Cory Fisher takes the stand this morning

Cory Fisher took the stand this moning. What the impact did his testimony have on the jury? That will be revealed when there is a verdict.

This morning, Deputy Conflict Counsel David Lee was more effective than Deputy District Attorney Stacey Eads. 

During direct examination, Fisher identified a set of documens which are text messages between him and Angela Fisher. He also identified family law paperwork. 

If you read my post on Deputy Conflict Counsel David Lee's opening statement, it provided an outline of what he asked Fisher today. In very focused questioning, Mr. Lee achieved the goal of having Fisher add some details not heard in other court testimony.

Fisher testified it is dangerous to go all the way into a cell to do morning check. Fisher said he felt trapped in his marriage and the job at the jail affected him mentally. He testified that when he was in the control booth, certain cameras were working. Fisher said he believed the cameras were working in the Summer of 2017.

He admitted to the physical violence and rage. Fisher spoke about seeking counseling and admitting to Angela Fisher that "he had gone too far."

Fisher emphatically denied the molestation of the inmates and all the sexual allegations . He testified about talking to his superiors Sgt. Hammer and Lt. Duane Christensen (he was a Lt at that time) about the initial restraining order which was not a CLETS protective order and being served with divorce papers at work. Fisher called EPD Officer Ryan McElroy from Southern California where he was in training to be a from truck driver when he learned that law enforcement was looking for him. 

In contrast, Ms. Eads' cross examination wasted a lot of time. She was unable to impeach Fisher. Instead of the sexual allegations she focused on other questions. Fisher came across as a protective dad due to school incidents mentioned during  Ms. Eads' questioning. Fisher already admitted to his  tendency for violence during direct examination. He did the same during cross examination.

Some of what Ms. Eads asked maybe interesting but it had nothing to do with the molestation charges. In fact, Judge Timothy Canning sustained the defense objection regarding relevancy of certain questions. Judge Canning also deferred ruling on certain information brought up during cross examination and whether that will be admitted as evidence.

By asking certain questions, Ms. Eads questioning ended up benefitting Fisher.

Fisher remembered his wedding anniversary, the birth dates of all the boys. John Doe #1 and John Doe #2 took parts of his name when they were adopted. Fisher took a polygraph when questioned about the Big Lagoon trip. There was an incident which ended up being investigated by Child Protective Services regarding John Doe #1. 

Angela Fisher and Cory Fisher were discussing counseling and anger management classes for Cory Fisher. He also said he would give up drinking.

The Child Protective incident was not mentioned by Angela Fisher or John Doe # 1. That ended up being unfounded.

The visit to John Doe #3 in Oregon was on June 26, 2017. Angela Fisher made it sound like Fisher showed up in Oregon after sexual molestation allegations came up.

Speaking of various times, he sought counseling for stress of the job and after physical incidents with the boys, Fisher said, "I couldn't turn the job off. I was treating my family like inmates."

The one most effective moment today was when Ms. Eads said to Cory Fisher that Angela Fisher stood by him through all the physical violence and rage but filed for divorce after she learned about the boys being molested.

Previous post:
https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2019/03/quentin-williams-who-has-previously.html?m=1