CA - Orson & Orrin West (3&4), MEDIA, MAPS & TIMELINE - NO DISCUSSION

[PommyMommy]

MAY 1, 2023

West Trial Day 14: Three of the Wests' sons testify​

On day 14 of the West trial, the jury heard from the other boys living in Trezell and Jacqueline's home, a neighbor of the Wests, a foster child who used to live with the Wests six years ago, and two of Trezell and Jacqueline's adopted sons.

[...]

The jury was shown body camera footage of interviews with two of the Wests' adopted sons. The 10-year-old told the officer Orrin went to his Mom's Grandma's house, but did not know where Orson went. The other child didn’t know if Orin or Orson went to California City.

He said they were not living with them anymore because they cried a lot. He said his Mom and Dad told him they went to live where they used to live. This was before they moved.

In the body camera footage interview, the second oldest son said Orrin and Orson were at the California City home just one day. He didn’t know where they went. ...

[...]

 

[PommyMommy]

Morning Testimony, Part 1
DAY FIFTEEN - May 2, 2023
https://twitter.com/KGETnews

The trial of Trezell and Jacqueline West has resumed with the Wests' 9-year-old biological son back on the witness stand. He's being cross-examined by Alekxia Torres Stallings, lead counsel for Jacqueline West. #WestsTrial

A sidebar has been called. #WestsTrial

The sidebar was called after prosecutor Eric Smith objected to Torres Stallings asking the boy where he lives now. #WestsTrial

The attorneys and judge are back and the child is testifying to the people he lives with. #WestsTrial

Torres Stallings is asking if others in the home have talked about his parents. He said no but he has seen them on TV. #WestsTrial

He said he saw them on TV once, a long time ago. #WestsTrial

The boy has talked about sleeping arrangements. He said he and some of his brothers were in the Cal City home for a "long time," but he couldn't remember how long Orrin and Orson were there. #WestsTrial

The boy said Orrin and Orson would be at the dining room table and eat there with the rest of the family. #WestsTrial

Torres Stallings has finished her questioning. On redirect, prosecutor Eric Smith asked who disciplined him and his brothers. He said no, and doesn't remember who disciplined Orrin and Orson. #WestsTrial

The boy confirmed that when asked how long Orrin and Orson lived at the Cal City home he said he didn't know. #WestsTrial

On re-cross, the boy said his father would sometimes talk to him when he made a mistake, like running in the house. The boy has been excused. #WestsTrial

 

[PommyMommy]

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

The next witness will be using a Spanish language interpreter. #WestsTrial

After this witness it's expected the Wests' eldest biological son will take the stand. #WestsTrial

Maria Cardenas Flores has been called to the stand. She knows Maria Martinez, Jacqueline West's mother. Has known her 20 years. #WestsTrial

Flores testified in December 2020 she lived at a home on Oakdale Drive. She said she doesn't recall giving items like a shelf and lumber to Trezell and Jacqueline West, doesn't remember them coming to her home. #WestsTrial

Smith asked if the Wests stayed at her home at some time in 2021. She said they slept over at a section "all the way in the back." They stayed there about a month, then the police came and took them out, Flores said. #WestsTrial

Smith is asking about the garage. She said she stores personal things there. Smith ended his questioning. #WestsTrial

Fatima Rodriguez, one of the attorneys representing Jacqueline West, has begun cross-examination. #WestsTrial

Flores agreed she let the Wests stay in her home as a favor to Jacqueline's mother. She said she never spoke with them about the case. The Wests slept in their car on her residence, didn't stay inside the house itself. #WestsTrial

Flores said she remembers Jacqueline and her mother coming to her house to get a bookshelf but it didn't fit in their van. She said she didn't help them put the bookshelf in the van. Under questioning by Rodriguez, she said she didn't look in the van. #WestsTrial

Rodriguez ended her questioning. Flores has been excused. #WestsTrial

 

[PommyMommy]

Morning Testimony, Part 3
DAY FIFTEEN - May 2, 2023
https://twitter.com/KGETnews

The Wests' eldest biological son has been called to the stand. This is the child who Smith said told police he saw Orrin die at the apartment in Bakersfield. #WestsTrial

He's 12 years old and is in 7th grade. #WestsTrial

The boy said science is his favorite subject. He said sometimes he plays with his brothers. #WestsTrial

The boy pointed out Trezell West and said that's his father, and Jacqueline West and said she's his mother. #WestsTrial

The boy testified he remembers the apartment they lived at in Bakersfield. He said he remembers moving to Cal City. #WestsTrial

He said all his brothers slept in the same room. They had mattresses on the floor. #WestsTrial

Smith showed the boy a drawing the boy had made. The boy said he made it to show the sleeping arrangements of him and and his brothers at the apartment. #WestsTrial

Orrin slept next to one of the other adopted children, and Orson also slept next to another of the Wests' adopted children, the boy said. He said the mattresses went with them to Cal City. #WestsTrial

The boy said he didn't see Orrin or Orson being disciplined. He said his father spanked him if he did something bad. He said his father usually used his hand. He didn't see him spank Orrin or Orson. #WestsTrial

Smith showed the boy a photo. The boy said his dad made it and it was kept for self defense. It's a stick. #WestsTrial

Shown another photo, the boy said he believes it's the apartment where they lived. He said his parents bought a home in Cal City in 2020. #WestsTrial

The boy said he was excited his parents bought a home in Cal City. He said he doesn't remember how many rooms it had or how big it was. #WestsTrial

The boy recognized the house when Smith showed him a photo. #WestsTrial

The boy said "everybody" moved to the Cal City house, including Orrin and Orson. #WestsTrial

The boy said he remembers an incident in Bakersfield where Orrin threw up. He doesn't remember when it happened or what time of day. He believes it was morning. #WestsTrial

The boy said he saw Orrin throwing up. He said he's not sure what happened to Orrin. He said he doesn't remember much about it. #WestsTrial

The boy said he saw vomit. He said he's not really sure what he meant when he told police Orrin's color was fading. #WestsTrial

The boy said he's not sure if Orrin was taken somewhere while they were in the apartment in Bakersfield. #WestsTrial

Shown a picture of his room in Cal City, the boy said he slept in the top bunk, his biological brother slept in the middle and he believes Orson slept in the bottom bunk. He said he's not sure if Orrin or Orson slept in the bottom. #WestsTrial

The boy said he was home-schooled in Cal City. #WestsTrial

Smith showed a photo of what the boy said was their school room. He said he and 3 of his brothers went to the school room, not Orrin and Orson. #WestsTrial

The boy said around Christmas 2020 he remembers going to his grandmother's house. He said he doesn't remember who drove him or who was in the van. He said he remembers the police coming to his grandmother's house and being questioned. #WestsTrial

