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

[PommyMommy]

Morning Testimony, Part 3
DAY EIGHTEEN - May 8, 2023
https://twitter.com/KGETnews

Court is back in session with Hernandez still on the witness stand being cross-examined by Torres Stallings. #WestsTrial

Hernandez said he talked about sexual predators with Jacqueline West during a July 1, 2021 interview. He said he didn't follow up on the Texas lead until after Hennessy gave his opening statement. #WestsTrial

Hernandez said he was aware there was a list pulled of sex offenders living in Cal City at the time of the reported disappearance. He said he has not followed up on the other individuals on that list. She ended questioning. #WestsTrial

On redirect, Hernandez said the pest control guy gave multiple figures as to how many children he saw at the West home. On recross, Torres Stallings asked again about his interview with that man. #WestsTrial

Hernandez is done and the prosecution has rested its case. #WestsTrial

Torres Stallings, who reserved her opening statement until after the prosecution rested, will present her opening in a few minutes. #WestsTrial

 

[PommyMommy]

Morning Testimony, Part 4
DAY EIGHTEEN - May 8, 2023
https://twitter.com/KGETnews

Her opening will be recorded on camera but will not be shown live. The audiostream will remain live. #WestsTrial

Court is back in session with Torres Stallings presenting her opening statement. She has displayed a photo of Christmas stockings hung at the Wests' home. She's about to start. #WestsTrial

She said Jacqueline West was wrapping gifts for his 6 children when her 2 youngest were taken. "There are no confessions and there is no forensic evidence, all we have is the story of a 10 year old boy," she said. #WestsTrial

Torres Stallings said the timeline is important. She said there was a separate investigation that was also occurring at the same time as law enforcement -- and that one was conducted by Child Protective Services. #WestsTrial

There was a "proof of life" call at Wanda West's residence, Trezell West's mother, who had the other four children, when Orrin and Orson were reported missing. #WestsTrial

On Dec. 22 the other children were interviewed by Officer Brian Hansen, who has admitted having no training in interviewing children. The boys were interviewed by Sunya Barton and at 3 p.m. that day the boys were detained by CPS. #WestsTrial

On Dec. 23, 2020, Barton and a social worker were involved in text communications. The FBI used ground penetrating radar and found no human remains. The Wests' van was forensically analyzed and no evidence found, Torres Stallings said. #WestsTrial

Days pass with nothing, she said. The Wests' eldest child had access to the internet. On Dec. 28, 2020, there is communication, a text message from Barton to officer Hansen. At 3:36 p.m. the eldest child is interviewed by Barton a 3rd time. #WestsTrial

Torres Stallings said it's unknown who was present or why they were present, what info was given to the child and how that impacted him. The defense's expert witness, Dr. Susan Napolitano, will testify to how these things can impact a child's testimony. #WestsTrial

Napolitano will talk about the history of forensic interviews, the mass hysteria of child sex cases that happened in the 1980s as a result of forensic interviews and which nearly all defendants have been exonerated. #WestsTrial

Napolitano will talk about the importance of confirmation bias, she said. She said she'll look at Hansen's videos, all 3 of the eldest child's interviews -- and how Barton's second interview of him was very suggestible, "browbeating" child into saying what she wants. #WestsTrial

Napolitano will conclude, taking all of the data points she has evaluated, that there was implantation, coercive techniques that made the eldest child susceptible to false memories. #WestsTrial

Another expert witness, Christopher Armstrong, will testify to the videos of surveillance footage showing the Wests' home. She said Armstrong enhanced those videos and took a still from Dec. 19, 2020 she said shows someone carrying a child to the van. #WestsTrial

Armstrong will also testify to a car seen in another video that he will stay stopped, reversed and went forward again, Torres Stallings said. #WestsTrial

Armstrong will testify to contrast ratios, luminosity studies, she said. #WestsTrial

"At the conclusion of our case, it is still a tragedy," she said. "The outstanding question of where the boys are will still remain." She said, however, there will be reasonable doubt and the jury will find Jacqueline and Trezell not guilty on all counts. #WestsTrial

