Inside Humboldt Courts: Murder Retrial Advances, Nordic Case Nears Settlement, and Double Homicide Defendants Sentencing Set

[Composite Image by Kym Kemp.]

Humboldt County Superior Court handles a steady flow of criminal cases each day, but most proceedings pass without much public notice unless they result in major developments.

In this column, Redheaded Blackbelt provides a regular look at what’s moving through the local courts—tracking hearings, trials, and filings in cases that are either well known or warrant closer public attention. As always, any individuals should be presumed innocent unless guilty proven guilty:

MONDAY’S ROUND-UP:

IN THE CASE OF: Shaine Haugen

Composite image of the suspect in front of city council moments before City Manager Merritt Perry tackled him, last September. [Composite image includes a screenshot of Zoom Council meeting, and a photo of Haugen by Ryan Hutson]

The first case was filed September 19, 2025, by the Arcata Police Department, and stemmed from a September 17 incident. 

Haugen was charged with six misdemeanor counts, including disturbing a public meeting, resisting an executive officer (identified in court documents as Officer Heidi Groszmann), battery (as to the scuffle with City Manager Merritt Perry), felony-level possession of tear gas, elevated because Haugen has a prior felony conviction from Fresno County dating to December 2009, possession of drug paraphernalia, and carrying a switchblade knife. 

Upon release on a $10,000 bond, Haugen signed an own-recognizance agreement that included a stay-away order from the Arcata Police Department and Arcata City Hall, noting conditions prohibiting possession of non-prescribed controlled substances and weapons. 

However, sixteen days after that arrest, a second case was filed stemming from an incident involving alleged attempted theft and vandalism. On October 6, 2025, the District Attorney’s office charged Haugen with seven counts stemming from an October 2 incident – this time as a felony complaint related to property damage and theft. This time, Haugen was charged with second-degree burglary (entering a Cal Poly property with intent to commit larceny or a felony), felony resisting of an executive officer, misdemeanor vandalism consisting of graffiti on stairs and walls valued at $400 or less, two counts of trespassing, possession of methamphetamine, and resisting multiple peace officers. That last count names five officers: Ryan Flowers, Delmar Tompkins, Travis Sherrod, Jeremy Sollom, and again, Officer Heidi Groszmann.

Haugen has been in custody at the Humboldt County Jail continuously since October 2, 2025. 

Defense attorney Kathleen Bryson – representing Haugen in both cases – filed a petition for mental health diversion in January, and the DA’s office filed opposition in February. After months of litigation with the petition heard across multiple courtrooms and continued four times, Judge Killoran granted diversion on March 30, 2026, imposing a two-year mental health diversion term on all seven counts in the felony case. The misdemeanor case was also placed on a diversion track as of April 23, 2026, with all six counts similarly sentenced to a two-year diversion term. 

Haugen has been ordered to enter Crossroads, a substance abuse treatment facility in Eureka, with a letter from North Coast Substance Abuse Council filed in support of the diversion petition. If Haugen successfully completes the program, the charges in both cases could be dismissed. If he fails to comply, the court can terminate diversion and resume criminal proceedings on all thirteen counts. 

A status review on entry into Crossroads is set for May 11, 2026, while the two-year final diversion review is calendared for March 27, 2028.

IN THE CASE OF: Jake Combs 

Jake Combs Booking Photo

The murder retrial of Jake Combs entered its sixth day Monday in Courtroom One before Judge Kaleb Cockrum. Combs was originally convicted by a jury in August 2023 of first-degree murder in the killing of Trevor Earley, along with a special allegation of personally discharging a firearm causing death. He had already been transported to Calipatria State Prison to begin serving that sentence when an appellate court reversed the judgment and ordered a new trial. He was returned to Humboldt County custody in the summer of 2025.

Jury selection in the retrial began April 27.

Separately, a first amended felony complaint was filed April 30 in a related case, CR2501556, charging Combs with possession of methamphetamine in a custodial facility — a felony — stemming from an August 1, 2025 incident while he was housed at the Humboldt County Correctional Facility awaiting retrial. A prior felony conviction is alleged as a special circumstance. 

The motion to file the amended complaint was granted. A preliminary hearing is still pending in that case. Senior Deputy DA Whitney Timm is prosecuting both matters; Deputy Public Defenders Emery Welton and Ryan McClurg represent the defense.

For full coverage of the Combs retrial, see RHBB’s latest reporting.

IN THE CASE OF: Citizens Protecting Humboldt Bay v. County of Humboldt 

(the Nordic Aquafarms case) 

Nordic Aquafarms artist rendering.

A years-long legal challenge to the proposed Nordic Aquafarms salmon facility on the Samoa Peninsula landed back in Courtroom Four Monday morning for a Case Management Conference before Judge Timothy Canning.

The case filed in October 2022 challenges the County of Humboldt’s approval of a Coastal Development Permit and Environmental Impact Report for Nordic Aquafarms California, LLC’s proposed land-based fish farm at the former Samoa Pulp Mill site. 

The petitioner, Citizens Protecting Humboldt Bay, is an unincorporated association of local residents who argue that Humboldt County violated the California Environmental Quality Act in certifying the project.

According to a joint Case Management Statement filed April 20 by attorneys for both sides, the parties have reached a settlement in principle and are in the process of drafting a final agreement. The filing states that the County has already produced all documents for the Administrative Record, and both parties asked the court to allow additional time to finalize terms.

A Dismissal Hearing is now set for July 17 in Courtroom Four.

IN THE CASE OF: Russell Albers 

The capture of Russell Martin Albers by law enforcement, following the pursuit of Russell Martin Albers. [Photo Humboldt County Sheriff’s Department]

Albers entered a plea to two murders and two attempted murders on April 21 of this year. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for July 16, 2026 at 1:30 PM in Courtroom Seven before Judge Neel. Defense attorney Nims represented Albers throughout; DA Myers appeared for the People.

According to court testimony and prior reporting by the Times Standard, the Dec. 27, 2022 shootings began when Russell Martin Albers went to a Eureka home where his former partner had taken refuge with her sister, Jennifer Paddock, and Paddock’s partner, Daniel Garcia. Prosecutors allege he arrived armed with a semi-automatic handgun and demanded she leave with him. When she tried to go back inside, he forced his way in and began shooting.

Testimony describes Albers moving through the house as people tried to flee or intervene. Paddock and Garcia—the parents of a 4-year-old girl who was inside—were both shot. Sara Williams, who was also there, testified Albers shot her as well, shattering her pelvis and leaving her unable to move.

Williams said that moments later, Paddock came out of a bedroom and tripped over Garcia. Their daughter followed close behind. “She (the daughter) just stepped over her dad, who had just been shot, and was following her mom and screaming,” Williams testified, according to the Times-Standard. Paddock then collapsed, also fatally wounded.

Investigators say Albers forced his wounded former partner to leave with him, driving her away before later dropping her at a hospital. Williams said the child helped her move, and she was able to crawl to the front porch. A neighbor later reported to us that he heard cries for help.

Court minutes of April 21, 2026

According to court minutes, Albers will face a maximum sentence of 148 years to life.

This column is mostly based on court records and daily calendars but may include a reporter in the courtroom. This reporting is intended to give readers a clearer sense of how criminal or civil cases progress over time. When court hearings produce significant new information those developments may be covered separately in a more thorough news article. As with all criminal matters, individuals named here are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.

If you know of a case that has significant public interest that you would like followed, email us at [email protected] 

Humboldt County Correctional Facility. [Composite image by Ryan Hutson]

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