GUILTY TX - Haruka Weiser, 18, found murdered, UT-Austin campus, 3 April 2016 *Arrest*

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Ryan Autullo‏ @AutulloAAS 17m17 minutes ago
Judge Wahlberg has entered the courtroom, so we'll be getting started momentarily. Jury not yet seated.



Alyssa Goard‏ @AlyssaMGoard 15m15 minutes ago
The evidence has been brought back into the courtroom and both sets of attorneys have been in and out getting things prepared. The jurors still have not been called in yet.


Alyssa Goard‏ @AlyssaMGoard 14m14 minutes ago
Yesterday Travis County District Attorney Margaret Moore told me the state planned to rest their case Tuesday, but after the hiccup in timing it is likely they will rest today


Megan Menchaca‏ @meganmenchaca13 14m14 minutes ago
Looks like we'll be starting soon. The defense attorneys, the defendant, the judge, and the prosecution are all here now. Reminder that today the prosecution will finish their case against Criner today and the defense will likely begin to bring witnesses in.


Molly Oak‏Verified account @MollyAndAMic 13m13 minutes ago
Court is now in session, the jury is not in the room. Haruka Weiser's father is back in the courtroom today. Yesterday, court wrapped mid-testimony from Manuel Fuentes, an investigator with the Travis County District Attorney's Office.


Molly Oak‏Verified account @MollyAndAMic 11m11 minutes ago
Small delay: Judge Wahlberg locked out of his computer due to a mandatory password change. IT to the rescue!


Molly Oak‏Verified account @MollyAndAMic 4m4 minutes ago
Council met with judge in the chambers this morning to discuss the writing. Defense is asking for a continuance so they can find an expert to analyze 170,000 items on the tablet.


Megan Menchaca‏ @meganmenchaca13 9m9 minutes ago
Defense attorney Arial Payan says there are 170,000 items on the tablet. He is requesting a continuance so he can find a witness to look through the tablet. The judge is hesitating to grant it because we're headed for jury deliberations tomorrow.


Megan Menchaca‏ @meganmenchaca13 6m6 minutes ago
Payan says he's prepared to do his job for the rest of the trial but would really like an expert to look at the documents. The judge says if the trial is delayed, it likely won't start until the beginning of next year, so he DENIES the continuance and request for an expert.


Ryan Autullo‏ @AutulloAAS 7m7 minutes ago
Defense motion for continuance denied. We're moving on and are expected to finish this week. I'll flesh this out better once things slow down.


Megan Menchaca‏ @meganmenchaca13 40s41 seconds ago
The judge says, although he previously ruled to exclude personal writings by Criner, he is NOT EXCLUDING writings on the flash drive, because the writings were meant to be shared & the search warrant was specific enough. The media is still unaware of the subject of the document.
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Ryan Autullo‏ @AutulloAAS 2m2 minutes ago
Not a great morning for the defense. After being denied continuance, their objection to search warrant of Criner's computer is overruled. Jury about to enter the courtroom for probably the final prosecution witness, DA investigator Manuel Fuentes.


Ryan Autullo‏ @AutulloAAS 2m2 minutes ago
Defense lawyer Ariel Payan said he will put on witnesses, so don't expect closing arguments until tomorrow.


Molly Oak‏Verified account @MollyAndAMic 1m1 minute ago
OVERRULED: Judge overrules defense's objection to the search warrant. Fuentes is back to the stand.


Ryan Autullo‏ @AutulloAAS 1m1 minute ago
In denying defense motion for continuance, Wahlberg said another trial in his court begins next week and he doesn't have any available trial days until next year. Holding onto jury that long is unlikely. Also, Wahlberg estimates this trial is costing taxpayers $2-3 million.

Alyssa Goard‏ @AlyssaMGoard 2m2 minutes ago
Judge doesn’t want to says state is within 30 minutes of resting their case and estimates between 2 & 3 million dollars worth of tax payer money are tied up in this case. Judge has another trial starting next week, doesn’t think it would be fair to jurors to delay


Alyssa Goard‏ @AlyssaMGoard 1m1 minute ago
Judge denies motion for continuance


Alyssa Goard‏ @AlyssaMGoard 41m41 minutes ago
Payan moves on with his objections, he objects to the search warrants used to seize these electronics. Judge overrules both those objections, noting it appears Criner intended to publish a writing in question contained in that evidence
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Alyssa Goard‏ @AlyssaMGoard 36m36 minutes ago
Now Detective Manuel Fuentes is back on the stand, he presents writing contained on a flash drive from a writer “Mick Criner”


Ryan Autullo‏ @AutulloAAS 38m38 minutes ago
We now see Word document with Criner's writing. Criner says it's for only 18 years or older who like stories about sex and rape and blood and family sex and blood. ... He tells readers he will write about anything that isn't gay and in which he can put some good sex scenes.


Ryan Autullo‏ @AutulloAAS 38m38 minutes ago
The Word file was created on Jan 18, 2016. Weiser was killed about three months later.


Alyssa Goard‏ @AlyssaMGoard 33m33 minutes ago
The writings were modified 1/1/2018. “this is only for readers 18 or older and like stories about sex and rape and blood and family sex and more blood” the preface at the top of the page says. The writer asks for feedback & ideas for what to write about



Molly Oak‏Verified account @MollyAndAMic 32m32 minutes ago
Now seeing selfies pulled from the tablet. Criner is seen wearing glasses, a yellow shirt and jacket in some. He's also seen wearing glasses and an orange bandana in others. Fuentes said the photos are taken from late March, 2016...just days before Haruka was killed.