Torres Stallings has finished her opening statement. #WestsTrial

 

[PommyMommy]

Morning Testimony, Part 5
DAY EIGHTEEN - May 8, 2023
https://twitter.com/KGETnews

Christopher Armstrong has been called to the stand. #WestsTrial

He's an accident reconstructionist. He performed work on video and still images for the defense in this case. #WestsTrial

Armstrong is being paid $295 an hour for his testimony. He said he believes the county is paying his company. #WestsTrial

Armstrong reviewed the Bakersfield Police Department report, several surveillance videos taken from the home next to the West home, photographs and aerial views of the West home and surrounding area. #WestsTrial

Armstrong testified he enhanced video using similar techniques as to what an FBI witness testified to earlier in the trial. #WestsTrial

He enhanced videos from Dec. 19 and Dec. 21, 2020. #WestsTrial

Torres Stallings has shown Armstrong an image and he's describing what he did to enhance it. She's going to play the video. #WestsTrial

Court is in recess until 1:30 p.m. #WestsTrial

 

[PommyMommy]

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

Court is back in session in the trial of Trezell and Jacqueline West. Jacqueline West's attorney, Alekxia Torres Stallings, is questioning her first witness, Christopher Armstrong, who enhanced images and video for the defense. #WestsTrial

Armstrong testified one video of the West home on Dec. 21, 2020, shows lights in the background that in his opinion correspond with the motion of a car on the roadway. #WestsTrial

Armstrong said the video shows someone open the right door of the Wests' van but you can't see who it is. You can see the door open but can't see the person because they are wearing dark clothing and there is very little reflective light. #WestsTrial

Torres Stallings asked what about someone 3 feet tall wearing dark clothing. If you can't see them in the video does that mean they're not on the video. No, Armstrong says, you can't say something isn't there just because can't see it due to the contrast in the video. #WestsTrial

He said two small children would be much harder to see than if an adult opened the door. The clothing and the color of their skin could also make it more difficult to see them. The darker the clothing and skin color, the more difficult to see in video taken at night. #WestsTrial

Torres Stallings ended her questioning. Smith has begun cross-examination and is asking Armstrong what software he used. #WestsTrial

Smith asked what happens when you zoom in to the footage. Armstrong said it makes it larger. Smith said the quality diminishes the more it's zoomed in. #WestsTrial

Armstrong testified he saw no one else in the backyard, even on his enhanced footage, other than a person in the backyard previously pointed out by the prosecution. #WestsTrial

"Did you observe two small children at any point?" Smith asked. "No," Armstrong said.

Under redirect, Armstrong testified to what could be sign behind the height of the fence given the measurements he was given. #WestsTrial

Armstrong has been excused. #WestsTrial

 

[PommyMommy]

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

Pamela Castillo has been called to the stand. She is in the adoption unit in the Department of Human Services. She was assigned to the West case on Dec. 23, 2020. #WestsTrial

On that day she got a paper with names and began doing background checks. She said her first point of contact was the FBI. She said the boys were most likely at the Jamison Center or a foster home at that point. #WestsTrial

Castillo testified she had a couple conversations with social worker Sunya Barton on the morning of Dec. 23. She said she hadn't yet communicated with the resource parent with whom the children were staying. #WestsTrial

On Dec. 24, 2020 she went to a hearing to file a petition to keep the children in custody while the investigation continued. Then over the weekend she talked with a lieutenant at the California City Police Department. #WestsTrial

Asked if she followed the case at all on the news or Facebook, Castillo said, "I think I tend to follow all cases." #WestsTrial

Castillo, questioned by Torres Stallings, said she's aware her text messages and emails regarding this case have been provided to attorneys. #WestsTrial

Torres Stallings asked if Castillo examined the emergency response referral in this case. She said yes, but hasn't seen it in a long time, and Torres Stallings handed her a copy. #WestsTrial

Castill confirmed the referral form only related to Orrin and Orson, not the other West children, and it was for general neglect. #WestsTrial

