Until last Friday, prosecution witnesses were helping the defense a bit more than the prosecution with their testimony. As the Matthew Brown case concluded Friday, prosecution played two interviews: one which was video-taped right after Matthew Brown was arrested and the second 24 hours later.
In those interviews, the only thing that hurt Matthew Brown was that he denied shooting Neil Decker. Monday through Wednesday morning, the prosecution and defense presented witnesses and Brown's attorney, Mr. Greg Elvine-Kreiss tried to elicit something definitive to build a connection between his client's case and the unsolved murders of Scott Johnson and Garrett Rodriguez. In this post, I am including testimony from when HCSO Sgt. Diana Freese, Investigator Todd Fulton and Detective Jennifer Turner.
The Sheriff's office denies any connection despite the defense probing. Will the interview and HCSO testimony hurt or help the defense? Google Murder Mountain or the names of any of the three deceased on Lost Coast Outpost which details on the cases and will provide context for the HCSO testimony.
Thursday, Matthew Brown took the stand. Will that lean the case back in defense favor?
So far many of the prosecution and defense witnesses corroborate the defense's opening arguments. The only thing that Matthew Brown lied about was in his initial interview denying shooting Neil Decker. He explains why. Will it be enough to acquit him of murder? The defense called the shooting of Neil Decker "a justifiable homicide."
Sgt. Diana Freese was one of the lead detectives in the Brown case. The other detective was Sam Williams. When Mr. Elvine-Kreiss questioned Sgt. Freese on cross, he asked her "In the last two years does the Rancho Sequoia area have a reputation for guns and violence?"
"Many areas in Humboldt County have reputations for guns and violence," responded Sgt. Freese.
"Would you describe it as lawless?" asked Mr. Elvine Kreiss.
"Yes," said Sgt. Freese.
"Do you agree with Det. Williams characterization of wild west, guns and trees?"
"I don't agree. It is a rural area. It's wild and rural," said Sgt. Freese.
So far, no suspect has been identified in the murder of Scott Johnson, the only eye witness, all relevant witnesses agree on was present in the room when Brown shot Decker. When Mr. Elvine-Kreiss tried to question Sgt. Freese about the unsolved murder of Johnson, DDA Kelly Neel objected to this question and the Judge sustained the objection.
On re-direct, DDA Neel asked Sgt. Freese about there not being a large law enforcement presence in rural area. Sgt Freese responded that it was "because of resources and not because law enforcement avoids going to that area."
On re-cross, Mr. Elvine-Kreiss brought up that Matthew Brown had not slept much since he fled the Johnson property until his arrest. He brought up a comment Det. Williams said in the interview which Sgt. Freese described as a suggestion. Det. Williams said, "I think you are absolutely afraid of Neil Decker and you shot him and other things were going on."
When Detective Fulton was interviewed, he was asked about Scott Johnson's death which occurred 4 days after Neil Decker was found. Detective Fulton said that it was "up in the air whether this was homicide." He said they did not know where Johnson was killed but where his body was found and that "a gas can was found near Johnson's body."
Mr. Elvine-Kreiss asked Detective Fulton about several people: Johnny Riley Jr., Johnny Riley Sr., Ray Ray, Old Spice" Detective Fulton said he knew some people and that the Johnson and Decker investigation were separate but involved the same individuals.
Detective Turner said that "she was not actively investigating" the Rodriguez murder because "the FBI is investigating and HCSO is waiting until their investigation is complete." A person identified as "Quinton" was brought up and Detective Turner said that she met with him about another case and that the "Garrett Rodriguez case came up." Mr. Elvine-Kreiss questioned Detective Turner about some of the same people he asked Detective Fulton about and she had only heard of 1 name during her investigation of the Rodriguez case.
When questioned about the Alderpoint 8, she said, "I've heard the name thrown around ; I don't know who is involved."
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