The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors today appointed Luke Brownfield to serve as the county’s public defender, overseeing the office that represents individuals accused of criminal offenses who cannot afford an attorney. “With his experience and leadership, we are fortunate to have Luke as the new public defender for our community,” said 3rd District Supervisor […]
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John Edward Buffington: 1941-2021
John Edward Buffington passed away peacefully in Austin, Texas, on July 23, at the age of 80. He was preceded in death by his parents John and Blythe Buffington and is survived by his wife Georgia Willis Buffington of Austin, Texas. He is also survived by his three sons Peter (Mona), Andrew, and Justin (Jillian) […]
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Public Defender Reportedly Got $25K in Severance Pay
The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors reportedly agreed to give embattled former Public Defender David Marcus two-months severance pay when he resigned his position, according to Marcus’ letter of resignation. That would equate to about $25,000 given Marcus’ $150,000 annual salary. It’s unclear when the board reached this agreement or how it was finalized. With […]
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Griego to Dismiss Public Defender Suit
Local attorney Patrik Griego announced this morning that he will be dismissing the lawsuit he brought challenging David Marcus’ appointment as Humboldt County public defender in light of Marcus’ resignation. In the short release (copied below), Griego notes that his lawsuit was challenging whether Marcus met minimum state qualifications for the job when the Humboldt […]
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As Supes Prepare for Thanksgiving Eve Meeting, Marcus Packs Up His Desk
UPDATE: Multiple public defenders’ office employees have confirmed that Marcus has packed up his office, cleaned out his desk and left without addressing employees. Previously: The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors will meet late this afternoon in closed session to discuss the pending lawsuit against controversial Public Defender David Marcus. According to Clerk of the Board […]
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Uncertainty Surrounds Monday’s Public Defender Hearing
The lawsuit challenging embattled Humboldt County Public Defender David Marcus’ hiring is bound for a hearing Monday but it’s hard to say what to expect. It could be the decisive moment in the 9-month-old lawsuit, an evidentiary hearing on the merits that ultimately answers whether Marcus meets minimum state qualifications for the post. Or the […]
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Hearing Set in Public Defender Case Amid Settlement Offer, Allegations of Delay Tactics
The Humboldt County Superior Court has set a hearing next month to determine whether embattled Public Defender David Marcus meets the minimum state qualifications to hold his job. But Patrik Griego, the attorney who brought the lawsuit challenging Marcus’ hire, is worried the county is engaging in a pattern of “gamesmanship” intended to delay the […]
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UPDATED: No Report Out of Closed Door Evaluation of Public Defender
UPDATE: The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors announced no final actions when reconvening out of closed session today. PREVIOUSLY (Oct. 8): The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors will meet in closed session Tuesday to review the job performance of embattled Public Defender David Marcus. The closed-session review comes eight months into Marcus’ tenure and about […]
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Judge Allows Public Defender Lawsuit to Proceed Amid Attorney Exodus
A visiting Humboldt County Superior Court judge ruled this morning that a case challenging the hiring of controversial Public Defender David Marcus can continue, finding sufficient facts have been alleged to hold a hearing to determine whether he meets minimum state qualifications for the post. The county of Humboldt had asked Judge Marjorie Carter to […]
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Dates with David Marcus
December, 2016 — Humboldt County Public Defender Kevin Robinson retires. Feb. 8, 2017 — The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors announces the hire of David Marcus as Humboldt’s next public defender. Feb. 14, 2017 — Several members of the local defense bar address the Board of Supervisors, urging it to scrap Marcus’ hire and begin […]
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‘Nothing in Writing’
Local attorney Patrik Griego refiled his lawsuit last week, alleging that Humboldt County Public Defender David Marcus fails to meet minimum state qualifications for his post. And this time, Griego is using Marcus’ own words against him in arguing that he is unqualified to represent the county’s indigent defendants as the chief public defender. Last […]
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Judge Gives Attorney 30 Days to Refile Public Defender Lawsuit
A judge today dismissed a lawsuit alleging the county’s public defender did not meet minimum qualifications required for the post, but gave local attorney Patrik Griego 30 days to refile, saying he should have more information about his contention after questioning David Marcus under oath during an upcoming deposition. The lawsuit seeking to block Marcus’ […]