GUILTY TX - Mason Williams, 21 months, murdered, parents blame death on demons, Kyle, 4 Jul 2018

  • #121
Tuesday, April 26th:
*Trial continues (Day 2) (@ 9am CT) – TX – Mason Williams (21 mos.) (July 4, 2018, Kyle; parents blame demons on death) - *Dazrine Ruth Chagoya-Williams (20/now 24) arrested & charged (7/23/18) with1st degree capital murder & 1st degree injury to a child (8 mo. old daughter). Plead not guilty. $250K Surety bond or cash. Bond reduction-denied (8/26/21).
Prior CPS reports; 8 mo. old taken by CPS. 8-month-old daughter was injured too; the infant was taken to a local hospital & found to have multiple rib fractures, a skull fracture & a lacerated kidney.
Trial began on 4/25/22.

Court hearings from 10/15/18 thru 4/22/22 reference post #118 here:
TX - Mason Williams, 21 months, murdered, parents blame death on demons, Kyle, 4 Jul 2018

4/24/22: Motion (no mention of "what"). 4/25/22 Update: Application for subpoena; defendant's subpoena issued.
4/25/22 Monday, Trial Day 1: Jury selection. No other info available. Trial continues on 4/26/22.

*Stevie Dwayne Williams – Trial began on 10/12/21 & ended on 10/21/21 was found guilty of 1st degree capital murder & sentenced to LWOP.
 
  • #122
  • #123
I "think" the trial is still ongoing - but don't understand the last entry in the docket. Regarding the "Application for community supervision" - ?? I guess I'll find out when they update the court site later today.


Wednesday, April 27th:

*Trial continues (Day 3) (@ 9am CT) – TX – Mason Williams (21 mos.) (July 4, 2018, Kyle; parents blame demons on death) - *Dazrine Ruth Chagoya-Williams (20/now 24) arrested & charged (7/23/18) with1st degree capital murder & 1st degree injury to a child (8 mo. old daughter). Plead not guilty. $250K Surety bond or cash. Bond reduction-denied (8/26/21).
Prior CPS reports; 8 mo. old taken by CPS. 8-month-old daughter was injured too; the infant was taken to a local hospital & found to have multiple rib fractures, a skull fracture & a lacerated kidney.
Trial began on 4/25/22.

Court hearings from 10/15/18 thru 4/24/22 & Trial Day 1 (4/25/22) reference post #121 here:
TX - Mason Williams, 21 months, murdered, parents blame death on demons, Kyle, 4 Jul 2018

4/25/22 Update: Additional info: Court's jury list; defendant's jury strike list & State's jury strike list. Election of punishment & application for community supervision.
4/26/22 Tuesday, Trial Day 2: Jury selection still on-going - ?? No other info available. Trial continues on 4/27/22.

*Stevie Dwayne Williams – Trial began on 10/12/21 & ended on 10/21/21 was found guilty of 1st degree capital murder & sentenced to LWOP.
 
  • #124
  • #125
  • #126
Thursday, April 28th:
*Trial continues (Day 4) (@ 9am CT) – TX – Mason Williams (21 mos.) (July 4, 2018, Kyle; parents blame demons on death) - *Dazrine Ruth Chagoya-Williams (20/now 24) arrested & charged (7/23/18) with1st degree capital murder & 1st degree injury to a child (8 mo. old daughter). Plead not guilty. $250K Surety bond or cash. Bond reduction-denied (8/26/21).
Prior CPS reports; 8 mo. old taken by CPS. 8-month-old daughter was injured too; the infant was taken to a local hospital & found to have multiple rib fractures, a skull fracture & a lacerated kidney.
Trial began on 4/25/22.

Court hearings from 10/15/18 thru 4/24/22 & Trial Day 1 (4/25/22) reference post #123 here:
TX - Mason Williams, 21 months, murdered, parents blame death on demons, Kyle, 4 Jul 2018

4/26/22 Tuesday, Trial Day 2: Jury selection still on-going - ?? No other info available. Trial continues on 4/27/22. Discovery receipt email from DA.
4/27/22 Wednesday, Trial Day 3: No info available. Trial continues on 4/28/22.

