:00pm, the Trinity County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch Center received a call from a resident in Hayfork stating a male subject had been shot inside a residence. Deputies and Detectives from the Trinity County Sheriff’s Office responded to the residence on Felch Street in Hayfork, where they located a male subject who was pronounced dead at the scene due to a gunshot wound.

Detectives interviewed suspect Betsy James at the scene, who admitted to shooting the victim. James was arrested and transported to the Trinity County Jail.

The victim’s identity is being withheld at this time pending notification of next of kin.

Agency’s involved:
Trinity County Sheriff’s Office

UPDATE Thursday: According to the Trinity County Sheriff’s Office: “The victim was identified as James’ boyfriend Jason Rice, DOB 7-10-77 from Hayfork, CA”

Facebooktwitterpinterestmail

Join the discussion! For rules visit: https://kymkemp.com/commenting-rules

Comments system how-to: https://wpdiscuz.com/community/postid/10599/

Subscribe
Notify of
guest

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

71 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Growler
Guest
Growler
7 years ago

Is pic of victim or suspect?

HOJ in Training
Guest
HOJ in Training
7 years ago
Reply to  Growler

That’s the FEMALE that shot the dude.

MOGTX
Guest
7 years ago

I think the woman has had no joy in her life coupled with drugs physical &mental abuse .her face says she doesn’t care what happened to her Prison might be a better place than were she was ,but no one should commit murder unless it’s in self defence .

HOJ in Training
Guest
HOJ in Training
7 years ago
Reply to  MOGTX

Drugs? Are you saying that because she was in Hayfork?

Guest
Guest
Guest
7 years ago

I would say it because of meth pox on the face

Liz
Guest
Liz
7 years ago
Reply to  Guest

I hope you don’t think everyone with a rough complexion is a meth user. Thousands of people have suffered through acne and have never used meth or cocaine.

N
Guest
N
7 years ago
Reply to  MOGTX

Yes, a very mournful face.

Janice
Guest
Janice
7 years ago
Reply to  N

More like the buzz is wearing off.

Shwagger
Guest
Shwagger
7 years ago

Dude looks like a lady!

Bronco
Guest
Bronco
7 years ago
Reply to  Shwagger

Quite the opposite actually! 🙂

Hum broseph
Guest
7 years ago

Felch street in hayfork. Wonder what else goes down over there?

Life is Good
Guest
Life is Good
7 years ago
Reply to  Hum broseph

HaHa! Few would get it.

Rename that Street!
Guest
Rename that Street!
7 years ago
Reply to  Hum broseph

Eeeewwwww!

Sparklemahn
Guest
Sparklemahn
7 years ago

Drugs are BAD! Luckily, cannabis is not a drug but a sacrament.

local woman
Guest
local woman
7 years ago

Looks like a transgender man….

Smilelifesshort
Guest
Smilelifesshort
7 years ago
Reply to  local woman

Noon’s what happened, ever accrue to you she might have been protecting herself don’t be to quick to judge. And there is no reason to be cruel

Dan Fuller
Guest
Dan Fuller
7 years ago

I think you mean OCCUR!!! 1t helps people to understand what you are trying to say if you spell it correctly!!!

Yourmom
Guest
Yourmom
7 years ago
Reply to  Dan Fuller

[edit] please dont correct grammar when you also spell like shit. [edit] maybe go hug someone who needs it.

lauracooskey
Guest
lauracooskey
7 years ago

Looks like a person not at her best, in mourning. I’m sad to see all these snarky comments about her looking not feminine enough for people’s standards. I bet if she put on makeup, nice clothes and jewelry, and a smile, she’d look a lot different… but that stuff is probably the furthest thing from her mind right now.
On the other hand, if we ripped all the cosmetic changes off the best-looking of us, and took a mugshot on the worst day of our lives, we might not look model-pretty either.

sharon
Guest
7 years ago
Reply to  lauracooskey

Agreed.

