"I got paid to kill him. The killing was on me."

 

It took 8 days to pick a jury in this case. The jury consists of 7 women and 5 men. There are two alternate jurors; one man one woman.

Opening statements proceeded this morning in alleged gang member Isreal Nathaniel Soria's jury trial.

Deputy District Attorneys Trent Timm and Luke Bernthal are the trial prosecutors. Based on jury selection and the opening, Mr. Timm seems to be the lead prosecutor with Mr. Bernthal as second chair.

Ms. Christina Ann-Marie DiEdoardo is Soria's attorney. Soria is out of custody.

Besides civilian witnesses, HCSO Deputy Jordan Walstrom who was the first responding officer to arrive on scene and ultimately arrest Soria and HCSO Deputy Joshua Comer, who is in charge of the HCSO bailiffs are listed as witnesses.

Deputy Walstrom is currently on the stand. He is the People's first witness.

Mr. Timm gave the opening statement. It was powerful because it focused on evidence, Soria's own words accentuated by relevant photos.

People's opening statement:

"I got paid to kill him. The killing was on me."

"That is what the defendant said after shooting at a residence. Those are not my words. These are the defendant's words."

This happened in the 1200 block of Chapparal Drive in McKinleyville. Mr. Timm told the jurors that they will hear evidence that Soria is a "Norteno gang member; a hired hit man; hired to kill Dylan Eubanks for ripping off his gang members."

A photo of Soria after his arrest flashed on the screen. Mr. Timm told jurors that the color red is associated with Norteno.

The night of the alleged incident Soria was dressed in a red sweatshirt and red bandana. He was armed with a 9mm Ruger semi-automatic with an extended magazine.

Showing photos of bullets and entrance wounds, Mr. Timm told jurors that Soria fired "rounds from the kitchen window" and Eubanks had "surgery to correct the deformity." 

Last year in June, Soria's accomplice dropped him off at 1200 block of Chapparal Drive. Soria "crept around the back of the house in the dark of the night and discharged his firearm 11 times through the window taking Mr. Eubanks by surprise."

"Unlucky for the defendant, Deputy Walstrom was on patrol and neighbors called 911." Mr. Timm said Deputy Walstrom arrived on the scene "within seconds." He did not know who or where the shooter was; he applied pressure on Eubank's wounds."

"He did not know the defendant was hiding nearby in a backyard" until he was informed by a citizen. Deputy Walstrom located Soria, who did not comply and surrender. Instead, Soria threw his 9 mm on the ground and fled. Another citizen called and said someone was in their backyard. Soria was arrested.

The jury was shown photos and Mr. Timm pointed out the glass on the broken window, shattered on the couch and "four bullet impacts in the kitchen area."

"You will hear the defendant's own words that the victim, Mr. Eubanks, was in the kitchen area. Two of the 11 bullets "shot at 11:50 at night" were recovered.

"A neighbor's Ring camera picked up 11 shots were fired. There were 11 casings outside the window."

Then, Mr. Timm played the Ring video and you hear what sounds like 11 shots in rapid succession.

"That's what attempted murder sounds like; that's what attempted assasination sounds like at a residence in Humboldt County." Mr. Timm played the Ring video, again.

After reading Soria his Miranda rights, Deputy Walstrom interviewed him. Mr. Timm said that at first Soria denied; then he reminded jurors that during jury selection, he brought up a ruse sometimes used by law enforcement during questioning. Soria was told they had him on camera. Soria then said, "I am a Norteno. I am a hit man." Mr. Timm said "I suspect the defense will bring up the ruse."

An audio of an interview was played. 

Lt. (Sam) Williams: "Did you get paid whether this dude dies or not?"

Soria: "I got paid to kill him."

Mr. Timm is a tough act to follow. 

Defense statement was brief.

Defense opening statement:

"I think after hearing all that, we are big believers of truth in advertising."

"We promised you a serious case and you will get one."

"Part of what I am here to do is emphasize some other facts, Mr. Timm didn't."

Ms. DiEdoardo then brought up the Paul Harvey radio show and said, "Paul Harvey is all about context. You will hear the rest of the story. There is other evidence you should consider besides the defendant's statement."

"Eubanks had 200 pounds of bagged and cut marijuana. Eubanks was not licensed."

Ms. DiEdoardo said Soria gave three different statements. Defense admitted Soria was "dispatched to recover stolen drugs and guns" and "the mission was not to kill Soria."

Ms. DiEdoardo claimed Eubanks had pointed an assault rifle at her client before Soria fired at Eubanks. Besides adrenaline, Ms. DiEdoardo said Soria "was also under the influence of another substance."

Ms. DiEdoardo said "most of Soria's assertions lack factual corroboration."

As examples, Ms. DiEdoardo "If I came to you after lunch and proclaimed I am Queen Christina III, the first queen of Humboldt" and another similar outlandish statement about being at the White House.

Defense motion to exclude gang association and related acts was denied by Judge Christopher Wilson. Defense motion to exclude immigration status was granted. Will Soria regret turning down the People's offer of 32 years? Amended charges, rulings on motions and more in previous coverage.

There were no family members or people in the audience. Assistant Deputy DA and DA elect Stacey Eads, Deputy DA Whitney Timm, Deputy DA Roger Rees and a couple of other Deputy DAs listened to opening statements.

Times Standard reporter came in late. As usual, there was no coverage about this case in other local media until I wrote and did several posts about the trial. No other media was there today but I did inform certain other local and regional media so hopefully, there will be other coverage.

Humboldt courts and other news is keeping me busy. My decision to cover the trial daily will depend on the day. I will post the outcome of the trial.

Previous posts:

https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2022/10/alleged-gang-members-mother-breaks-law.html?m=1

https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2022/10/hcso-deputies-to-assist-security-due-to.html?m=1

https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2022/10/jury-trial-for-alleged-gang-murder-for.html?m=1

 https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2021/06/21-year-old-crescent-city-man-arrested.html?m=1