The boy said he tried to tell police the truth. #WestsTrial

Smith is going to play the videos of the boy's interview with police. #WestsTrial

The boy said he recognizes himself in the videos. Transcripts of the interview are being handed out to the jury. #WestsTrial

The video is playing. The boy was 10 at the time. #WestsTrial

The boy says he knows the difference between a lie and the truth. #WestsTrial

If he does something wrong at home "we get talked to by dad," the boy says. #WestsTrial

The boy says he knows it's wrong to hurt or kill someone. He says he knows it's against the law and "it's just wrong because why would you want to kill somebody?" #WestsTrial

The boy says he likes being at home and has a bunch of toys. #WestsTrial

He says Orrin and Orson weren't with them when they got dropped off at his grandmother's house. He doesn't know where they got dropped off but said his parents dropped them off a while ago. #WestsTrial

He says it was weeks ago. #WestsTrial

The boy says his parents told him they were dropping Orrin and Orson off at their grandparents' house. #WestsTrial

The boy says they haven't talked to Orrin or Orson. He says he doesn't know why they went to their grandparents' house. He says he liked Orrin and Orson but they were sort of annoying because they cried a lot. #WestsTrial

The boy says Orrin and Orson went to the Cal City house with them. #WestsTrial

The boy has clarified his answer and says Orrin went to his grandmother's house before they moved to Cal City, and Orson went after they moved. #WestsTrial

The video is over. #WestsTrial

Smith is continuing to question the boy. #WestsTrial

The boy he doesn't remember telling the officer the boys had been gone for weeks. #WestsTrial

He said he remembers "a little bit" talking with another person after the officer. He said he doesn't remember what type of questions she asked. #WestsTrial

The interview the boy had with that person will be played by Smith. #WestsTrial

Transcripts are being provided to the jury. The video is about 20 minutes long. #WestsTrial

The video has begun. A woman enters the frame and says she'll be interviewing the boy, and gives the time and date. #WestsTrial

The woman leaves, then returns with the boy, who takes a seat on a chair while the woman sits on a couch. #WestsTrial

The woman asks him to tell her about his dog, which he does. He gives descriptions of the 3 dogs. #WestsTrial

The boy talks about being at his grandmother's house. He says his parents dropped him off at his grandmother's house on the 19th. #WestsTrial

The woman asks where Orrin and Orson are. The boy says at their grandmother's house. He says they went there "before this month." #WestsTrial

He says his parents told him the boys were at their grandparents' house. He says the boys weren't around for Thanksgiving or Halloween. He says he believes they left after they moved. #WestsTrial

The boy says he doesn't remember what month they moved to Cal City. #WestsTrial

The boy says Orrin and Orson were around for his birthday in June, and were there in July for one of his brother's birthdays. #WestsTrial

He says Orrin and Orson went to their grandmother's house "a couple of days after we moved." #WestsTrial

The boy says he hasn't seen Orrin or Orson since then. He says his parents didn't tell him how long the boys were going to stay with their grandmother. #WestsTrial

The woman stops out of the room. #WestsTrial

She returns and continues asking questions. #WestsTrial

The boy agrees it's long time for Orrin and Orson to be at the grandmother's house. He says his parents didn't say why the boys went there. #WestsTrial

"Why do you think I'm asking you questions about Orson and Orrin?" the woman asks. "I don't know," the boy says. #WestsTrial

The woman finishes questioning him and they leave the room. Smith stopped the video. Court is in recess for 15 minutes. #WestsTrial

 

[PommyMommy]

Morning Testimony, Part 4
DAY FIFTEEN - May 2, 2023
https://twitter.com/KGETnews

Court is back in session with the 12-year-old boy back on the stand. #WestsTrial

He's still being questioned by prosecutor Eric Smith. #WestsTrial

The boy said he doesn't really remember that much, doesn't really remember Orrin and Orson going to their grandmother's. #WestsTrial

The boy said he doesn't remember what his parents told him about Orrin and Orson coming back. Smith is asking the child to look at the transcript of the interview and what he said back then. #WestsTrial

The boy said his parents told him Orrin and Orson would return after spending time at the grandmother's house. #WestsTrial

Smith is directing the boy to another part of the transcript and asking him to read it. #WestsTrial

The boy said he was asked to put a time as to when Orrin and Orson went to their grandmother's, and he said it happened a couple days after they moved. #WestsTrial

The boy read another part of the transcript at Smith's behest. He said his answer when asked if he had seen the boys after they went to their grandmother's was "no." #WestsTrial

Smith is going to play a video of a second interview the boy had with the woman. The first interview occurred Dec. 22, 2020, the second on Dec. 28, 2020. #WestsTrial

Attorney Timothy Hennessy has asked for a sidebar and the judge and attorneys are leaving the room. #WestsTrial

They have returned. The video will be played. Transcripts are being passed out. #WestsTrial

The video is playing. The boy enters the same room as before and has a seat in the chair while the woman who previously interviewed him has a seat on the couch. #WestsTrial

The boy says he's been crying because he's been taken away from his parents. He says it's because Orrin and Orson are missing. #WestsTrial

He says Orrin choked while he was sleeping. He says it happened at the apartment they lived at in Bakersfield. #WestsTrial

The boy says Orrin was throwing up. The next morning his parents found Orrin, he says. His parents told him about it and asked him if they should keep it a secret. #WestsTrial

Orrin had taken Orson's drink. Nothing happened to him, they just went to bed, the boy says. He says he saw Orrin the next morning. #WestsTrial

The boy says Orrin was on his belly in the morning and they realized he had choked when his parents tried to wake him up. #WestsTrial

The boy says his parents were crying when they told him about Orrin. #WestsTrial

The boy says Orrin's color was "fading" when he saw him. He says his parents asked him if they should call an ambulance and he told them no because his parents said he would be taken away. #WestsTrial

The boy says he doesn't know what happened to Orrin after that. He says his parents told the other boys Orrin went to their grandmother's to keep it a secret from the others. The boy says he touched Orrin's body and it was cold. #WestsTrial

The boy says Orson went to Cal City with them. He says he thinks Orrin died a week before they moved, and that Orson was taken to his grandmother's house 4 days after the move. #WestsTrial

He says Orson never came back. He says he was asleep when his parents took Orson. #WestsTrial

The boy says sometimes his parents used their hands to smack the boys, or a "paddlestick." He says he got hit with it once, everyone got hit with it. He says they deserved it. #WestsTrial

One of the children -- not Orrin or Orson -- was forced to take cold showers if he peed while sleeping, the boy says. #WestsTrial