sharon
Guest
7 years ago
Reply to  sharon

Looks like she’s had her nose broke a time or two…

N
Guest
N
7 years ago
Reply to  lauracooskey

Thank you

Guest
Guest
Guest
7 years ago
Reply to  lauracooskey

Not likely to get much of that where she’s headed

Russell Holt
Guest
Russell Holt
7 years ago
Reply to  lauracooskey

I like what you wrote. People come on these sights, hide behind false names, and attack others. I doubt they realize how rude and ignorant they appear.

dieselsmoke
Guest
dieselsmoke
7 years ago
Reply to  Russell Holt

that’s the sad reality of civilization and the disgusting downhill slide of mankind. as the masses satisfy them selfs ( ya thats what i said ) by taking other peoples inventory and blame the pres. when its time for them to take there own inventory. mother earth needs to take another BIG bath and was the scum down the drain < (majority of the human race) sorry for ranting on your comment

visitor
Guest
visitor
7 years ago
Reply to  lauracooskey

Well said, lauracooskey. Betsy looks much, much happier in photos on her Facebook page. Seems like a decent, loving person in those photos.

Em
Guest
Em
6 years ago
Reply to  visitor

Thats because she is.

papa sancho
Guest
papa sancho
7 years ago

“There’s plenty of excuses for violence against men” -PETA

dieselsmoke
Guest
dieselsmoke
7 years ago
Reply to  papa sancho

legit

notalawyer
Guest
notalawyer
7 years ago

Battered woman syndrome defense? Its a thing

Taurus Balzhoff
Guest
Taurus Balzhoff
7 years ago

Title of story should be: “Man Killed in Hayfork”.

Everyone else should stop assuming anything at all, until some actual facts are released.

Thanks!

what
Guest
what
7 years ago

holy shit u guys she looks like someone thats just shot someone for the first time never killed anyone b4 a shock 2 the systim not a pretty site not like on tv fucken real life right there the look of dispar 2 lives over 4 her it will still be a long run with this new life she will have 2 live

Victim of Rice
Guest
Victim of Rice
7 years ago

She did us all a favor to humanity. Jason Rice is dead!!!!!!!

Dionne
Guest
Dionne
7 years ago
Reply to  Victim of Rice

From those of us who love him, piss off!!

Josette
Guest
Josette
7 years ago
Reply to  Victim of Rice

He was a good man and anyone that knew him was touched by him and not in a bad way. I knew both of them personally. Jason leaves behind his kids and a family. But none of y’all would know anything about either of them unless you had meet them

dieselsmoke
Guest
dieselsmoke
7 years ago
Reply to  Josette

he was a good hearted man.

mjomc
Guest
mjomc
6 years ago
Reply to  Josette

Thank you.

My name is Mary McFarland and I am Jason Rice’s mother. As I am sure everyone in your community knows my son’s name by now; on January 10th his girlfriend, Betsy James, shot him in the face with a shotgun. Besty admitted to pulling the trigger and was arrested that night. She was charged with premeditated murder. Her story about the shooting has changed several times. In my experience, that only happens when someone is lying. Besty’s last story was that Jason wanted her to kill him because he was tired of fighting.

The truth is, Jason had his bags packed all of his money in the form of a cashiers check in his wallet and he was leaving her for good the next day. He had a job lined up with his brother and a pickup waiting for him at home in Idaho. These are not the behaviors of a suicidal person. Betsy was angry and jealous that Jason was coming home for good. He had talked to his ex girlfriend the day before and we believe Betsy knew and was furious and shot him in a jealous rage.

The good people of Trinity County, our family and Jason deserve better from the prosecutor’s office. How on earth does premeditated murder get reduced down to involuntary manslaughter with a maximum sentence of four years? Besty is now free, walking the streets of your community while she awaits sentencing.

