People v. Wethern CA1/2

BACKGROUND

As described in the probation report and at the preliminary hearing, on December 21, 2023, while working as bailiff at the Ten Mile Branch of Mendocino Superior Court, Sheriff’s Deputy Michael Hosford observed Wethern recording the proceeding. Wethern refused to turn off his cell phone at the deputy’s request and again after the judge explained the court rules. The judge asked that Wethern be removed from the courtroom. Wethern became agitated when Deputy Hosford asked him to leave and then actively resisted when advised he was under arrest. Hosford and police officer Jared Frank transferred Wethern to a holding cell, where Wethern flushed the toilet and caused flooding in the cell and hallway. He actively resisted when another deputy transferred him to a patrol vehicle. Wethern was booked into jail, then released on a promise to appear.2 At about 1:42 a.m. on December 22, 2023, Sheriff’s Deputy Braden Rossich observed fresh white spray paint on the building and fence at the Ten Mile Courthouse. Large spray painted letters on the fence said “ ‘PIG’ ” and “ ‘COCK SUCKERS’ ” and letters on the concrete entryway to the courthouse read “ ‘H=GAY.’ ” Rossich believed the…