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for Thursday
www.krqe.com
Aug. 24, 2023
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – In the trial for the man involved in the hit-and-run death of a seven-year-old boy outside of River of Lights in 2021, a witness testimony has caused chaos in the courtroom. Now, the judge is weighing if a mistrial should be declared in Sergio Almanza’s case.
The witness, Edgar Casas, admitted to jurors that he helped Almanza hide the ATV that hit and killed seven-year-old Pronoy Bhattacharya in 2021. However, Casas was not granted written immunity to possible charges tied to Almanza’s crime.
[.....]
“Mr. Casas undisputedly had no clue at all about that, and that is the whole problem. He wasn’t really testifying under that grant of immunity because he can’t be doing that if he doesn’t know about it,” said Defense Attorney Douglas Wilbur.
Before the trial started, prosecutors were supposed to file an immunity agreement for Casas – meaning he would not get in trouble for what he said on the stand. However, the state never wrote and filed that order, and Casas did not know about it.
The state argued that Casas should be able to go back on the stand, but the defense says they will be denied the right for cross-examination due to Casas now pleading the Fifth.
[.....]
To keep the case moving, the state called more witnesses to the stand, including two doctors. Casas and his attorney are expected to meet with both sides Friday morning. After that, the judge should make a decision on what happens with Casas’ testimony.
Judge weighs witness testimony in River of Lights hit-and-run case
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – In the trial for the man involved in the hit-and-run death of a seven-year-old boy outside of River of Lights in 2021, a witness testimony has caused chaos in the co…
www.krqe.com
Aug. 24, 2023
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – In the trial for the man involved in the hit-and-run death of a seven-year-old boy outside of River of Lights in 2021, a witness testimony has caused chaos in the courtroom. Now, the judge is weighing if a mistrial should be declared in Sergio Almanza’s case.
The witness, Edgar Casas, admitted to jurors that he helped Almanza hide the ATV that hit and killed seven-year-old Pronoy Bhattacharya in 2021. However, Casas was not granted written immunity to possible charges tied to Almanza’s crime.
[.....]
“Mr. Casas undisputedly had no clue at all about that, and that is the whole problem. He wasn’t really testifying under that grant of immunity because he can’t be doing that if he doesn’t know about it,” said Defense Attorney Douglas Wilbur.
Before the trial started, prosecutors were supposed to file an immunity agreement for Casas – meaning he would not get in trouble for what he said on the stand. However, the state never wrote and filed that order, and Casas did not know about it.
The state argued that Casas should be able to go back on the stand, but the defense says they will be denied the right for cross-examination due to Casas now pleading the Fifth.
[.....]
To keep the case moving, the state called more witnesses to the stand, including two doctors. Casas and his attorney are expected to meet with both sides Friday morning. After that, the judge should make a decision on what happens with Casas’ testimony.