Castillo said on Dec. 22, 2020, she became aware she would be assigned the case. Torres Stallings asked who she heard about it from. Castillo said not from social worker Sunya Barton, but she started speaking with her about it that day. #WestsTrial

Castillo said it's a small office, they talk about different cases when they come in. #WestsTrial

"To the best of my knowledge, yes," Castill said when asked if the children were detained at 3 p.m. on Dec. 22, 2020. #WestsTrial

"I did, I do and the judge thought so as well," Castillo said when asked if she thought she had enough evidence to detain. #WestsTrial

Torres Stallings asked Castillo if she was aware if there was an issue with the initial contact with the children. She said no. A sidebar has been called. #WestsTrial

The judge and attorneys are back. Castillo said she has not reviewed the emails from DHS that were provided in this case. #WestsTrial

Castillo said she believes corrections were later made to documents provided to the court. She said county counsel suggested it. #WestsTrial

Castillo testified she contacted Officer Brian Hansen at 11:05 a.m. on Dec. 28, 2020, because she received info about what may have happened to Orrin and Orson. She couldn't reach him, followed up with the FBI. #WestsTrial

On that same day, she contacted Sunya Barton to schedule a forensic interview. Torres Stallings asked if Barton was "panicked." Castillo said she was "a little nervous." #WestsTrial

Court is in recess for 15 minutes. #WestsTrial

 

[PommyMommy]

Afternoon Testimony, Part 3
DAY EIGHTEEN - May 8, 2023
https://twitter.com/KGETnews

Court is back in session with Castillo on the stand being questioned by Torres Stallings. #WestsTrial

Castillo said she spoke with Sunya Barton after the children were interviewed. #WestsTrial

Barton said "he's lying," according to a message sent between Barton and Castillo. #WestsTrial

Torres Stallings is going over messages the two social workers sent each other. #WestsTrial

Castillo said she was present during the third interview of the eldest child. Barton left twice during the interview to speak with law enforcement, she said. #WestsTrial

Law enforcement was telling her which topics to cover. She said she doesn't know if they told her about a real estate agent. #WestsTrial

Castillo said the interview was conducted at the request of and guidance of law enforcement. "They're the experts," she said. Torres Stallings finished and Smith is questioning her. #WestsTrial

Castillo is going over the hearing where a judge determined there was enough evidence for CPS to continue its investigation. She confirmed no one from the DA's office was at the dependency hearing. #WestsTrial

Smith ended his questioning. #WestsTrial

Castillo has been excused. #WestsTrial

 

[PommyMommy]

Afternoon Testimony, Part 4
DAY EIGHTEEN - May 8, 2023
https://twitter.com/KGETnews

Sunya Barton, who has previously testified, has been called to the stand by Torres Stallings. She's the social worker who interviewed the other West children. #WestsTrial

Barton had 2 interviews with the Wests' eldest child on Dec. 22, 2020, and Torres Stallings is going to play the second interview. Transcripts are being handed out to the jury. #WestsTrial

The video is playing. #WestsTrial

Barton is asking about discipline in the house. The boy said his father will either give them a "tongue-lashing" or make them sit in the corner. Barton asks about being forced to take cold showers. #WestsTrial

The boy said he's never had a cold shower as a form of punishment, and he thinks sometimes the showers were turned on cold but just needed to warm up. #WestsTrial

Barton tells the boy all his other brothers talk about the cold showers. The boy says Orrin and Orson took cold showers too. #WestsTrial

Barton reminds the boy he said he would tell the truth and asks if he doesn't see anything going on inside the house, or not hear it, or what. The boy denies being spanked with a belt and bleeding. #WestsTrial

The boy says he thinks his brothers exaggerated the punishment. #WestsTrial

The boy says there is nothing that's gone on at his house that he's concerned about. #WestsTrial

The video is over. Torres Stallings ended her questioning and now Timothy Hennessy, lead attorney for Trezell West, is questioning her. #WestsTrial

Barton confirmed she conducted forensic interviews of all the boys. It was on Dec. 28, 2020, that the eldest boy said he saw Orrin die. Prior to that he didn't say that. #WestsTrial

