Trial has resumed this morning for
#LeteciaStauch. She’s the El Paso County woman accused of murdering her stepson, Gannon, in January 2020. I’ll be in the courtroom all day bringing you the latest and most up to date information.
Judge Gregory Werner addressed Letecia’s actions and flipping people off in the courtroom on Friday. He told Letecia, she has the right to be here for her trial, but he will not tolerate that behavior moving forward.
He has also had the tables in the courtroom rearranged, so Letecia is in direct sight of the judge. She's also no longer in a chair that rolls around, or allows her to rock back and forth.
The attorneys also addressed releasing raw data of the sanity evaluation conducted by doctors on the prosecution’s side. The judge said he believes there’s value in that data being provided to both sides, and granted access to that data for the defense attorneys to look over.
A juror was also dismissed this morning for knowing one of the witnesses. This was brought to the judge’s attention on Friday afternoon.
The next witness to be called to the stand is Harley Hunt, Letecia Stauch’s 20-year-old daughter who now lives in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. She’s visibly upset, emotional and crying.
When asked about their family and Gannon’s relationship with his stepmom, Letecia, Harley said: “It was different at first because, we were like a blended family. We were getting used to more people in our life. They had an okay relationship, there were problems here and there.”
Harley testified saying her father died when she was 12 years old. She said her mom, Letecia, told her that someone “came in, robbed him, and killed him.” Harley said she found out from the internet this past week, that was not true, and her father actually died from an overdose.
During testimony, Harley acknowledged her mom’s case getting a lot of attention on the internet, and it being difficult to testify right now. Harley said she hasn’t seen her mom in person since March 2, 2020, the day Letecia Stauch was arrested in Myrtle Beach.
When asked about her and Gannon’s relationship, Harley said, “We had a good relationship. Of course we had an age difference, but I would always try to be there for them when I could.”
Harley testified about Letecia and Al’s relationship, saying they argued often. She said sometimes Gannon and Laina, Gannon’s sister, would go to Harley’s room during arguments. “I didn’t want them to have to listen to them argue,” said Harley.
On January 27, when Harley was at work, Letecia sent this text message after 9 p.m. “Don’t panic, but Gannon turned on a candle downstairs and set the downstairs on fire. I had to get the dogs and Laina out and run back downstairs and jump on him with a cover and put it out."
Letecia's next text said, "I kept jumping on it. He is fine. He is scared and saying sorry and freaking out.”
Harley testified saying the text messages weren’t clear, and they were confusing to her. She also testified saying Gannon didn’t usually sit by himself downstairs and light candles.
Harley and Letecia continued texting about the candle incident.
Harley: “How did he knock it over?” Letecia: “He said he must have fell asleep.” Harley: “So it wasn’t knocked over?” Harley: “Yes omg. Can you read. He must have knocked it over while asleep.”
Harley testified about Letecia telling her about the candle incident. Harley said her mom told her that when they were all on the street, Gannon was yelling and saying he hates his life. Harley said that was unusual of him to say.
Harley said on January 26, the night of the candle incident, Letecia and her went downstairs to say 'good night' to Gannon. “Not something she would normally do,” said Harley.
Harley said she didn’t sleep downstairs in her room that night, and instead she slept upstairs. She said “Everything just felt weird… because my mom made the comments, ‘Gannon’s acting weird, I don’t know what’s wrong with him.’”
