On 2/25, jurors in Brandon and Jesse Widmark's trial were excused at lunch while Judge Steven Steward, Deputy District Attorney Roger Rees, Ms. Andrea Sullivan and Ms. Rebecca Linkous went over some evidence hearings and motions.
The last People's witness today before lunch was DA Investigator Greg Hill. He testified about the firearms in this case.
Earlier in the morning, before jurors were called in, once again, Ms. Linkous objected to certain statements made by Brandon Widmark to Investigator Hill. DA investigator Ryan Hill is the lead investigator on these case. Judge Steward, Mr. Rees and Ms. Linkous say Officer, Detective, Investigator Hill so I had to ask which Hill they are referring to and it is DA Investigator Ryan Hill.
Ms. Linkous's objections were deja vu because this issue has been argued and litigated before as Mr. Rees correctly pointed out. Judge Steward made rulings.
Mr. Rees said he agreed with that Ms. Linkous could cross examine to give context. He also agreed to a 402 hearing for Correctional Officer Samantha Sintic about the graffitti in jail and how she determined it was Brandon and Jesse Widmark. Ms. Linkous wanted to exclude any reference to alleged vandalism in jail. Ms. Sullivan did not join in that objection.
I was in court for the same argument except on those days it for different witnesses. The point was the same, motive is relevant. For a trial that had a 6 week time estimate, these constant motions in the middle of testimony on issues already addressed are disrespectful to the jurors and others waiting for their cases to go through the legal system.
These were some of the statements Mr. Rees wanted to present to the jury that he mentioned in his arguments.
"Brandon Widmark said it was all Jesse's idea," said Mr. Rees."Brandon was the hero who saved Baskette. William Baskette was involved with the mother of Jesse' child."
Brandon Widmark told Investigator Hill "we were just supposed to say stay away from our family; not violent assault."
Mr. Rees said that the Widmark brothers knew there were warrants out for their arrests. "Brandon did not want to go back to prison. Brandon fleeing from Deputy (Raleigh) Willoughby started the chain of events."
Again, Ms. Sullivan did not join Ms. Linkous' objection. "My client will testify that they were trying to get money to get out of town." That is what led to the robbery, said Ms. Sullivan.
Jesse Widmark started his testimony towards end of the day. He was not on the stand this morning.
2/26: Yesterday, CO Sintic testified at a 402 hearing. This morning CO Sintic took the stand. HCSO Deputy Willoughby is expected to testify after lunch. I will do a separate post on today's testimony. Until that is posted, the highlights are Brandon writing to another inmate that he could get a grand for "taking care " of his brother Jesse, Brandon taunting Jesse asking if he is going to be a rat or a man. Brandon claiming Jesse threatened him and Brandon bragging about converting his "cellies" to confederacy and being proud of being white. There was also a letter in which Brandon talks about what happened to an inmate before he went to prison. Brandon wrote,"Fuck that DA. He is a punk." Interesting words from one of the biggest punks and losers I have covered in 14 years. I know Brandon's family is following my coverage and while the truth maybe inconvenient to hear; they need to accept that the actions of these two have cost others and could have endangered more lives if it was not for the actions of our local law enforcement. I see no remorse from either. In June 2024, Brandon thought he was getting mental health diversion and there would be no trial.
The jurors are going to hear all this despite Ms. Linkous' efforts to keep it out. Mr. Rees' arguments on these motions were powerful. I have seen him prosecute many high profile trials and to watch him argue, present evidence and consistently win in this trial is another reminder of Mr. Rees delivering justice in all those cases for the victims. In this case, some of those victims are not perfect, have records and you need an experienced prosecutor to keep the jurors focused on facts and what is at stake.
Prior to Mr. Rees taking over the case, former Deputy DA Luke Bernthal was the prosecutor on the case.
Brandon has been grumpy sitting silently and glaring when he turns around at random people. Jesse today was in a light hearted mood, chuckling in court and leaning in to listen to an off the record exchange between Mr. Rees and Ms. Sullivan.
I have zero sympathy for Brandon and Jesse Widmark. They made stupid choices. This Jerry Springer behavior with baby mamas and multiple men throwing their lives over women is so Humboldt. Racking up warrants and then fleeing driving all over the County, shooting at law enforcement and endangering civilians may make for a f list of "Wannabe Bad Boys, wannabe Bad Boys, whatcha gonna do, when Humboldt County law enforcement comes for you" but it has real life consequences.
You can go back and read my initial posts where I did exclusive research on both and reported the Arizona connection and Brandon's conversion long before HCSO released any information or what is coming out at trial.
The brothers are going to prison. The question is for how long. They had a chance to resolve the case; they chose not to. I don't recall a single person when the crime spree was haplening all over Eureka and the initial coverage who expressed any sympathy for these two. I said this before, Ms. Sullivan's approach in defending her client is better.
2/25 court minutes:
When they are available, I will add depending on what is included.
Previous posts:
https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2025/02/juror-6-is-number-that-is-cursed.html?m=1
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