The boy says his parents chopped up Orrin's food using a blender then put it in a bottle. They didn't want him chewing with his mouth open, he says. Orrin later stole Orson's drink, then they went to bed, the boy says. #WestsTrial

The boy says his parents told Orson to punch Orrin for stealing the drink. He says he thinks Orson punched Orrin but he wasn't there. #WestsTrial

Then they all went to sleep and he heard noises but thought it was normal because Orrin and Orson always made noises, the boy says. Orrin was dead the next day. #WestsTrial

The woman steps out of the room. #WestsTrial

The woman returns. The boy says he doesn't know what his parents did with Orrin. #WestsTrial

The woman is asking him about the placements of the beds in the room. #WestsTrial

The boy says he was excited when they moved to the new house in California City. He says there was a bunk bed for Orrin in the house because his parents didn't want to let the others know what had happened to him. #WestsTrial

The woman gets a water for the boy and asks more questions. #WestsTrial

The boy talks about wondering why the police showed up to his grandmother's house. He says he thought the "original parents" called police because they thought something happened to Orrin and Orson. #WestsTrial

The boy says he saw Orson months ago. The video has ended. Court is in recess until 1:35 p.m. #WestsTrial

 

[PommyMommy]

Afternoon Testimony, Part 1
DAY FIFTEEN - May 2, 2023
https://twitter.com/KGETnews

The trial of Trezell and Jacqueline West is back in session with the Wests' eldest child on the stand being questioned by prosecutor Eric Smith. #WestsTrial

With Smith referring him to the transcript of the interview played before the afternoon break, the boy said Orrin choked and there was vomit coming out of his mouth. #WestsTrial

The boy said he had gone to school room and came back and his mom and dad were in the room. He said he's not sure if his parents said anything about Orrin. He said he doesn't remember what happened next. #WestsTrial

"Probably, yeah," the boy said when asked if he was scared. He said he, his parents and Orson were in the room. #WestsTrial

The boy said he doesn't recall having a conversation with his parents about calling an ambulance. #WestsTrial

After looking at the transcript, the boy said he didn't think an ambulance should be called because the police would show up. "I was scared of losing my family," he said. #WestsTrial

He said he was afraid he and his brothers would be removed from the home. #WestsTrial

The boy said his parents told him it was a possibility they would be removed. He said they agreed to keep Orrin's death a secret but doesn't remember much about it. #WestsTrial

He said he didn't tell his other brothers what had happened. "I didn't want them to be scare," he said. He said his parents told him Orrin was dead. #WestsTrial

Asked if his parents tried to revive Orrin, perform CPR, he said "I believe it was something like that." He said they didn't call 911. They had cellphones. #WestsTrial

The boy was home-schooled. He said he went back to class after being told Orrin was dead. #WestsTrial

As the oldest child, he said he thinks his parents trusted him. He said he agreed to keep the death a secret. #WestsTrial

The boy said he had lots of things to do as a kid so Orrin's death usually didn't come to mind. #WestsTrial

"I'm not sure," he said when asked if it was fair for his parents to tell him not to say anything about Orrin's death. #WestsTrial

"I have no idea," the boy said when asked what happened to Orrin's body. He said he didn't ask, and his parents didn't tell him. #WestsTrial

The boy said he doesn't remember saying Orson left after four days at the Cal City house. He said his parent's told him Orson "went to grandma's house." He said he believes it happened in the days after they moved to Cal City. #WestsTrial

Orson wasn't at the house when his grandmother Wanda came out to Cal City, the boy said. #WestsTrial

The boy said he heard a sound the night before he was told Orson was taken to grandma Maria's house. He said it sounded like a soap bottle falling in the bathroom. #WestsTrial

Orson wasn't at the house the day after he heard that sound, and he hasn't seen him since then, the boy said. #WestsTrial

The boy said he saw an interview with his parents on TV. He identified a still image of the Wests taken from an interview outside the Cal City house in the days after the boys' disappearance. #WestsTrial

The boy said he watched some of that interview. He said he knew Orrin was dead at the time. He said he doesn't really remember what he thought when he saw his dad lying on camera about what had happened. #WestsTrial

Asked by Smith, the boy said he has good memories of his parents in Cal City other than what happened with Orrin and Orson. #WestsTrial

Smith is about to play another video. #WestsTrial

The video shows the boy and two of his other brothers pretending to do kung fu. The boy said he has good memories and it's hard for him to be on the stand and tell the truth. #WestsTrial

 

[PommyMommy]

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

(Cross-examination of the West's eldest child)

Smith ended his questioning and attorney Alekxia Torres Stallings has begun cross-examination. #WestsTrial

The boy said he had pizza for lunch. He said he thinks he has met Smith more than 5 times. #WestsTrial

The boy said no one had him read anything or talked to him about his testimony before he came back for the afternoon session of the trial. #WestsTrial

He said no one talked to him about why he was coming to court. He said Smith had previously talked to him, he thinks last week, about what he was going to be doing. #WestsTrial

The boy said Smith told him he was going to ask him questions and if he didn't know the answer just say so. #WestsTrial

The boy said he has previously been in a courtroom and people asked him questions. The boy said he took an oath on that occasion, too. #WestsTrial

Asked what a mistake is, the boy said it's when you're doing something and you mess up in a way that's not helping the situation. #WestsTrial

He said an example would be if you broke something then buy something to replace it. #WestsTrial

Torres Stallings is asking about memories. The boy agreed with her that sometimes it's hard to remember something that happened a long time ago. #WestsTrial

Torres Stallings is asking about the coronavirus. The boy said he had gone to school before COVID hit. He said afterward, when he was home for remote learning, his mom helped him and kept him on track. #WestsTrial

The boy said he doesn't have a favorite memory of his mother or father. He said he's not mad at his parents. #WestsTrial

The boy, now 12 and a biological son of the Wests, said he lived with them 10 years. Torres Stallings showed him a photo. The boy said he believes he remembers that day, they went to the park, had Little Caesars. #WestsTrial

Torres Stallings showed him another photo where a filter made it appear as if he was wearing an elf hat. The boy said he doesn't remember that. #WestsTrial

The boy is wiping at his eyes with a tissue and taking sips of water. #WestsTrial

Torres Stallings brought two Christmas stockings for the boy to look at. He said he doesn't recognize them. #WestsTrial

The boy said he remembers helping set up the Christmas tree. He said Orrin and Orson weren't there to put the tree but his other brothers were. #WestsTrial

Torres Stallings is showing the boy photos of Christmas stockings and chairs in the Cal City house in December 2020. She's showing there were stockings and chairs for everyone, including Orrin and Orson. #WestsTrial

