Attempted Murder Trial Begins After Three Years in Jail; Hoopa Uncle Stabbing Reaches Court; New Child Sex Abuse Case; and More – Inside Humboldt Courts

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 described should be presumed innocent until proven guilty.

TUESDAY’S ROUND-UP:

IN THE CASE OF: James Atkins Jr. – 9-Count Attempted Murder Trial Begins

James Clayton Atkins [2023 Booking photo from Eureka Police Department]

But as the trial proceedings got underway, his defense attorney filed a motion to divert the entire case to a mental health treatment program instead. 

James Clayton Atkins Jr., 42, of San Francisco was arrested on May 11, 2023, after Eureka Police responded to a late-night shooting in the 1800 block of California Street. According to police, Atkins had gotten into a verbal argument with two people and opened fire – shooting out the rear window of their vehicle. No one was struck. A car chase ensued through Eureka, ending when Atkins’ vehicle became disabled near Broadway and McCullen Avenue. 

According to the resulting press release, “the victim began following the suspect and provided vital information about the suspect’s vehicle and direction of travel.” As a result, a county-wide “be on the look out” was issued, and the arrest followed shortly after. 

He’s been locked up ever since, held without bail.

According to the case records, Atkins faces nine counts related to the 2023 incident, including two counts of premeditated attempted murder, two counts of assault with a semiautomatic rifle on the same two victims, shooting at an occupied vehicle, three counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm, and a misdemeanor drug charge. Several firearm use enhancements and a prior felony strike allegation are also alleged.

A jury trial began Tuesday before Judge Steven Steward, with defense attorney Anthony Tall filing a petition for mental health diversion under California law – a legal process that, if granted by a judge, would pause the criminal case and place Atkins in a mental health treatment program instead of going to prison.  

If Atkins successfully completes treatment, the charges could be dismissed. The motion was first attempted in late 2025 but was withdrawn. Whether the motion succeeds – or whether the jury hears the full case – remains to be seen. The trial is ongoing.

IN THE CASE OF: Travis Watson – Hoopa Stabbing Death

[2016 booking photo from Travis Dillan Watson]

By the time deputies arrived at the residence on Pine Creek Road, 34-year-old James Luther Vernon Williams was dead on the scene.

The man who made that call – Travis Dillion Williams Watson, 31 – was arrested outside the residence and charged with murder. According to records, the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office investigators reviewed statements and physical evidence at the scene and concluded Watson was responsible for Williams’ death. Watson was booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility, where he has remained for 24 days. His bail is set at $1,000,000 and has not been posted.

The case made its first appearance in court Tuesday. Watson entered a not guilty plea at his arraignment and the matter is set for a preliminary hearing on June 25. A bail hearing – where Watson’s attorneys can argue he should be released on his own recognizance without having to post the full bail amount – is also scheduled for that date.

The question of what exactly happened inside that Pine Creek Road home that night – whether this was a murder or an act of self-defense – will eventually be for a jury to decide.

NOTE: Because independent courtroom reporting is expensive and time-intensive work, portions of this update are based on official court minutes and records rather than full in-person courtroom coverage. Reader support helps fund more firsthand reporting from inside Humboldt County courtrooms.    

IN THE CASE OF: Willis & Durand – Homicide Case Delay

HCSO with the vehicle containing a detained person outside of the apartment building on H Street in Arcata on July 11, 2025. [Photo by Ryan Hutson] 

Willis has been in custody for 315 days. Durand has been out on a $75,000 bond since last July. No trial date has been set.

IN THE CASE OF: Edward Neagu – Alleged Child Sex Abuse

A 48-year-old Eureka man is facing eight felony and misdemeanor counts of child sex abuse after allegedly targeting a teenage boy over a period of several weeks this spring – and he was ordered held without any possibility of bail.

Edward Neagu was booked into the Humboldt County Jail on May 18, 2026, and arraigned two days later before Judge Lawrence Killoran. 

The charges against him are serious and specific: two counts of sodomy of a person under 16, one count of oral copulation of a minor under 16, two counts of lewd acts on a child who was at least 10 years younger than the defendant, one count of contacting a minor with intent to commit a sex offense, one count of distributing lewd material to a minor, and a misdemeanor count of contributing to the delinquency of a minor. The alleged offenses occurred between March 6 and March 25, 2026.

Neagu was ordered to have no contact with the alleged victim and was served with a protective order at arraignment. A preliminary hearing is set for June 2.

If convicted on the sex offense charges, Neagu would be required to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life. Neagu pleaded not guilty to all counts, and is represented by Attorney McClurg of the Public Defender’s office.

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

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

EARLIER:

• Retrial on The Same Facts, the Same Photographs, the Same Dead 25-Year-Old: Combs Jury Deliberates, and Separate Eureka Felony Case Progresses Inside Humboldt Courts
• Guilty Again: Jake Combs Retrial Ends as Prosecutors File Toddler Death Case and Sex Abuse Defendant Takes Plea, Inside Humboldt Courts
• Child Sex Abuse Trial Underway, Alleged Courthouse Arsonist Committed to State Hospital and More, Inside Humboldt Courts
• Local Felon Accused in Baseball Bat Beating, Alleged Arson in Eureka, a Child Predator Sting, and a Pedophile Sentenced to 125 Years to Life, all Inside Humboldt Courts
• County Faces Contempt; Peeping Tom Held to Answer; Homicide and Robbery Co-Defendants Go to Prelim; and Billboard Wars – Inside Humboldt Courts