GUILTY CA - Classic (Orson West, 3) & Cincere (Orrin West, 4), still missing, Calif. City, *Mistrial on counts 4 & 5)* 21 Dec 2020 #8

[cuffem]

You were aware there was a list of 6 registered sex offenders and only one contacted.
Has he followed up on remains list? No Hernandez says.
Discussing bug guy again, seeing 5-6 kids getting loaded into van.
Stallings done
State rests ( WOW! just like that fast )

 

[cuffem]

( Buckle in everyone Stallings is about to present her opening statements that she reserved until now )
Her opening will be recorded live but only audio will be played.

Stallings Opening statements
Jackie was wrapping gifts for her children when her 2 youngest were taken.
Her husband was gathering wood for a fire.( Speaking sad and somber )
All they are going on is the words of their eldest.
She is talking about "priming" of eldest child
She says CPS started an investigation along LE
Officer Hansen had no training in interviewing children and could cause false memories.
Grounds were searched no remains found. Van searched no evidence.
Eldest child can find info on the case on iPad.
Ms. Castillo tried to get in contact with Hansen.
Dr Napalitano will testify on forensic interviewing of children
Will talk about the history of forensic interviews in California, McMartin Case.
Mentioning confirmation bias Napalitano will discuss
Misinformation can blend into the interview with the child causing false memories.
Barton is priming child with repeated questioning
Eldest child primed the past 3 years.
She will prove there was implantation and coercive techniques that made the eldest give false memories
Christopher Armstrong will testify about video showing cars lights going from high to low, low to high ( ?)
The outstanding question of where are the boys will remain.
(Hopefully there will be a transcript of this somewhere)
Let's Begin!

 

[cuffem]

Stallings calls Christopher Armstrong to the stand.
He is in accident reconstruction.
(Stallings mic is off. Cannot hear her questioning ) See tweets
Now it is on
He worked on video and still images in this case.
Testified before as expert in his field.
BPD report and security videos and photos he used.
12/19 /2020 and 12/21/2020 enhanced video.
She asks him if he enhances the photos objectively. Yes he has no horse in the race.
Discussing enhancing the videos
Did not see what camera was being used and info on camera itself from LE report.
Discussing low light levels at that time of video
6 videos were looked at.
Showing a video on screen
Giving info on tools used to enhance video.
He took stills of image of person holding something 11:34 12.
Lunch until 1:30

 

[cuffem]

So we now know Stallings is going to claim Hansen was not qualified to interview eldest and Barton gave false memories to eldest. They re going after the childs' testimony in the interview regarding one child sick and dying, then dead.
She will use a Dr. of forensic interviews .
Dr. Napolitano interviews interviewers and will discuss the McMartin trial and how the children were given false memories.
Stallings will say the care givers, police and CPS interviewer primed the child with info and he received info from an iPad on the case.

Basically they are going to use, the child lied defense.

 

[cuffem]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1655665140367237125

 

[cuffem]

West Trial Day 18: Prosecution rests, Jacqueline West’s attorney gives opening statement

The eldest child of Trezell and Jacqueline West, who last week testified to seeing one of his brothers die in 2020 and another disappear days later, was influenced by improper, coercive interview t…

www.kget.com

 

[cuffem]

Stallings with Christopher Armstrong on the stand.
He analyzed some lights in background in the video of Wests home on Dec. 21 2020
Associated with a car backing and stopping (?) ( I am not sure what exactly they are looking at and what car with lights )
You can not see the person opening and getting out right side van.Because of color of clothing and little reflective light.
( She is saying with the children's size and dark color they would be hard to see in video at night. )
No further from Stallings
Redirect by Smith
Asking about software used to enhance video.
Zooming in effects the pixelation Smith asks.
Was there anything wrong with the video not zoomed in. No.
Smith is arguing the quality diminishes by enhancing.
Smith showing unenhanced video. Asks if anything wrong with it. No.
Armstrong says he was looking for children or individuals in video.
Smith asks did he see anyone walk outside in the back yard. in the video No.
Tries to strike something Armstrong says about what he saw in video.
Did you observe 2 small children at any point in video. No+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Did you see other cars in video going down same roadway. Yes. Same light reflection. No.
No more from Smith.
Stallings about electrical poles with reflectors.
Asking from measurements if he could see 3 ft. tall children behind 8ft. fence. No! ( in video )
Measurements based on what was given to him.
Smith asks if light is reflecting off pole. Does not know. ( I am not understanding the talk about the reflectors/lights from cars)
Armstrong excused.

