File photo.

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PREVIOUSLY

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Four years, eight months and 17 days after fatally shooting Trevor John Earley in the head, Jake Combs was sentenced to 50 years to life in prison for his murder.

The victim’s friends and family, who’ve sought justice for Earley across two trials, gave moving testimony today.

“The day I lost him became the worst day of my life,” said Sierra Earley, Trevor Earley’s sister.

Instead of getting married, with her brother standing beside her as best man, she was writing his obituary. Four years later, she said she still can’t move on.

“I don’t get to move on. Jake Combs is more free than we’ll ever be,” she said. 

A jury found the man guilty of first-degree murder earlier this year.

Combs has fought against the murder case for years, including a successful appeal of a 2023 conviction that triggered this year’s retrial. A Court of Appeals found the court improperly admitted evidence during the trial that Combs assaulted an inmate.

Even after the second jury convicted him in May, Combs’ defense submitted a bid for a new trial on juror misconduct grounds, which was shot down by the court this morning.

Earley’s loved ones, who packed the courtroom, described being unable to move forward due to the constant hearings. Many blasted Combs for making them relive his murder.

His cousin described the angry grief as a cup of strong coffee, slowly diluted over time by water. But each time they return to the courthouse, a shot of espresso is added to the cup.

“Please stop the trials. Leave my family alone,” said Jasmine Carr, Earley’s cousin.

Combs responded after sitting, eyes downcast, during the lengthy and emotional statements from Earley’s family. Combs’ voice breaking, speaking quickly, he argued he’d never tried to avoid accountability, and couldn’t imagine the family’s loss.

“Obviously I’m a fucked up person… [but] it wasn’t first-degree,” he said. 

But while Humboldt County Superior Court Judge Kaleb Cockrum said he understood Combs’ position, he said the facts, testimony and jury showed the murder was premeditated.

In particular, he pointed to evidence that Combs returned to the residence after a conflict with Earley.

Combs’ large dog had bitten Earley in the face. Earley threatened to harm the dog if he didn’t take it off the property. Combs retrieved a loaded 9mm pistol and returned to shoot Earley, who was unarmed, meaning there was time for premeditation, according to Cockrum.

Cockrum said Earley’s loss was “immense — it affected an entire community” after describing how he came to largely the same sentence as he did in 2023.

Cockrum imposed a sentence of 25 years to life for murder and 25 years to life for a firearm enhancement.

Today, he also sentenced Combs to 10 years for two other crimes he committed while incarcerated: an assault on another prisoner in Kern County and sneaking drugs into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility. Cockrum told Combs he’s very disappointed to see him pick up new cases.

The 34-year-old will have to serve decades before being eligible for parole, a sentence the District Attorney’s Office described as life in prison in a press release. He’s served 1,722 days so far.

Earley’s friends and family submitted 52 letters to the court ahead of his sentencing. Seven statements were read in the courthouse.

Family members spoke at length about Earley, describing a goofy, fun-loving man who was always cracking jokes and gave great bear hugs.

Sierra Earley said her little brother was an amazing man who deserved far more from his short life, a person who’d stand up for those who couldn’t stand up for themselves.

“What I wouldn’t give for one more hug from him, or one more moment,” said Katrina Earley, his mother.

A bridge memorializing the 25-year-old victim was dedicated in 2025. His family also started the Trevor Earley Memorial Foundation, in support of youth athletics.

Family spoke of the tragedy of his loss at just 25, before he could get married, have kids, or be an uncle for the young children in the tight-knit community of Alderpoint.

Many cursed Combs, calling him a coward, evil, a cockroach, a piece of trash, a cancer on this world, and told him he belongs in a cage.

Judge Cockrum had denied a motion from the defense for a new trial this morning, finding that no juror misconduct was established today.

The defense spoke to a juror, who alleged the jury did not follow instructions for determining the degree of murder. Deputy Public Defender Ryan McClurg said it related to the prosecution proving beyond a reasonable doubt the crime was not in a heat of passion (a lesser charge).

However, there were inconsistencies in the juror’s declarations, acknowledged by the defense and prosecution. Deputy District Attorney Whitney Timm, who prosecuted the case, said they later interviewed the juror who admitted to having memory issues and had remembered why they found it to be first-degree murder.

Cockrum followed steps for determining juror misconduct and found no misconduct was established. He denied a request for an evidentiary hearing with the juror.

Cockrum also denied a request by the defense to reduce the firearm enhancement, after considering for roughly 30 minutes a doctor’s analysis that pointed to Combs’ childhood trauma.

He noted, while using the unregistered weapon, Combs approached an unarmed Earley and raised the gun to his head assassination-style, without giving the man an opportunity to defend himself or talk things out.

Deputy Public Defenders McClurg and Emery Welton represented Combs.

The District Attorney’s office offered Combs a plea deal ahead of the trial. The prosecution would have dropped the drug possession case in exchange for a guilty plea and a sentence of 50 years to life. He rejected this deal and was ultimately convicted of both the drug possession charge and first-degree murder.

Combs will be remanded to the Department of Corrections.

“Reaching the just outcome reflected in today’s sentencing has been a lengthy and extremely difficult process for Mr. Earley’s family and loved ones,” District Attorney Stacey Eads said in a statement. “May they finally be allowed some sense of justice and peace knowing their loved one’s killer is behind bars.”