Asked if Orrin and Orson were at the dinner table, the boy said no. #WestsTrial

Torres Stallings is asking about things the boy enjoys. He said he used to watch anime with his dad. He plays video games. #WestsTrial

Judge Charles Brehmer has called a sidebar after Smith objected to the relevance of Torres Stallings' questions. #WestsTrial

The judge and attorneys have returned. Torres Stallings is considering with questions about the anime shows. #WestsTrial

"Continuing" with questions #WestsTrial

Torres Stallings is asking if people died in a certain show. There have been frequent objections by Smith. The boy said people do die in the show. Asked if they had anything coming out of their nose or mouth, the boy said no. #WestsTrial

Torres Stallings was asking about a scene where a character dies, has things coming out of his nose and mouth and comes back to life. She was apparently trying to draw a comparison with Orrin, who the boy said had vomit on him, and suggesting Orrin hadn't died. #WestsTrial

Brehmer sustained an objection and Torres Stallings has moved on to another line of questioning. She's asking the boy about being questioned at his grandma Wanda's house the day after the boys were reported missing. #WestsTrial

The boy said he hasn't lived with his parents since then, and doesn't know when he last saw them. He said maybe a year. #WestsTrial

The boy said he doesn't know why he can't talk to them or live with them. #WestsTrial

The boy said he had a watch which he used to call his parents but he couldn't take it when he left his grandmother's house. #WestsTrial

The boy is talking about relatives he sometimes gets visits or phone calls from. #WestsTrial

Torres Stallings is asking about the day of the Dec. 28, 2020 interview He said he doesn't think they told him why he was going there. #WestsTrial

Torres Stallings is asking if anyone talked with him about the case, if he saw any coverage. He said he saw an interview on the laptop but doesn't remember about the comments or much about it. #WestsTrial

Court is in recess for 15 minutes. #WestsTrial

 

[PommyMommy]

Afternoon Testimony, Part 3
DAY FIFTEEN - May 2, 2023
https://twitter.com/KGETnews

(Continued cross-examination of the West's eldest child)

Court is back in session with the 12-year-old back on the stand being cross-examined by Torres Stallings. #WestsTrial

She's asking about when they moved to Cal City. #WestsTrial

There were multiple objections and the judge has called a sidebar. #WestsTrial

They're back. Torres Stallings is asking about December 2020 and when he went to his grandma Wanda's house. #WestsTrial

The boy said Orrin and Orson were not in the van. He said he doesn't remember the last time he saw them and doesn't remember saying the last time he saw them as being in the van when dropped off at his grandma's house. #WestsTrial

Torres Stallings had him look at a transcript taken from a prior time he testified. He said he doesn't remember saying that Orrin and Orson were in the van. #WestsTrial

Torres Stallings asked if he promised to tell the truth at that hearing. He said he believes so. He said he doesn't know why he said they were in the van back then but is now saying they weren't. #WestsTrial

Torres Stallings ended her questioning and the boy has been excused. #WestsTrial

Court is in recess until 9 a.m. tomorrow. #WestsTrial

 

[PommyMommy]

MAY 2, 2023

West Trial Day 15: Eldest son in video says Orrin died, body was cold​

The eldest son of Trezell and Jacqueline West said he knew his brother Orrin had died.

“I touched his body and it was cold,” the boy says in an interview recorded Dec. 28, 2020, a week after Orrin, 4, and Orson, 3, were reported missing by adoptive parents Trezell and Jacqueline West.

[...]

His parents asked him if they should call an ambulance, the boy says, and he said no because they told him he and the other children would be taken away. He says he agreed not to tell the other children what happened. ...

In the video, the boy says he doesn’t know what his parents did with Orrin’s body. He says Orson left about four days after they moved. He says his parents told him Orson went to their grandmother’s house. He says he never saw him again.

[...]

The boy says he promised to keep Orrin’s death a secret from the other children. They left Casa Loma Apartments on Lotus Lane and moved into the house on Aspen Avenue in California City.

A few days later Orson was gone, the boy says. His parents removed Orson while he was sleeping, he says. ...

[...]

 

[PommyMommy]

MAY 2, 2023

West trial: Video shows Wests' son interview on learning Cal City toddler was dead, cold to touch​

The 12-year-old boy’s horrific accounts prompted strong reactions from the nearly two rows of people who’ve been attending court every day. Tears flowed and sniffles sounded as they watched this boy recount how he touched his adopted brother’s dead body. One person a few minutes later left the courtroom.

It started when Orrin stole a drink from Orson, the boy told the social worker in the video. The parents told Orson to punch this brother for stealing the drink, according to the video.

Orrin started to vomit, the boy said. The next morning, Trezell and Jacqueline West went to wake up Orrin, who was on his belly sleeping, the boy added in the video. However, he said, Orrin never woke up.

Oldest West child says Orrin died in 2020 recorded interview​

In the recording, the child tells the woman that the night he said Orrin died, Orson was eating with his mouth open, so his parents blended his food and put it in a bottle. The child said Orrin stole the bottle from Orson, so his parents told Orson to punch Orrin, according to the recording.

The child said, in the recording, when they moved to Cal City, Orrin’s bed was brought and put in a bedroom with the couple’s other adoptive sons. In the recording the woman asked the child how he felt about Orrin’s bed being placed in the room if he knew that Orrin was dead. The child said he wouldn’t say anything because that’s what he and his parents promised. The child, in the recording, told the woman that his parents would say Orrin was with grandma and would be coming back whenever the boys asked.

The child went on to tell the woman in the recording that while Orson was with them when they moved to Cal City, he was only there for four days. ... In the recording, the child said he didn’t see Orson after that.

 

[PommyMommy]

Morning Testimony, Part 1
DAY SIXTEEN - May 3, 2023
https://twitter.com/KGETnews

We're back in session in the trial of Trezell and Jacqueline West. Wanda West, Trezell's mother, is testifying via Zoom. #WestsTrial

Wanda West said she is in Washington, D.C., visiting one of her sons. She has three sons, Trezell is the middle child. #WestsTrial

Wanda West said Trezell and Jacqueline have been married since 2010, have 2 biological children. #WestsTrial

She said she lived on Potomac Avenue back in 2020, when the boys were reported missing. She said she had lived there since about 1999. #WestsTrial

Wanda West testified her son and daughter-in-law became involved in foster care around 2015. She identified a photo taken in 2019 of the four adopted children the Wests had. #WestsTrial

At the Potomac Avenue house she lived with her husband and youngest son. #WestsTrial

Before 2020, she went to Casa Loma Apartments -- where the Wests lived before moving to Cal City -- about two or three times a month. Sometimes to babysit, sometimes to visit. #WestsTrial