*Stevie Dwayne Williams – Trial began on 10/12/21 & ended on 10/21/21 was found guilty of 1st degree capital murder & sentenced to LWOP.
 
  • #127
  • #128
Okay - someone found a tweeter person for this trial - so here is

Grace Reader
@GraceReaderTV
·
April 25, Monday:
For those of you who follow me on Twitter for updates on the trials for the parents of 2-yo Mason, Dazrine Chagoya-Williams’ trial does start today. Media is not allowed at the jury selection process but I will be live tweeting again when opening statements begin.

We expect those to begin tomorrow or Wednesday, depending on how quickly a jury can be seated. Again, I’ll be there.

April 26, Tuesday:
Update: The district court admin for Hays County says the jury will be selected today and opening arguments will start tomorrow at 9.

State asked Shultz about Chagoya-Williams' demeanor while first responders were doing CPR.

He said she was "apathetic," not showing emotion.

Defense now cross examining, asking about Shultz using "slightly" stiff to describe body in Oct. trial versus "very" stiff today.

Johnnie Smith is the state's next witness, another Kyle firefighter who responded to the scene (now with Austin).

Expect to hear similar testimony from these 1st responders to what was presented in Stevie's trial with additional questions about Chagoya-Williams' demeanor/role.

Back from lunch now. Smith is back on the stand describing what he saw when he arrived on scene.

Smith is describing that Mason's jaw was "clenched."

"I was expecting a limp patient because they said 'unconscious,'" he explains.

Said that can either indicate Mason was dead for some time or in rare cases people do clench their jaw during medical emergencies.

"It definitely just seemed off," Smith said. "I just remember feeling that something was slightly off."

Defense cross examining now, asking about the people already on scene when Smith arrived. Says he doesn't remember seeing Chagoya-Williams when he walked in the house.

One of the differences in this trial versus Stevie's is that Chagoya-Williams' defense can refer to testimony previously given by these same witnesses.

The state is doing a lot of that while cross examining. A lot of, "but you previously testified that..."

Kiersten Leander (formerly Robinson, that's how she appears on the witness list) is the state's next witness. She was an EMT (now a paramedic) that arrived on scene in 2018.

"The dad was really upset and asked why we were stopping [life-saving measures]," Leander said. She does not remember speaking with Chagoya-Williams, but saw her.

State now doing cross. Again, referring to previous testimony.

Leander said bruising around Mason's mid-section was consistent with finger marks and talked about the stiffness of his arm.

"That was the first time I had a child CPR," Leander said, noting she was very upset and left the home shortly after measures stopped.

Kyle Skinner, a paramedic, is the next witness.

Dazrine appears to be paying attention to witnesses, occasionally writing things down and looking at her attorney's notes, but has not been outwardly emotional.

We have twice now seen a photo of Mason's body, though briefly.

Skinner did speak with both parents on scene:

Of Stevie's demeanor: "He was hysterical, but he was cooperative with us."

Of Dazrine: "There was no emotion that she showed, it was just [long pause] absent."

Skinner was tasked with telling the parents in this case that life-saving measures had been stopped and there was nothing more that could be done.

State: "What was her [Chagoya-Williams'] response?"

Skinner: "She didn't have a response."

Defense: "Is there a typical reaction [to learning your child is dead]?"

Skinner says most people cry, beg for first responders to keep trying, but admits reactions vary.

Defense trying to show that Dazrine's reaction is not an indication of guilt.

The state's next witness is Kyle Police Officer Arturo Cardona.

Cardona says he asked Dazrine what happened.

"She did not know what happened."

"She stated that she didn't find the child, her husband went into the room."

"She used the words, 'he was not alive.'"

