— from Nicholas E.D. Power, Attorney —
In a ruling issued February 13, 2020, United States District Judge Marsha Pechman declined to dismiss Dr. Gerald Grellet-Tinner’s constitutional claims against San Juan County, Sheriff Ronald Krebs and Stephen Parker.
In 2016, Dr. Grellet-Tinner was convicted of sexual misconduct, but his convictions were later vacated by San Juan Superior Court Hon. Donald E. Eaton. Judge Eaton’s dismissal was based on discoveries made by an independent agency that during the prosecution of Dr. Grellet-Tinner, the lead detective on the case, Stephen Parker, was having a secret extramarital affair with Natalia Garcia, Dr. Grellet-Tinner’s accuser. During the investigation into the matter it was also uncovered that Deputy Parker had stated Natalia Garcia “set people up”.
After his release from incarceration, Dr. Grellet-Tinner sued the County for conspiracy and violation of his due process rights in federal court in Seattle. Dr. Tinner’s attorney, Nicholas Power, explained “the Constitution guarantees that criminal defendants are given all evidence about their case. That did not happen in this case and Dr. Grellet-Tinner was not provided the information about the relationship between the detective and the accuser as required by the Constitution.”
Defendant Parker moved to dismiss the claims, arguing that there was not a legal basis for the suit. However, Judge Pechman rejected that argument holding that Dr. Grellet-Tinner had pled sufficient grounds to establish a case for conspiracy. Judge Pechman reasoned that Plaintiff has moved well-beyond conclusory pleading, alleging that Defendant and Ms. Garcia conspired to keep the fact of their affair from him, depriving him of a right to a fair trial so Ms. Garcia could obtain a U-Visa from the federal government. Plaintiff further alleges that in order to accomplish this, Defendant instructed Ms. Garcia on how she should testify, dressed her for trial, and attempted to keep the fact of the affair from Plaintiff even after the trial, telling Ms. Garcia to “fix it” when she finally disclosed the affair and offering to pay her to remain silent.” Such fabrication of evidence and deliberately concealing exculpatory evidence are actions which, if true, could qualify as overt acts in furtherance of a conspiracy.
Prosecutor Gaylord is scheduled to be deposed by Grellet-Tinner’s attorneys on February 20. The case is set for trial in the fall of 2020 in Seattle.
For further enquiries: nickedpower@gmail.com or 360.298.0464.
It’s extremely messed up that this press release contains the name of the victim. Shame on you Nick Powers, and shame on anyone who shares this press release unredacted.
The record raises a very real question about the victim’s status. Was she a “victim” of Grellet-Tinner, or did she use him to get a U-visa as a cooperating “victim”? Was she a “victim” of Det. Parker, or was that behavior consistent with her role in the Grellet-Tinner case, in furtherance of her U-visa? She clearly will be a witness in this case against the county, Sheriff Krebs and former detective Parker, not as a “victim” but as a key player in a miscarriage of justice. I think that is sufficient reason for her to be named.
I should add that the Federal District Judge hearing the case, Marsha Pechman, named Ms. Garcia in her order rejecting the county’s attempt to have the case dismissed.
Isn’t it amazing that our tiny county is on the cutting edge of so many legal issues? If only it didn’t cost taxpayers large legal fees.
just… yuck. about the tastelessness of this entire article.
Nick Power is writing this crap and Orcas Issues prints it? A new low!
How can you accuse an underage girl of sexual misconduct with an adult?
A sexually abused person (especially a minor) psychologically takes on that sexual victim-hood role in their life. They are easier prey to that dynamic.
So to try and lay blame on her as the seductress, and especially with a deputy of the law, is so utterly ridiculous, its totally disgusting. Shame on you all.