Ryan Autullo‏ @AutulloAAS 38m38 minutes ago
Now looking at photos taken from tablet. Criner wearing glasses, yellow shirt and orange and tan jacket. In one photo he's sticking his tongue out. Criner laughs out loud in courtroom; told to stop by his defense attorney Darla Davis.


Ryan Autullo‏ @AutulloAAS 36m36 minutes ago
We see photo of Criner wearing glasses and red or orange bandana around his neck. Man in surveillance video that police said followed Weiser down path before killing was wearing bandana around his neck. Photos were taken on March 27, 2017 - days before Weiser's death.

Ryan Autullo‏ @AutulloAAS 35m35 minutes ago
Forgive me. That last tweet should say March 27, 2016* Trying to move fast here.


Alyssa Goard‏ @AlyssaMGoard 32m32 minutes ago
Dt. Fuentes also shares photos extracted from the tablet showing what he says appear to be Criner standing in front of a brick wall taking selfies, he is wearing a neon yellow shirt.


Megan Menchaca‏ @meganmenchaca13 33m33 minutes ago
There were also photos on the flash drive of Criner wearing an orange bandana and black glasses. Surveillance video techs testified earlier this week that the person seen walking toward Waller Creek in the same direction as another individual was wearing an orange bandana.


Molly Oak‏Verified account @MollyAndAMic 31m31 minutes ago
Remember: security technician said earlier that the man police say followed Weiser down the path was wearing an orange bandana. An orange bandana was also collected from Criner's belongings in the trash bin outside the vacant building.


Alyssa Goard‏ @AlyssaMGoard 31m31 minutes ago
There are also selfies of a person who Dt Fuentes says appears to be Criner wearing an orange-ish bandana, glasses, and sitting in what appears to be a conference room


Alyssa Goard‏ @AlyssaMGoard 32m32 minutes ago
Dt Fuentes says it appears the brick wall photos were taken 3/24/ 2016 & the conference room photos were taken 3/27/2016. Defense appears to be challenging how Dt can be sure of the dates and data
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Ryan Autullo‏ @AutulloAAS 33m33 minutes ago
Criner's writing key to prosecution as it is first time they have been able to show violent tendencies or sexual deviance. His defense will want to say Criner was an innocent kid (17 yo) at time of Weiser's death.



Megan Menchaca‏ @meganmenchaca13 25m25 minutes ago
Based on the metadata currently being shown by the defense, the tablet/computer appears to have the name "Micksjoyride." People have previously testified that the defendant, Meechaiel Criner, also goes by Mick.


Alyssa Goard‏ @AlyssaMGoard 20m20 minutes ago
We’re now looking at reports generated from the tablet showing things like when the tablet had a flash drive plugged into it and when the tablet was rebooted. Jurors are straining their necks trying to see the numbers


Alyssa Goard‏ @AlyssaMGoard 19m19 minutes ago
It appears the tablet was rebooted 4/3/2016 at 8:26:51 PM, roughly an hour before Weiser was last seen


Ryan Autullo‏ @AutulloAAS 19m19 minutes ago
On the night Weiser was killed, someone was on Criner's tablet at 8:44 p.m. Weiser was killed 30-45 minutes later.


Megan Menchaca‏ @meganmenchaca13 13m13 minutes ago
Defense is showing metadata from the tablet/computer which shows that some device was connected to the tablet at 9:17PM on April 3, 2016. Prosecutors are saying that surveillance video shows the suspect at the College of Liberal Arts riding on a bicycle at around 9:20PM.


Ryan Autullo‏ @AutulloAAS 15m15 minutes ago
At 9:17 p.m. on night Weiser died, there was activity on USB drive on Criner's tablet. But does not necessarily mean someone was physically present connecting something to drive, Fuentes says.


Megan Menchaca‏ @meganmenchaca13 15m15 minutes ago
Fuentes said that just because some device was connected to the table at 9:17, doesn't necessarily mean that someone was actively on the device.


Alyssa Goard‏ @AlyssaMGoard 8m8 minutes ago
Metadata from the tablet shows a process of some kind — perhaps a USB drive — was plugged in and generated some kind of activity on the tablet at 4/3/2016 at 9:17:23 pm, just before the state belives Criner was spotted on surveillance video near the UT Alumni Center


Adela Uchida‏ @adelauchida 21m21 minutes ago
Criner murder trial: defense is showing a document showing that Meechaiel Criner’s tablet powering up on 4/3/2016 at 8:44pm. Also a document showing a device being plugged into the machine at 9:17pm.


Alyssa Goard‏ @AlyssaMGoard 6m6 minutes ago
The defense is admitting more metadata into evidence. The tablet was running an operation called “Search Filter Host” multiple times on 4/3 including at 9:18:11 pm, according to the tablet records


Alyssa Goard‏ @AlyssaMGoard 3m3 minutes ago
Metadata also shows the tablet was sent a push notification at 9:33:16 pm on 4/3/2016, just before the time the state believes Criner is seen on surveillance video following Weiser


Megan Menchaca‏ @meganmenchaca13 9m9 minutes ago
Defense is asking Fuentes about evidence that the computer was active around the time of the crime. Two "EXE" files were running at 9:18PM. A push notification was also sent by, I believe, the Microsoft software to the tablet at 9:33PM.


