Defense case in Arcata chef stabbing continues to sink like the Titanic as DDA Roger Rees cross of Ferrer and friends further bolsters prosecution theory

Thursday, DDA Roger Rees cross examined Sophie Rocheleau, then three defense witnesses, two were Ferrer's co-workers and friends and one a childhood friend who had seen him face to face in 16 years. As DDA Roger Rees pointed out they were not there that night. Their characterization of Ferrer directly contradicts his behavior in court. Two of his co-workers testified how he could calm people down, how he was compassionate and how he could deal with difficult people. All this contradicts his behavior on the night of the incident where he had an altercation with Douglas Anderson. As DDA Rees pointed out, he was with three people, he could have walked away, instead he yelled "Fuck you too, man" which caused the altercation to continue.

Until Ferrer yelled back at Anderson, they weren't in a physical altercation because Anderson wasn't approaching Ferrer. According to Rocheleau, Ferrer and Anderson both mutually approached each other which led to the physical altercation.

There was only yelling. There would have been no need for any physical altercation, there would have been no stabbing had Ferrer not escalated the situation. There may have been no death had the three called police or medics for help.

APD evidence tech Leah Christian testified briefly Thursday and Friday, Deputy Coroner Roy Horton testified briefly Friday. Their testimony did nothing to help the defense prove their theory or point to Ferrer's innocence.

Mr. Marek Reavis played the second interview Juan Ferrer did with Detective Ortega on Friday, there were a few responses which could have been helpful to Ferrer but when he got on the stand, his demeanor with his own attorney and then later with Mr. Rees completely undid any redeeming effort by Mr. Reavis.

Every time Ferrer takes the stand, he shows how he is not at all remorseful of his actions, he continues to demonstrate that when push comes to shove, he would throw his former girlfriend and friend under the bus. Mr. Reavis has done everything he can to provide Ferrer the best defense he can but it is Juan Ferrer who is the biggest obstacle in his own defense. He continues to get caught in inconsistencies, lies over and over again. His credibility is shot. All the character witnesses cannot undo the hole Ferrer continues to dig. He refuses to accept any responsibility for his actions.

Ferrer's family and friends and his attorney are stuck defending someone who spun so many lies and stories. On Friday, Ferrer's own words were "bad judgment" and he has indicated often that he made choices and mistakes, he wishes he could have handled differently.

He still has a choice, to tell the truth on the stand, to take responsibility.

 I feel for Douglas Anderson's family, some who sit in the courtroom watching painful testimony and watching Ferrer and his friends blame Anderson. No one can give Douglas Anderson his life back, Ferrer can still visit and talk to his family and friends, regardless of the outcome of this case.

When this case started, there were two theories. As the case has progressed, prosecution has presented evidence that is corroborated by testimony. Other media and people in the courtroom watching the case may not put their feelings out there like I do, for various reasons, but I am not the only one with the opinion that as of now, the defense case is like the Titanic.