Barton said she's aware the purpose of forensic interviews is to make sure the children tell the truth and aren't improperly influenced. #WestsTrial

Between Dec. 22 and 28, Barton said, she came to the conclusion the parents were lying after seeing the interview the parents gave to the news and interviewing the children the first time. #WestsTrial

Hennessy is asking about Facebook stories Barton shared with another social worker that weren't true and how Barton kept "falling for" them. She confirmed that's true. #WestsTrial

Hennessy asked if she said "these kids just need to spill the beans already." Barton confirmed that's true. #WestsTrial

Hennessy asked if it's true that, when the FBI asked for fingerprints of the children, she sent a text to another social worker saying, "How many bodies of a 3 to 4 year old could they have?" and used the shrug emoji. Barton said that's correct. #WestsTrial

Barton confirmed this message was sent before the eldest child's interview on Dec. 28, 2020. Barton said some of her text messages with another social worker were just conversation. Hennessy ended his questioning. #WestsTrial

Under questioning by Torres Stallings, Barton said she and the other social worker did not discuss the alternate theory that Orrin and Orson were kidnapped. Barton was excused and court is in recess until 9 a.m. tomorrow. #WestsTrial

 

[cuffem]

Afternoon Testimony, Part 3
DAY EIGHTEEN - May 8, 2023
https://twitter.com/KGETnews

Court is back in session with Castillo on the stand being questioned by Torres Stallings. #WestsTrial

Castillo said she spoke with Sunya Barton after the children were interviewed. #WestsTrial

Barton said "he's lying," according to a message sent between Barton and Castillo. #WestsTrial

Torres Stallings is going over messages the two social workers sent each other. #WestsTrial

Castillo said she was present during the third interview of the eldest child. Barton left twice during the interview to speak with law enforcement, she said. #WestsTrial

Law enforcement was telling her which topics to cover. She said she doesn't know if they told her about a real estate agent. #WestsTrial

Castillo said the interview was conducted at the request of and guidance of law enforcement. "They're the experts," she said. Torres Stallings finished and Smith is questioning her. #WestsTrial

Castillo is going over the hearing where a judge determined there was enough evidence for CPS to continue its investigation. She confirmed no one from the DA's office was at the dependency hearing. #WestsTrial

Smith ended his questioning. #WestsTrial

Castillo has been excused. #WestsTrial

To be clear Barton is talking about the first interview with the eldest boy on Dec 22 when she texted to Castillo she thought the boy was lying about the parents not abusing them. Then in the Dec. 28th interview the same child tells the abuse and Orrin dying story.

JW is the one to state the boy is lying about the abuse in a police interview.

 

[cuffem]

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

And I feel that KGET should not include a question in a tweet that was struck and omitted. I do not type these.

 

[PommyMommy]

To be clear Barton is talking about the first interview with the eldest boy on Dec 22 when she texted to Castillo she thought the boy was lying about the parents not abusing them. Then in the Dec. 28th interview the same child tells the abuse and Orrin dying story.

JW is the one to state the boy is lying about the abuse in a police interview.

Thank you for the clarification. They should have noted the dates. So glad we have you here to provide context! MOO

 

[cuffem]

Thank you for the clarification. They should have noted the dates. So glad we have you here to provide context! MOO

Stallings had me so confused about this in her questioning I had to go back and look. Sometimes she starts with a question not fully finishing it before jumping to something else and I have no idea what she is talking about.

I was lost on Armstrongs testimony on the lights/ and reflector lights on a car or van. They lost me on that one. I could not see the pic or video they were discussing so that is why.

 

[mickey2942]

If this is as good as the defense is going to get...slam dunk so far.