Alyssa Goard‏ @AlyssaMGoard 2m2 minutes ago
Also: the metadata shows the tablet as being called: Micksjoyride


Ryan Autullo‏ @AutulloAAS 1m1 minute ago
So the takeaway here is Criner's computer was in use during the time Weiser was killed, but that does not mean someone was using it, Fuentes said. I'd like more clarification on this distinction and I think we're about to get it.


Megan Menchaca‏ @meganmenchaca13 27s28 seconds ago
Defense says the tablet was in use from 8:43 to 9:33PM, which would contradict the prosecution's argument that the person who killed Weiser was on a bike at 9:30. Fuentes said he can't say for certain if a person was actually personally operating the tablet at the time.


Adela Uchida‏ @adelauchida 2m2 minutes ago
Defense passed to prosecution, prosecution digs through boxes of evidence to find the laptop/tablet in question. Witness shows it can detach. Prosecution asks if the keyboard is jostled, would it create computer events that could end up in the log. Answer: yes


Adela Uchida‏ @adelauchida 2m2 minutes ago
Defense was previously asking about computer events, operating systems starting, logged showing times between 8:43pm and 9:33pm on 4/3/2016.
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Alyssa Goard‏ @AlyssaMGoard 7m7 minutes ago
The tablet was powered up at 8:43:25 pm, but Fuentes says is no way to know if it was started manually then


Ryan Autullo‏ @AutulloAAS 4m4 minutes ago
Questioned by prosecutor Guillermo Gonzalez, detective Fuentes says the operating system turning on and off could have been triggered by laptop bouncing around in backpack by someone riding a bicycle.


Molly Oak‏Verified account @MollyAndAMic 4m4 minutes ago
Prosecutors are asking Fuentes questions now. Fuentes agreed, a possible scenario for the operating system starting, is jostling around in a backpack. Also agreed that the keyboard connecting and disconnecting, due to jostling around in a backpack, could cause some of the reports


Alyssa Goard‏ @AlyssaMGoard 6m6 minutes ago
State now throwing question on the metadata numbers and why they show up. Asks Fuentes if jostling of the tablet in someone’s backpack on the bike could possibly explain th numbers in the metadata. Fuentes says it’s possible
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Megan Menchaca‏ @meganmenchaca13 9m9 minutes ago
Defense says the tablet was in use from 8:43 to 9:33PM, which would contradict the prosecution's argument that the person who killed Weiser was on a bike at 9:30. Fuentes said he can't say for certain if a person was actually personally operating the tablet at the time.


Megan Menchaca‏ @meganmenchaca13 6m6 minutes ago
The prosecution asks if someone was, for example, riding their bike with the tablet jostling around in their backpack, would it show the same activity? Fuentes says yes. In cross-examination, he also says the activity COULD be from someone actively using the tablet


Adela Uchida‏ @adelauchida 4m4 minutes ago
Prosecution passes witness to defense. Defense asks if one scenario is that someone is sitting at their computer and turning it on. Answer: yes


Adela Uchida‏ @adelauchida 4m4 minutes ago
Defense now showing document that shows someone opening text documents at 11:54pm on 4/3/2016, also 7:43pm. Asks if that is something that happens jostling around a backpack. Answer: I didn’t say that.


Molly Oak‏Verified account @MollyAndAMic 2m2 minutes ago
Defense pulls up a report that shows text documents were accessed on 4/3/16 at 7:43 pm and 11:54 pm. Weiser was killed between then.
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Molly Oak‏Verified account @MollyAndAMic 36s36 seconds ago
Fuentes is showing the jury that you have to press a silver button to detach the tablet from the keyboard. Defense also notes prongs that connect from keyboard to tablet.


Ryan Autullo‏ @AutulloAAS 1m1 minute ago
Prosecutor Gonzalez says that the computer activity around time of Weiser's death is consistent with someone continually pressing a button to access operating system but not doing anything else. Which is bizarre and not what happened, he said. It happened from backpack jostling.


Ryan Autullo‏ @AutulloAAS 3m3 minutes ago
Gonzalez is animated, suggesting the continuous engagement of operating system came because keyboard was not properly snapped into tablet and kept going in and out. Tablet is a 2-in-1 device.
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Alyssa Goard‏ @AlyssaMGoard 2m2 minutes ago
Text documents were opened throughout the day on the tablet on 4/3/2016, but metadata shows there’s a gap in times: between 7:43 and 11:54 pm


Megan Menchaca‏ @meganmenchaca13 20m20 minutes ago
There is a lot of animated back and forth between the defense and the prosecution about the activity on this tablet. Prosecution says activity was from the tablet jostling around in a backpack. Defense says the activity is from someone actively using the tablet.


Adela Uchida‏ @adelauchida 25m25 minutes ago
It’s clear there was something going on with Criner’s tablet, dubbed “micksjoyride” on the evening of 4/3/2016. Prosecution and defense have dueling versions of what was going on. Prosecution arguing it was being jostled around, creating back to back to back computer events.

Adela Uchida‏ @adelauchida 25m25 minutes ago
Defense seems to be arguing Criner was using it at the time, up until 9:33pm (I think I have the right time; there are a lot of times listed for different events)

Adela Uchida‏ @adelauchida 23m23 minutes ago
Witness steps down. Prosecution rests


Alyssa Goard‏ @AlyssaMGoard 1m1 minute ago
We’ve gone through many back and forth questionings of Dt. Fuentes, the state rests their case now @KXAN_News

Adela Uchida‏ @adelauchida 21m21 minutes ago
Judge is breaking for lunch. Explains to the jury that “the state rests” means prosecution are done presenting evidence. We will be back in the courtroom at 1:15.


