Posted by copwatch | Sun, 01/18/2015 - 2:35pm story
"Community Shooting Review Board" Is Another Ploy To Cover Up
Eureka Police Killing of Tommy McClain
Eureka, CA: After Eureka Police shot and killed 22 year-old Tommy McClain in cold blood in his front yard on September 17, 2014, Eureka Police Chief Andy Mills created a “Community Shooting Review Board.” This Board is the Eureka Chief's public relations attempt to pacify public outrage, subvert any real community oversight and participation, and perpetuate the farce of independent investigation and transparency.
Posted by copwatch | Sat, 09/22/2012 - 9:10pm story
Posted by copwatch | Sat, 07/28/2012 - 11:59am story
Posted by copwatch | Mon, 12/19/2011 - 12:00pm story
Eureka, CA: The first trial of an arrested Occupier (Eureka) is over. The Humboldt County prosecutor's case revolved around the arrest of the demonstrator for videotaping Eureka police officer, Michael Guy, when he approached the Occupy Eureka site at 4am. After officials jailed the person who was filming for eight days, wasted the impoverished county's money, and spent nearly two weeks in court claiming that the videotaping woman's behavior put the officer in grave danger, a jury voted ten-to-two for acquittal. The case was dismissed.
Posted by copwatch | Sat, 10/29/2011 - 11:50am story
SWAT kills: Beware returning officers, Mike Johnson and Rocky Harpham
Posted by copwatch | Mon, 09/26/2011 - 9:23pm story
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE SEPTEMBER 26, 2011
Eureka Officers Viciously Beat Martin and Left Him to Die in Jail Cell
Eureka, CA: A jury delivered a resounding victory for plaintiffs in a police misconduct civil rights case by awarding the total sum of $4,575,000 against the City of Eureka and Eureka police officers Adam Laird, Justin Winkle, and Gary Whitmer for the death of Martin Cotton II. Punitive damages were assessed against the three officers. Mr. Cotton, a 26 year-old man living on the streets died of blunt force head trauma. The plaintiffs, represented by attorneys Dale K. Galipo and Vicki I. Sarmiento of Los Angeles County, were Mr. Cotton's 5 year-old daughter and his father. The jury found that Officers Laird and Winkle used excessive force, and that all three officers failed to provide medical care.
Posted by copwatch | Thu, 09/22/2011 - 10:00pm story
Posted by copwatch | Sat, 09/24/2011 - 7:24pm story
Martin Cotton Family Awarded Over $4.5 Million in Trial Against Eureka Police (VIDEO included)
The resounding jury decision could not have happened without the years of dedication by Redwood Curtain CopWatch; the courage, strength, and graciousness of Marty Cotton Sr.; the critical solidarity and organizing of the Oscar Grant Committee; the generosity of a few righteous Oakland attorneys; the networking and sharing of resources by Berkeley CopWatch; the bravery of the civilian witnesses to tell the truth; and the sharp, brilliant, hard work from the Cottons' attorneys, Vicki I. Sarmiento and Dale K. Galipo.
Posted by copwatch | Tue, 09/20/2011 - 2:23pm event
outside Oakland Federal Courthouse
1301 Clay Street, Oakland
Press Conference after court in last days of jury trial: Siehna Cotton et al v. City of Eureka

Posted by copwatch | Tue, 09/20/2011 - 12:54pm story
For Immediate Release Sept. 20, 2011
Posted by copwatch | Fri, 09/16/2011 - 11:50pm story
Closing Arguments on Thursday, Sept 22nd!
Currently, the civil rights trial about the August 9, 2007 police murder of Martin Frederick Cotton II is in its last few days. The Eureka Police beat Martin Cotton brutally- in fact- beat him to death in broad daylight, in front of the Eureka Rescue Mission and many (other) houseless people. The civil trial, brought by Martin Cotton's father, Marty Cotton, and Martin's young daughter, Siehna Cotton.
Posted by copwatch | Tue, 09/13/2011 - 3:12pm story
MEDIA UPDATE & CLARIFICATION*: September 13, 2011
Posted by copwatch | Wed, 05/18/2011 - 12:20am story
January 3, 2011 Interview
Please note that the Civil Trial, Siehna Cotton and Martin Cotton I v. Eureka Police Department and Humboldt County Sheriff's Department has been postponed beyond January 10, 2011. The new date has yet to be set by the Court.
Posted by copwatch | Sun, 01/30/2011 - 12:46am story

Family of autistic man shot by police wins case
The Associated Press, Posted: 01/24/2011
Posted by copwatch | Fri, 12/24/2010 - 6:26pm story
In the December 17, 2010 Santa Rosa Press Democrat there was a very predictable story titled: JUDGE: SANTA ROSA POLICE JUSTIFIED IN 2008 KILLING. Wish we had a nickel everytime some version of that headline has been printed in our local press. Below is a statement (also sent as a letter to the Editor) from Jesse’s mom Valerie Barber. I’ve worked with Val for the past two years since her son’s death and she has been very generous with her time and energy reaching out to other families in similar situations. She went through the laborious process of finding an attorney and putting in the hundreds of hours it takes to build a case—a process that the local Leday and Sullivan families are now going through. Even getting the names of the officers who commit these killings is difficult and the deck is stacked big time against any sort of justice... for families left suddenly and unnecessarily without a loved one.
Posted by copwatch | Sat, 01/30/2010 - 1:28pm story

Tatiana Grant, 5 years old, daughter of Sophina Mesa and Oscar Grant.
There has been a civil lawsuit SETTLEMENT for Tatiana Grant, Oscar's 5 year old daughter. Oscar's Mother still has a lawsuit against the Oakland BART cops, as do the 5 young men, close friends, who were with Oscar when he was murdered. The young men recieved abuse themselves and witnessed the cops execute their friend who was laying on his stomach in handcuffs.