Following the preliminary hearing, the judge in the case of missing Chula Vista mom Maya Millete will determine if her husband Larry Millete will stand trial.
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LIVE BLOG: Thursday, Jan 19 (Day 6)--PM:
NOTE: Judge may order the camera to turn off during certain parts of the hearing (e.g. sidebar). Refresh this story for live updates from the courtroom detailed below.
3 p.m.: Court returns from recess. Kristeen Timmers, Maya's co-worker and good friend of 10 years, returns to the stand. The prosecution continues asking questions.
2:45 p.m.: Court takes a 15-minute break.
2:44 p.m.: Timmers testified that Larry and Maya's relationship clearly deteriorated between July and December 2020. She testified that in July, Maya expressed that she moved back in with Larry because she still loved him, since he's the father of their three children.
Moving forward from that point, Timmers testified that Maya moved more and more towards the divorce option. During a December 2020 meal between friends, Larry repeatedly called Maya. His calls became more frequent as the night progressed, and Maya told him she was wrapping up, according to Timmers' testimony.
Maya disclosed to her friends at that meal she had started seeing a therapist to help her process her emotions surrounding her worsening marriage.
"And through tears, she said 'I'm afraid that Larry will hurt the kids to hurt me,'" Timmers testified.
Timmers says this is the first time she had seen Maya cry. She also said they were all surprised that the situation was that drastic.
The meal with friends ended after they had gotten annoyed with Larry's frequent phone calls.
"So, she's like, I gotta go... We were all just shocked that she would say that," Timmers testified.
"Why? Why were you shocked?" the prosecution asked.
"Because it talked about hurting the kids," she replied.
Timmers then said the children's safety was Maya's number one concern in her decision to move forward with the divorce.
When Maya shared her concerns about potentially losing the house and paying alimony plus child support times three, Timmers said she and the other friends supported Maya, telling her she would make it and be fine.
"Your happiness is worth it. The kids will be fine," Timmers remembered telling Maya.
The prosecution said it is moving to another topic, and the judge called for a brief recess.
2:30 p.m.: The prosecution shows exhibits of Facebook photos in court, asking Timmers if she recognizes the posts. She says yes. The pictures included a photo with her, Maya and another friend. Some of the pictures also showed Timmers with Maya's children, as well as screenshots of text conversations between her and Maya.
The prosecution also asked about the time Maya lived with her younger brother in May 2020, when her and Larry's marriage soured.
Timmers testified that Maya expressed concerns about the tension in her marriage around that time. She spoke positively about Maya's relationship with her children as well.
The prosecution showed more screenshots of text conversations between Maya and Timmers, specifically from August 2020. Maya stated she had been firmly asking for a separartion, and if Larry was not willing to be amicable, then she would just file for divorce.
Timmers also testified about how Maya was angry that Larry took control over the family's finances, including how he took safe investments and moved the money into cryptocurrencies. That conversation took place around Oct. 2020, but Timmers wasn't 100% certain about the timing of that in-person conversation.
2:05 p.m.: Timmers testified that at some point Larry had gotten into Maya's social media accounts. Timmers says Larry would message her off of those accounts as if it were Maya writing the notes. Other times, he'd identify and say it was him sending messaging off off Maya's account, Timmers testified.
1:45 p.m.: Kristeen Timmers, Maya's co-worker and good friend of 10 years, takes the stand. The prosecution begins its line of questioning.
1:30 p.m.: Session resumes after lunch break.
LIVE BLOG: Thursday, Jan 19 (Day 6)--PM continued.
4:15 p.m.: The defense asks Timmers if there was any time during Dec. 2020 or Jan. 2021 that Maya said she just wanted to run away.
"No, I don't remember," she replied.
Martinez then asked if it was true in Dec. 2020 that Maya was not having a good relationship with her in laws.
"I don't know," Timmers said on the stand.
4:11 p.m.: Timmers testified that Maya told her she needed to get through the weekend of Jan. 8 through Jan. 10, 2021. She said Maya wanted a happy birthday weekend for her children during the Big Bear trip, and Maya's divorce appointment was scheduled for the Tuesday after the trip.
When Martinez asked Timmers if she knew why Maya was angry at Larry on May 7, 2020, the judge again reminded the defense to stay on relevant topics.
"Every little thing that occurred in March and May is not relevant to these proceedings," the judge said.
4:03 p.m.: Timmers testified that earlier in the marriage, Larry was a typical husband who had a sense of humor. When asked, she confirmed that Larry made jokes about how Maya was his "sugar mama."
The defense asked Timmers about the statements she made to police on Jan. 19, 2021. Timmers confirmed she didn't notice any major negative interactions between Larry and Maya.
Timmers went on to say that Maya told her that the subliminal messages Larry sent her angered Maya, but she believed they did not damage Maya emotionally or psychologically.
"No, she was just angry about it," Timmers testified.
The defense asked if Maya was scared of Larry.
"She was just scared of him hurting the children... That was toward the end of the year," Timmers testified.
"Did she explain what she meant by that?" defense attorney Bonita Martinez asked.
"No, she stated it simply," Timmers replied.
3:55 p.m.: Throughout the beginning of cross examination, the judge interrupted the defense attorney several times, saying the line of questioning was not relevant or that the witness had already gone over the details at length during direct examination.
3:46 p.m.: The defense begins its cross examination of Kristeen Timmers, Maya's co-worker and good friend of 10 years.
Defense attorney Bonita Martinez asked Timmers about when she first noticed problems with Maya and Larry's marriage. She said early 2020, but when Martinez asked about Larry's overbearing behavior, she testified that he'd always been like that.
