Father-son like relationship triumphed over Lee's past heroin use, victim's past cocaine use

Angela Luizzi, the woman who last communicated with William Reid testified today about "my good friend Billy Reid." They grew up in East Chester, N.Y. , went to grammar school and high school together. The families knew each other. Then they lost touch with each for 20 years until they reconnected on Facebook.

Luizzi described Reid as an "animal lover" who adored his dogs Eli and Sadie. He loved Humboldt and on Feb 3, 2010 told her he had won $700 at Blue Lake Casino and was planning to visit her.

Reid told her Eddie and Moriah lived with him. She identified photos she posted for Reid on Facebook. They spoke and texted daily. There was no romantic relationship. She said they were "best friends". She knew he grew and sold pot.

On cross, Lee's attorney Mr. Stallworth asked her about Billy who she described as a "fun, loving and outgoing person." Luizzi told Mr. Stallworth Reid told her Moriah helped him set up a facebook account. She did not know details about his marijuana business. She was surprised when Mr. Stallworth told her that Reid had visited family over Christmas holidays in 2009. She confirmed that Reid told her he did not have a license and she was aware of his drug and alcohol issues.

She admitted he never spoke "badly" about Eddie and Moriah. She had no knowledge if Eddie drove him around. On February 3 when he called from the car, she assumed the person in the car was Eddie because "Eddie was always with him."

He was supposed to call Feb 4 and when he did not respond to text or facebook messages, she contacted his family.

Marilyn Reid, Billy's sister, testified that the last time she saw him was New Year's Day 2010. She said Reid and Colorado, then L.A. then moved to Humboldt. Her brother told her that he was caretaking/fixing the house he lived in for an elderly gentleman. She knew he "was growing pot." In response to Mr. Gallegos's question, she said, "He did not have lawful work."

Billy Reid's father has been in the courtroom. Ms. Reid, Billy's father and Angela Luizzi were accompanied by Victim Witness Representatives.  Ms. Reid confirmed some of the statements  Luizzi made. Her brother loved the home, the views from his house, Eddie and Moriah lived with him.

She identified Lee from and said her brother had shown her a photograph on his cell-phone of Eddie and Moriah at the beach and that she overheard him authorize Eddie to purchase a Pathfinder and pay $3,000.This was during the visit at Christmas. Ms. Reid said he never mentioned Jessica or Limmie.

She went into details about how the family got alerted, reported him missing and that she had texted a photo of her brother and the dogs to "ADA Dollison."

"I knew he was growing and selling pot, I never asked why." She paused and said, "He always smoked pot." Ms. Reid seemed uncomfortable discussing pot or drug use by her brother. She was very stoic but at times you could see her fighting back her tears.

On cross, Mr. Stallworth started by expressing condolences. He asked about Billy, the family. Answering his questions, Ms. Reid said that her brother worked for Verizon in New York state, he left in his 30s to go to Florida. At this point, Mr. Stallworth asked her and she confirmed that Reid was in Florida for long term rehab for cocaine use. He then moved to Colorado and finally California.

Mr. Stallworth asked Ms. Reid if she knew if "Billy was doing cocaine." She answered, "As far as she knew, "just marijuana."

Reid told his sister he made "$85,000 gross" in 2009 selling marijuana. Mr. Stallworth asked if he sent any money home or if Reid's younger brother, also named Eddie was "in the business" and if Reid sold any marijuana in N.Y. She answered no to all questions. She said she knew Eddie and Moriah were assisting him but not specifics.

Reid told his sister he took Eddie and Moriah in "off the streets because they were strung on heroin and he did not want them to have the problems he had."

Mr. Stallworth asked about her brother trusting Eddie, brought up that he authorized Eddie to buy the Pathfinder with $3,000 in cash. "Eddie was like a son to him," said Ms. Reid.