This punishment does not fit the crime! Besty had every opportunity to tell her side of the story but who told Jason’s? No one. Had the prosecutor asked his family, he could have easily learned that Jason had plans that did not include Besty. She had absolute motive and now, your community is at risk. Besty James got away with murder. I urge you to contact your prosecutor’s office and the judge and demand justice for Jason, it’s not too late.

Mary McFarland

Fran
Guest
Fran
7 years ago
Reply to  Victim of Rice

I love Jason. He was such a free spirit that NEVER deserved to die like this!! He literally gave me the shirt off of his back when we first met years ago. He never even knew me. He showed me what it was like to have fun and took the time to make me smile and cheer me up when things weren’t going well in my life. He went without so that others would have what they needed. Betsy stole his children’s father. Rest in love Jinx and fly with the angels my friend.

mjomc
Guest
mjomc
6 years ago
Reply to  Fran

Thank you, the family is working for justice.

My name is Mary McFarland and I am Jason Rice’s mother. As I am sure everyone in your community knows my son’s name by now; on January 10th his girlfriend, Betsy James, shot him in the face with a shotgun. Besty admitted to pulling the trigger and was arrested that night. She was charged with premeditated murder. Her story about the shooting has changed several times. In my experience, that only happens when someone is lying. Besty’s last story was that Jason wanted her to kill him because he was tired of fighting.

The truth is, Jason had his bags packed all of his money in the form of a cashiers check in his wallet and he was leaving her for good the next day. He had a job lined up with his brother and a pickup waiting for him at home in Idaho. These are not the behaviors of a suicidal person. Betsy was angry and jealous that Jason was coming home for good. He had talked to his ex girlfriend the day before and we believe Betsy knew and was furious and shot him in a jealous rage.

The good people of Trinity County, our family and Jason deserve better from the prosecutor’s office. How on earth does premeditated murder get reduced down to involuntary manslaughter with a maximum sentence of four years? Besty is now free, walking the streets of your community while she awaits sentencing.

This punishment does not fit the crime! Besty had every opportunity to tell her side of the story but who told Jason’s? No one. Had the prosecutor asked his family, he could have easily learned that Jason had plans that did not include Besty. She had absolute motive and now, your community is at risk. Besty James got away with murder. I urge you to contact your prosecutor’s office and the judge and demand justice for Jason, it’s not too late.

Mary McFarland

Leslie claypool
Guest
Leslie claypool
6 years ago
Reply to  mjomc

Her daughter says that he was only going to be gone 3 days that is what he told her

that one hayfork guy
Guest
that one hayfork guy
6 years ago
Reply to  Victim of Rice

I’d really like to know who was a “victim” of Jason. You are a idiot. if you really knew who Jason was then you wouldn’t be saying such horrible things. Only thing you would be a victim of would be smiles and laughter from him. You obviously do not know who this amazing person was.

mjomc
Guest
mjomc
6 years ago

Thank you.

questioner
Guest
questioner
7 years ago
Guest
Guest
Guest
7 years ago
Reply to  questioner

I don’t think so the age doesn’t add up says he was born in 77 here that one says he was 44 when that happened. He would only be 39 or 40

visitor
Guest
visitor
7 years ago
Reply to  Guest

The DOB might be incorrect. Jason Eugene Rice has a couple of different DOBs in the system, including one with a July 1 birthday.

The U-Haul bust in 2015 was his first of two within seven months.
Here’s the second:

https://kymkemp.com/2016/06/10/drug-market-in-garberville-motel-raided-yesterday-with-help-of-us-marshals-according-to-sheriffs-office/

Jessa Makin
Guest
Jessa Makin
7 years ago
Reply to  visitor

That is not the same Jason Rice that was murdered. I grew up with the Jason Rice that was killed. Those are two different people.

visitor
Guest
visitor
7 years ago
Reply to  Jessa Makin

Thank you for the clarification.

Josette
Guest
Josette
7 years ago
Reply to  questioner

No wrong jason rice.

