Gus Searcy Testimony--January 28, 2013
DT: asks Searcy to identify Jodi in the courtroom.
Searcy has been involved in PPL/ Legal Shied for 7.5 years & knows Chris Hughs who is a business associate & a friend.
Exhibit #1--Copy of a text message from Chris Hughes that was sent to Searcy.
This exhibit is sealed as it contains Searcy's telephone number.
DT asking if he recalls contacting Nurmi's office in January. Searcy is asked to review the text message. DT asks to approach the judge. Searcy now has his cell phone in his hand and is searching it. (not sure what for at this time).
Searcy received the text message on January 15, three days after speaking to Nurmi.
Text message from 1015 hours. "heard you were on Jodi's witness list, do you know why?" Searcy and Hughes spoke after that text message. Searcy did not know he was on the witness list. Hughes told Searcy that he was working with the prosecution and he was watching TV and heard it there. Hughes said that he spoke to the prosecutor. Searcy doesn't remember if Hughes mentioned the name of the prosecutor.
Exhibits #2 & #3, information showing when Searcy was placed on the witness list. This information was filed the morning of January 15.
Nurmi is asking Searcy about references Highes made about Nurmi Hughes called Nurmi a snake and mentioned his tricks. Searcy is being asked where Hughes opinion came from. Searcy cannot comment.
CROSS EXAMINATION
Searcy agreed to talk to Hughes. Hughes called Searcy but he missed his call. Searcy said that Hughes said he would call him later. There was some phone tag between Searcy and Hughes.
Searcy spoke to Hughes. Searcy spoke to Hughes about a number of things except what he was going to say at the hearing. Searcy tried to contact the county attorney's office but they didn't return his call. Searcy told Hughes he was upset with the prosecution because they did not return his calls. PT is asking Searcy if it is true that he wants to use this hearing to make himself the center of attention.
Searcy's belief is that Hughes spoke to the prosecution.
REDIRECT
Nurmi is asking Searcy about the subject matter of his call on January 15.
WITNESS IS EXCUSED
STATE CALLS CHRIS HUGHES
DT says they did not know that Hughes would be testifying.
The Judge allows the prosecution to call Chris Hughes as a witness.
CHRIS HUGHES TESTIMONY
--Hughes is an independant contractor with Legal Shield. Has known Searcy for six years.
--PT shows Hughes the exhibits from earlier (the text messages).
--Hughes sent Searcy a text message.
--Hughes spoke to the prosecutor on January 27, 2013 but has not spoken to him in the last three years.
--Hughes heard that Searcy was on the witness from his wife. Hughes was curious about it so he sent Searcy a text message. Searcy and Hughes called each other but were not able to reach each other. They finally spoke between 1500 & 1600 in the afternoon. The first thing they spoke about was an upcoming seminar. They also talked about Searcy's fiance and her professional experience and their upcoming wedding. Also spoke about Searcy's house and his water pipe break and some remodeling that was done. Hughes said that Searcy "loves the limelight". An example is when Searcy went on People's Court with a family member. Hughes says that for the seminars Searcy has a "unique flair" and Searcy likes to "hide behind the curtain then come out".
--Hughes then asked "what's up with Jodi". Searcy was tightlipped and said he wasn't sure if he was going to be called upon to testify.
--Searcy mentioned that he had tried to contact the prosecution's office and they weren't calling him back. Hughes says that Searcy was agitated. Searcy says that he wasn't going to say anything and that he was going to save it for the stand if called.
--Searcy said that he had information that would hurt her or free her. Hughes said "c'mon Gus, she admitted it". Searcy then said he had information that would hurt her or help her.
--Hughes never told Searcy he had spokenn to Martinez or his office.
--Hughes never told Searcy he was working for the prosecution.
--Hughes did speak about Nurmi and expressed his disdain about Nurmi, said that Nurmi was a liar and that Nurmi lied to his wife. Nurmi lied to Hughes wife about a hearing from years ago about some letters that were concocted.
--Hughes never called the prosecution's office until this past weekend. Hughes returned a call that was made to him. Arrangements were then made for Hughes to fly out.
DT is now asking for a recess. DT now wants to obtain the emails between Nurmi and Hughes wife. DT is serving Hughes with a supeona for witness.