Megan Menchaca‏ @meganmenchaca13 19m19 minutes ago
The state has RESTED their case. They will not be bringing in any more witnesses during the trial. The defense will now begin to bring witnesses, after the lunch break.


Ryan Autullo‏ @AutulloAAS 17m17 minutes ago
Manny Fuentes is off the stand and prosecutors rest. They put on a host of witnesses over parts of six days. We'll take a lunch break before the defense takes over and presents witnesses. Back at 1:15 p.m.


Ryan Autullo‏ @AutulloAAS 13m13 minutes ago
Wahlberg says it's unlikely we'll get to closing arguments this afternoon. Probably will get there in the morning.


Megan Menchaca‏ @meganmenchaca13 16m16 minutes ago
Today's trial will resume at 1:15. Defense says they'll present evidence for a couple hours today, which means losing statements and jury deliberations will likely begin first thing tomorrow, but could begin at the end of today's trial.


Molly Oak‏Verified account @MollyAndAMic 22m22 minutes ago
STATE RESTS meaning this is the conclusion of all the evidence the state intends to produce, we may see more in the rebuttal though. @KVUE Jury excused for lunch. Judge asks them to be back by 1:15 p.m.


Molly Oak‏Verified account @MollyAndAMic 20m20 minutes ago
Defense is talking about the continuance again. Says it would take, possibly, two weeks to get an expert. Judge, again, says if they would only need half a day, he would've been more inclined to grant the continuance.


Adela Uchida‏ @adelauchida 18m18 minutes ago
Jury has left the courtroom. Judge talking to attorneys. Defense looks to be planning a couple more hours testimony. Likely that closing arguments will begin tomorrow, but they might ask the jury depending on how long it takes to rest and close.
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Molly Oak‏Verified account @MollyAndAMic 21m21 minutes ago
Court is back in session. The jury, still outside. Not sure if there will be any housekeeping items before they come back. Guess we'll find out soon...


Molly Oak‏Verified account @MollyAndAMic 18m18 minutes ago
And they're here, and court is on. Defense calls James Walters. He's a field training officer with Georgetown PD. He says he was a patrol officer in March of 2016.


Ryan Autullo‏ @AutulloAAS 17m17 minutes ago
Back from lunch, defense begins the presentation of its case with Georgetown Police officer James Walters.


Ryan Autullo‏ @AutulloAAS 16m16 minutes ago
Walters I believe will tell us he found Criner at a store in Georgetown area and drove him to Austin.


Megan Menchaca‏ @meganmenchaca13 16m16 minutes ago
The first witness brought by the defense is Georgetown PD officer James Walters. He is the officer, who was previously unnamed, who I believe brought Criner from Williamson County into Austin.


Adela Uchida‏ @adelauchida 18m18 minutes ago
Court is back in session. Reminder: the prosecution has rested. Defense calls Georgetown police officer James Walters III to the stand.


Alyssa Goard‏ @AlyssaMGoard 10m10 minutes ago
Court is back in session, the defense calls witness James Walters of the Georgetown Police Department. He met Criner as he was coming home from work the evening of 3/23/2016 at the Shell Station at Berry Creek Food Mart bc staff there told Walters Criner had been there a while


Adela Uchida‏ @adelauchida 16m16 minutes ago
Officer Walters came into contact with Meechaiel Criner on Wednesday, March 23, 2016 at a store. He been hanging out behind the store for hours.


Alyssa Goard‏ @AlyssaMGoard 11m11 minutes ago
Staff at the mart were concerned because Criner looked young and had been there for hours. Walters talked to him and found out Criner was hitchhiking to Austin


Megan Menchaca‏ @meganmenchaca13 10m10 minutes ago
Walters said, after driving up to a gas station in Georgetown in a patrol car and seeing Criner, he went to get his personal car and drove Criner from the gas station to St. David's Medical Center in Austin.


Adela Uchida‏ @adelauchida 14m14 minutes ago
Officer Walters says he can’t give people a ride in his patrol car. He came back later in his personal car to give Criner a ride to Austin, where Criner said he wanted to go.


Adela Uchida‏ @adelauchida 15m15 minutes ago
Walters says Criner asked him to take him to the ARCH. Walters says he had reservations bc the ARCH is not the safest area.


Ryan Autullo‏ @AutulloAAS 14m14 minutes ago
Criner told Walters he was 18. Walters swapped out his police car for personal car and drove Criner from Georgetown to Austin. Criner wanted to go to ARCH, the homeless center on East Seventh.


Molly Oak‏Verified account @MollyAndAMic 14m14 minutes ago
Walters says he ran into Criner at a gas station in Georgetown and gave Criner a ride to Austin on March 23, 2016. He says Criner was shy and quiet. Says Criner wanted to be taken to ARCH in Austin. Walters admits he had some reservations about taking him there.


Alyssa Goard‏ @AlyssaMGoard 9m9 minutes ago
Walters came back without his police car and gave Criner a ride to Austin. When he learned Criner had blisters on his feet from walking, he dropped him off near a hospital


Ryan Autullo‏ @AutulloAAS 13m13 minutes ago
Walters handed Criner a gift card with money and dropped him off at St. David's to get treatment for blisters Criner had obtained from hitch hiking.


Megan Menchaca‏ @meganmenchaca13 12m12 minutes ago
Criner asked to go the Austin Resource Center for the Homeless (the ARCH), but Walters didn’t want to take him there because he thought the area was dangerous. Walters said he took Criner to a hospital instead because of blisters on his feet.


