John Chiv: "The prosecution will try to make heroes and villains; there are none. Just immature, young adults who made bad decisions but it is certainly not murder."

Jun 11, 2021

"The prosecution will try to make heroes and villains; there are none. Just immature, young adults who made bad decisions but it is certainly not murder."

(The prosecution Brandon Watson)

(Watson's child )

**Brandon Watson's wife sent me the photo above of him and his child to publish on my blog. As indicated on the site, all material on this blog is copyrighted. Do not use this photo from my blog without my permission and credit.**

Judge Lawrence Killoran read the charges to the jury. There are two counts, two special allegations and two different events that occurred near two different bars and at different times.

Count 1 is Murder. Special allegation use of a deadly weapon, a knife. Victim Peter Triantos.

Count 2 is assault with a deadly weapon. Victims listed in complaint are Antony Besselieu-Hill and Brian Edwards.

Opening statements and People presenting evidence in Brandon Watson's jury trial started today.

Ms. Andrea Sullivan is Watson's attorney. Deputy District Attorney Roger Rees is the prosecutor.

Mr. Rees' opening was less than five minutes. Ms. Sullivan's was less than 10 minutes.

"Two young men stand outside a bar when the defendant comes up and starts talking about gangs and being in a gang," said Mr. Rees. Watson joins the conversation. "They don't take him seriously, they laugh at him, the defendant sucker punches, a fight ensues."

"The fight is broken up," said Mr. Rees. "They reengage but it is no longer a fist fight, defendant stabs them multiple times. These are the facts of both events."

"Mr. Besselieu-Hill and Mr. Edwards survived," said Mr. Rees. "Mr. Triantos did not."

"I expect the District Attorney will present a black and white scenario but in life there are shades of grey," said Ms. Sullivan. "When a bunch of immature, young people drink, take drugs, make bad decisions; a tragic death is not neccessary an unlawful homicide. That situation is not murder under the law."

"All charges against Mr. Watson involve a deadly threat," said Ms. Sullivan. "A defendant is not required to retreat. He can stand his ground."

"Brian Edwards and Antony Besselieu-Hill were at the Pearl drinking," said Ms. Sullivan. "At that time, Besselieu-Hill worked at the jail. They were talking about the 18th street gang in the jail and Watson joined in."

One of them said to Watson "I don't give a shit, I am a white guy."

"Mr. Watson made a bad choice and sucker punched after a racial insult," said Ms. Sullivan.

Ms. Sullivan, Edwards and Besselieu-Hill were not innocent and blameless victims and will try to minimize their drinking and behavior that night.

The Pearl bouncer threw them both out of the bar. There is video that contradicts Besselieu-Hill's claims that he was "trying to break up the fight; he was all in."

Ms. Sullivan said it was unclear who threw the first punch at the Pearl and that Edwards was stabbed in the tussle when Watson was trying to defend himself.

Watson will testify. Watson will tell the jury he was arrested after the Pearl incident, released and never interviewed. In my previous coverage, I reported when Count 2 was added and it was after the original complaint involving Triantos.

Regarding Rios', Watson's testimony will provide background to that second event. Rios dated Watson's aunt "at one point."

The incident that led to Triantos' death started with an encounter between Rios and Watson outside the Jambalaya. Triantos has ingested Special K, cocaine metabolyte and alcohol. Defense forensic expert, Edwin Smith will testify about the levels in Triantos' blood and that these substances made him dangerous.

"The evidence will show Mr. Watson was jumped by Sage Rios' friends," said Ms. Sullivan. "I expect prosecution will say Mr. Watson deserved the beating."

Ms. Sullivan mentioned Watson's injuries after the Pearl and Jambalaya.

"Peter Triantos was furious Brandon had socked him in the face," said Ms. Sullivan. "Brandon was in the alley, getting in his car, trying to leave. His keft eye was swollen shut, he had been punched in the ribs."