The jury will now see Cardona's body camera footage. It's 4 hours long so the state will jump around.

As such, we'll likely see different parts of it than we saw during Stevie's trial that focus on interactions with Dazrine.

As first responders work on Mason, Dazrine can be seen going and getting baby Dazrine, then being asked to step outside where she chats with police.

Later, Dazrine is heard on the phone with her mom: "I didn't even do nothing, mom." She cries. She keeps repeating, "he was fine."

Dazrine appears to be crying in the courtroom while video plays out of her emotional phone conversation with her mom after learning Mason had died.

We did not see this portion of the video in Stevie's trial.

Dazrine eventually sits on the step outside the house next to Stevie, this is later in the video.

"Look at me...God takes the special ones," Dazrine can be heard saying to him in body cam video.

She's out of the camera's view, but we can hear Dazrine talking to people on the phone/Stevie saying things like:

"I feel so sick."
"I can't suffer too much longer."
"Mason's not okay. And he's not going to be okay."

Judge wraps it for the day. Jury asked to be back at 9 tomorrow morning.

link: https://twitter.com/GraceReaderTV/status/1518988966330093570
 
  • #129
for April 27, Wednesday:

Grace Reader
@GraceReaderTV
·
Apr 27
Back in the courtroom this morning for the Dazrine Chagoya-Williams trial. The young mom is charged with capital murder in the death of her 2-year-old son, Mason.

The state will start where they left off yesterday, with Kyle police officer Arturo Cardona on the stand.

The jury was sent home at roughly 4:30 before watching all of the video the state will present from Cardona’s body camera. We'll see the rest of that this am.

In video presented this morning, Chagoya-Williams is shown interacting with her husband, Stevie at the scene. At one point she says:

"Are you alright, babe? ... It's not gonna change nothin."

Cross-examination happening now.

The defense now asking about why it took as long as it did for a detective to arrive on scene.

Cardona says it was 4th of July, so detectives were on call and it takes a while to determine a scene requires a detective.

Defense is having the jury watch body camera video of the time Mason's body being removed from the family's home by funeral services.

In the video, Chagoya-Williams is crying and being hugged by victims' services, Stevie is not seen in the video. The defense asked about that.

We also saw body camera footage of the incident that's been referenced several times where Stevie misunderstood a medic who had cleared an airway and yelled that Mason was alive.

Dazrine rushed into the house before being pulled out again by police.

The defense is still combing through this four hour body camera video.

Chagoya-Williams talked to her grandmother on the phone, which is captured in the video: “I don’t know how though, Grammie,” she said. “He didn’t get up.”

Kyle police officer J Bean will be the next witness for the state.

They want to play body camera video from Bean that is also new to us. It was not admissible in Stevie's trial.

It shows statements Dazrine made to Bean in 2018 on the scene. The defense is reviewing it first.

Jury will now watch body camera video of Dazrine speaking with Officer Bean and a woman with EMS.

Dazrine repeats the story she told the 911 dispatcher, that Mason sometimes woke up with bruises in his ears.

We see the commotion again where Dazrine runs into the house.

We will now see photos Bean took of the scene where Mason was pronounced dead.

The first is of Mason's body after life-saving measures were ceased.

The photos of Mason's body are hard to see. One of the jurors asked for tissues and appeared to be lightly crying.

Another took quick notes as the state showed all of the places bruising was present on the boy's body.

The defense has asked a few times about the rib bruising which has been described as looking like "fingerprints" by several witnesses.

Those bruises were brought front and center by the state in Stevie's trial.

Dazrine has really small hands, defense pointed out previously.

The state asks Officer Bean if he has ever taken training/if he knows it be common to match bruises to exact fingers. He says no.

The defense asks if police would note a shoe print in a crime scene? Yes. Would you measure it? Yes. Would you measure a suspect's shoe? Yes.

"I'm not trained to measure finger prints," Ofc. Bean says.

There is a lot of back and forth over the finger-sized bruises and why they were not measured by police.