In March of 2020 Wanda West said COVID hit and she didn't get to see them as much.She said she stopped going. #WestsTrial

Wanda West is describing the personality of each of the Wests' children. She's describing the biological and adopted children. She said Orrin was very quiet, had maybe a learning disability. Orson would cry if he didn't know you, but would calm down with toys. #WestsTrial

Wand West said she became aware the Wests purchased a house in California City. She said she agreed to help them move. She agreed to watch the 4 older boys while they moved. #WestsTrial

She rented a U-Haul truck for the Wests, and rented a car for herself to drive to Cal City. She doesn't own a car. #WestsTrial

On Sept. 18, she got the rental car, got the U-Haul, and went to Cal City, Wanda West said. Prosecutor Eric Smith is asking about the rental agreement for the U-Haul. #WestsTrial

Wanda West testified she arrived at Cal City between 11 am. and noon on Sept. 18, 2020. She said Trezell and Jacqueline greeted her. She walked in the door and she said she saw four boys in the house -- not Orrin or Orson. #WestsTrial

Wanda West said she didn't ask about Orrin or Orson. She said she thought they were with Jacqueline's mother, Maria Martinez. #WestsTrial

"You just assumed that Orrin and Orson were with Miss Martinez?" Smith asked. "Yes," Wanda West said. #WestsTrial

Wanda West said she thinks she last saw Orrin and Orson in February of 2020. She said, due to covid, Trezell would drive boy, the older boys would get out of the van and say hi, and they would tell her Orrin and Orson were in the van. #WestsTrial

While at the house on Sept. 18, 2020, Wanda West said she watched videos with the kids, walked around, and during that time Trezell and Jacqueline traveled back to Bakersfield. #WestsTrial

Wanda West said she believes she heard Trezell and Jacqueline come home later that night or early the next morning. She said she didn't see Orrin or Orson with them. She walked into the kitchen and saw Trezell and Jacqueline. #WestsTrial

Wanda West said she went back to bed. She awoke on Sept. 19, 2020. She got a call or text from U-Haul telling her to turn the truck back in. She said she knocked the door to wake up Trezell and Jacqueline West to tell them about the truck. #WestsTrial

The Wests got up and started unloading the truck, Wanda West said. She said she went to the door and saw them removing boxes from the truck, and they brought in those and furniture. #WestsTrial

She said the Wests on Sept. 18, 2020 had driven the white van to Bakersfield, left it there and picked up the U-Haul, driving it to Cal City. #WestsTrial

Wanda West testified she didn't see Orrin or Orson as they unloaded the truck. #WestsTrial

Wanda West said on Sept. 19, 2020, she went to the U-Haul in Cal City and rented the truck for another day. #WestsTrial

Wanda West said she was with the 4 older boys for about an hour when she went to a credit union and a McDonald's. When she returned with the boys she said she didn't see Orrin or Orson. #WestsTrial

Wanda West said Trezell and Jacqueline on the afternoon of Sept. 19, 2020 left in the U-Haul to return to Bakersfield. #WestsTrial

Wanda West said they probably went to bed between 10 or 11 p.m. She said she's not sure what time the Wests got home. She said she was supposed to go back to Bakersfield on Sept. 20, 2020. She got up at 7 a.m. #WestsTrial

Wanda West said she watched TV with the 4 older boys. She said Trezell and Jacqueline were probably putting things away. The truck had to be returned that morning. #WestsTrial

Wanda West said she did not see Orrin or Orson that morning. #WestsTrial

The U-Haul was returned in California City. Trezell drove the vehicle, and Wanda West went with him. They drove back in her rental car to the house in Cal City. #WestsTrial

She had lunch with the four older boys, didn't see Orrin or Orson. #WestsTrial

Wanda West said she went back home that afternoon, after 4 p.m. When she got back to Bakersfield it was dark. Trezell went with her. Jacqueline and the 4 older boys remained at the Cal City house. #WestsTrial

Wanda West said she went to Casa Loma Apartments so Trezell could pick up the white van. She said she dropped him off, turned around and saw him driving behind her. They went in different directions leaving the apartment complex. #WestsTrial

Wanda West said she doesn't recall speaking with Trezell on Dec. 5, 2020, about visiting her house. #WestsTrial

Smith showed Wanda West a document with a message in which she wrote on Dec. 4, 2020 asking Trezell what time he was coming tomorrow. #WestsTrial

She got a response saying "in the morning," according to the document. #WestsTrial

Wanda West said she got robes for the Wests. Her son responded saying he and Jacqueline loved the robes. #WestsTrial

On Dec. 16, 2020, Wanda West sent a message to the Wests. It says she would like a family picture of everyone by the fireplace wearing their robes. She said she never got that picture. #WestsTrial

Wanda West has become emotional, saying she never got the photo because of what happened days later. She had wanted the photo as a Christmas present. Wanda West can be seen crying through the Zoom camera but said she's ready to proceed. #WestsTrial

Wanda West said there was a plan before Christmas for her to keep the four older boys from Dec. 19 to Dec. 23 or 24, 2020. #WestsTrial

On Dec. 19, Wanda West said the four boys were dropped off. Orrin and Orson weren't with them and she thought they were with Maria Martinez. But Wanda West added they may have been in the back of the van, she didn't see them. #WestsTrial

Wanda West said she went to a credit union with Trezell and Jacqueline on Sept. 19, 2020. They went there to get the Wests soe gas money. She said she didn't see Orrin or Orson in the van but Jacqueline West told her they were in the back asleep. #WestsTrial

Wanda West said the seats are high in the van so you can't see the back seat of the van where the kids sit. #WestsTrial

Wanda West said she didn't see or hear Orrin or Orson in the van when they went to the credit union. She said music was playing in the van. #WestsTrial

Wanda West said when she left the van she didn't make an attempt to say goodbye to Orrin or Orson because her son and daughter-in-law told her they were sleeping. "No, I did not," she said when Smith asked if she made an attempt to see them. #WestsTrial

On Dec. 22, 2020, police arrived at Wanda West's home and told her Orrin and Orson had been reported missing. An officer interviewed the four other boys at her home, she said. #WestsTrial

The other four children were removed from her home. She was allowed to visit them once a month. The last time she visited them was last month. #WestsTrial

Smith ended his questioning and court will be in recess for 15 minutes. #WestsTrial

 

[PommyMommy]

Morning Testimony, Part 2
DAY SIXTEEN - May 3, 2023
https://twitter.com/KGETnews

The trial has resumed and Timothy Hennessy, lead attorney for Trezell West, has begun cross-examination of Wanda West. #WestsTrial

Wanda West has begun crying after being asked if the Wests' four other boys were startled when police arrived at her home the day after Orrin and Orson were reported missing. "Of course they were," she said. #WestsTrial

