People's witnesses' in Semore case bring back flashback of Tree trial; difference being the defense in this case actually raises issues about credibility, investigation and a favor to a witness

Ms. Kathleen Bryson, who represents Jonas Semore started her cross examination of HCSO Investigator Greg Musson on Wednesday and it continued to Thursday. Reading from reports and transcripts, Ms. Bryson over the two day period raised some questions about the credibility of the group of people at the house the night David Ganfield was attacked.

"Dan Reynolds never said he cleaned anything up," Ms. Bryson stated. She brought up Rebecca Hamline's extensive criminal history, which includes alleged new charges she is facing. Musson acknowledged Hamline's "extensive record." Ms. Bryson pointed out that Semore was arrested May 17, almost three weeks after the attack on Ganfield. However, it was three months after that arrest that Hamline spoke to law enforcement and Hamline first claimed Semore had confessed to her about being the one that hit Ganfield with the bat.

Ms. Bryson pointed inconsistencies in Hamline's testimony; for example Hamline claimed that search warrants were served on May 12, which was incorrect. Ms. Bryson asked Investigator Musson that Hamline also told him that she went to prison for 10 years. He said yes but she did not for that long. "So she lied?" said Ms. Bryson.

"Hamline wanted a deal for a testimony?" she asked Investigator Musson. He said nothing was promised to Hamline. Then Ms. Bryson read a statement Hamline made to Musson when he spoke to her. "I need to get home to my kids and this is the best I could come up with." Again, Investigator Musson said that he did not work for the DA's office so he could not offer Hamline a deal. Ms. Bryson then said that the implication was that he would pass on the information Hamline gave to the DA's office. Investigator Musson did not dispute that last statement.

Ms. Bryson then asked Investigator Musson that during the course of his investigation, he learned that Randy Cook did not  like Semore and "was jealous of him." Investigator Musson responded, "that is correct."

Ms. Bryson brought up a statement by Dan Reynolds to Investigator Musson where he told Investigator Musson that Semore came back to the house at 2 a.m. with another male and "three unknown subjects" and these were the five men he believed he saw. This challenges the time that law enforcement believes Ganfield was attacked.

Then bringing up the fact that the donut story is what made Investigator Musson believe Hamline was credible, which Investigator Musson again said yes to because "that information was never released to the public", Ms. Bryson said, "Unless Mr. Semore told someone and she could have heard it from the grapevine." Investigator Musson responded, "Yes."

"Are you aware of Randy Cook's record?" Ms. Bryson asked Investigator Musson.

"He has got an extensive criminal history, drug problem and stealing," responded Investigator Musson.

"Are you aware of his violent history?" asked Ms. Bryson.

"I don't think it's applicable," said Investigator Musson. "I don't think Randy Cook was involved in giving him a ride."

"You thought his story was bullshit?" asked Ms. Bryson.

"Yes," said Investigator Musson.

Ms. Bryson got Investigator Musson to admit that Cook lied to him on at least two occasions. She quoted Detective Musson from a report/transcript, "Cook has proved himself to be a big fat liar over and over again."

"None of the people you talked to witnessed the assault," asked Ms. Bryson.

"That's correct," said Investigator Musson.

"Did Sarah Jones tell you she was friends with Ganfield and she frequented the Reynold's house?" asked Ms. Bryson.

"Correct," said Investigator Musson.

"So Randy Cook, Sarah Jones' boyfriend knew Ganfield?" said Ms. Bryson. "Are you aware of Sarah Jones' criminal record?"

"I did not run a rap but she won't win citizen of the year," quipped Investigator Musson.

"Are you aware that she has a history of dishonesty, stealing and forged checks?" said Ms. Bryson.

Then Ms. Bryson pointed out that Investigator Musson spoke to Sarah Jones almost two months after the attack. And he looked at his report and confirmed that was correct.

"She had a warrant one of those days that wasn't dealt with," said Ms. Bryson.

At first Investigator Musson tried to play that off,  then acknowledged that Jones was cited and released despite a warrant.

"Were any other favors given?" asked Ms. Bryson.

"I don't believe anyone else was awarded that opportunity" said Investigator Musson.

"Did Sarah Jones tell you about her mental illness, post traumatic stress order, that she had terrors during the day, that she attempted suicide after April 28? asked Ms. Bryson.

"Yes," said Investigator Musson.

"Sarah Jones, Randy Cook and Jeremy Cringle were all using meth that day," said Ms. Bryson. Investigator Musson confirmed this was true.

"Sarah Jones was good friends with Mr. Semore and his family" said Ms. Bryson. "Sarah Jones did not hear distinct voices, she didn't see assault, she didn't know if Mr. Ganfield could have thrown the first punch in this alleged assault?"

"That's correct," said Investigator Musson.

Ms. Bryson then asked Investigator Musson if he said this about the case, "This case is like a virulent case of herpes."

"Absolutely," said Investigator Musson.

When Ms. Bryson asked about Rick Webster's criminal history, Musson again responded, "he won't win citizen of the year."

At this point, Visiting Judge Arvid Johnson said, "I think we can stipulate the entire group of people at the house were not the kind that you find at a bible study at church."

Investigator Musson smiled and said, "that's correct."

It was during the defense cross that Rick Webster was identified as Ganfield's uncle. Ms. Bryson brought up a statement Webster made to Investigator Musson that Ganfield paid Semore a debt of $50 for meth that Webster owed Semore and Ganfield told Semore  not to bother his uncle anymore.

Ms. Bryson also stated other quotes in an interview conducted by Investigator Musson such as, "Mr. Ganfield had done a lot of people dirty" and "Mr. Ganfield had a lot of enemies."

Ms. Bryson brought up that Reynolds told Musson after Ganfield was taken to the hospital, he did not see any blood. Ms. Bryson again mentioned that both Jones and Hamline "wanted consideration of a deal."

"Are any attempts being made to find Nick Johnson?" asked Ms. Bryson

"Yes," said Investigator Musson.