Defense, again, working to prove here that Stevie was responsible for Mason's death.

Next witness is Detective Talamantes (she has since retired).

She spoke with Dazrine in the front seat of her unmarked unit for about 20 mins on July 4, 2018, she said.

The detective was wearing a body camera. Jury will see that footage now (was not shown in Stevie's trial)

"I just don't understand, he was fine."
video shows Dazrine walking through the family's routine with the detective. She states the events of the day in a very matter-of-fact way, she doesn't cry. "They went to sleep like any other day and he just didn't wake up."

"It looked like something, something attacked him or something," Dazrine said in the interview.

She says Mason did not have bruises when they put him down for his nap and then he woke up with them.

The finger-sized bruises are brought up again.

The state asks if the detective has training that could match a certain finger-sized bruise to a specific person.

The detective said yes originally, clarified, then said no.

The defense is asking the detective about Stevie and his demeanor when they were interviewing him. She said Stevie didn't give much information and was upset.

"He was crying but you could tell his facial expression that he was upset and he just didn't want to talk to me."

The defense asking the detective about supplemental reports. She said at Kyle PD for a while they were losing reports, having to retype them.

Judge orders the state to try to find supplements or reports that have been completed by the detective and provide them to the defense.

The jury sent home, will be back at 9am.

Defense still in the courtroom trying to sort out what documents they might be missing.

The state will basically be tasked with figuring out what the issue was/how long it existed/what's missing or not.

link: https://twitter.com/GraceReaderTV/status/1519383021891301377
 
  • #130
for 4/28/22, Thursday

Grace Reader
@GraceReaderTV
Back in the courtroom this morning for the third day of testimony in the trial of Dazrine Chagoya-Williams, the woman allegedly involved in a fatal child abuse case.

The defense will start this morning by continuing their cross-examination of Detective Talamantes.
The defense is questioning Detective Talamantes on what evidence was tested and why.

The detective cannot remember what was submitted to be tested, but confirmed some items collected were not (such as diapers).

Defense again asking about those finger-sized bruises.

Antonio Zamora is the state's next witness.

He worked Mason's case during his time at the Texas Department of Family Protective Services (DFPS). CPS is a division within DFPS.

Mason’s case was one of Zamora's first when he was transferred to this region.

Zamora was assigned Mason's case in July 2017, Mason had already been removed from his parents.

Zamora facilitated the family reunification process.

In Dec. 2017, a court ruled Mason be returned to his parents under a "return and monitor" period.

Zamora testified Dazrine was always with the kids and that when Stevie was around they shared responsibilities equally.

State: Did you see concerning behavior? Did you see bruising?
To both: "No, ma'am."

Zamora testified he checked in on Mason's "health passport."

In March of 2018, the department was dismissed by the court in Mason's case.

"That would mean the department is no longer involved with the family and the case would close."

Mason died on July 4, 2018.

The defense is cross-examining Zamora now. Suggested both parents tested positive for marijuana when Mason was initially removed.

Asked if Stevie refused to take a hair follicle drug test during the reunification process.

Zamora: "There were issues in that regard."

Court taking its morning break.

The defense now asking Zamora about circumstances in which a reunification plan would *not* be given to a family and child/children would just be removed immediately.

"So there were not aggravated circumstances found [in Mason's case], correct?" Zamora confirms.

Defense pinned Zamora on not verifying Stevie's employment. Asks why CPS wouldn't want to verify that for "stability" reasons. Dazrine did not work.

Zamora says employment may not be focus for CPS "if the parents are meeting the child's needs in some other way."

Helen Jackson Franks is the state's next witness.

She is Stevie Williams' grandmother.

She says to her knowledge Stevie and Dazrine are still married.

Jury breaking for lunch. When the jury returns they'll hear from Stevie's grandma.


link: https://twitter.com/GraceReaderTV/status/1519677982163488768


Okay - I believe I have all the dates so far.
I will continue copy/paste tweets - maybe later today - actually it is night over here - so will probably catch them in the morning.
 