Ryan Autullo‏ @AutulloAAS 10m10 minutes ago
Criner had a knife on him. Before getting into the vehicle, Walters made Criner put the knife and all other belongings in the trunk.


Megan Menchaca‏ @meganmenchaca13 10m10 minutes ago
Criner said he did not want to go to the hospital because he was worried about money. The hospital Walters drove Criner to was about 7 blocks away from the University of Texas. Criner wanted to go to a location farther away.


Adela Uchida‏ @adelauchida 15m15 minutes ago
Walters testifies that Criner had blisters from walking so far. He wanted to take Criner to the hospital, but Criner was worried about money. Gave him some cash and a gift card for Subway. Dropped him off at St David’s Hospital.
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Adela Uchida‏ @adelauchida 13m13 minutes ago
Judge Wahlberg excused jury for now to deal with issue out of their hearing. Defense calls Meechaiel Criner.


Ryan Autullo‏ @AutulloAAS 13m13 minutes ago
THE DEFENSE WILL CALL MEECHAIEL CRINER!


Megan Menchaca‏ @meganmenchaca13 13m13 minutes ago
Criner has just been sworn in, without the jury present. The defense said he is about testify.


Megan Menchaca‏ @meganmenchaca13 11m11 minutes ago
Criner has been seated in the witness stand. The jury will be brought in to hear him testify, after the judge asked him if it was really his wish to testify and if he understood the defense could ask him anything.


Adela Uchida‏ @adelauchida 13m13 minutes ago
Criner agrees it is his wish to testify.


Molly Oak‏Verified account @MollyAndAMic 13m13 minutes ago
Meechaiel Criner is being questioned by the defense now. Criner says he still wants to testify. Judge now makes sure Criner knows he is "giving up a valuable right to remain silent"


Alyssa Goard‏ @AlyssaMGoard 14m14 minutes ago
Judge reminds Criner of his right to remain silent @KXAN_News


Ryan Autullo‏ @AutulloAAS 15m15 minutes ago
Jury is out of the room right now. Defense questions him in front of judge to make sure he understand the importance of this. Judge asks him too. Criner: "I understand."



Molly Oak‏Verified account @MollyAndAMic 12m12 minutes ago
Jury exited for the above portion. They are being brought back in now. Criner is on the stand.
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Ryan Autullo‏ @AutulloAAS 12m12 minutes ago
Criner says he has a speech impediment that makes him speak fast. Defense lawyer Payan tells jury to raise their hand if they can't understand him.


Adela Uchida‏ @adelauchida 20m20 minutes ago
Criner testifies that he has a speech impediment. He was born in Dallas. Has 2 brothers, 2 sisters. Says he was taken away because his mother wouldn’t take care of the kids.


Alyssa Goard‏ @AlyssaMGoard 24m24 minutes ago
Criner was born in Dallas 6/30/1998. He said his mother was a horrible parent. She wouldn’t take care of him


Alyssa Goard‏ @AlyssaMGoard 16m16 minutes ago
Everyone is flooding into the courtroom to listen to Criner. He acknowledges what we’ve been hearing the whole trial: that he has a speech impediment


Ryan Autullo‏ @AutulloAAS 14m14 minutes ago
Criner: "My mother was a horrible parent." She wouldn't take care of him or siblings and wouldn't change him. CPS got involved and sent to grandma's house


Megan Menchaca‏ @meganmenchaca13 13m13 minutes ago
I am doing my best to accurately quote Criner for my article, so my livetweeting will be minimal for now. Criner is being asked a lot of questions about his upbringing, time with his parents, CPS, foster care, etc. He said "my mother was a horrible parent."


Ryan Autullo‏ @AutulloAAS 13m13 minutes ago
Haruka Weiser's father refusing to look up during Criner testimony.


Ryan Autullo‏ @AutulloAAS 13m13 minutes ago
Criner is difficult to understand as he walks us through his childhood. He bounced around to several relatives after CPS removed him from his mom's house in Dallas.


Adela Uchida‏ @adelauchida 18m18 minutes ago
Sent to his grandmother, Mary Watley. Lived w her until he was 17, but was removed twice because grandmother beat him. Placed him with an aunt


Molly Oak‏Verified account @MollyAndAMic 20m20 minutes ago
"My mother was a horrible parent." Criner explaining why he was taken away from his mom during his childhood. Says CPS sent him to his grandma. However, says his grandma was beating him and was removed from this house too. Then, went to live with his aunt "for a year or two".


Molly Oak‏Verified account @MollyAndAMic 18m18 minutes ago
Weiser's father is in the courtroom. He's had his head down this entire time.


Molly Oak‏Verified account @MollyAndAMic 18m18 minutes ago
It's standing room only in the courtroom right now.


Adela Uchida‏ @adelauchida 17m17 minutes ago
He was removed in 2010 from aunt’s house and lived with Bobby Stoker. Criner: “it was worse than living with my grandmother”


Adela Uchida‏ @adelauchida 16m16 minutes ago
2011, removed from aunt back to grandmother. This was middle school. “this was when I first started to get into fights but it was still better than being at home.”

Megan Menchaca‏ @meganmenchaca13 6m6 minutes ago
Criner is incredibly animated while telling stories of his time in high school. He is very loud and laughing with the defense attorney. He does not seem to be nervous at all about testifying.

