Apr 20, 2021

"People will regularly commit violent acts to get drugs rather than go through withdrawl"

 


Jason Smith trial resumed this morning with Judge Kaleb Cockrum hearing more motions in limine. The livestream was briefly offline at the request of Deputy District Attorney Trent Timm. This is for "1040/1042" evidence. 

Arcata Police Detective Luke Scown is testifying about heroin and addiction and indivduals he spoke with regarding use and sales. "People will regularly commit violent acts to get drugs rather than go through withdrawl, " said Det. Scown. He testified about texts exchanged between co-defendant Michelle Odjick and Smith. He also testified about people being dope sick.

Defense exhibit was allowed over People's objection before started questioning Det. Scown. Judge Cockrum said it was relevant for the 402 hearing to determine if Det. Scown can testify as an expert. 

There was a chicken reference and six pieces in this conversation between Odjick and Smith. Det. Scown did not testify today about heroin being mentioned or anyone in law enforcement, including his colleagues at APD he spoke with about six pieces of chicken being slang for heroin.

"Does chicken come in six pieces?" asked Deputy Conflict Counsel April Van Dyke.

"Yes," said Det. Scown. 

Testimony about texts will be allowed. The comments about people commiting crimes to get drugs and dope sick will not be heard by jurors. Det. Scowns' qualifications and reasons were argued by both defense and the People. JudgeCockrum granted the motion for Det. Scown to testify in part; denied it in part.

An identity expert, Dr. Mitchell Eisen,  testified this afternoon about the unreliability of eyewitness testimony. Deputy County Counsel Natalie Duke is expected to appear later on a motion filed by Ms. Van Dyke. 

Previous post:

https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2021/04/justice-if-you-are-black-or-native.html?m=1

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