  • #131
No new tweets yet - so I'll pick them up in the morning as I'm signing off for the night.
 
  • #132
Day cut short in fatal child abuse trial after family reveals new information

The state said Thursday, roughly an hour before the jury normally breaks for the day, that Stevie’s mother and grandmother had made new statements during a break that warranted a witness statement to be written and for it to be handed to the defense. What exactly was said was not disclosed. The jury will return Friday.
 
  • #133
for Thursday, April 28th:


Grace Reader
@GraceReaderTV
Afternoon break now.

Without the jury present, the defense and state argued about what from Stevie's trial/evidence could be brought in here. Defense is frustrated.

Stevie is appealing, they said.

(From court docs for Stevie: 12/21/2021 Notice from Court of Appeals)


Stevie's family apparently made statements during the break to one of the state attorneys that warrants a written witness statement and for it to be handed to the defense.

The judge excused the jury for the day.

link: https://twitter.com/GraceReaderTV/status/1519766435710517248
 
  • #134
Since I found the tweets - I have redone all the trial dates with witnesses.

Friday, April 29th:

*Trial continues (Day 5) (@ 9am CT) – TX – Mason Williams (21 mos.) (July 4, 2018, Kyle; parents blame demons on death) - *Dazrine Ruth Chagoya-Williams (20/now 24) arrested & charged (7/23/18) with1st degree capital murder & 1st degree injury to a child (8 mo. old daughter). Plead not guilty. $250K Surety bond or cash. Bond reduction-denied (8/26/21).
Prior CPS reports; 8 mo. old taken by CPS. 8-month-old daughter was injured too; the infant was taken to a local hospital & found to have multiple rib fractures, a skull fracture & a lacerated kidney.
Trial began on 4/25/22.

Court hearings from 10/15/18 thru 4/24/22 reference post #127 here:
TX - Mason Williams, 21 months, murdered, parents blame death on demons, Kyle, 4 Jul 2018

4/25/22 Monday, Jury Selection. And opening statements.
4/26/22 Tuesday, Trial Day 1: State witnesses: Shultz, first responder. Johnnie Smith, Kyle firefighter responded to scene. Kiersten Leander (formerly Robinson). She was an EMT (now a paramedic) that arrived on scene. Kyle Skinner, a paramedic. Kyle Police Officer Arturo Cardona. The jury saw Cardona's body camera footage.
for more info see post #128 here:
TX - Mason Williams, 21 months, murdered, parents blame death on demons, Kyle, 4 Jul 2018
Trial continues on 4/27/22.
4/27/22: Agreement to waive sequestration of jury by parties & agreement to waive reading of Court's answers to jury in open court.
4/27/22 Wednesday, Trial Day 2: State witnesses: Kyle Police Officer Arturo Cardona. Kyle police officer Jerritt Bean. Sections of body camera video from Bean were also admitted into evidence Wednesday. Those showed Bean’s brief conversations with Chagoya-Williams. Along with Bean’s body camera footage, the state introduced evidence photos taken by the Kyle police officer of the scene — including photos of Mason’s body after life-saving measures were stopped. Detective Talamantes. Jury shown footage of body camera video.
For more info see post #129 here:
TX - Mason Williams, 21 months, murdered, parents blame death on demons, Kyle, 4 Jul 2018
Trial continues on 4/28/22.
4/28/22 Thursday, Trial Day 3: State witnesses: Detective Talamantes back on stand. Antonio Zamora. He worked Mason's case during his time at the Texas Dept. of Family Protective Services (DFPS). CPS is a division within DFPS. Helen Jackson Franks. She is Stevie Williams' grandmother.
For more info see post #130 here:
TX - Mason Williams, 21 months, murdered, parents blame death on demons, Kyle, 4 Jul 2018
Without the jury present the defense & State argued about what from Stevie's trial/evidence could be brought in. Stevie is appealing his case (12/21/21 Notice). Stevie's family apparently made statements during break to one of the State attorneys that warrants a written witness statement & to be handed to defense. Judge excused the jury for the day. Trial continues on 4/29/22.