Megan Menchaca‏ @meganmenchaca13 6m6 minutes ago
*people still fought him anyways.


Adela Uchida‏ @adelauchida 13m13 minutes ago
Went to Texas High School in Texarkana. “I always thought I was going to run away but I never had the guts.” Grandmother kicked him out on 17th birthday. Criner testifies he wanted to finish high school.


Ryan Autullo‏ @AutulloAAS 12m12 minutes ago
Criner: "I hate violence so I try to stay away from fighting." He said he was picked on in middle school because he was skinny. He was taking special needs classes and speech therapy.


Ryan Autullo‏ @AutulloAAS 9m9 minutes ago
Criner was kicked out of house - not sure whose house - when he turned 17. He wanted to be a writer, he said.


Alyssa Goard‏ @AlyssaMGoard 14m14 minutes ago
At age 17, he wanted to finish school but couldn’t, he was kicked out when he was about to start 11th grade. He wanted to be a writer and that he could afford to go to, which made him decide to go to Austin


Molly Oak‏Verified account @MollyAndAMic 8m8 minutes ago
Weiser's dad left the courtroom.


Megan Menchaca‏ @meganmenchaca13 11m11 minutes ago
Weiser's father just left the courtroom. Criner said he was previously arrested for stealing a pair of boots from Walmart and he told the judge he wanted to stay in jail longer because his feet hurt from the blisters from walking.


Megan Menchaca‏ @meganmenchaca13 14m14 minutes ago
Criner says he wanted to go to Austin because it was #1 on the list of places to be a writer, which is the job that he wanted to do, and the #1 place to find cheap housing.


Ryan Autullo‏ @AutulloAAS 7m7 minutes ago
Criner said he searched cell phone for places to be a writer and to find cheap housing. Austin was on that list. "It was No. 1."
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Ryan Autullo‏ @AutulloAAS 15m15 minutes ago
At 16 years old, Criner said he walked from Texarkana to Houston. It took him five days. His sister lived in Houston. "It was spur of the moment."


Adela Uchida‏ @adelauchida 19m19 minutes ago
Criner testifies he walked from Texarkana to Houston when he was 16, took him 5 days. His sister is named Ariana, lives in Houston. His sister sent him back to Texarkana.

Alyssa Goard‏ @AlyssaMGoard 18m18 minutes ago
Travis County Districy Attourney Margaret Moore has just entered to listen, Thomas Weiser (Haruka Weiser’s father) just exited


Alyssa Goard‏ @AlyssaMGoard 16m16 minutes ago
During his walk to Austin his shoes were falling off, so he went to Walmart and stole a pair of boots. He got caught and arrested


Molly Oak‏Verified account @MollyAndAMic 7m7 minutes ago
Criner laughing at his own jokes. He was talking about stealing a pair of boots from wal-mart.


Ryan Autullo‏ @AutulloAAS 14m14 minutes ago
Criner giggling and laughing at his own jokes. No one else is. He's telling story about stealing boots at Wal-Mart and getting arrested. He went to jail and because his feet were hurting he asked to stay longer.


Adela Uchida‏ @adelauchida 17m17 minutes ago
Criner laughs a little as he testifies that he was caught when he tried to steal a pair of boots at a Walgreens. He says his shoes were worn out. He stayed longer in jail to rest his feet by a couple of days.!


Alyssa Goard‏ @AlyssaMGoard 16m16 minutes ago
This was all in 2015. He stayed in jail longer than he was sentenced because his feet hurt. The he was given shoes when he left and got to Austin on a bus pass


Adela Uchida‏ @adelauchida 17m17 minutes ago
Criner says they bought him a pair of shoes and gave his some money and a bus pass to get to Austin when he was let out of jail. That was in Seagoville in 2015.



Ryan Autullo‏ @AutulloAAS 13m13 minutes ago
The court reporter is having a heckuva time. Criner is difficult to understand and speaking too closely to microphone.


Adela Uchida‏ @adelauchida 13m13 minutes ago
He made it to Austin, but he couldn’t get a room at the ARCH. CPS took him to Killeen. This sounds like 2015, maybe. Says CPS found him a foster mother, Eartha Bennett (sp?) “It was great. It was better than living with my grandmother.”


Ryan Autullo‏ @AutulloAAS 12m12 minutes ago
Criner said he went to ARCH in August 2015 after release from jail but was denied bed because he was 17. CPS then took him to foster shelter in Killeen and then a foster home in Killeen.


Alyssa Goard‏ @AlyssaMGoard 15m15 minutes ago
When he made it to Austin he went to the ARCH ( Austin’s Resource Center for the Homeless) but he couldn’t get a room because he was too young. Police came in contact with him and then brought him to CPS

Alyssa Goard‏ @AlyssaMGoard 12m12 minutes ago
“I hated the very idea of going to CPS” Criner said, but he went to Killeen with CPS. First he stayed in a group shelter, the. He was placed in a home with Eartha Brunette who already testified in this trial



Ryan Autullo‏ @AutulloAAS 10m10 minutes ago
In two years at Texarkana school, Criner said he read every book in school library. He said he's an avid reader of fantasy, Sci-fi, etc.


Molly Oak‏Verified account @MollyAndAMic 5m5 minutes ago
Criner has been incredibly animated during his stories. He's been laughing and giggling recounting his high school life.



Ryan Autullo‏ @AutulloAAS 9m9 minutes ago
In Killeen before running away to Austin, Criner read book about man who was living in the wild. "He had his own job, grew his own food. He was doing pretty good." That was attractive to him. Criner said he doesn't like to be around ppl.