 

[cuffem]

Hennessy calls Pamela Castillo to the stand.
She works for CPS in Child Adoption.
Assigned to Wests boys Dec 23 2020.
She got transfer of custody. Does background checks. She gathers facts.
Children were either at Jamison or a caregiver.
She reached out to talk to parents but not available. Occupied by LE.
Hennessy asks if she communicated about the case with others. Only staff admin.
Just mentioned with Barton she was getting case.
Not communicating with resource parent yet.
She contacted Lt. Hightower who said officers were exhausted and could not speak with her that weekend.
Are you following this case on the news. She follows all cases in the news.
On Dec 28th, Holiday week for County employees but she was working. It was a skeleton crew.
Her role that weekend was reports to file, received call from resource, foster parent.
Are you on any deadline? Yes. Less than 24 hrs to file petition.
Rushing to file in court the 24th
On the 28th talked to FBI, forensic interview along with BPD officers, district attorney offices.
Hennessy done.
Smith no questions
Now! Stallings.
You are aware your text messages wee provided. Yes. And emails on the case.
It is her duty to know details for reports and service report
In the course of your job to look at emergency case referral. Yes.
The referral was only about Orson and Orrin.
She says she spoke to Barton after the Childs interview on the 22nd. The children detained 3pm.( She is trying to say that Barton gave her info prior to her getting the case and they discussed it in texts )
She was not there so she can not say what happened.Small office they talk about cases.
She filed Dec 24 at 1pm.
She was rushed to file because of holiday and she felt she had enough info to file.
Were you involved with changing info in DHS Sarah Warner. Clarifying time. ( Been a lot of objections and Stallings changing question)
Sidebar
Castillo says she did not read emails provided by DHS involving the case.
Stallings has mic off again. ( I can not hear questions, check tweets ) ( I think she does not want people to hear the BS she is saying, IMO )
Castillo says County Counsel suggested corrections to document before filed.
Castillo said she contacted Officer Hansen at 11:05 am on Dec 28 202o because she received info on what could have happened to Orson and Orrin .
When she did not reach him she followed up with FBI.
Stallings asks on the same day she contacted Barton to schedule forensic interview was she panicked? Castillo says she was a little nervous
( I am going by tweets right now because mic is off )

Afternoon break 15min.

 

[cuffem]

Stallings back ( I can hear her now )
Asks if she reviewed her texts messages with Barton on Dec22 and 23. Yes
Barton says he is lying regarding the Childs interview.
Asking about her communications regarding filing for the paperwork. Miracle on. St.
She asked to ask about the smell through text. ( Stallings keeps changing what she is asking. )
LE was asking her what questions to ask. Does not know if they mentioned real estate agent.
Castillo says the interview was conducted with the guidance of LE. They are the experts. ( But Stallings says otherwise )
Hennessy now questioning Castillo.
Dec. 28th forensic meeting with district attorney.
Castillo excused.
Stallings calls Sunya Barton to the stand ( This may be ugly, they do not like each other )
Recalls only 1 not 2 interviews that day with one child on
Can no longer hear Stallings, mic off
( Last week jurors asked how many CPS interviews of child )++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Jurors receiving transcript of interview with child
Now playing video of Barton with child ( I can barely hear the video )( I am not sure this portion was previously played or admitted )
( volume up )
He gets tongue lashings, other kids put in corner.
Asking about the cold showers she heard about from other kids.
Has it cold been turned on for punishment. No just when hot out.
One child get cold water because pees pants.
Orson and Orrin took cold showers too.
Have you seen TW gives spankings with belt causing bleedings. No. (?)
She asks him about telling truth.
He never experienced the belt spankings.

