Photo by Dezmond Remington.


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PREVIOUSLY

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Today, a hearing was set for a possible mental health diversion of school threats suspect Daryl Ray Jones.

His attorney is seeking a diversion from criminal proceedings against Jones, who faces 31 charges related to a deluge of phone threats that sparked terror across Humboldt County in early 2025.

Such diversions, when accepted, allow people with certain mental health disorders to receive treatment instead of jail time or a criminal conviction.

Jones | Booking photo courtesy Comanche County, Okla.

A key question in recent court appearances was which judge will oversee this hearing. His attorney argued today the District Attorney’s office had been “judge shopping” as part of a broader strategy to disqualify one particular official from hearing adult criminal cases.

The District Attorney’s office previously opposed the appointment of Judge Kelly Neel, arguing for her disqualification because Neel’s daughter attended one of the many local schools that received threatening phone calls.

But Jones’ attorney, Meagan O’Connell from the Humboldt County Conflict Counsel’s office, contested this move. Today, she argued this was part of a “bad faith blanket challenge,” of the judge.

She said the DA’s office has filed this type of motion (which allows attorneys to challenge the appointment of a judge) 131 times since 2018 against Neel, based on her preliminary research. This, she said, has effectively removed Neel from hearing adult criminal cases.

O’Connell further argued that since Neel initially had no recollection of the incident, she could be fair in overseeing the hearing.

Deputy District Attorney Roger Rees said there wasn’t proof that every case assigned to Neel had been disqualified by the People, and pointed out Neel currently hears juvenile cases and oversees the felony calendar when other judges are out.

He argued since the judge’s daughter attended a school that received threats, it would give the appearance she could be biased.

Ultimately, Judge Timothy Canning sided with the defense, and said Neel could oversee the diversion hearing.

He said the concern about biases would typically be something the defense would be concerned about, and found the explanation didn’t warrant the type of motion.

Multiple other judges have been disqualified from the case, according to court records.

The threats, in March and February 2025, prompted widespread school lockdowns. Calls included threats to kill and rape small children and threats to shoot up various spots. Local businesses and daycares received similar calls.

Previously, Jones was held to answer to over 30 charges levied against him. Jones is additionally charged with two counts of stalking in the case.

He remains incarcerated on a no-bail hold, and has pled not guilty to all charges.

Previously, Judge Neel declared a doubt to Jones’ competency during an early hearing. But in July 2025, the court found he was mentally competent based on a physician’s report and continued criminal proceedings against him.

In previous hearings, O’Connell pointed out Jones told police he was autistic and referenced his general state of mind, when cross examining police.

A bill signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom Monday recently tightened up rules surrounding the diversion program, which started in 2018. Judges will have more discretion over diversions.

The next hearing related to the diversion was set for July 31.