Ryan Autullo‏ @AutulloAAS 6m6 minutes ago
Criner says he's bad with dates, spelling and memories that are not triggered by visuals.


Alyssa Goard‏ @AlyssaMGoard 11m11 minutes ago
He had good things to say both about his foster mom and Ellison High School where he went to school. He enjoyed reading and writing (thought he says he’s not too good with spelling)
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Ryan Autullo‏ @AutulloAAS 10m10 minutes ago
We're getting to the Austin stuff. Criner says he slept in a garage near St. David's hospital after the Georgetown cop dropped him off here.


Adela Uchida‏ @adelauchida 20m20 minutes ago
Defense: “Sometime in March 2016, you decided to leave Killeen.” Criner: “Yes sir.” Defense: “Why did you leave?” Criner: “CPS.”


Alyssa Goard‏ @AlyssaMGoard 15m15 minutes ago
But Criner said he couldn’t wait to age out to get out from under the thumb of CPS. He left Killeen in March of 2016 with very few possessions and walked to Austin again


Megan Menchaca‏ @meganmenchaca13 10m10 minutes ago
Criner said after the police officer dropped him off at the hospital, he went to sleep in the parking garage. He then woke up and started walking aimlessly around Austin. He laughs and says no when the defense asks if he looked at a map of Austin.


Ryan Autullo‏ @AutulloAAS 9m9 minutes ago
Prosecution objects to defense attorney Ariel Payan leading Criner into answers. Judge Wahlberg: "We're in need of leading the witness."


Alyssa Goard‏ @AlyssaMGoard 17m17 minutes ago
State is concerned defense Attorney Ariel Payan’s line is questioning is leading the witness. The judge says the need for assistance is necessary, alluding to Criner’s speech impediment


Ryan Autullo‏ @AutulloAAS 7m7 minutes ago
Criner says he had a big sandwich and the money the Georgetown cop gave him and walked around Austin before running into UT's campus. He thought it was a big business at the time. Could not find place to stay so went back to hospital and slept in garage.


Adela Uchida‏ @adelauchida 15m15 minutes ago
Criner Says after the GPD officer dropped him off at St David’s he waited until he fell asleep in the hospital. So he went and slept in the parking garage.


Alyssa Goard‏ @AlyssaMGoard 16m16 minutes ago
Criner recounts meeting the Georgetown Police Officer we heard from earlier. He tried to sleep at the hospital the officer dropped him off and was kicked out, slept at a garage. Admits he never even looked at a map of Austin


Adela Uchida‏ @adelauchida 14m14 minutes ago
Attorneys conferring with judge over how the defense is questioning Criner.


Megan Menchaca‏ @meganmenchaca13 6m6 minutes ago
Criner says he slept in the storage room, mentioned earlier, after looking for a place to sleep in the parking garage of the stadium at UT Austin.


Ryan Autullo‏ @AutulloAAS 5m5 minutes ago
Given Criner's mental limitations, it's anyone's guess how he holds up under cross examination from the state.


Molly Oak‏Verified account @MollyAndAMic 11m11 minutes ago
"I just followed the road" Criner says one way was a dead end, so he went the other way. He says he "came across the campus, but I didn't know it was a campus. I thought it was buildings." Said it started getting dark, didn't find a place to stay, headed back to hospital.


Alyssa Goard‏ @AlyssaMGoard 16m16 minutes ago
Criner said he just followed the road avoiding dead ends, he found what he thought was a huge business but eventually learned to be the UT campus


Adela Uchida‏ @adelauchida 10m10 minutes ago
Criner talks about finding the auT campus. “I didn’t know it was a campus. I thought it was a huge business.” He returned to the St David’s parking garage. But security guard found him in the garage the next morning and told him to leave.


Alyssa Goard‏ @AlyssaMGoard 15m15 minutes ago
It was staring to get dark so he went back toward the hospital so he slept in a corner near garage. The next day he found the stadium, he went into the garage because he had found a place to stay in the other garage. He admits he was staying in the storage room @KXAN_News


Ryan Autullo‏ @AutulloAAS 4m4 minutes ago
Wow, Criner was in Austin, walked to UT's campus, found the 100,000 seat football stadium, but did not realize he was at a school until the university's wifi network said something about a school.


Megan Menchaca‏ @meganmenchaca13 3m3 minutes ago
Criner said he had no idea he was at a school (he thought it was a business) until he tried to connect this phone to the wifi and one of the wifi names was mentioned a school. He said he still didn't know he was specifically on UT Austin's campus.


Molly Oak‏Verified account @MollyAndAMic 10m10 minutes ago
Criner says he found a stadium (UT football stadium). This is where the storage room comes into play. Criner says there were a few boxes, a small pink lunch bag inside. "The place looked like nobody been there for a long while." Criner slept in the storage room that night.


Molly Oak‏Verified account @MollyAndAMic 8m8 minutes ago
He says he figured someone would kick him out. "I stood there for a long while to see if somebody would kick me out." Says he learned he was at a school when he tried to connect his phone to wifi and the name of the wifi made him realize he was at a school. He left to find food.


Adela Uchida‏ @adelauchida 9m9 minutes ago
Criner found the stadium. “I went into the garage because I found a place to stay in the other garage.” He found storage room. Says it was unlocked.