 

[cuffem]

May 9 2023
Antonio Rodriguez is on the stand reading the transcript for the eldest child.(11 at the time)Court transcript.
Going over right from wrong
Do you recognize DMV photo. Yes my mom
Computer work with mom for homeschool
Do you recognize DMV photo. Yes my dad TW
He is smart
Are your other brothers well behaved. Yes
Describes what brothers are like
One would get in trouble.
Talking about Bakersfield apt. Describe it.
Photo of children in front of computer. School room.
It is at apt in Bakersfield
Homeschooled is a choice not covid
Naming children in photo
Orrin and Orson would be in the other sleeping room.
Photo of his drawing of the room at the apt.
Listing who slept in that room including Orson.
Shows beds
Bed on floor to keep our bodies in straight shape (?)
Orson slept in crib
Photo of Orrin West,
He would cry a lot for no reason. Did it for a long time
Parents would put him in time out in his room.
Photo of Orson, did not cry as much
Pic of kids at table eating, at apt.
Highchairs for Orrin and Orson. (why?)
Describe move to Cal City home
Playroom, tv room
Did not play much outside backyard.
Pic of Cal City home at Christmas time2020
Pic of schoolroom and had room to play in room.
# other brothers in school room
He used Kindle, watch devices. Laptop for school ( I previously said he had iPad )
I made something like a Zoom meeting and locked it
Next pic of playroom with TW outside with dog looking into yard with gate
Dogs lived in shed. skateboard on concrete.
Looking at watch, used to be dads
He thinks it is at Grandmas
Pic his room with bunkbed his dad made after they moved in Cal City
He slept on top, Another child middle, Orrin on bottom
Mattress was on buns that they used in Bakersfield
Another pic of room with bunkbeds
Names all family that moved
Met realtor with all boys and parents
Bug guy sprayed rooms,
We had a box van
O/O sat in back
Do you know where they are? No.
Last time saw dropped off at Grandmas few days before Christmas
Did you see Orrin sleeping on bottom bunk. No.
Did you see Orson in other room sleeping No. I did not go in there.
Do you remember talking to Police and what they asked. No.
Do you remember Ms. Barton? No.
Do you remember telling them about Orrin being sick. In Bakersfield
Heard gagging sound at night.
Went to sleep woke up went to school
In morning what did he look like.
I did not look.
Parents went in there.
Heard nothing.
Does not remember what parents told you? No.
Parents went in to wake up O/O
I do not remember
Did not see Orrin. Dont know where Grandmas.
She lived in apt. Casa Loma
Child video played with Hanson
That is me in video
Orrin was taken to Grandmas before Christmas but brought him back to Cal City before Christmas
He was gone awhile
The 4 boys stayed at Grandma Wests house.
Miss Mary told us O/O were missing.
I do not remember talk with LE
5 times talked to police
Do not remember what he told them about Orrin
Did you talk with Dad about Orrin missing. No.
Did not talk to parents about O/O
Did not tell parents what was said to police.
Do you remember saying you had not seen O/O in weeks. No.
Do you remember you said they were in the van. Yes
Where they in the van? I don't know.
I do not know who Ms. Barton is.
Judge reading instructions to child from previous court transcript

 

[mickey2942]

My heart just aches hearing about the treatment these babies went through. They needed to be held and rocked. Not left in a room to cry.

 

[cuffem]

( I am lost as to the reading of this transcript. It is same child different testimony in court )
( This is going very very fast and is transcript reading of court testimony on video being played in court.)
Mr. Rodrigues reading transcript of in court testimony with child.
Do you remember conversation about Orrin with Parents. No
Orrin was on the floor.
Parents said went to Grandma Mary's same apts.
Did you ask where he was. No. I do not know why.
Parents told him Orrin had died.
( why are we going over what was already said in court? )
When did Grandma Wanda come out. Do not remember
She watched 4 boys in Cal City during move .
Where is Orson? At Grandmas. Parents told him.
When Grandma Wanda was there Orson was not there.
Diapers for O/O another child occasionally
Describe drink issue with O/O
Orrin drank 2 bottles
Parents made bottles for O/O
Same night as Orrin gagging in sleep
Orson bed was bottom bunk (????????????????????????????????)
Did brothers where is Orrin? No.
How did you feel there was a bed there for Orson but he was not there? Like he would come back.
( Going way to fast for me )
Do you remember Grandma Maria come to Cal City. No
Saw parents in interview in front of house on news
Yes, I saw dad lie about it.+++++++++++++++++++++++++++
He was telling story on TV
Who took you to Wandas Dec2020 Parents 3 other brothers.
Do you currently have visits with parents. Yes all 4.
Parents said they took care of Orrin. Not sure what it meant.
Heard bump in night in Cal City. In hallway.
Orson was there day before not day after.
He never asked about bump.
Parents said Orson was at Grandma Marias
Did you think it strange? No.
Have you tried best to give info on O/O? Yes,
Who was teaching that day after disappearance. Mom.
Do not remember parentsr holding O/O down? No.
Wanda brought McDonalds on floor in Casa Loma
Orrins skin looked dry. Could not tell breathing.
Yes heard gaging sound before.
Strange seeing vomit when he came back from homeschool.
Did you see Orrin move? No.
Vomit was white
Relationship good with dad
Pretty soon after Orrin died Orson was gone+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
End transcript
15 min. break

