A Eureka Shooting Reaches the Jury; Public Defender Assigned in DV Case; and Child Sex Crimes Case Moves Forward – Inside Humboldt Courts

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

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. 

IN THE CASE OF: James Atkins Jr. – Trial Opens With Officer and Body Cam Footage

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

James Clayton Atkins Jr., 42, of San Francisco is charged with nine counts stemming from a shooting on May 11, 2023. The most serious charges are two counts of attempted premeditated murder – prosecutors allege he tried to kill a man and a woman  during the incident, which police described as targeted. He is also charged with two counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm against the same victims, shooting at an occupied vehicle, and three counts of possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. A prior strike allegation was also filed, which could significantly extend any potential sentence if he is convicted.

Atkins has been in Humboldt County Jail since his arrest on the day of the shooting – more than three years ago. Bail was set at “may not post” from the beginning.

Day 1 of the trial on May 26 opened with a contested motion filed by defense attorney Anthony Tall that same morning, asking the court to divert the case into a mental health treatment program rather than proceed to trial. Judge Steven Steward denied that motion. The defense also requested – and won – a bifurcation request, meaning the jury will hear the main charges first and the prior strike allegations separately. Notably, the defendant himself stipulated, or conceded, to his prior convictions related to the “felon-in-possession” counts, sparing the jury from hearing that evidence during the main trial.

Also on Day 1, an unexpected wrinkle presented by the People caused some concern for both counsels. DA Roger Rees disclosed to the court that a jailhouse informant had come forward with information suggesting Atkins may have discussed potential witnesses – raising concerns about possible witness intimidation. Judge Steward encouraged both attorneys to communicate closely about the situation.

On Day 2, May 27, jury selection was completed and the panel was finalized.

Day 3, May 28, brought the trial fully to life. Opening statements were delivered by both sides in the morning, and then the prosecution began calling witnesses. Multiple Eureka Police officers took the stand, including Officer Richard Stancliff, K9 Handler Nicholas Jones, Officer Ben Altic, and Officer Tyler Moore – each offering testimony about what they observed and documented at the scene of the shooting. 

Among many pieces of evidence admitted to the court was body camera footage from Officer Moore was entered into evidence along with a written transcript. 

One procedural detail stood out in reviewing the court minutes from trial – which is that this jury is asking questions. Under California law, jurors may submit written questions for witnesses at the judge’s discretion, and this panel exercised that right actively. Multiple jurors – including both alternates – submitted written questions for the first two officers on the stand. 

The trial is expected to continue into next week. The trail is scheduled to resume Monday in Courtroom Three before Judge Steward. Prosecution is being handled by Senior Deputy DA Roger Rees, with defense by Anthony Tall.

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: Cameron Christiansen – Five Child Sex Abuse Charges

A 25-year-old Eureka man is facing five felony charges of child sexual abuse, in a case that Redheaded Blackbelt initially covered May 1, Inside Humboldt Courts.

Cameron Kyle Christiansen was arrested in April on a Ramey warrant – a type of arrest warrant issued before formal charges are filed, typically when law enforcement can show probable cause but a case isn’t yet before a grand jury or judge. 

Christiansen was booked into Humboldt County Jail on April 16 and has remained there since, with bail set at $1,050,000. 

According to the complaint, the alleged offenses took place between June and July of 2025. The alleged victim is a girl who was eleven years old at the time. The complaint describes multiple incidents. It describes one incident allegedly occurring during a work trip in Fairfield, California – in Solano County – as well as several others allegedly taking place in a Humboldt County residence, according to case records.

The charges against Christiansen are serious. He faces four counts of committing lewd acts on a child under the age of fourteen, and one count of aggravated sexual assault of a child. That is the most severe of the five charges, which alleges “sexual penetration” when he is accused of having “inserted his finger” into the victim, according to court filings. 

Christiansen entered a not guilty plea at his arraignment in late April. A criminal protective order was issued at that hearing and served on the defendant, prohibiting contact with the alleged victim, although the defendant is still in custody. Multiple bail reduction hearings were held in the weeks that followed, and after each hearing the court maintained the $1,050,000 bail.

Friday’s preliminary hearing – the proceeding at which a judge determines whether there is enough evidence for the case to move forward to trial – was continued at the request of the defense, due to evidence in the case still pending delivery. 

The new date for the preliminary hearing is June 16. The case is being prosecuted by Deputy DA Schaffer. Christiansen is represented by defense attorney O’Connell of the Humboldt County Conflict Counsel’s office. Judge Steven Steward presided today.

IN THE CASE OF: Ahmarri Brown — Dual DV Felony Cases

A 19-year-old Eureka man with two overlapping felony cases is back before a judge Friday afternoon — this time with a newly appointed defense attorney and a new hearing date on the horizon.

Ahmarri Marquis Brown faces charges in two separate cases. The first was filed in November 2025 and charges him with two felony counts of inflicting corporal injury on a dating partner, along with six misdemeanor counts including violating a domestic violence court order, vandalism, assault, battery, and brandishing a weapon in a threatening manner. The alleged incidents occurred between October and November 2025.

While that case was pending, Brown failed to appear in court in May, causing his bond to be forfeited. He was re-arrested May 19 on a bench warrant and has been in Humboldt County Jail ever since. 

A second case was then filed by the Eureka Police Department, charging him with felony assault described in the complaint against him as “an assault on Jane Doe by means of force likely to produce great bodily injury” – alleged to have occurred on April 10, 2026. Prosecutors also added an on-bail enhancement, because the new offense allegedly occurred while he was already out on release in the previous domestic violence case. That allegation that can add significant time to any eventual sentence if found to be true.

Bail in the older DV case is set at $130,000; bail in the new assault case is set at $110,000. Neither has been posted.

Today, May 29, Judge Kelly Neel presided over a bail and counsel confirmation hearing in Courtroom Five. Attorney R. Linkous was appointed as defense counsel. The previously scheduled June 3 preliminary examination has been vacated, with a new  O/R bail hearing set for June 1, with a preliminary examination setting, before Judge Feeney.

Brown remains in custody at Humboldt County Jail. DA Olivares is prosecuting.

This column is based on court records and daily calendars and may include a reporter in the courtroom. This reporting is intended to give readers a clearer sense of how criminal and 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 with significant public interest that you would like followed, email us at [email protected] 

EARLIER:

•  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 – May 21, 2026
• County Faces Contempt; Peeping Tom Held to Answer; Homicide and Robbery Co-Defendants Go to Prelim; and Billboard Wars – Inside Humboldt Courts – May 23, 2026
• Attempted Murder Trial Begins After Three Years in Jail; Hoopa Uncle Stabbing Reaches Court; New Child Sex Abuse Case; and More – Inside Humboldt Courts – May 27, 2026
• Warning! Difficult Testimony in Child Molestation Trial; School Threat Defendant Seeks Diversion and More — Inside Humboldt Courts – May 28, 2026
• Allegations of Animal Cruelty at Alexandre Family Farms; School Threats Case Update; and Child Sex Abuse Trial Continues  – Inside Humboldt Courts – May 29, 2026