Judge Denies to Release Joshua Cooley onto Eureka City Streets

EUREKA (KIEM) – A judge denied to release 39-year old Joshua Cooley onto the streets of Eureka.

“It’s not often you get a win in Humboldt County in regards to the justice system,” says Eureka resident Wade Long. “I’m going to count today as a win.”

Words by Wade Long, a resident of eureka but also a father.  This morning, concerned citizens spoke out, pleading with Judge Feeney to not release Cooley onto their city streets.

“The idea of releasing this thing on the streets, with no guarantees to anyone’s safety, including his, I couldn’t understand it,” said Long.

A few weeks ago, a proposed plan to keep Cooley in Eureka had many outraged. The plan was to have the 39-year old rotate from different motels every four to five days and every 30 days, register with the police.

But that did not sit well with residents, police, and city officials.

“Releasing someone that is a known proven, sexual violent predator to transient status essentially to motel surfing, among budget motels in the city of Eureka is an extremely poor idea,” said Chief of Eureka Police Steve Watson.

Judge Feeny heard and listened.

He denied Cooley’s release from the Coalinga State Hospital. Liberty Healthcare manages Cooley, they wanted to find him a permanent place.

Experts who testified in the case said, that if Cooley was released onto the streets there was a high chance he would commit the same crimes.

Judge Feeney says, they’ve exhausted all possible placements for Cooley in Humboldt County. Now, they’re looking to Tehama County. But another hearing is set in July, to review the proposed permanent placement in.