File photo.


A man whose 50-years-to-life murder conviction was overturned is set to see a retrial later this month. During a hearing this morning, attorneys indicated they were ready for the retrial of Jake Combs to proceed after months of delays.

34-year-old Combs, in custody wearing an orange jumpsuit, was ordered to appear on April 27 for a jury trial. Attorneys estimated the trial would take three to four weeks.

Deputy District Attorney Carolyn Schaffer said the People will submit a questionnaire for jurors.

In 2023, Combs was convicted of first-degree murder for killing 25-year-old Trevor John Earley of Alderpoint.

But in May 2025, the California First District Court of Appeal overturned his conviction. The court later denied a request by the California Attorney General’s Office for a rehearing on the decision, according to reporting by the North Coast Journal.

The appeals court found Humboldt County Superior Court should not have admitted evidence that, while in jail awaiting trial, Combs attacked another inmate in a wheelchair.

This evidence, the panel of judges found, was inflammatory and prejudicial, the Journal reported.

Evidence including the video footage of the attack played in court, which showed Combs “refusing to stop when ordered to do so until a taser was deployed,” could have shocked and emotionally swayed the jury.

The appeals court said there was a reasonable chance of a result more favorable to Combs if the evidence was not admitted. Combs was convicted by the jury of murder along with a gun enhancement.

Now, Combs’ case is set to be retried after a smattering of delays noted in court minutes and attempts toward rehearing the appeal decision, with Judge Steven Steward poised to preside over the case.

Some previous delays were related to the Public Defender’s efforts to bring a witness to testify, according to court minutes.

Combs was transferred to Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office custody from the Calipatria state prison, according to a July order. He remains incarcerated at the Humboldt County jail without bail. In a 2025 Humboldt County Superior Court case, Combs was accused of possessing methamphetamines in jail around August 2025. He has pleaded not guilty.

The killing of Earley occurred Jan. 2022, when after hours of hanging out, Combs’ Cane Corso bit through Earley’s nose.

Jake Combs in 2022. File photo.

“Earley became upset and threatened the dog. Sometime later, while Earley chatted on the front porch with a friend, Combs retrieved his loaded 9mm pistol from his backpack, walked up to Earley from the side, and, without warning, Combs shot Earley in the head,” the District Attorney’s office said in a press release when he was convicted.

According to reporting from the Times-Standard, Combs admitted to killing Earley while on the stand. He also told police who interviewed him he shot Earley in the head.

But, as the appeals court noted, the 2023 jury’s concern was to consider premeditation and deliberation surrounding the shooting.

A bridge memorializing the 25-year-old victim was dedicated in 2025. He is remembered as a lover of the outdoors with a big heart.

The victim’s family has called for a speedy retrial amid delays, according to reporting from Redheaded Blackbelt.

Deputy Public Defender Emery Welton, Combs’ attorney, and District Attorney Stacey Eads each did not immediately return an emailed request for comment.

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