*Stevie Dwayne Williams – Trial began on 10/12/21 & ended on 10/21/21 was found guilty of 1st degree capital murder & sentenced to LWOP. Appeal filed 12/21/21.
 
  • #135
Since I found the tweets - I have redone all the trial dates with witnesses.

Friday, April 29th:

*Trial continues (Day 5) (@ 9am CT) – TX – Mason Williams (21 mos.) (July 4, 2018, Kyle; parents blame demons on death) - *Dazrine Ruth Chagoya-Williams (20/now 24) arrested & charged (7/23/18) with1st degree capital murder & 1st degree injury to a child (8 mo. old daughter). Plead not guilty. $250K Surety bond or cash. Bond reduction-denied (8/26/21).
Prior CPS reports; 8 mo. old taken by CPS. 8-month-old daughter was injured too; the infant was taken to a local hospital & found to have multiple rib fractures, a skull fracture & a lacerated kidney.
Trial began on 4/25/22.

Court hearings from 10/15/18 thru 4/24/22 reference post #127 here:
TX - Mason Williams, 21 months, murdered, parents blame death on demons, Kyle, 4 Jul 2018

4/25/22 Monday, Jury Selection. And opening statements.
4/26/22 Tuesday, Trial Day 1: State witnesses: Shultz, first responder. Johnnie Smith, Kyle firefighter responded to scene. Kiersten Leander (formerly Robinson). She was an EMT (now a paramedic) that arrived on scene. Kyle Skinner, a paramedic. Kyle Police Officer Arturo Cardona. The jury saw Cardona's body camera footage.
for more info see post #128 here:
TX - Mason Williams, 21 months, murdered, parents blame death on demons, Kyle, 4 Jul 2018
Trial continues on 4/27/22.
4/27/22: Agreement to waive sequestration of jury by parties & agreement to waive reading of Court's answers to jury in open court.
4/27/22 Wednesday, Trial Day 2: State witnesses: Kyle Police Officer Arturo Cardona. Kyle police officer Jerritt Bean. Sections of body camera video from Bean were also admitted into evidence Wednesday. Those showed Bean’s brief conversations with Chagoya-Williams. Along with Bean’s body camera footage, the state introduced evidence photos taken by the Kyle police officer of the scene — including photos of Mason’s body after life-saving measures were stopped. Detective Talamantes. Jury shown footage of body camera video.
For more info see post #129 here:
TX - Mason Williams, 21 months, murdered, parents blame death on demons, Kyle, 4 Jul 2018
Trial continues on 4/28/22.
4/28/22 Thursday, Trial Day 3: State witnesses: Detective Talamantes back on stand. Antonio Zamora. He worked Mason's case during his time at the Texas Dept. of Family Protective Services (DFPS). CPS is a division within DFPS. Helen Jackson Franks. She is Stevie Williams' grandmother.
For more info see post #130 here:
TX - Mason Williams, 21 months, murdered, parents blame death on demons, Kyle, 4 Jul 2018
Without the jury present the defense & State argued about what from Stevie's trial/evidence could be brought in. Stevie is appealing his case (12/21/21 Notice). Stevie's family apparently made statements during break to one of the State attorneys that warrants a written witness statement & to be handed to defense. Judge excused the jury for the day. Trial continues on 4/29/22.