SHAN
Guest
SHAN
7 years ago
Reply to  questioner

NO JASON HAS A BIG TATTOO ON HIS NECK,

mendocino mamma
Guest
mendocino mamma
7 years ago

He looks like an awful person. I feel for her. May she find peace in conjunction with a manslaughter charge rather than murder 1.

visitor
Guest
visitor
7 years ago

http://www.shouselaw.com/self-defense.html

“…there is one exception to the rule that a defendant’s mental illness or psychological problems won’t be considered in determining whether s/he acted reasonably. That is the condition known as “battered woman’s syndrome,” which is attributed to women (and men) involved in relationships characterized by domestic violence.

In California, juries are allowed to consider the effects of domestic abuse on a defendant in deciding whether or not s/he acted reasonably in self-defense.”

Anon Forrest
Guest
Anon Forrest
7 years ago
Reply to  visitor

And thank goodness for THAT!

mjomc
Guest
mjomc
7 years ago

Assume much?

mjomc
Guest
mjomc
6 years ago

Facts:

My name is Mary McFarland and I am Jason Rice’s mother. As I am sure everyone in your community knows my son’s name by now; on January 10th his girlfriend, Betsy James, shot him in the face with a shotgun. Besty admitted to pulling the trigger and was arrested that night. She was charged with premeditated murder. Her story about the shooting has changed several times. In my experience, that only happens when someone is lying. Besty’s last story was that Jason wanted her to kill him because he was tired of fighting.

The truth is, Jason had his bags packed all of his money in the form of a cashiers check in his wallet and he was leaving her for good the next day. He had a job lined up with his brother and a pickup waiting for him at home in Idaho. These are not the behaviors of a suicidal person. Betsy was angry and jealous that Jason was coming home for good. He had talked to his ex girlfriend the day before and we believe Betsy knew and was furious and shot him in a jealous rage.

The good people of Trinity County, our family and Jason deserve better from the prosecutor’s office. How on earth does premeditated murder get reduced down to involuntary manslaughter with a maximum sentence of four years? Besty is now free, walking the streets of your community while she awaits sentencing.

This punishment does not fit the crime! Besty had every opportunity to tell her side of the story but who told Jason’s? No one. Had the prosecutor asked his family, he could have easily learned that Jason had plans that did not include Besty. She had absolute motive and now, your community is at risk. Besty James got away with murder. I urge you to contact your prosecutor’s office and the judge and demand justice for Jason, it’s not too late.

Mary McFarland

April
Guest
April
7 years ago

Let me remind all of you. Jason Rice is a father. To older kids. Who will search this and read all of these comments. Shame on you!

SHAN
Guest
SHAN
7 years ago
Reply to  April

AMEN!!

ciana rice
Guest
ciana rice
7 years ago
Reply to  April

i am his daughter, some of this comments break my heart into a million pieces. thank you for your kind words.

Mack
Guest
Mack
7 years ago

Jason rice was a good man u fucking lame ass motherfuckers

Chris Kohut
Guest
Chris Kohut
7 years ago

Jinx was a great man. He shared everything he had and if you needed something he didn’t have he would stop at/for nothing to accommodate you with it. Even if you required something intangible he would find a way to provide it for you. When you didn’t even know what you wanted Jinx would find it for you. He was almost too good. And for those of you who still harbor hate for Mr. Rice I bid you farewell and a pleasant passage to the place where you will discover that all the things which disgust you about Jason you already are and all the stuff you have been envious of him having you have owned since birth. All y’all can go f@#! yourselves.

