Kettenpom Couple Whose Throats Were Slit Almost a Dozen Years Ago Will Receive $7M Settlement From Trinity County

Sky+Richardson+and+Kristine+Constantino+Rogue+River+2010

Sky Richardson and Kristine Constantino were tortured and then murdered by the man who later slit the throats of Jim and Norma Gund. [Photo provided]

Over 12 years ago, on a stormy day in Trinity County, an Oregon man tortured and killed a young couple that had moved to the area not too long before and were growing cannabis. Then he tazed and slit the throats of longtime Kettenpom residents, Jim and Norma Gund who had responded to the scene at the request of a Trinity County Sheriff’s deputy to check on the female half of the couple who had managed to call 911 and whisper “help me, help me” over and over. The Gunds have claimed for years that the deputy failed to warn them of what was likely a dangerous situation and instead told them that the 911 call was likely weather-related.

Trinity County has now settled with the Gunds for $7 million. As noted in an article by the Sacramento Bee, “The settlement does not include any admission of wrongdoing by officials, [the Gunds’ attorney Benjamin] Mainzer said, but added, “A recovery of $7 million doesn’t occur without an acknowledgment of serious wrongdoing implicit.”

In this recent article, the Bee digs into the horrific story and provides many details including a few we’ve selected below:

The assailant immediately attacked Norma Gund, hitting her with the Taser repeatedly, beating her and slitting her throat, “dissecting the carotid artery and windpipe,” the statement says. Gund, a 60-year-old former school bus driver, passed out, then regained consciousness to the sight of her husband fighting with the assailant and yelling at her to run. Norma Gund fled the home to the nearby Kettenpom store, where she sought help.

Now, over a dozen years after the March 2011 killings of Sky Richardson and Kristine Constantino and the subsequent death of their murderer, Tomas Gouverneur who was killed in a car crash fleeing from authorities, Jim and Norma Gund will be receiving the $7 million settlement.

Below is a press release from the Law Office of Benjamin Mainzer, the Gunds’ attorney:

A federal lawsuit filed by James and Norma Gund against Trinity County, California and Trinity County deputy sheriff Ronald Whitman has resolved for $7,000,000. The Gunds were represented by attorney Benjamin Mainzer of the Law Office of Benjamin Mainzer, A.P.C.

The lawsuit alleged that on March 13, 2011, Jim and Norma Gund, who lived in rural Trinity County, were misled by Trinity County deputy sheriff Ronald Whitman into responding to a dangerous 911 call that their neighbor had made.

The Gunds, who had no law enforcement training, were contacted by Whitman at their home. The Gunds alleged Whitman assured them that their neighbor’s call for help was “no big deal” and weather‐related. However, the Gunds alleged Whitman knew this was not the case. On the contrary, the Gunds alleged Whitman withheld from them key facts about the call that had been previously communicated to him, including facts that pointed to a dangerous and likely violent incident underway. But the Gunds trusted that they were being told the truth and went to check on their neighbor unconcerned for their safety.

When the Gunds arrived at their neighbor’s home, they found their neighbor and her boyfriend murdered. In a horrifying turn of events, the Gunds were themselves attacked and nearly killed by the man responsible for the murders. By some miracle, the Gunds managed to escape and survive.

After 12 years of litigation, the Gunds’ case against Trinity County has resolved. “This settlement makes clear that what the County did to the Gunds was reprehensible,” said Ben Mainzer, attorney for the Gunds. “While it took years of hard‐fought litigation to get the County to take responsibility for its conduct, I am so proud of the Gunds for their resolve and conviction. A settlement of this size signals that what happened to the Gunds will not be permitted to happen to anyone else.” For more information, visit mainzerlaw.com.

Earlier:

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24 Comments
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Guest
Guest
Guest
9 months ago

Curious… do you write all of these Articles yourself, Kym? How do you have the time to report so much information? Is it profitable? Always great reporting!! Thanks!!

Country Bumpkin
Guest
Country Bumpkin
9 months ago

What a horrible story. I remember hearing about this years ago but I didn’t know the details. The Gunds definitely deserve to be compensated for their suffering. After 12 years of litigation and the lawyers get their cut they should have enough left over for a nice dinner.

Solar BozoD
Member
Solar Bozo
9 months ago

Yes, but it’s unfortunate that the taxpayers are on the hook, and not those who caused the problem.

Farce
Guest
Farce
9 months ago

We choose to live very rural lives. I don’t mind looking out for my neighbors and I understand that the regular police might have a huge travel delay so they can definitely ask me for help. But to ask my help in something potentially dangerous or a medical condition and not tell me the truth so I show up unprepared is…well, it’s criminal. That officer should have been facing charges himself for doing that to these good-hearted and helpful folks…

tru matters
Guest
tru matters
9 months ago

What is outrageous is that it took twelve years for Trinity County to settle.
And how old were they at the time? Was Norma 60? What the hell was the deputy thinking sending an elderly couple into that situation.

Humboldt Lady
Guest
Humboldt Lady
9 months ago
Reply to  tru matters

I so agree! Why would they do that? And 12 years! Shame on them for taking so long to compensate them for this! What were they hoping for? That they would pass on and the lawsuit would be dropped? Glad they are finally getting it, but can’t comprehend why it took so long! I’ll never forget this. Those people went through hell, the county should of been responsible and given them compensation without a lawsuit!

