Wednesday, November 13, 2024

Covelo Six Charged with First Degree Murder, Kidnapping, and Torture of Traci Bland and Kyle McCartney

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The Covelo Six

Six Round Valley residents face grisly charges in the November 19 killings of Traci Bland and Kyle McCartney, according to a criminal complaint filed by the Mendocino County District Attorney’s Office. Those charges include murder in the first degree, kidnapping, carjacking, and torture.

The Covelo Six include Joseph Joshua Hoaglen, Samson Musellini Little Bear Joaquin, Joaquina Patrice Joaquin, Britton Leonard Azbill, Sr., David Joaquin, Jr., and Janet Faye Azbill. The criminal complaint makes clear they are the purported perpetrators of the November 19 kidnapping and subsequent murders of Traci Bland and Kyle McCartney

Regarding the two counts of murder in the first degree, the Covelo Six are accused of killing Traci Bland and Kyle McCartney “with deliberation and premeditation” 

Two special circumstances levied at the accused–involving kidnapping and carjacking–provide insight into the act of killing Bland and McCartney.

All six of the accused face charges of participating in a criminal conspiracy to “forcibly, and by any of the means of instilling fear, steal, take, hold, detain, or arrest” both Bland and McCartney.

Perhaps the most troubling detail revealed in the charging document is count six and seven asserting the Covelo Six “willfully, unlawfully, with the intent to cause cruel and extreme pain and suffering for the purpose of revenge, extortion, persuasion and/or for sadistic purpose” inflicted great bodily injury on both Bland and McCartney.

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The charging documents reveal strike allegations against three members of the Covelo Six. A strike allegation is a previous felony conviction that will inform subsequent sentencing. 

Joaquina Patricia Joaquin [Picture from the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office]

In September 2016, Joaquina Patricia Joaquin was convicted of felony Assault with a Deadly Weapon in Tulare County. 

Britton Leonard Azbill Senior [Picture from the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office]

In September of this year, Britton Leonard Azbill Senior was convicted of felony Assault With a Deadly Weapon in Mendocino County.

David Lee Joaquin [Picture from the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office]

David Lee Joaquin also faces a strike offense stemming from a 2017  felony conviction of Burglary in the first degree. 

Also, Joaquin was arrested by Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office on November 23, 2020 for possession of a dagger and drug intoxication.

Outside of the criminal complaint’s scope, the other members of the Covelo Six, Joseph Hoaglen, Samson Joaquin, and Janet Faye Azbill,  have an extensive criminal past. 

Joseph Hoaglen [Picture from the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office]

In December 2018, the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office featured Hoaglen in their “Warrant Wednesday” post describing him as being wanted for assault with a deadly weapon and making criminal threats.

In January 2018, Hoaglen faced charges of robbery and vehicle theft. 

In March of 2017, Hoaglen was stopped by MCSO deputies while driving in Round Valley, and a record check indicated he had outstanding warrants for second-degree robbery and use of a firearm during the commission of a crime.

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Samson Joaquin [Picture from the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office]

Samson Joaquin’s criminal past includes where he was arrested and charged with domestic violence battery after allegedly attempting to choke and hit his pregnant partner.

Janet Faye Azbill [Picture from the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office]

In 2006, Janet Faye Azbill was booked into the Mendocino County jail on suspicion of driving under the influence, driving with suspended privileges and probation violations.

As per the criminal complaint, in upcoming days the defendants will present any witness statements, physical/mental exams, scientific tests, or evidence they intend to use at trial to the Mendocino County District Attorney’s Office.

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6 COMMENTS

  1. Take em out to the woods and do the samethings to them as they did to my cousin and kyle… I hope no mercy is shown to these degenerate fucks…BURN IN HELL DIRT BAGS

  2. Im not here to argue with anyone over what “she” has done in the past i dont care, its just hear say in my opinion and doesnt matter. What matters is that she and Kyle are no longer alive and these sick bastards deserve No mercy. My cousin was a beautiful person, she wasnt perfect. She didnt deserve to die at the hands of these piece of shit inbred fucks…

  3. I agree no amount of any monetary goods is worth the lives of human beings. Kyle and Traci were my friends and they didn’t deserve the insanely perverse and maniacal torture that they endured. They were two people who have been there for me and who made me laugh when I wanted to die. RIP may you be on that rainbow and that cloud watching over and making everyone up there laugh. You will be missed…

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Matt LaFever
Matt LaFeverhttps://mendofever.com/
For the past seven years, Matt LaFever has covered the North Coast of California in both print and radio news. A Humboldt State graduate, he has lived in the Emerald Triangle for nearly 20 years. His reporting spans local issues like crime and wildfires. When not writing, Matt is an avid outdoorsman, exploring Northern California’s rugged landscapes. Reach out to him at matthewplafever@gmail.com.

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