 

[cuffem]

Reading of transcripts was fast for me to get everything. It might not make much sense but the tweets will help.
Why are they reading a transcript of testimony already said in court? They are going over the most damning parts where the child tells of the abuse and death of Orrin an no longer seeing Orson.

How is this helping there case ? They are only reinforcing what the boy saw and that is not good for the parents.
This tactic by the defense could backfire on them, IMO!

I apologize if my notes look bad, trying my best. Hard to do when they were reading a transcript of testimony said in court about playing a video of an interview.

 

[cuffem]

Back from break
Stallings is playing video of Childs interview with Hanson Dec 22 2020
Do not remember how long O/O was at the house.
Orson went to grandmas after we moved.
Orrin
Passing it out transcripts and playing another video Dec 28 2020 Barton interview
When you saw Orrin in bed do you remember what you smelled?
Tell me about smell. Could not tell what.
Dad said nothing
Big van for all kids and family
Do you think my parents have enough food? There is police tape around house, they can not get food.
Next recording
They can go where they want.
Dad can make bread.
Did you ever run out of food? No we have lots of food in garage.
Supposed to be at Grandmas for 5 to spend time
Does Grandma know what happened? No.
Do I still get a toy?
Did you not do Christmas? ( Did not hear answer )
Do you need another toy? ( leaves room)
Concludes videos
Lunch early
Long lunch today (court business)
1:45

Judge said we are getting to the end of trial.

 

[cuffem]

I really feel the going over of what was already said and played previously in court is a waste of time.
I am sure it is so the forensic interviewer interviewer (Dr. Sarah Napolito) can come in a pick it apart but why not just play it then while she is discussing it?

 

[PommyMommy]

Morning Testimony, Part 1
DAY NINETEEN - May 9, 2023
https://twitter.com/KGETnews

We're on the 19th day of trial in the case against Trezell and Jacqueline West. The entire grand jury testimony of the Wests' eldest child is going to be read into the record, with attorneys and the judge reading different parts. #WestsTrial

Attorney R. L. Hutchison is reading the responses of the child, while Fatima Rodriguez, one of the attorneys representing Jacqueline West, is reading the responses of the interviewer. #WestsTrial

The boy said he went to 1st grade and then was home-schooled. He identified a photo of Jacqueline West as his mother and said she taught him. He identified a photo of his father and said he's "nice, and smart." #WestsTrial

The boy listed his other brothers, including Orrin and Orson. The interviewer asked about his brothers getting into trouble and how they were disciplined. #WestsTrial

The boy said they had lived in an apartment in Bakersfield near Casa Loma Elementary. #WestsTrial

The boy said Orrin and Orson would be in the room where all the boys slept together while the other children were home-schooled. #WestsTrial

The boy said "we all had a bed on a floor," a mattress with a pillow. They all slept on the mattresses on the floor except for Orson, who slept in the crib, he said. #WestsTrial

The boy identified photos of Orrin and Orson. He said Orrin would cry a lot for no reason. He said his parents would place him in a room in "time out" when he cried. #WestsTrial

He said he doesn't remember how long they lived in Bakersfield. He said he doesn't know why they moved, but they went to California City. #WestsTrial