Ernie Branscomb
Guest
9 months ago

Congratulations to Jim and Norma. They more than deserve any compensation that they might get after lawyer fees. To dive into a lawsuit of this magnitude is indeed brave.  

What I find unconscionable is the length of time that it takes for a legal resolution. Whether tacitly or overtly, duration of a lawsuit turns into billable hours for lawyers, which turns into an unfortunate delay. Lives and personalities are stifled while the lawsuit fails to proceed.

I missed the wise and riveting Letters to The Editor that Jim Gund used to write to “The Ilk” of our neighborhood, while having to stay low-key for fear of damaging a fair resolution. 

Fly free again Jim.

Ol' Dude
Guest
Ol' Dude
9 months ago

I don’t know for sure, but on a case like this the lawyer for Jim and Norma probably took a percentage (contingency) and wasn’t paid hourly. So after 12 years of work, maybe that’ll come to minimum wage? Defense lawyers though get paid by the hour, so I’m guessing the county’s lawyers got paid a ton.

Really glad for Jim and Norma!

Last edited 9 months ago
Jeffersonian
Guest
Jeffersonian
9 months ago

It was probably a contingent fee agreement where the attorney advanced all costs and took the risk of litigation The delay seems unusual as the federal court system is usually more expeditious than the state system.

NoBody
Guest
NoBody
9 months ago

If I’m not mistaken, if the prosecuting lawyer wins then the defense pays all lawyer fees.

Cetan Bluesky
Guest
Cetan Bluesky
9 months ago

Good for Jim and his wife! They went to hell and back! I used to hang out at that location with Andrea. We did martial arts together at Dragon Heart before she passed from cancer and her place went on the market. She was a woman of gentle nature and peace. To have such horrible events happen at her door step blows me away!
I first met Jim Gund out on horseback inside the Middle Fork Yolla Bolly way back after he purchased the old Kettenpim airstrip. To think ahead 20+ years of such an ordeal happening was further from anyone’s mind. I’m glad they got the settlement!

Timb0D
Member
9 months ago

That $7 million settlement works out to be about $450 per man, woman and child in Trinity County. Watch your tax bill go way up, unless insurance covered the amunt.

Mendocino Mamma
Guest
Mendocino Mamma
9 months ago

Thank goodness they lived long enough to collect their payout. Lord honestly Trinity was probably hoping that they weren’t going to. This situation never should have happened. I’m so happy for you both that this came to a positive ending. Rest in peace Sky and Kristine may you not be forgotten.

North westCertain license plate out of thousands c
Guest
North westCertain license plate out of thousands c
9 months ago

The attorneys are the ones that made money😤. Again!

thetallone
Guest
thetallone
9 months ago

Amazing that they survived such an ordeal, and no amount of money can erase the trauma. Shame on Trinity Co. for dragging this out.

Just Saying
Guest
Just Saying
9 months ago
Reply to  thetallone

You said it! Amazing they lived after such an attack. Shame on Trinity County.

Danielle
Guest
Danielle
9 months ago

I live in kp back when this happened. What a crazy story. Glad they got paid from corrupt trinity

Humgrl
Guest
Humgrl
9 months ago

But yet the sheriff continued to call either the ambulance or volunteer fire to go see why there is a car abandoned in the middle hwy 36 or want responders to respond to a stabbing without law enforcement. I don’t think they learned anything.

glen
Guest
glen
9 months ago

Try not to think about it, it sounds like a personal problem on your end. If you can’t do that, please just don’t post about it, nobody wants to read that.

Trinity
Guest
Trinity
9 months ago
Reply to  glen

Na not personal at all just knew of him scummin around town. Knew the actual victims very well though so more or less i am angered that his continued actions led to innocent people passing

Solar BozoD
Member
Solar Bozo
9 months ago

Lawsuits against government do not ensure that the same thing “will not be permitted to happen to anyone else.” Unless the individuals who run governments and the individuals who made the bad decisions are forced to pay, there is no culpability and little incentive to do better.

a. m. c
Guest
a. m. c
9 months ago

Maybe someone can explain this to me. (I thank you in advance for being respectful.) To drive to Kettenpom from Hayfork is about 2.5 hours, or more. That’s the closest police, as far as I know. Why couldn’t / can’t Trinity County and Humboldt County reach some kind of agreement where an officer could be dispatched from Garberville/Redway, especially in a violent and dangerous situation? Jurisdictional boundaries are much less important than people’s lives (to state the obvious). [By the way, I was a neighbor of Jim’s in the early 90s, and he is a fine human being, and always ready to help. He once came down to our place when we were newbies and removed a rattlesnake from in front of our house with a long stick and a cardboard box. It’s been such a heartbreak to see him go through this.]

Dustin Collen
Guest
Dustin Collen
9 months ago
Reply to  a. m. c

I was an Emt in the first actual ambulance that got there. The whole thing was a total shit show, including the incompetent staff at the garberville hospital. It is amazing Jim and Norma survived, I think of that day often.