Judge Graham Cribbs had already gone over jury instructions yesterday and this morning Deputy District Attorney Luke Bernthal went right into his opening statement in the Jon Goldberg case.
Deputy DA Bernthal's opening statement was 20 minutes. Deputy Public Defender Casey Russo was 40 minutes.
While both opening statements were compelling; Mr. Russo gets a slight edge. His opening statement had claims backed by what was testified to in the preliminary hearing as well as testimony so far.
He correctly pointed at least one claim in Mr. Bernthal's opening that was different than what was testified to in the preliminary hearing testimony. Officer Ryan Richardson's testimony today supported another claim made by Mr. Russo in his opening statememt.
According to Deputy District Attorney Luke Bernthal, this is a case that deserves a verdict of first degree, pre meditated murder.
According to Deputy Public Defender Casey Russo, this case is "a perfect storm" ; "a tragic chaotic mess."
District Attorney Maggie Fleming was in the courtroom for part of the trial.
Goldberg is charged with one count: murder of Tim Smith; special allegation of inflicting great bodily injury/causing death.
Another count is assault with a firearm; spe allegation using a firearm in the commission of a crime.
Third count is brandishing a weapon in a rude, angry or threatening manner.
Times-Standard just covered opening statements. KIEM and KAEF were not there at all. Only myself and Rhonda Parker were there today covering the case.
Previous post:
https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2018/02/defense-gets-out-of-state-subpoena.html?m=1#more
(this post has links to all previous coverage on this case including exclusive court documents on the probable cause; items seized by law enforcement and details of the preliminary hearings including what Rachel Goldberg told her friend Frieda Smith the day of the shooting and Tim Smith's wife, Jessica Springer's testimony)
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