He would not speak up if they were beat because of fear.
Never saw anyone bleedings
Dad's tongue lashings. Mom does nothing. (This must be the child Barton thought was not telling the truth in interview )
He says he thinks his brother exaggerated the punishments.
Nothing in the house he worries about.( Talking as if everything is good at home )
Talks about broke watch.
No spankings in Cal City.
Video over.
Smith no questions
Hennessy up.
Interview Dec22 ( murder story from child) Dec. 28th interview(?)
She was unfamiliar of studies on the discipline on interviewing children.
Important to remain objective,
She felt the child minimized the abuse in interview.
Text to Castillo says Did you see the parents in the news. They are lying.
She would forward info from Facebook to Castillo that Castillo told her were false.
One comment said she thought the Wests were detained for not cooperating.
She stated the child was doing things in his body behavior that he was hiding something for his parents.
She was worried about filing report and did not want to be responsible for the kids going back to parents.
Prior to 28th she texts. These kids need to just spill the beans already.
( They are trying to say Barton influenced her interviews with child )
Asked in text about how many bodies of three y/o could they have. In Regards to fingerprints
She texted she was pretty sure there were no gifts for kids when JW was wrapping gifts.
Did not say murdered in discussing theories.
Barton says she conducted forensic interviews. It was on Dec. 28 the eldest boy said he saw Orrin die. He did not say this prior. ( They think this is helping their case? )( This was stated earlier in questioning )
Hennessy done.
Stallings back
Ask if the 2 asked about alternative kidnapping scenario. No they did not.
Barton excused.
Court ends


.

 

[GeorgiaRai]

Basically they are going to use, the child lied defense.

I don't think that's a fair assessment. Defense is right to question the technique, expertise and circumstances of the child interviews, and *IF* there's fault to be found, it's not on the child.

The most convincing testimonies I've heard were the two grandmothers, each assuming the children were with the other. Aside from that, I'm pretty disappointed n the investigation as presented by the prosecution.

 

[cuffem]

I don't think that's a fair assessment. Defense is right to question the technique, expertise and circumstances of the child interviews, and *IF* there's fault to be found, it's not on the child.

The most convincing testimonies I've heard were the two grandmothers, each assuming the children were with the other. Aside from that, I'm pretty disappointed n the investigation as presented by the prosecution.

But that is exactly what they are trying to show, that is basically their case. Trying to prove Barton, Castillo, LE and caregivers influenced the child interview. Therefore they are trying to say it is not true and child lied.

I am very tired right now from 7 hours of typing this and been sick all weekend so not going to get into it. I made the point I stick to it.

 

[GeorgiaRai]

MOO, if a child is convinced something is true and repeats it, he/she isn't lying. Misleading, grooming, manipulating or persuading from a position of trust is 100% on the adults involved, not the child. (Granted, I'm not sure that happened in this case, but from the testimony I've read, I'm not sure it didn't.)

Sorry you've been sick, @cuffem & hope you feel better soon.

 

[Knox]

There is no forensic evidence or any confessions by defendants Trezell and Jacqueline West for killing their adoptive toddlers, Orrin and Orson West, said a defense attorney in her opening statements Monday after the prosecution rested its case.

Alekxia Torres Stallings elected to postpone her opening statements until after the prosecution rested its case. She defends Jacqueline West, and began her opening statements Monday by quietly looking at jurors and beginning her case by painting a cheery, cozy scene unfolding two years ago in December before it all broke apart with the disappearance of Orrin and Orson.

Trezell and Jacqueline West have pleaded not guilty to two second-degree murder charges, involuntary manslaughter, conspiracy, willful cruelty to a child and falsely reporting an emergency in the deaths of Orrin and Orson West. Prosecutor Eric Smith has said the toddlers died three months prior to the Wests’ reporting them missing and their bodies have never been found.

Jacqueline West was wrapping Christmas presents in her new California City home on Dec. 21, 2020. Trezell West had gone to a lot neighboring their backyard to collect wood to get a fire started. That’s when their adoptive children were kidnapped, Torres Stallings said.

“Their two youngest children were taken,” Torres Stallings said, referring to Trezell and Jacqueline. “But, their four oldest children were taken by the system.”

