My friends laughed, women said he deserved it, Rhett August testifies today

Rhett August, the victim of shooting on May 15 started his testimony today in the Bodhi Tree trial.

In addition to the quote above which Rhett August referred to right after he described Bodhi Tree leaving after being beaten by three of his friends, he also confirmed Rives account of the party and gave new details. "I felt like he deserved it," said Rhett August regarding his friends beating Bodhi Tree. "He kept groping Taraya and he wouldn't stop."

Rhett August added much needed levity at the end of today's court proceedings when he responded to Judge Reinholtsen's dismissal at noon. "So no more court today?"

It has been an intense two days of packed testimony starting with Sean Butler-Smith and followed by Rhett August with a volley between prosecution and defense.

Rhett August is a jovial, likable young man. Even as he testified about the man who is accused of allegedly shooting him, Rhett August's testimony showed a young man concerned about his girlfriend Sequoya Hurwitz, her best friend Taraya Rives and even Bodhi Tree.

Rhett August and Bodhi Tree's paths first crossed four years ago. "I met him in Arcata through a friend at a college party," said August. He said Bodhi Tree is more "like an acquaintance, we are not friends."

"I lived with him on 3rd and T street for two weeks," said August. This was about two and a half years ago. Then he asked Bodhi Tree to leave. August owed Tree $700 in back rent. He did not see Tree until a month before May 15 because Bodhi Tree was in prison. Then he ran into Tree who had moved to a clean and sober house near Rhett August's apartment.

Although they had not ended their acquaintance on good terms, the interaction when they met again was "fine" Rhett August testified. "Bodhi was not aggressive about asking for money" he said but he signed over a Buick LeSabre to Bodhi Tree to pay him back.

Between the transfer of the car and the party on May 13, Rhett August and Bodhi Tree ran into each other unexpectedly at "the river". Rhett August said have some common friends.

Rhett August said he invited Bodhi Tree to the party the morning of May 13. It was more of a casual get-together, few friends stopping by. He said that later that afternoon, he went with Bodhi Tree to Stop and Shop and got alcohol.  When Ms. Firpo asked him, what kind of alcohol. He said "Coffee flavored Patron" and then added, "It wasn't that good." That led to smiles around the courtroom.

Setting the scene for later that night, Rhett August said, Tyrell Brandon, Steven Upton and John Buhne came over and then my girlfriend, now ex-girlfriend, showed up."

The men were drinking the Patron when the women showed up. According to Rhett, there was no "conflict upstairs" in his apartment until Bodhi Tree sat next to Taraya Rives. "He tried to grab her leg and he put his arm around her. She pushed him away. She said stop, stop."

According to Rhett, Tyrell Brandon said to Bodhi Tree, that if he could not keep his hands to himself, "let's go outside." Then said Bodhi Tree and Tyrell Brandon went outside and every one else followed to watch what was happening.

Rhett August said at first, it was just Tyrell Brandon and Bodhi Tree, "They both put their hands up, Brandon punched him and then was kicking him. Bodhi balled up and said stop. Brandon stopped."

Rhett August continued, "Bodhi was drunk, he tried to come back to get his stuff. I told him to leave. I told him my friends were riled up, they don't want you here. He left for 15 minutes. Then came back asking for his cell-phone and sweater. I told him to get his stuff. He didn't even get his cellphone."

Rhett August said that Bodhi Tree would not leave. "Then my friends jumped him. I was worried about the cops coming. I felt like he deserved it. He kept groping Taraya , he wouldn't stop. My dog ran (out of the house) after him, I think I tried restraining him (the pitbull)."

Rhett August said the first fight was four punches and a kick to the head and facial area. The second fight was 30 seconds.  Rhett said Bodhi was trying to get away during the second , they were grabbing him, 20-30 blows to head and facial area, maybe a couple to the ribs. Bodhi saying stop, stop, stop, just balling up. Someone granned him and slammed him against a truck. I watched him walk away, he was walking in pain, limping kinda."

After Bodhi Tree left, Rhett August said, "My friends laughed, women said he deserved it." Rhett August said he told his girlfriend and Taraya Rives to leave because he thought the cops would arrive and that they left shortly after Bodhi Tree.