May 15, 2014

Bodhi Tree Trial Day 2

Day 2 is Officer Amber Cosetti testifying with photographs supporting her testimony of what she saw when they arrived at 1936 J Street. Photos of screen door, alley, bullet on first step of stairwell.

So far supports Officer Cosetti's testimony and prosecution theory. Christina's mom not here today but other friends are; less people in the courtroom today.

One new piece of information today from Officer Cosetti's testimony is that other than marijuana no other drugs or drug paraphenilia found.

While people's photos were being entered into evidence, first time Bodhi Tree spoke and was louder than a whisper communicating with Ms. Holmquist. Most emotion or animation he has shown at any court proceeding so far. And he communicated with Ms. Holmquist several times during today's court proceedings.

He has in the past looked at the clock during a court hearing but today he turned several times and looked at the clock and whispered to Ms. Holmquist. Not sure why but it isn't like he can go somewhere during the course of the trial. He is in custody.

Testimony on the second day also included EPD senior detective Todd Wilcox and PSO Linda Schwend.

It is hard on days like today to convey what happened in the courtroom when testimony relates to visual evidence. You have to be there.

Today's testimony focused on evidence found, how it was collected and defense trying but failing  to raise doubt in their questions. Quite often Mr. Russo's objections were overruled by Judge Reinholtsen today.

Mr. Russo in his questioning was able to get the prosecution witnesses that in one photo the garbage can may have been moved but there was no acknowledgement that it was during evidence collection. Similarly, a question about civilians coming in and out of the crime scene whete Rhett August was shot but Mr. Russo did not ask nor was it proven that it happened during evidence collection.

One such objection about Det. Wilcox not being a qualified expert was something Ms. Firpo turned around in court to a positive. She asked questions, laying the foundation and establishing that the Detective could testify to a photograph that depicted a bullet gouge in the wall .

The defense made claims in opening arguments about the police investigation and evidence and prosecution theory; so far with two days of testimony, the prosecution has done a very detailed and through job with testimony of backing up the timeline and theory Ms. Firpo presented in her opening argument.

Jurors listened attentively as Ms. Firpo through the testimony of Officer Cosetti, Det. Wilcox and Ms. Schwend accompanied by aerial photographs and actual photographs of the 1936 J street residence, where Rhete August was shot at on May 15 by Bodhi Tree. Photographs of a bullet on the first step of the stairwell, photographs of bags filled with processed marijuana, red circular stains consistent with blood that has been wiped up in the hallway and kitchen, the trash can behind which allegedly Bodhi Tree hid and shot at Rhett August were all shown.










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