The Wests have six children in total, including Orrin and Orson West.

There is one witness to the alleged killings of Orrin and Orson: A then-10-year-old son who divulged Orrin died while the Wests lived in Bakersfield, before moving to California City. Orrin was choking and vomiting before he died, the then-10-year-old son told forensic interviewers. The child is now 12 years old and testified in this case.

West trial: Defense says improper questioning of children resulted in false answers about adoptive parents

There is no forensic evidence or any confessions by defendants Trezell and Jacqueline West for killing their adoptive toddlers, Orrin and Orson West, said a defense attorney in her opening

www.bakersfield.com

 

[Knox]

These forensic interviewers were biased, Torres Stallings added. The defense will call upon social workers handling the Wests’ case and a a forensic interviewer to show there was never an unbiased approach when questioning the kids, she noted. A skewed perspective results in improper questions asked to kids, which results in getting misinformation, Torres Stallings said.

A clinical psychologist, Susan Napolitano, will be called to testify about the improper questioning techniques used in this case, Torres Stallings said.

At the conclusion of this case, Torres Stallings said, a tragedy still remains.
“The outstanding question of where the boys are will still be remaining," she said.
She’s asking for a not guilty verdict on all counts for her client.
It’s unclear if the defendants will testify on their own behalf. That wasn’t addressed in Torres Stallings' remarks.

Witnesses​

The defense began questioning its first witness, Christopher Armstrong. He specializes in accident reconstruction, which has given him expertise in video analysis, he said.

Armstrong testified about surveillance footage capturing the Wests’ home on Dec. 19, 2020.

Police previously testified this footage only shows four kids walking to the Wests' car, which suggests Orrin and Orson weren't with the Wests on Dec. 19, 2020. However, Armstrong said he sees an adult carrying something, which Torres Stallings attempted to show could be an object or a person.

The court recessed for lunch and is scheduled to resume Armstrong's testimony after lunch.

West trial: Defense says improper questioning of children resulted in false answers about adoptive parents

There is no forensic evidence or any confessions by defendants Trezell and Jacqueline West for killing their adoptive toddlers, Orrin and Orson West, said a defense attorney in her opening

www.bakersfield.com

 

[UrsulaWrenn]

I agree the children have been lied to and manipulated. They are saying either what they think is true, or what they know is true.

I take some things with a grain of salt:
Confessions
Eye Witnesses
Child Witnesses
Animal Witnesses (Dogs that don't bark or birds that talk)

Not because I think anyone is neccesarily lying, but because truth is subjective and no two people ever see the same fact the same way.

I think the fact is the extended family believed the boys were fine, and each person thought they were with someone else. They believed that because TW and JW led them to believe it, and they did that because they either killed the boys, or allowed them to die by failing to provide lifesaving measures or calling for help.

 

[Knox]

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — Trezell and Jacqueline West’s eldest child, who last week testified to seeing one of his brothers die in 2020 and another disappear days later, was influenced by improper, coercive interview techniques that made him susceptible to false memories, a defense attorney said.

An expert witness who reviewed evidence in this case — including multiple interviews — will testify the social worker who interviewed the boy engaged in “browbeating” to make the child, then 10, say what she wanted him to say, said attorney Alekxia Torres Stallings. She said another witness enhanced surveillance images and footage taken of the West home and will testify to the methods used and what the enhanced footage reveals.

“There are no confessions and there is no forensic evidence, all we have is the story of a 10-year-old boy . . . ,” Torres Stallings said.

As lead attorney for Jacqueline West, Torres Stallings gave her opening statement Monday, the 18th day of trial, having chosen to wait until the prosecution finished presenting its case. The prosecution rested shortly before 11 a.m.

Jacqueline and Trezell West are charged with murder and other crimes in the deaths of their youngest adopted children, Orrin, 4, and Orson, 3. The boys were reported missing in December 2020 but prosecutor Eric Smith has said evidence — including the eldest boy’s testimony — indicates they died about three months earlier.

But, she said, “The outstanding question of where the boys are will still remain.” She said the jury will find the case against the Wests can not be proven beyond a reasonable doubt and will acquit both of all charges.