*Stevie Dwayne Williams – Trial began on 10/12/21 & ended on 10/21/21 was found guilty of 1st degree capital murder & sentenced to LWOP. Appeal filed 12/21/21.
I want to tell you how much I appreciate all your constant hard work on so many cases. Your updates are invaluable, especially for me on older cases that catch my attention. I’ve been reading them for years & I don’t think I’ve ever told you how invaluable, kind, compassionate & wonderful you are as a human being. You help remind me that there are more kind, selfless people who care about these victims & pursue justice on their behalf than the horrible monsters who commit the crimes. I’m sorry that I haven’t said this more often. Truly, thank you, you are so appreciated & admired
 
  • #136
I want to tell you how much I appreciate all your constant hard work on so many cases. Your updates are invaluable, especially for me on older cases that catch my attention. I’ve been reading them for years & I don’t think I’ve ever told you how invaluable, kind, compassionate & wonderful you are as a human being. You help remind me that there are more kind, selfless people who care about these victims & pursue justice on their behalf than the horrible monsters who commit the crimes. I’m sorry that I haven’t said this more often. Truly, thank you, you are so appreciated & admired

Oh - thank you! I very much appreciate it! :) I usually stick to cases with little kids - want those responsible brought to justice for them!
 
  • #137
Oh - thank you! I very much appreciate it! :) I usually stick to cases with little kids - want those responsible brought to justice for them!
Completely agree about justice for the kids, especially when it’s their own parents. Thanks again for all your continued hard work. Hope you have a great night
 
  • #138
for Friday, April 29th:

Grace Reader
@GraceReaderTV
·
2h
After jurors were sent home early Thursday, the state said they will not reference new statements made by family members during Dazrine Chagoya-Williams’ trial. The defense agrees.

Cross examination of Stevie’s mom continues.


This cross is taking a while, long pauses between questions. Defense is asking Stevie's mom about how regularly she gave Stevie and Dazrine money.

Mom testified she gave them money every couple of days. Stevie asked Dazrine not to work and to stay home with the kids.


The state now calls Amanda Del Cueto, Dazrine's half sister.

Del Cueto is roughly 18 years older than Chagoya-Williams.

"She was like my first kid." Said they had a close relationship "'til she met Stevie."


Del Cueto was the aunt that took Mason in during the CPS removal in 2017. She was his guardian for just short of a year.

State: "Did you love him [Mason]?"
Del Cueto: "Of course, there was nothing not to love about him."


Del Cueto said there was no transition period when a court ruled Mason go back to his parents for the "return and monitor" period. She had to return him that day.

Said she was cut off by Dazrine and Stevie and her relationship with Mason was severed.

Dazrine is crying.


Del Cueto says Mason's funeral was small and many family members were not invited or weren't allowed to go because "Stevie didn't want them there."

"I was allowed to go because I paid for the burial plot," she said. Del Cueto did not get along with Stevie, she testified.


Del Cueto still talks to Dazrine on the phone Friday mornings, she said.

"We'll talk about what I'm doing in my life or my kids or something that my parents did that's funny."

Del Cueto said she does not like to talk about what happened to Mason and baby Dazrine.


Dazrine used to babysit Del Cueto's kids, the defense said. This was when Dazrine was a pre-teen. Defense asked if Dazrine did anything concerning. Del Cueto testified no. Says her kids loved Dazrine.

Now focused on Del Cueto's tension with Stevie.


Recessed for morning break.


Defense cross-examining now. Asked if Del Cueto thought Stevie was a controlling person.

Del Cueto: "I think he controlled how she [Dazrine] acted and what she said, yes."


Garry Pruitt, Dazrine's dad, is the state's next witness.

Stevie, Dazrine and the kids moved in with Pruitt in December 2017 -- that's roughly when they got Mason back.


State asks if Pruitt saw any injuries or bruising on Mason.

"Slight bruising and nothing out of the...I didn't think it was anything out of the ordinary."

Said when he saw a bruises he asked, mostly Dazrine, about them. Got responses like he fell in the crib or the tub.


Jury taking lunch, they'll be back at 1:10.

Defense will continue cross-examination of Pruitt when they return.

link: https://twitter.com/GraceReaderTV/status/1520043937565716480



and I'll grab the rest of the day's tweets in the morning.
 