Wanda West confirmed she is the woman who can be heard crying in the background as the children are interviewed. #WestsTrial

Wanda West said she heard Orrin and Orson had been taken by somebody. She said she can't recall if she was told it was a murder investigation the morning police arrived. #WestsTrial

Wanda West agreed it's shocking to her because her son and Jacqueline are being talked about as being "monstrous people." She said they fell in love with the boys and never wanted them to be hurt, they cared for them as far as she saw. #WestsTrial

Wanda West testified she cooperated with authorities. She said she wanted to know the truth. #WestsTrial

Hennessy is going over Wanda West's actions on Dec. 19, 2020. #WestsTrial

"It's really hard to," Wanda West said when asked if it's hard to remember things from that long ago. #WestsTrial

Wanda West again said the last time she saw Orrin and Orson in February 2020. Hennessy asked if she told the FBI she saw them in April or May 2020. She said that's not correct. #WestsTrial

Wanda West said covid was a big deal for her family. They knew people who died. They stayed away from other people. #WestsTrial

Hennessy asked about Trezell doing "drive-bys" at her house. Wanda West said there were no drive-bys didn't involve a gun, prompting an outburst of laughter from the jury and audience. Hennessy clarified that he meant driving by for the children to say hi to her. #WestsTrial

Hennessy asked about a plan for her and her husband, Phillip, to pick out a room for visits. #WestsTrial

Hennessy asked if the policy of Trezell and Jacqueline West was to not give photos of the kids once adoption began. She said they had asked her not to take photos of the foster children because they knew she would post them on social media. #WestsTrial

She said it was the Wests' policy not to send photos of the children. #WestsTrial

Hennessy is asking about her visit to Cal City in September 2020 when the Wests moved. #WestsTrial

Wanda West said she heard the couple come home the night of Sept 18, 2020, then woke them up the next morning because she got a message the U-Haul was due. The Wests rented the truck for another day. #WestsTrial

I did not see Orrin or Orson," she said. She confirmed that didn't seem out of the ordinary because she believed they were at Jacqueline's mother's house. #WestsTrial

Wanda West testified it was her understanding Orrin and Orson would stay with the Wests when the other children spent Dec. 19-23, 2020 at her house. #WestsTrial

Wanda West said one of the reasons the four other children would stay with her but not Orrin and Orson was because the latter two had learning disabilities and cried a lot and she couldn't give them the time they needed while watching the other 4. #WestsTrial

Wanda West, under questioning by Hennessy, said she had forgotten they needed to go to the credit union on Dec. 19 until Trezell reminded her. #WestsTrial

Wanda West said she tried to get custody of the other children. "Yes, because they're my relatives, they're my kids," she said. She said her son put up a reward for info about Orrin and Orson, and she thinks another relative hired a private investigator. #WestsTrial

Wanda West confirmed one of the Wests' biological children told her he had talked with a case worker and another person about the case. #WestsTrial

Wanda West said she was not threatened by law enforcement. YouTubers threatened her, she said. #WestsTrial

Hennessy ended his questioning. Wanda West has been excused. #WestsTrial

 

[PommyMommy]

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

California City police Officer Brian Hansen has been re-called to the stand. #WestsTrial

He has identified an aerial view of the Wests' Cal City home and surrounding area. #WestsTrial

Hansen has been asked about officers responding to the home of a Ramon Hernandez. Hansen said he recalls going to that home. He said he did not seize surveillance footage from that home. #WestsTrial

Hansen testified he went to a Dollar General in California City. After reviewing a report, he said he went there on Dec. 30, 2020 to get video from Dec. 19 and saw Trezell West enter the store. He was by himself, Hansen said. #WestsTrial

Smith ended his questioning. Alekxia Torres Stallings, lead counsel for Jacqueline, asked why Hansen didn't seize the footage. He said he believes it was their intention to seize it but they never got around to it. He didn't write a report, body cam wasn't on. #WestsTrial

Torres Stallings asked if he spoke with Wanda and Phillip West when arriving at their home on Dec. 22, 2020. He said yes but said he didn't tell them the boys were malnourished, that Trezell and Jacqueline had murdered Orrin and Orson. #WestsTrial

Hansen testified he wrote a report about that day. He said he believes he had a camera on when he spoke with the Wests. He said he has not reviewed the video. #WestsTrial

Torres Stallings ended her questioning and Victor Nasser, an attorney for Trezell, is questioning Hansen. Hansen said he doesn't believe he told anyone to retrieve the video from Ramon Hernandez's house. He said he believes a lieutenant knew about the video. #WestsTrial

Hansen has been excused. #WestsTrial

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

 

[PommyMommy]

Afternoon Testimony, Part 1
DAY SIXTEEN - May 3, 2023
https://twitter.com/KGETnews

Sunya Bartin has taken the stand. She works for CPS. She interviewed the Wests' eldest child when he said he saw Orrin West die. #WestsTrial

Correction: Last name is Barton. #WestsTrial

She was the lead forensic interviewer and is now a supervisor in the department. #WestsTrial

Her bachelor's is in psychology and her master's in social work. #WestsTrial

A forensic interview is an interview with a child regarding an incident. She has received training in how to conduct these interviews. #WestsTrial

Interviews take place at the Jess Diamond Child Assessment Center at the Jamison Center. #WestsTrial

Barton children are asked open-ended questions. They're asked if they know the difference between a truth and a lie. #WestsTrial

If it's determined the child is not emotionally or mentally capable to proceed, it doesn't mean the story they're telling isn't true. #WestsTrial

They'll proceed with the interview. The social worker will have been given some information from law enforcement about what the case is about. #WestsTrial

Barton said they don't put words in a child's mouth. "Sometimes we walk out of there and we don't have an answer," she said. #WestsTrial

The purpose of the interview is to get the child to tell their story how they remember it, Barton said. She tries not to ask questions that have yes or no answers. #WestsTrial

Barton said she remembers an interview she conducted with one of the Wests' adopted children after Orrin and Orson were reported missing. #WestsTrial

A sidebar has been requested by defense attorney Timothy Hennessy. #WestsTrial

The judge and attorneys are back. Smith is going to play a video of the interview Barton had with the child. #WestsTrial

The video has begun. It occurred at about 11:30 a.m. on Dec. 22, 2020. #WestsTrial

The child enters the frame and sits on a chair and Barton sits on the couch and starts talking with him. #WestsTrial

The boy was 8 at the time. He promises to tell the truth. #WestsTrial

The boy said he goes to school at his house and his parents teach him. He said he likes it, likes getting stickers. #WestsTrial