SHAN
Guest
SHAN
7 years ago

THE COMMENTS ABOUT A DECEASED PERSON ARE HORRIBLE AND YOU SHOULD ALL BE ASHAMED OF YOURSELVES. JASON HAS KIDS, FAMILY AND FRIENDS THAT ALL LOST A GREAT PERSON. EVERYONE HAS HAD HARD TIMES AND MADE BAD DECISIONS IN THEIR LIVES, BUT DO NOT ASSUME THINGS ABOUT SOMEONE AND POST FOR THE WORLD TO SEE, WHEN HE CAN NO LONGER DEFEND HIMSELF!!! REST IN PEACE MY FRIEND, PRAYERS FOR YOUR KIDS, FAMILY AND FRIENDS.

mjomc
Guest
mjomc
6 years ago
Reply to  SHAN

Thank you

Amy Behner
Guest
Amy Behner
7 years ago

Did any of you stop to think, for even a second, that his family might be reading this? Hoping to find some shred of detail about what is being done? Did you think about what it would do to us, to see random people acting in such a vile way about our lost; brother,son, father, grandfather, and friend?
I never hurt Betsy. I invited her into my home and gave her a place to stay. I listened sportively to her complaints about Jinx.
Do you feel that I deserve to be made to feel worse than I already do?
How about his Mom and Dad?
The other Mother’s of his children?
His CHILDREN?!
Which of you petty, little minded, utterly fucking ignorant, gossips possesses actual knowledge that my son’s father EVER hit Betsy? Who among you can put forth proof of any kind?
For the record…

I don’t pretend to know all that was occurring between them, but I can be sure of what I myself have experienced.
I have personally witnessed Betsy cold cock Jason.
I have never seen Jason hit Betsy.

Y’all want to fillet Jason without warrant! You are ASSUMING that because shit went bad and Betsy lost her fucking mind for a moment, that must mean it is ultimately Jinx’s fault. You jump to accusations of abuse, trying to blame the man for his own death. He was not an angle but he was not a monster either and y’all need to stop and think about how illogical you sound!

You feel badly for Betsy? For what you assume has happened in her life? Are you fucking kidding me? That woman took my son’s father, my friend–and he was only half way done living his life!
If any of you ridiculous people want to hang around, accusing a dead man of violence and hate while you claim pity for the crazy bitch that killed him, do it on your Facebook feed.

We logical, rational individuals can better handle a presence on public record without appearing ignorant and in need of a life. You may want to know why I am so incredibly certain that Jason, NOT BETSY, was the victim…
Because he is dead, forever taken away from his family and friends
And she is not.

I am a domestic violence survivor myself, and I can beyond a shadow of a doubt that there is always another option! SHE TOOK HIS LIFE you smack talking idiots!

What you are doing makes me sick! Shame on all of you that made this place into a little more salt in an incredible wound.

Anita
Guest
Anita
7 years ago
Reply to  Amy Behner

Well said. As the aunt of 2 of the beautiful children he left behind I applaud you for your response to this post. Jason Rice is a very dear old friend and you are right… he was no angel… but he loved his family and shame on the ignorant people that hide behind keyboards to assume the victim was a monster. Jason was no monster and I encourage all of you trolls on this post to shut it down or become educated on the life of Jason. Godspeed Jason “Jinx”

mjomc
Guest
mjomc
7 years ago
Reply to  Amy Behner

Thank you for this comment. I gave birth to Jason as a teen and gave him up to his wonderful parents. I’ve grieved the loss of him too many times. I pray for peace for all that loved him.
I also pray for justice for his murderer.

mjomc
Guest
mjomc
6 years ago
Reply to  Amy Behner

Exactly!!

My name is Mary McFarland and I am Jason Rice’s mother. As I am sure everyone in your community knows my son’s name by now; on January 10th his girlfriend, Betsy James, shot him in the face with a shotgun. Besty admitted to pulling the trigger and was arrested that night. She was charged with premeditated murder. Her story about the shooting has changed several times. In my experience, that only happens when someone is lying. Besty’s last story was that Jason wanted her to kill him because he was tired of fighting.

The truth is, Jason had his bags packed all of his money in the form of a cashiers check in his wallet and he was leaving her for good the next day. He had a job lined up with his brother and a pickup waiting for him at home in Idaho. These are not the behaviors of a suicidal person. Betsy was angry and jealous that Jason was coming home for good. He had talked to his ex girlfriend the day before and we believe Betsy knew and was furious and shot him in a jealous rage.

