Russo cross of Rhett August results in Russo smackdown

Rhett August was a very strong witness. Consistent testimony, good memory, not intimidated. He corrected Mr. Russo quite a few times with facts, names and more then held his own.

There were a few entertaining exchanges in the courtroom today when he elicited laughter and smiles from the audience. If this was a TV episode of Law and Order, I would simply have titled it, Smackdown.

So far, each witness that ties the events of the attempted murder of Rhett August and the murders of Christina and Sunshine :Crow, Smith and now Rhett himself, have held their own against Casey Russo on cross but Rhett August, by far, is the one in control.

In the last few days, Mr. Russo has tried to raise doubts, pointed out some inconsistencies in Crow and Smith's testimonies which they explained and further elaborated on redirect by Ms. Firpo. Mr. Russo has not managed to prove the defense theory, yet. Ms. Firpo has been great every day, in presenting her case, in addressing issues Mr. Russo raises in cross and during re-direct having witnesses answer and reaffirming their testimony. Today, she was brilliant as usual, but the star and the one in control was Rhett August.

It is hard to recreate the atmosphere in the courtroom,

At one point, Mr. Russo asked Rhett August if he paid rent at the apartment where the shooting took place.

Rhett: 625. He said he paid it with Social Security

Russo: What kind of Social Security?

Rhett: What kinds are there?

Russo: Disability...

Rhett: At this point he explained why he received disability and has been receiving it since a young age.

Mr. Russo, unable to get Rhett August to go with his line of questioning, which possibly seemed to point to drug sales, continued by asking Rhett August about the three full plastic bags of marijuana in his bedroom closet. Earlier this morning, Rhett August had already testified he smokes a lot of marijuana and shares with his friends.

Mr. Russo said there was about 5 or 6 pounds of marijuana. Rhett responded with, "I smoke about an ounce a day." Mr. Russo asked him how he paid for this marijuana when he only got $845 a month in Social Security.

Rhett: Who said I bought it?

Russo: Presented another option how Rhett may have obtained the marijuana.

Rhett: I didn't say that either.

Russo: Asked Rhett how he got it.

Rhett: Ok, I bought it.

At this point, he had the most of the courtroom smiling. Russo asked him how much he paid. Rhett said a "couple $100 a pound" from a friend.

Russo: You get a pound of marijuana for a couple of $100? The street value (of the marijuana in Rhett's apartment) is more like $10,000.

Rhett: Maybe in Texas.

There was laughter in the audience.

Mr. Russo asked for the name of the friend. Rhett August hesitated, "Do I have to state his name for the record?" Ms. Firpo objected. Judge Reinholtsen ruled that Rhett August could provide just the first name.