Apr 7, 2015

Defense says Ferrer statement of "killing fucking sandniggers" not his view but a response to law enforcement about what white, conservative majority thinks of Arabs

Day 2 of Juan Ferrer's jury trial started with him turning around and making a peace sign to me. He was dressed in a nice black suit with a blue shirt and hair slicked back.

Jury selection started after the morning break in the  Ferrer case. Judge John Feeney allowed certain statements to be redacted after the Ferrer's attorney, Mr. Marek Reavis gave specific examples how they don't apply to Evidence Code 1220 and would be prejudicial to his client. DDA Roger Rees and Mr. Reavis mostly stated the same positions they took yesterday. Both Mr. Rees and Mr. Reavis while very competently and passionately advocating for their side have been very civil and courteous to each other.


These statements apply to two interviews with law enforcement that Ferrer gave after he was being investigated as a suspect in the stabbing of Arcata chef Douglas Anderson-Jordet. Ferrer who has been quiet before jury trial in court other than acknowledging his family and friends in the court has been very vocal the last two days, talking with his attorney, giving feedback.

The only dramatic moments were once when Ferrer had an outburst and directed a remark at Mr. Rees and seemed frustrated about a comment. Judge Feeney who is very calm and patient looked very annoyed because Ferrer did not listen to his first request to be quiet and  admonished him in  a strong tone, "Mr. Ferrer, you have an attorney, let him do his job."

Judge Feeney had told counsel he wanted to redact a "derogatory statement made about Arab nationals" that Ferrer had made in the second interview because "it was not probative." Mr. Rees said that the statement should be allowed because yesterday, the defense made a statement about the victim's character and "angry, homphobic slurs" and that the defendant's character was relevant and this statement should be admitted to see "whether the defendant is a peaceful, Buddhist, Vegan". That last statement was made by Mr. Reavis about his client previously.

Mr. Reavis said that the statement about "people overseas killing fucking sandniggers" was not Ferrer's view but him expressing what he thought were views held by a white, conservative majority.

The jury selection process started today.

4 comments:

  1. "it was not prohibitive."

    In this context, the word should be "probative" (Having the effect of proving something), which admittedly sounds pretty similar.

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  2. Thank you for the correction Doug. It is hard to hear sometimes in the Courtrooms. I will correct it in the post.

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  3. Hello, I am Joey's sister. I spoke to my brother last night and told him how your articles have been the only source of information on the case which does not slander my brother or come off as biased before a trial actually occurs. He really appreciated that, and we appreciate the efforts you obviously make to consider the way you word your articles and your continued coverage of the case. -Teresa

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    1. Thank you Teresa. I think in this case, the publicity around the former plea deal and the political manipulation by one of the former candidates, Arnie Klein was very unfair to your brother, the other co-defendants and your families. A defendant is presumed innocent before a trial. And in instances such as this case and others, the situation is not black and white.

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