"By all accounts this was supposed to be a quick road trip, see the Humboldt Redwoods, do a favor for a neighbor. It resulted in Mr. Arreaga becoming intertwined in the Humboldt underworld and being arrested for a double homicide."

"Mr. Curtis just gave you a summary of the case," said Ms. Heidi Holmquist, who represents Jason Arreaga. "As Judge Miles told you, this is not evidence. This is a map, not territory. A map is one dimensional. Once you travel, in the course of this trial, you will find the terrain very rocky."

"911 responded to a call on September 3, 2014 in Fieldbrook. They found Gary Backues with blood on him standing over a deceased female, Angel Tully. Harley Hammers was found in his truck. A felony traffic stop was conducted September 4. Carly Michaels was passed out in the backseat."

"I'm not arguing about the gun found in the compartment of Mr. Arreaga's car. At all times be looking at reasonable doubt."

"During trial you will hear Jason Arreaga is not from here. You will hear Carly and Chavonne did huge amounts of meth. A month before the murder Chavonne attempted an overdose and was almost committed to a mental hospital. She broke up with her boyfriend."

Ms. Holmquist described Chavonne Hammers as "desperate."

"By all accounts this was supposed to be a quick road trip, see the Humboldt Redwoods, do a favor for a neighbor. It resulted in Mr. Arreaga becoming intertwined in the Humboldt underworld and being arrested for a double homicide."

Ms. Holmquist said that Chavonne Hammers' clothes were not collected and that law enforcement did not look for other suspects.

She pointed out that the victim was Chavonne Hammers ex-husband, how her own family did not want her around. "You will hear violence she experienced from Harley Hammers. Mr. Arreaga did not have a motive. Ms. Hammers did."

"As she testifies, notice how she downplays her role. Other witnesses will contradict her.I ask you to look at what makes sense. This incident happened one year ago. She has had plenty of time to get herself together. The DA's office has granted her immunity for her testimony in this case which they need to prosecute Mr. Arreaga. "

Ms. Holmquist said that the witnesses in this case are using meth, heroin, marijuana, alcohol and she asked the jury to focus on their motivation.

"Mr. Arreaga is an easy person to blame in this case. He is an outsider and a large man. No one is going to testify they saw him commit a crime unless it is a surprise on the stand."

"Mr. Arreaga is not a perfect person. He was using and selling drugs for money for this trip. He may not be making the best decisions at that time but that does not mean he killed someone."

"What happened on September 3 was a horrible crime. It is upto each of you to decide whether Mr. Arreaga is responsible for this crime."