A week after the reported disappearance, the eldest boy gave an interview to a social worker in which he said he saw Orrin die in the Bakersfield apartment. He said he heard noises in the night in the room where all the children slept. The next morning, he said, Orrin was face down on his mattress and later, when his parents entered the room, he saw the boy had vomited and his color was “fading.”

Torres Stallings will call Dr. Susan Napolitano to the stand to illustrate how the boy’s statement was influenced by the social worker. She said Napolitano will go over the history of forensic interviews and the child abuse hysteria of the 1980s where dozens of adults were charged with crimes but later exonerated after it was shown children fabricated testimony due to suggestive questioning techniques.

West Trial Day 18: Prosecution rests, Jacqueline West’s attorney gives opening statement

The eldest child of Trezell and Jacqueline West, who last week testified to seeing one of his brothers die in 2020 and another disappear days later, was influenced by improper, coercive interview t…

www.kget.com

 

[cuffem]

MOO, if a child is convinced something is true and repeats it, he/she isn't lying. Misleading, grooming, manipulating or persuading from a position of trust is 100% on the adults involved, not the child. (Granted, I'm not sure that happened in this case, but from the testimony I've read, I'm not sure it didn't.)

Sorry you've been sick, @cuffem & hope you feel better soon.

You do realize that I do not think the child is lying about the abuse of Orson and Orrin? And the death.
And thank you!

 

[cuffem]

I know that we will be hearing a lot about the McMartin Case tomorrow so I am going to try and refresh my memory on it tonight. The false memories is a big part of their " not telling the truth" defense.

 

[PommyMommy]

Morning Testimony, Part 1
DAY EIGHTEEN - May 8, 2023
https://twitter.com/KGETnews

The trial of Trezell and Jacqueline West is back in session. This is the 18th day of trial for the couple, charged with murder and other offenses in the deaths of Orrin and Orson West, who authorities say died 3 months before the Wests reported them missing. #WestsTrial

Detective Thomas Hernandez is back on the stand under cross-examination by Timothy Hennessy, lead attorney for Trezell West. He is discussing receiving a tip from a woman who says she saw the boys in Arlington, Texas. #WestsTrial

An address and license plate was given, Hernandez said. An Arlington man testified last week the woman was mistaken, the children are his own biological children. #WestsTrial

Hennessy is asking if another man, not the one who testified, also lived at that address. Hernandez said he would have to review the report. #WestsTrial

The detective is reviewing the report. #WestsTrial

Hernandez said an investigator looked into the matter and it was determined the children in question were not Orrin and Orson. #WestsTrial

Hennessy is continuing to ask about a Victor Rodriguez, another man who lived at the Arlington address. #WestsTrial

Prosecutor Eric Smith has objected, and the judge said there is no info Rodriguez lived at the address, but was associated with it through the tip made to the FBI. #WestsTrial

Hernandez said he doesn't know what Rodriguez looks like. Hennessy asked about Rodriguez being investigated for drug smuggling and the judge sustained an objection and struck the question from the record. A sidebar is being held. #WestsTrial

Back from sidebar. Hennessy is asking about a tip from a Hector Rodriguez that led to a home being checked for the boys. Detective Hernandez said he doesn't recall the name but knows a home was checked. #WestsTrial

Hennessy asked if the person who made the tip said they had more info but were afraid of physical harm. Hernandez reviewed the tip. The judge reminded the jury this info is only being allowed for them to consider what Hernandez did in relation to the tips. #WestsTrial

Hernandez said he followed up on the tip but did not contact the tipster. He said when it came to tips there were houses, vehicles and leads they looked in. In this case police went to the house and didn't find Orrin or Orson. #WestsTrial

 

[PommyMommy]

Morning Testimony, Part 2
DAY EIGHTEEN - May 8, 2023
https://twitter.com/KGETnews

Hennessy finished questioning Hernandez and now Alekxia Torres Stallings, lead counsel for Jacqueline West, will question him. #WestsTrial

Hernandez said he read the reports of Cal City Officer Brian Hansen but did not see the videos of their interviews until they were played in court. #WestsTrial

