The weakest link in the People's case is Shavonne Hammers; key witness against Arreaga or his key to not guilty?

Yesterday, after opening statements ended. Half the morning session was devoted to testimony by Shavonne Hammers, who was married to one of the victims in the Jason Arreaga case and the woman responsible for bringing Arreaga to Humboldt County.

Her testimony and cross examination as well as brief redirect and recross took up most of Day 2 of the Arreaga case. Three HCSO deputies testified today about arriving on the scene, finding the victims as well as securing the scene and gathering evidence.

Despite Deputy District Attorney Zachary Curtis' detailed questioning yesterday and attempt to rehabilitate Hammers on re-direct, Ms. Heidi Holmquist, who represents Arreaga, was able to raise reasonable doubt about Hammers' role in the death of the two victims and she was able to impeach Hammers' credibility in a very effective cross examination.

Hammers own demeanor which switched depending on who was questioning her as well as her selective "I don't remember" attitude with both attorneys fed into the claims raised by Ms. Holmquist in her opening statements. She is not a credible witness or believable. In her testimony yesterday, Hammers said her son told her he learned to be a good liar from her. That sums up well how she comes across.

During re-direct, Mr. Curtis asked Hammers if she was uncomfortable testifying today and asked why. Hammers claimed it was because there was a man present today who had allegedly threatened her on facebook. Even though that man was being cooperative, he was asked to leave the courtroom for the rest of Hammers' testimony. On cross by Ms. Holmquist, Hammers undid Mr. Curtis' beneficial attempts during redirect and sunk her credibility further.

Some of the inconsistencies in Hammers' testimony. In opening statement s both Mr. Curtis and Ms. Holmquist called Harley Hammers her ex. Shavonne Hammers in her testimony on the stand decided to reveal that they were still married “at the time “ (last year in September 2014). 

Shavonne Hammers said that Angel Tully was going to hit her according to Carly Michaels. Mr. Curtis said Hammers decided to fight Tully which is accurate according to Shavonne Hammers own testimony that she was looking for something to defend herself against Tully. In her testimony yesterday, Shavonne Hammers said that Arreaga yanked Tully's body and moved it towards a tree. Today, two HCSO detectives, the first officers to arrive on the scene said that Tully's body was found near a car.

When confronted with her own testimony discrepancies, Shavonne Hammers had selective amnesia.

Now Arreaga's girlfriend Carly Michael's testimony as well as testimony by others can impact either the prosecution or the defense's case.


I will have detailed posts of Hammers testimony on direct and cross examination later today.