Alyssa Goard‏ @AlyssaMGoard 14m14 minutes ago
When he found storage room it was not locked. There were two or three boxes, a bag, and a few things on the floor when he got there. It was dirty but Criner said he swept it out


Molly Oak‏Verified account @MollyAndAMic 7m7 minutes ago
Criner says he found some food, some bags, a basket, and a pair of shoes. He also found some ropes. “I kept those because I was going to use those to lock the door.”


Ryan Autullo‏ @AutulloAAS 2m2 minutes ago
Criner said he found food, shoes and ropes that he was gonna use to lock the door at stadium storage room where he was living.


Ryan Autullo‏ @AutulloAAS 40s40 seconds ago
This is Chimene Onyeri level of bizarre.
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Adela Uchida‏ @adelauchida 12m12 minutes ago
Criner talks about foraging for food. He found a kitchen or pantry, some of the freezers were unlocked. He found corn dogs, chips, pies. He laughs as he talks about ice cream melting, milkshakes going bad



Megan Menchaca‏ @meganmenchaca13 8m8 minutes ago
Criner says he found corn dogs, pies, chips, biscuits, yogurt, ice cream, milkshakes after walking around. He laughs after saying that the milkshakes and ice cream went bad fast.


Ryan Autullo‏ @AutulloAAS 9m9 minutes ago
Criner admitted he spray painted storage room door blue. "It was pretty old. I thought I was doing them a favor."


Adela Uchida‏ @adelauchida 11m11 minutes ago
Criner says he spray painted the door to the storage room blue. Smiles as he says he was helping he@out because the door looked old.


Molly Oak‏Verified account @MollyAndAMic 10m10 minutes ago
Criner says he spray painted the storage room door blue. (we've seen pictures of this in court. “I figured I’d be doing them a favor, because the door was pretty old...I think that’s why they came and kicked me out.” He laughs again.


Alyssa Goard‏ @AlyssaMGoard 19m19 minutes ago
The next day was when he learned he was at a school when he saw the WiFi password options. No one kicked him out that first day. Then he started looking for food, he had no money left


Alyssa Goard‏ @AlyssaMGoard 15m15 minutes ago
He found some shoes (black & gold), some strings and ropes he planned to lock the door with, some trash cans and lot of food. He took this back to the storage room. He ran into two guys, they told him to leave the trash cans but he could take the food


Alyssa Goard‏ @AlyssaMGoard 14m14 minutes ago
Criner is laughing a lot on the stand, seems very trusting in Defense Attorney Ariel Payan


Ryan Autullo‏ @AutulloAAS 8m8 minutes ago
Criner says he went out and was asking for money, felt bad when someone gave more than he asked for and gave some of it back. One person took him to get a meal and gave him advice on where to find homeless living.


Megan Menchaca‏ @meganmenchaca13 7m7 minutes ago
After sleeping in the storage room, Criner says he met a random person the next morning who took him out to lunch and gave him advice about being homeless. He was asking for money when he met this guy. He said if people gave him more than $5, he gave it back.


Alyssa Goard‏ @AlyssaMGoard 12m12 minutes ago
Criner begged for money and someone took him out to eat. He said his main focus was finding food, but eventually he started thinking about getting a job


Alyssa Goard‏ @AlyssaMGoard 8m8 minutes ago
He was eventually kicked out, people there told him they needed the room for storage


Ryan Autullo‏ @AutulloAAS 4m4 minutes ago
Criner says he left his glasses in storage room at football stadium after he was kicked out. Remember: glasses linked to him were found at scene of crime.


Megan Menchaca‏ @meganmenchaca13 5m5 minutes ago
Criner says he forgot his glasses in the storage room (a few days before Weiser was killed). The prosecution says his glasses were found at the crime scene, so that's going to be an interesting point of contention.


Ryan Autullo‏ @AutulloAAS 2m2 minutes ago
Criner said he moved to abandoned building, realized he forgot glasses, and went back to stadium but storage room was locked. He said - getting really excited - says he found two bikes.


Adela Uchida‏ @adelauchida 7m7 minutes ago
Criner says he forgot some things when he was forced out of the storage room, testifies that he was upset about it and that it included his prescription glasses.


Molly Oak‏Verified account @MollyAndAMic 5m5 minutes ago
“That was the most important. I lost my glasses. I needed those for when I was reading books.” Criner says he left glasses and two of his bags at the storage room.
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Ryan Autullo‏ @AutulloAAS 13m13 minutes ago
Criner said he would go to the hospital every day to charge his phone and tablet. But he did not have phone service.

Ryan Autullo‏ @AutulloAAS 12m12 minutes ago
Please ignore typos. I'm hitting send before I can proofread. This is moving very fast.


Megan Menchaca‏ @meganmenchaca13 13m13 minutes ago
Criner admitted to breaking into the building at 2911 Medical Arts St, where he was found less than 12 hours after Weiser was killed. "I broke the window. I took a rock and smashed it."

Molly Oak‏Verified account @MollyAndAMic 13m13 minutes ago
Criner is EXTREMELY animated. He's now talking about when he was staying at the vacant building after getting kicked out of the storage room. Says he broke a window to get in.


Adela Uchida‏ @adelauchida 16m16 minutes ago
Criner testifies he is one who broke the window in the medical arts bldg pictured before. That is, btw, a picture I took in 2016 the day Criner was arrested.

DiaVW1SVQAUqite.jpg


Alyssa Goard‏ @AlyssaMGoard 16m16 minutes ago
That’s when Criner said he moved his stuff to the Medical Arts building. It was empty and locked so he broke the window with a block to get in. There was no electricity, no heating, no running water
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