According to the Kings County Sheriff’s office, Council member Holly (Evelyn) Andrade Blair has been arrested Saturday, July 6, with several charges.
Lemoore police officers arrived at Blair’s home after receiving a call a little after 1 PM and spoke with Blair’s husband, Paul Blair (formerly of Coalinga). He explained that his wife, Holly Blair had threatened to kill him. When he turned his back to her in order to use his phone, she reportedly punched him in the back of the head.
Paul Blair explained to officers that he thought this was credible threat because of recent domestic violence incidents in his home. Blair was then arrested without incident.
There are three specific charges Blair faces. The first was 422(a) under California penal code which is a threat to terrorize or commit crime. It is called a “wobbler” in that an attorney can make the case for either a misdemeanor or a felony depending on the circumstances. Bail for that charge is currently listed as $85,000.
The second charge is 12022.1(b) PC. This code states that (b) Any person arrested for a secondary offense that was alleged to have been committed while that person was released from custody on a primary offense shall be subject to a penalty enhancement of an additional two years,which shall be served consecutive to any other term imposed by the court.
The third charge us 243 (e)(1): any willful and unlawful touching that is harmful or offensive—and is committed against
- the defendant’s spouse or former spouse,
- the defendant’s cohabitant or former cohabitant,
- the defendant’s fiancé(e) or former fiancé(e),
- a person with whom the defendant has or used to have a dating relationship, or
- the father or mother of the defendant’s child.2
A defendant can be convicted of domestic battery (sometimes known as “spousal battery”) even if the “victim” is not injured in any way. All that’s required is that the defendant use “force” or “violence” against him/her.
Blair is currently being held in the Kings County Jail. This article will track any changes.
For some reader who may wonder why this relates in any way to Coalinga, Blair went to West Hills College and claims Coalinga as one of her past home towns. She married a Coalinga resident, Paul Blair, and is an instructor at West Hills College Lemoore. Earlier this year, Blair attended a Coalinga City Council meeting with the sole intention of accusing a sitting member of Coalinga city council of unbecoming behavior on social media.
Blair was arrested approximately a month ago on charges stemming from a bizarre car chase following what seemed to be an intentional attempt to harm or injure members of the Lemoore Police Department while driving a vehicle. She narrowly missed striking a Lemoore resident and her child with that vehicle. That case has not been updated as of yet.