On Dec. 29, 2020, took part in a welfare check at Maria Martinez's home, where Jacqueline and Trezell were living at the time. Martinez is Jacqueline's mother and had foster children.#WestsTrial

Torres Stallings asked about 2 refrigerators at Maria Martinez's apartment. Hernandez said he doesn't recall their being 2 refrigerators and said the apartment wasn't searched. #WestsTrial

Hernandez said they were at Maria Martinez's home for about an hour. He said he recalls Jacqueline West cried. #WestsTrial

Torres Stallings is asking about footage from different cameras in December. He said he didn't review footage to see the Wests traveling back and forth on Dec. 5 when they visited Maria Martinez on her birthday. #WestsTrial

Torres Stallings has moved into evidence a Taco Bell receipt from Dec. 8, 2020. She asked if they checked the video footage to see the comings and goings of the Wests on that date. #WestsTrial

Hernandez said they did not. #WestsTrial

Moving to the interview of the Wests' eldest child, Hernandez said he was present for the boy's third interview. He doesn't know what info was provided to Sunya Barton, the social worker who interviewed the child. #WestsTrial

An updated police report written by Hernandez and other detectives runs to 2,000 pages. Since then, during the trial, supplemental reports have been written, Hernandez said. #WestsTrial

Hernandez said he did not write a report about the first report made by the eldest child to his resource parent. He said he found out that info by second- or third-hand. #WestsTrial

Torres Stallings is attempting to show the eldest child may have seen certain things about the case online or on the news, or been told them. #WestsTrial

She has displayed a photo showing Hernandez with the boy's resource parent and the boy as they tried to get passwords for his parents' phones. #WestsTrial

The boys no longer live with that resource parent, they have lived with another woman since the end of January 2021. Hernandez said he went to that residence, too, to check up on the children. #WestsTrial

Torres Stallings asked Hernandez if he was aware the eldest child said the first resource parent told him the boys were dead. She said the boy told his grandmother she had said that. A hearsay objection was sustained. #WestsTrial

Hernandez is reviewing a report to see if the woman's name is mentioned. He said she was mentioned during a pretext call with one of the other West children. #WestsTrial

Hernandez said he wasn't present when the children testified before the grand jury, and doesn't know if their resource parent was present. #WestsTrial

Moving back to the apartment of Jacqueline West's mother, Hernandez reviewed photos and said there are 2 refrigerators there. #WestsTrial

Hernandez said he contacted the neighbor who lived behind the Wests. Torres Stallings asked if he recalls her telling him the search parties took place a couple days after she saw a man in a red sweater and ski mask. He said he doesn't recall that. #WestsTrial

After reviewing a transcript, Hernandez said that's correct. #WestsTrial

Hernandez said he has read the report of an interview with Perla Martinez, Jacqueline West's sister. He said he did not review records to see if there was a call made on Dec. 18, 2020. #WestsTrial

Torres Stallings asked Hernandez if he came across a journal for Jacqueline. He said he went through it. It's from 2021. She asked if he was aware Orson and Orrin's birthday were in the planner. A hearsay objection was sustained. #WestsTrial

Torres Stallings showed him copies of pages from the journal but he said they don't refresh his memory as to the birth dates of Orrin and Orson. #WestsTrial

Torres Stallings has moved on to the interview on July 1, 2021, in which Hernandez questioned Jacqueline West. #WestsTrial

A pest control person told police he saw "6 or 7" children in the home when he went there, Hernandez said. He said he still focused on the Wests as behind the disappearance of Orrin and Orson. #WestsTrial

Torres Stallings is referring Hernandez to surveillance footage of the Wests' home on Dec. 19, 2020, the same day they dropped off their four oldest children in Bakersfield. #WestsTrial

She played a video of 2 people walking up the street who stop at an intersection by the Wests' home. Hernandez said those people were never identified. #WestsTrial

"You don't know what they were doing, is that fair to say?" Torres Stalling asked. "Walking," Hernandez said. #WestsTrial

There was an objection to showing a second video and Judge Charles R. Brehmer called a sidebar. #WestsTrial

The judge and attorneys came back and a 15-minute break was announced. #WestsTrial