The boy is asked about living in Bakersfield and who was in the apartment with him. He couldn't remember at first, but then said he remembers it was him and his brothers (including Orrin and Orson) and his parents. #WestsTrial

The boy says Orrin went to his grandmother's house and Orson left. #WestsTrial

The boy says he hasn't seen Orrin and Orson since they moved but they're going to come back. #WestsTrial

He says there was space on the bunk beds for the boys and that the Wests' eldest son said they would come back. #WestsTrial

Starting a new thread. The boy says he's worried about both Orrin and Orson. He say he wants them to return to play with him. #WestsTrial

The boy says the Wests' biological children talked about where Orrin and Orson went but he doesn't know where they went. #WestsTrial

Barton leaves for a minute then returns and resumes questioning. Asked who moved from Bakersfield to Cal City, the boy names his other brothers but not Orrin and Orson. #WestsTrial

The video has ended. Smith is now going to play an interview Barton had with one of the Wests' biological children. #WestsTrial

The boy is 7. #WestsTrial

He says he went to his grandmother Wanda's house over the weekend for vacation. #WestsTrial

Barton asks why he's here to talk with her. He says he doesn't know, he's just there. #WestsTrial

"Where did Orrin and Orson go?" Barton asks. "They went to their own home because they cried a lot," the boy says. He says his parents told him that. #WestsTrial

Asked again, the boy confirms the boys never went to California City. #WestsTrial

The boy says his dad spanked Orrin and Orson, all of the children. Asked if the spankings left marks, the boy says no, but they would bleed. #WestsTrial

The boy says the metal part of a belt his dad used would make them bleed. #WestsTrial

The boy says his father spanked them to make them be quiet. Orrin and Orson also bled from spanking, he says. He says his dad would tell them to shut up. The video ends. #WestsTrial

Smith ended his questioning. #WestsTrial

 

[PommyMommy]

Afternoon Testimony, Part 2
DAY SIXTEEN - May 3, 2023
https://twitter.com/KGETnews

(Cross-examination of Sunya Barton, CPS)

Alekxia Torres Stallings, lead attorney for Jacqueline West, has begun cross-examination. #WestsTrial

Torres Stallings is asking about investigations and how CPS conducts them, how the process works. #WestsTrial

Barton said they'll make a referral, and if it's a criminal matter they're work with law enforcement. #WestsTrial

Torres Stallings asked if CPS relies on law enforcement to give them the details of the investigation. Barton said yes because they're the lead on forensic interviews. #WestsTrial

Barton agreed general neglect falls under a wide variety of circumstances. #WestsTrial

Torres Stallings said she wants to talk about the history of forensic interviews. She asked about the McMartin case, and Barton said she's not familiar with it. She also said she wasn't familiar with another case referenced by the attorney. #WestsTrial

Barton testified the FBI requested the first initial interviews with the children because of the circumstances, believing young children were missing. #WestsTrial

Bakersfield Police Department was not involved at that time, Barton said. #WestsTrial

The FBI watched from another room as she conducted interviews with the children, Barton said. The other children sat in a room with coloring books and other activities for them. Those children couldn't hear what the child being interviewed said. #WestsTrial

Grandmother Wanda West was in the lobby with the children as they were brought back one by one to be interviewed. #WestsTrial

Parents and guardians aren't allowed to sit in during interviews regarding a criminal investigation, Barton said. #WestsTrial

It turned into a criminal matter after the children were interviewed, Barton said. She said the interviews from Dec. 22, 2020, provided enough for the FBI to pass the case to the Bakersfield Police Department. #WestsTrial

Asked if it's important to have no emotional tone when conducting interviews, Barton said no. She said you need to establish a rapport with the child. But she agreed it's important to remain objective. #WestsTrial

Even if a forensic interviewer believes the parents are guilty of something, that belief shouldn't be disclosed during the interview, she said. #WestsTrial

Barton said she doesn't have training or follow up on studies about suggestibility in children. #WestsTrial

Torres Stallings is asking about Barton's training on child abduction, human trafficking. #WestsTrial

Court is in recess for 15 minutes. #WestsTrial

 

[PommyMommy]

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

(Continued cross-examination of Sunya Barton, CPS)

Court is back in session with Sunya Barton still on the stand. She's testifying about "the corridor," where female teen victims are trafficking for prostitution. It goes from Kern County to Los Angeles to San Diego, Las Vegas. #WestsTrial

Torres Stallings asked if human trafficking goes to Texas. Yes, Barton said. #WestsTrial

Barton said her time frame in questioning the boys focused on August and September of 2020. #WestsTrial

Barton said she was not aware law enforcement had interviewed the children hours before her first interview. She did not view any videos taken of those interviews. #WestsTrial

Torres Stallings asked if it's standard for her to tell children she doesn't know what's happening with their family. Barton said yes, it's standard to let them know she doesn't know exactly what's happened in their family. #WestsTrial

Judge Charles R. Brehmer has called a sidebar after an objection from Smith. #WestsTrial

They're back, and Torres Stallings is referring to a transcript of the interview Barton conducted with one of the children. #WestsTrial

During the interview, Torres Stallings says, the Wests' eldest son talked with Barton about Orrin and Orson's biological family. She directed Barton to a passage of the transcript. #WestsTrial

Barton said it's correct the boy said he had seen the biological family before. Then she moved on to another topic. But Torres Stallings said the boy brought the biological family up again in his 3rd interview with Barton. #WestsTrial

Smith objected on the grounds of relevance based on the sidebar they just had. The judge is looking at the transcript. #WestsTrial

Judge Brehmer said he'll allow Barton to read the portion indicated by Torres Stallings, then see what the next question is. #WestsTrial

After multiple objections to Torres Stallings' questions, the judge has called another sidebar. #WestsTrial

The judge and attorneys have returned. #WestsTrial

Barton said she didn't change the subject regarding the passage Torres Stallings had her read. She said the child had finished his statement. #WestsTrial

Torres Stallings is asking about the allegations one of the children made about spanking. Barton said she watched the video with the rest of the room. She said the child never said when the spanking occurred. #WestsTrial

Barton said children undergo a physical evaluation when they enter the Jamison Center. The Wests' children were placed in protective custody and taken to the Jamison Center, Barton said. She said she would assume an evaluation was conducted. #WestsTrial

Barton said she has testified 5 times in her career. Torres Stallings asked her to wait until she has finished asking a question before responding. Barton said okay. #WestsTrial

After the forensic interview, she had nothing else to do with the investigation, Barton said. She doesn't know if marks were found on the boys' bodies. #WestsTrial

That's not her part of the investigation, Barton said when Torres Stallings asked if she followed up to see if marks had been found on the boys. #WestsTrial