The good people of Trinity County, our family and Jason deserve better from the prosecutor’s office. How on earth does premeditated murder get reduced down to involuntary manslaughter with a maximum sentence of four years? Besty is now free, walking the streets of your community while she awaits sentencing.

This punishment does not fit the crime! Besty had every opportunity to tell her side of the story but who told Jason’s? No one. Had the prosecutor asked his family, he could have easily learned that Jason had plans that did not include Besty. She had absolute motive and now, your community is at risk. Besty James got away with murder. I urge you to contact your prosecutor’s office and the judge and demand justice for Jason, it’s not too late.

Mary McFarland

jinx
Guest
jinx
7 years ago

Jason was a dear friend one of the best I ever known and it was her that was the monster all she ever done was try to keep him down she was the mad he was moving on with his life with out her and she could not Handel that selfish to the end she ain’t sorry only thing she sorry for is getting caught

Tiffany R Rucker
Guest
Tiffany R Rucker
7 years ago

AMY I DO NOT KNOW YOU BUT I 110% AGREE WITH EVERYTHING YOU SAID AND I DO KNOW BOTH JASON AND BETSY AND KNOW OH TOO WELL THAT JASON WAS BY FAR NOT ABUSIVE TOWARDS BETSY!!! AND FOR ANY OF YOU IGNORANT PEOPLE MAKING COMMENTS ABOUT A SITUATION YOU KNOW NOTHING ABOUT WELL YOU ALL NEED TO KEEP YOUR IGNORANT RIDICULOUS COMMENTS TO YOUR DAMN SELF AND SHOW SOME DAMN RESPECT FOR JINX AND HIS LOVED ONES YOU SICK A…..HOLES!

mjomc
Guest
mjomc
7 years ago

She killed him out of jealousy.

Trinity Journal, Jan. 18, 2017

Hayfork woman charged with murder in boyfriend’s death

By AMY GITTELSOHN
The Trinity Journal
A Hayfork woman has been charged with murder in the Jan. 10 shooting death of her boyfriend.
At her arraignment in Trinity County Superior Court on Thursday, 45-year-old Betsy Darlene James shook her head no as Judge Michael Harper read each charge against her. James is charged with murder and several special allegations involving use of a firearm in the death of Jason Rice, 39.
Defense Attorney Laura Woods entered a not guilty plea on behalf of James.
The report of the shooting at the home on Felch Street came in at 11 p.m. on the 10th, the Trinity County Sheriff’s Office said. Rice was found at the residence dead of a gunshot wound.
Detectives interviewed James and arrested her.
In an interview, Trinity County District Attorney Eric Heryford said he does not yet have a lot of detail about the incident, but he understands the couple were in a verbal altercation and Rice was talking about moving back to Idaho or out of state. There are conflicting accounts, Heryford said, but at some point someone got a shotgun.
James admitted only that there had been a shotgun and it discharged, causing Rice’s death, Heryford said.
There was one other person in the residence who did not see the incident but heard the verbal altercation and some statements James made after, Heryford said.
James remains in the Trinity County Jail. She is to appear in Trinity County Superior Court again on Jan. 18, and a preliminary hearing is set for Jan. 25.

Leslie claypool
Guest
Leslie claypool
6 years ago
Reply to  mjomc

She said it was an accident what gets me is that if any of you really knew jinx then you would know that no one that had spent any time with him could ever hurt him with malice he was a great guy!

Dale
Guest
Dale
6 years ago

I am just finding out about the death of my friend. I am saddened to read all the negative comments about Jinx. I don’t believe that any of you knew him or his situation. Jinx was one of the kindest men I’ve ever known. He was always lifting people up, not putting them down. Shame on you for saying such awful things about a man you, obviously, know nothing about. He was my very good friend and I will miss him forever.

mjomc
Guest
mjomc
6 years ago
Reply to  Dale

Thank you.