Martinez asked if Maya and the group of friends would go to brunch and drink regularly. Timmers said they would do it occasionally, but when Martinez asked more questions about alcohol, she said Maya was not much of a drinker.
3:32 p.m.: Timmers testified that Maya talked about future plans in 2021, including plans to coordinate events for all of their boys' birthdays. Maya also spoke about a Hawaii trip, and Timmers testified she and the other girls made a side text chain to discuss that potential trip.
They discussed it, saying they would go to Hawaii if it were a girls' trip, but if it were a family trip, they wouldn't go. Their reasoning was that Maya would be miserable if Larry was there too.
"If Larry came along and it was a family trip, we just didn't want to be part of that," Timmers testified.
Timmers said she communicated with Maya everyday before Jan. 7, 2021. She also said she has not seen or heard from Maya since Jan. 7, 2021.
The prosecution finished asking this witness questions.
3:27 p.m.: The prosecution asked Timmers about another text thread, this time from Jan. 8, 2021. Timmers sent a message to Maya, saying she needs to check her door for packages since she sent a gift to her home via Amazon.
Maya did not respond to the text about the packages.
The prosecution also asked about a Facebook group chat, in which Maya sent messages to the group on Jan. 7, 2021. The group chat was comprised of Maya's work friends.
In that group chat, Maya shared that Larry wanted 100% custody of the kids. Timmers testified that Maya would never agree to that. Maya also texted about the division of assets.
Timmers testified that she told Maya to give him whatever he wants, expect for the kids and family. She explained that she told Maya that because that was important to her.
3:15 p.m.: Timmers testified that the brunch on Dec. 27, 2020, was the last time she saw Maya. During that brunch, Maya told them about the upcoming Glamis trip. Timmers said she and Maya were still communicating daily, mostly through a Messenger group.
Timmers testified she remembered messaging Maya on Jan. 6, 2021. Timmers sifted through a binder containing lengthy text messages between her and Maya from that day before the prosecution asked her more questions.
Timmers said Maya was telling her that Larry was threatening to open an investigation that was previously unfounded. Maya also sent a text saying she was no longer interested in trying to make it work.
Maya said the couple was in a dark place, and she sent screenshots of text conversations between her and Larry to Timmers, Timmers said on the stand.
The text messages also showed that Maya said she still couldn't get the safe open, and she shared more worries about her finances.
"You'll see the light soon enough, the decision to divorce is the hardest part," Timmers' text to Maya said.
"I really hope so," Maya replied in the thread.
"Yes, there will be better days ahead," Timmers replied.
Timmers said that was the last iMessage she sent Maya that day.
3:06 p.m.: Timmers testifies that she and Maya went to brunch with another friend, Ally, on Dec. 27, 2020. She said they talked about the status of Maya's relationship with Larry, and Maya told them she was moving more and more towards divorce.
Maya said she needed to find money, since Larry was controlling the finances. Timmers testified that Maya's salary was over six figures, and Maya had always made more money than Larry since she had known the couple.
Timmers testified that she and Ally told Maya not to worry about money, and that they would have her back. Maya had also mentioned to them her sisters were starting to financially support her. At this point, Maya said she was starting to put cash away whenever she could.
Following the preliminary hearing, the judge in the case of missing Chula Vista mom Maya Millete will determine if her husband Larry Millete will stand trial.
www.10news.com
Timmers said she communicated with Maya everyday before Jan. 7, 2021. She also said she has not seen or heard from Maya since Jan. 7, 2021.
The prosecution finished asking this witness questions.
3:27 p.m.: The prosecution asked Timmers about another text thread, this time from Jan. 8, 2021. Timmers sent a message to Maya, saying she needs to check her door for packages since she sent a gift to her home via Amazon.
Maya did not respond to the text about the packages.
The prosecution also asked about a Facebook group chat, in which Maya sent messages to the group on Jan. 7, 2021. The group chat was comprised of Maya's work friends.
In that group chat, Maya shared that Larry wanted 100% custody of the kids. Timmers testified that Maya would never agree to that. Maya also texted about the division of assets.
Timmers testified that she told Maya to give him whatever he wants, expect for the kids and family. She explained that she told Maya that because that was important to her.
3:15 p.m.: Timmers testified that the brunch on Dec. 27, 2020, was the last time she saw Maya. During that brunch, Maya told them about the upcoming Glamis trip. Timmers said she and Maya were still communicating daily, mostly through a Messenger group.
Timmers said she communicated with Maya everyday before Jan. 7, 2021. She also said she has not seen or heard from Maya since Jan. 7, 2021.
The prosecution finished asking this witness questions.
3:27 p.m.: The prosecution asked Timmers about another text thread, this time from Jan. 8, 2021. Timmers sent a message to Maya, saying she needs to check her door for packages since she sent a gift to her home via Amazon.
Maya did not respond to the text about the packages.
The prosecution also asked about a Facebook group chat, in which Maya sent messages to the group on Jan. 7, 2021. The group chat was comprised of Maya's work friends.
In that group chat, Maya shared that Larry wanted 100% custody of the kids. Timmers testified that Maya would never agree to that. Maya also texted about the division of assets.
Timmers testified that she told Maya to give him whatever he wants, expect for the kids and family. She explained that she told Maya that because that was important to her.
3:15 p.m.: Timmers testified that the brunch on Dec. 27, 2020, was the last time she saw Maya. During that brunch, Maya told them about the upcoming Glamis trip. Timmers said she and Maya were still communicating daily, mostly through a Messenger group.