The boy identified photos of rooms in the Cal City home. He talked about how he and his brothers with the exception of Orrin and Orson would go to a school room where they were home-schooled. #WestsTrial

A video was played for the boy and he said he made it using Zoom and some of his other brothers were in it. #WestsTrial

The boy said he watch used to be his dad's but he gave it to him. He said he thinks it's at his grandmother's house now, he doesn't have it. #WestsTrial

The boy described the bunk beds put together by his father, Trezell West. He said he made them after they moved in. He described the bunks used by him, another child and Orson. #WestsTrial

The boy said another room is for two of his other brothers and Orrin. He said "all of us" moved to the house -- including Orrin and Orson. #WestsTrial

He said all of them were there when the pest control guy sprayed. #WestsTrial

"No," the boy said when asked if he knows where Orrin and Orson are. He said they were both in the van when the rest of the children were dropped off at their grandmother's a few days before Christmas (according to previous testimony this was on Dec. 19, 2020). #WestsTrial

Asked about previously saying he saw Orrin was sick, the boy said he heard gagging one night from Orrin. He said he went to bed, then the next morning he and 3 of his brothers went to their laptops. #WestsTrial

The boy said his parents went and checked on Orrin. They were there a while then came out and spoke with him, he said. He said he doesn't remember what they told him. #WestsTrial

He said he forgets what happened but didn't see Orrin later and thinks he went to his grandmother's house. #WestsTrial

The boy said they moved to Cal City "a little while after Orrin was dropped off." He said he next saw him a few days before Christmas. #WestsTrial

The boy said they brought Orrin back a few days before Christmas. He said he thinks his dad went to pick him up. He said Orrin was at his grandmother's (Jacqueline's mother's) for a while. #WestsTrial

He said he found out the boys were missing a few days before Christmas. He said he doesn't remember what he told police. #WestsTrial

The boy said he doesn't remember what he previously said about Orrin and Orson. #WestsTrial

A video of the boy's interview with Cal City police Officer Brian Hansen was played for the boy. He said he told Hansen he hadn't seen Orrin or Orson for weeks because they got dropped off at grandma's house. #WestsTrial

The boy talked again about hearing Orrin gagging one night. He said his parents never talked with him about it and he doesn't know about Orrin being sick. #WestsTrial

They played the video of the boy telling a social worker his parents told him Orrin had died. He said they asked him if they should tell anyone. He said Orrin was on the floor. #WestsTrial

Asked about when his grandmother on his father's side watched them in Cal City as they moved, the boy said only he and the three other boys were present, not Orrin and Orson. #WestsTrial

The interviewer asked how he felt about having a bed for Orson in his room even though he knew he wasn't there. "Like he would come back," the boy said. #WestsTrial

The boy told the grand jury he heard a bump in the night in the Cal City home and Orson wasn't there the next day. #WestsTrial

The boy talked again about Orrin, and how his color was "fading," his skin seemed dry, the night after he heard him gagging. He said there was vomit. #WestsTrial

Orrin was motionless, according to the boy's testimony. He said Orson disappeared about a week and four days later. #WestsTrial

They're done reading the transcript and court is in recess for 15 minutes. #WestsTrial

 

[PommyMommy]

Morning Testimony, Part 2
DAY NINETEEN - May 9, 2023
https://twitter.com/KGETnews

Back in session. Alekxia Torres Stallings, lead counsel for Jacqueline West, is going to play several videos. #WestsTrial

The first video is of Officer Brian Hansen interviewing the eldest son on Dec. 22, 2020. #WestsTrial

The next videos are from interviews with the eldest child on Dec. 28, 2020. Social worker Sunya Barton asks him what he smelled when Orrin had died. He says he didn't smell anything. #WestsTrial

A minute later he says he did smell something but couldn't tell what it was. #WestsTrial

The boy asks the social worker if his parents have enough food because there is police tape surrounding the house. #WestsTrial

That video has ended and another one is about to be played. #WestsTrial

Court is breaking for lunch early, won't return until 1:45 p.m. Judge Charles R. Brehmer said they're getting close to the end of the trial. #WestsTrial