"This case is about a decision made by the defendant to take revenge."

A photo of a smiling Tim Smith shown on a monitor screen was directly in front of the jury as Deputy District Attorney Luke Bernthal started his opening statement.



"This case is about a decision made by the defendant to take revenge. On September 26, the defendant committed cold blooded murder of Tim Smith"

"Hours after the defendant discovered evidence of an affair between his wife and Tim Smith."

(photo from my previous post on the search warrant)

"Hours after Rachel Goldberg fled their home," Mr. Bernthal said that Jon Goldberg got a 357 magnum revolver and drove to Fortuna to 3150 Rohnerville Road.

"Tim Smith was home with his wife Jessica Springer and his adult son, Tim Smith, Jr. The defendant sped up to that address. Mr. Smith was outside his pick-up truck. The defendant got out of his mini van, sprinted and shot Mr. Smith once in the chest. Then he shot Mr. Smith in the back. And then he shot him three more times."

On the monitor screen,  photos of Smith's chest and other wounds flashed.

What led him to making this decision?

Some key quotes from prosecution:

Jessica Springer, Tim Smith's wife sending Jon Goldberg a text telling him "You are a good man. I am sorry my world hurt your world."

Prosecution plans to call Chad Holub, a neighbor of Jon Goldberg will testify that Goldberg told him, "I am going to kill Tim Smith." This evidence was not presented at the preliminary hearing.

Prosecution is going to present testimony that Jon Goldberg told a neighbor, "He was dicking my wife."