"Peter Triantos with more of his friends tries to strike him again. The death blow was when Peter Triantos was in mid blow of striking Brandon."

"Please listen to the evidence," said Ms. Sullivan. "While Mr. Watson made a bad decision to strike Peter Triantos; Mr. Watson had stopped fighting. Consider Sage Rios and Peter Triantos had the lion share of friends. Peter Triantos had won the fight. What is his motivation to restart the fight?"

"The prosecution will try to make heroes and villains; there are none. Just immature, young adults who made bad decisions but it is certainly not murder."

Sage Rios took the stand. His direct testimony was brief. Ms. Sullivan is cross examining. Already Rios has admitted to drinking a lot, ingesting MXE, drinking throughout the day which included beers and then doing shots at the bar.

Rios wasn't on long. People's second witness was not there so court recessed early for lunch. Different civilian witnesses are testifying this afternoon. People's witnesses and their testimony so far is helping the defense and Watson.

One witness who said she had two or three drinks said she heard Triantos say, " You are not (word not repeated in court) gang affiliation."

Did not have the witness spell his name. The People called Jamal Lowery, a friend of Watson who referred to him as his brother. Lowery said a guy was having words about women with Watson and all of a sudden several people jumped into the argument between Watson and the other "dude."

Lowery said the other guys brought up gang affiliation with Watson. Lowery said two guys in the alley, one was arguing with Watson inside the Jambalaya. When Watson was in the alley, one of the guys knocked Watson's hat off and "that started the whole thing."

Lowery has a prison record and was on parole. How will the jury weigh his evasive responses and demeanor to certain questions? Lowery did not want to be there testifying against Watson. None of this changes that he corroborated what others said about Rios and Triantos taunting Watson about his gang affiliation and several people jumping on Watson. There were two men against Watson in the alley. The defense is arguing self defense in both events.

The defense opening statement accurately covers this case. It is filled with drama, drugs, alcohol, immaturity. Another Humboldt case with questionable characters making poor choices. This case should have resolved. Taking it to trial will result in one side or both; the alleged victims, their families and Watson; regretting their day in court.

In my previous coverage, I covered "Bo" Peter Triantos' background. As in a lot of what I report, there is information on this case that you will only find on this blog.

I have had experience with the families of both victims. I was the greatest thing until I covered this case fairly and when they didnt like the coverage, their attitude changed.

https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2019/04/those-who-create-drama-need-to-do.html?m=1#more

There are no sides to take in this case and as Ms. Sullivan stated, there are shades of grey and no heroes or villians.

There was detailed coverage of the preliminary hearing. As with most trials, new information is brought out by the defense.

I am already covering another trial. The only people still interested in the trial are the families and friends of the alleged victims and the defendant and they have been watching via livestream. I have not decided how much coverage I will post each day and it will vary and depend day to day.

Another case that should not have resulted in tragedy. Another situation where indulgent, bad parenting in Humboldt creates the Brian Daniels, Kody Marcellis, Edwards and Besselieu-Hills and parents and those involved in denial about the actions of these boy-men.

Young spoiled Humboldt boy-men trying to act all macho and clogging up the courts because they need to prove they are "bad ass" and in charge.

It isn't just Humboldt. Read the post on "Bo" Triantos' arrest in Alabama. So many tragedies of people who come to Humboldt and get involved with drugs, drinking and the bad crowd.

Previous post:

https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2021/06/so-far-there-has-been-more-time-spent.html?m=1#more

Posts about possible resolution:

(The plea offer was mistakenly stated by Judge Wilson)

https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2020/12/judge-wilson-i-think-that-was-my-mistake.html?m=1

https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2020/12/brandon-watson-can-agree-to-16-years-8.html?m=1#more

Preliminary hearing and some key posts:

https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2019/04/two-different-incidents-with-alcohol.html?m=1

https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2019/04/peter-bo-triantos-parents-cried-in.html?m=1

https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2019/04/brandon-watson-held-to-answer-on-murder.html?m=1