Barton testified there are certain protocols to follow when conducting a forensic interview. #WestsTrial

Barton said she is not licensed as a social worker through the state, and never has been. #WestsTrial

Barton said she doesn't know if state protocols differ from the protocols required under Child Protective Services. #WestsTrial

Interview tactics differ depending on the case. Barton said this was the first missing persons forensic interview she had conducted in her 11 years with the department. #WestsTrial

Torres Stallings has moved on to the second interview Barton conducted with the Wests' eldest biological son. #WestsTrial

This forensic interview came up because the child, placed with a resource family, had seen news feeds regarding his parents and had questions, Barton said. #WestsTrial

The resource parent informed a social worker, who Barton assumes told law enforcement and a follow-up interview was requested. #WestsTrial

Barton testified the resource parent was upset with what the boy had told her. #WestsTrial

The second interview occurred Dec. 28, 2020. Barton said she was probably aware of some other details that had come out about the case but can't recall specifics. #WestsTrial

Barton said she can't recall knowing the West vehicle had been forensically evaluated, but said she recalls someone saying there was no evidence. #WestsTrial

Barton said she has not reviewed text messages between herself and another social worker. She said she doesn't recall the other worker reminding her about the smell in the vehicle. #WestsTrial

Torres Stallings showed Barton a document, and Barton said it does not refresh her memory. #WestsTrial

Barton testified after her first interviews with all four children she believed the eldest child was not being truthful. She had that belief when she conducted the 2nd interview with the eldest child. #WestsTrial

Torres Stallings ended her questioning. On redirect, Barton said she felt like the eldest boy was not being truthful, didn't want to get parents in trouble. Her impression about 2nd interview was that he was more forthcoming about what he said happened in the home. #WestsTrial

On recross, Barton said, other than the interviews, she relied on info from law enforcement and the other social worker. #WestsTrial

Barton testified she was aware a dig had been completed at the Cal City home and no remains were found. Barton said yes. #WestsTrial

Torres Stallings asked the prior question. She followed up by asking if she was aware the home had been searched and no forensic evidence had been found. "That's because the children weren't in the house," Barton said, drawing chuckles from some audience members. #WestsTrial

Barton has been excused and the trial will resume at 9 a.m. tomorrow. #WestsTrial

 

[PommyMommy]

MAY 3, 2023

West trial: Paternal grandmother says she hadn't seen toddlers for 10 months prior to parents reporting them missing

A paternal grandmother of Orrin and Orson West testified Wednesday she hadn’t seen the brothers for about 10 months prior to them being reported missing by their parents.

www.bakersfield.com

A paternal grandmother of Orrin and Orson West testified Wednesday she hadn’t seen the brothers for about 10 months prior to them being reported missing by their parents.

[...]

Hennessy elicited testimony Wednesday from Trezell West’s mother, Wanda West, that it wasn’t abnormal for her not to see Orrin and Orson throughout 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic beginning in March 2020 shuttered physical gatherings and often the boys were with their maternal grandmother, Wanda West testified over Zoom.

[...]

On Sept. 18, 2020, Wanda said, she drove to the Wests’ home and didn’t see Orrin and Orson once during her two-day stay. She recalled taking care of the the Wests’ four other children while Trezell and Jacqueline moved their belongings from Bakersfield to California City.

[...]

On Dec. 19, 2020, the Wests brought their four kids to Wanda’s house for Christmas break, she testified. She didn’t see Orrin and Orson, but the toddlers could have remained in the van when their other brothers were dropped off, Wanda testified.

[...]

Orrin and Orson weren’t yet potty trained. And they cried a lot, she said. Wanda added she couldn’t give her full attention to each child who cried and carefully watch all the Wests’ other four kids.

[...]

 

[PommyMommy]

MAY 3, 2023

West Trial Day 16: Trezell West’s mother gives emotional testimony

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — In early December 2020, Wanda West told her son Trezell she knew what she wanted for Christmas: a photo of his family by the fireplace in their California City ho…

www.kget.com

In early December 2020, Wanda West told her son Trezell she knew what she wanted for Christmas: a photo of his family by the fireplace in their California City home wearing the robes she had bought them.

She never got the photo, Wanda West said Wednesday as tears formed and her head trembled as she struggled to contained her emotions. ...

[...]

Barton and Torres Stallings engaged in a couple feisty exchanges, one occurring shortly before the day’s proceedings ended.

[...]

Was she aware the Wests’ backyard in California City had been dug up and no human remains found? Yes, Barton said.

Torres Stallings then asked Barton if she was aware the Wests’ home had been searched and no forensic evidence found?

That’s because the children were never there, Barton said, producing chuckles from some audience members. Torres Stallings smirked, said “OK” then ended her questioning shortly afterward.

[...]

 

[PommyMommy]

Morning Testimony, Part 1
DAY SEVENTEEN - May 4, 2023
https://twitter.com/KGETnews

Alexander Kalaveris has been called to the stand in the trial of Trezell and Jacqueline West. #WestsTrial

Alexander Kalaveris is testifying. He lives in Arlington, Texas. He was unaware a neighbor claimed he had Orrin and Orson at his home. #WestsTrial

He said he was unaware a neighbor reported Orrin and Orson were at his Arlington, Texas home. The children in question are his children, not the missing boys, he said. Photos of his family are being passed to the jury. #WestsTrial

Kalaveris said he doesn't know the neighbor who made the report. #WestsTrial

Prosecutor Eric Smith ended his questioning. Timothy Hennessy, lead counsel for Trezell West, has begun cross-examination. Kalaveris said the first time law enforcement from Bakersfield spoke to him was about a week and a half ago. #WestsTrial

Hennessy asked if Kalaveris knows a Victor Rodriguez. Kalaveris said no, and also, upon being asked, said none of his children are named Derek. #WestsTrial

Kalaveris has been excused. #WestsTrial

 

[PommyMommy]

Morning Testimony, Part 2
DAY SEVENTEEN - May 4, 2023
https://twitter.com/KGETnews

BPD Detective John Dunn has been called to the stand. #WestsTrial

The West trial is now in its 17th day. #WestsTrial

On March 11, 2021, Dunn went to an address on Oakdale Drive to assist with a search warrant. #WestsTrial

He searched the yard and garage area. There was a detached garage, Dunn said. #WestsTrial

Dunn took photos during the search warrant which Smith is going to display. #WestsTrial

Photos of the detached garage and home are being shown to the jury. #WestsTrial

The residence and garage belong to Maria Flores, Dunn said. #WestsTrial

Smith ended his questioning. Alekxia Torres Stallings asked if he was surveilling the Wests' van at the residence. He said he doesn't believe so. She ended her questioning and Dunn was excused. #WestsTrial