Lincoln and Warren Plead ‘Not Guilty’ as DA Refuses to Rule Out Death Penalty in Dylan Moon Murder Case

Stock image of a prison; Photo by Matthew Ansley on Unsplash

Deputy District Attorney Rees refused to take the death penalty off the table at the continued arraignment of two Hoopa teens today, forcing the case to proceed as a potential capital murder matter.

That single decision reshuffled everything. Attorney Ken Bareilles, appointed to represent Lincoln after the Public Defender’s Office declared a conflict, told the court he lacks experience in capital cases and stepped aside rather than risk creating problems for his client down the road.

He was right to. Under California Rule of Court 4.117, the court must assign capital-qualified counsel unless the prosecution makes an affirmative statement on the record that it will not seek the death penalty. Rees made no such statement. He told the court he is still in conversation with a victim’s family and is not prepared to announce a decision in open court at this time. The DA’s office will have a position by the preliminary hearing, currently set for April 28.

Attorney Linkous told the court she is qualified and has a team ready. The Public Defender’s Office recommended attorney Andrea Sullivan, who appeared by Zoom, conferred in the judge’s chambers, and was confirmed as Lincoln’s new counsel before the afternoon session ended. She has not yet spoken with her client and will address her client’s right to a speedy trial at the April 28 hearing. A follow-up hearing is set for March 25 to formally confirm her appointment.

Tse-Lin Qhaba “Red Cloud” Lincoln, 19, and William Randolph “Bubbz” Warren, 18, each entered not guilty pleas on the amended complaint. Both remain held without bail.

All individuals named should be presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

Reporter Ryan Hutson attended Friday’s arraignment and contributed courtroom details to this report.

Earlier:

• [Update 9:23 p.m.] Breaking News: Shooting Near Hoopa Leaves One Critically Injured Tuesday Evening
• Hoopa Shooting Victim Flown Out for Treatment as District Schools Close
• Shooting Suspects Remain at Large, Limited Details Released by HCSO
• Hoopa Tribe Offers $10,000 Reward as Community Mobilizes Support Following Shooting
• Hoopa Valley Police Believe Suspects No Longer in the Area
• Warrants Issued for Three Teenage Suspects in Hoopa Shooting, Victim Remains in Critical Condition
• Hoopa Shooting Suspects Identified and One Arrested
• Klamath-Trinity Joint Unified School District to Reopen Tomorrow
• Second Hoopa Shooting Suspect Arrested; Third Remains at Large
• Third Suspect in Hoopa Shooting Turns Himself in to Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office
• Death of Hoopa Shooting Victim Friday Night Leads Investigators to Seek Murder Charges Against Three Suspects
• [UPDATE 5:32 p.m.: Firearms Located, Says HCSO] Search Warrant Executed at Lincoln Family Property as Dylan Moon Murder Investigation Continues
• Warrant Served in Hoopa this Morning, Residents Report Heavy Law Enforcement Presence
• Gang Charges Filed Against Children as Young as 13 in Hoopa Murder Case
• Two Teens to Be Arraigned in Hoopa Murder Case
• Death Penalty Still on the Table in Hoopa Teen Murder Case; Pleas Delayed Until Afternoon