  • #139
for Friday, April 29th continued

Grace Reader
@GraceReaderTV
·
18h
Defense asked if Dazrine reached out to her dad and asked for financial help divorcing Stevie after they were arrested and charged in Mason's death.

He says she did and that it's his understanding the two are now divorced.


Next witness is Lindsay Ortiz, another half sister (related through Gary).

She is 15 years older than Dazrine.

"I helped kind of raise her, take care of her." ... "Her teenage years, she was my best friend."


Ortiz said she also noticed injuries.

She said she once noticed Mason had a black eye and Dazrine told her he slipped in the tub. Another time he had a cut above his lip and she said he tripped playing basketball on the porch.

"So you believed it at the time?"
"I did."


Ortiz asked to recall the day Mason died. She is crying.

She was on the family vacation when Dazrine called her.

"I got a phone call that he was not breathing from my sister."

"I asked her if she had called 911 and she said 'yes.'"



Ortiz recalled talking to Dazrine on the phone on July 5, the day after Mason died: "She was saying things like, 'Mason was too pure for this Earth' and 'he's in a better place.'"

State: "Why did you feel that was odd or strange?"

Ortiz: "Well she wasn't crying."


"Can you please just tell them that Mason was a rough boy?"

That's what Ortiz says Chagoya-Williams asked her to say to police if they called asking about Mason's death.

"That was the last conversation I had with my sister." Ortiz was not invited to Mason's funeral.


Afternoon break happening now. Ortiz will be back on the stand when we return.


"She wouldn't hurt a fly."

That's how Ortiz described her sister, Dazrine Chagoya-Williams, at the end of her cross-examination.


Linda Chagoya, Dazrine's mom, is the state's next witness. I don't recall her testifying in Stevie's trial.

She too said she didn't see anything on the kids she thought was more than bumps and bruises kids tend to have.

"I never thought it was something different."


Defense asks Dazrine's mom about a child Stevie might have that is not Dazrine's -- about the same age as Mason.

A lot of objections and the jury is asked to leave the room while the attorneys fight it out.

It was fathered while Dazrine and Stevie were dating, defense said.


No jury in the room: The state suggests Stevie learned of that child in prison.

The defense wants to use this as a possible motive. References the Chris Watts case out of Colorado (the father that allegedly killed his wife and two kids).


Judge will allow it.
Jury is back in the room.


Defense: "Did Dazrine know about this [the other child]?"
Linda: "Dazrine didn't know."

Linda said they found out a couple weeks after Mason was killed about the other child Stevie had and that detectives did ask about it.


Jury not in the room. Defense asks about Linda's meeting with Stevie in jail shortly after they were arrested and what was said.

Linda says Stevie told her, "Dazrine had nothing to do with it, I know what I need to do."

Arguing about whether that can be included.


The state says that's inadmissible hearsay and if the defense wants to include it they need to call Stevie as a witness.

Both sides arguing their side to the judge. Jury, again, not in the room.


Jury will break today so that the attorneys and judge have time to look at this issue.

link: https://twitter.com/GraceReaderTV/status/1520155226900246535

court continues on Monday, 5/2/22
 
  • #140
ACK!! I have now been "blocked" from access the Hays County court site... :rolleyes: guess I'll have to rely on the tweeter posts.


Monday, May 2nd:
*Trial continues (Day 6) (@ 9am CT) – TX – Mason Williams (21 mos.) (July 4, 2018, Kyle; parents blame demons on death) - *Dazrine Ruth Chagoya-Williams (20/now 24) arrested & charged (7/23/18) with1st degree capital murder & 1st degree injury to a child (8 mo. old daughter). Plead not guilty. $250K Surety bond or cash. Bond reduction-denied (8/26/21).
Prior CPS reports; 8 mo. old taken by CPS. 8-month-old daughter was injured too; the infant was taken to a local hospital & found to have multiple rib fractures, a skull fracture & a lacerated kidney.
Trial began on 4/25/22.

Court hearings from 10/15/18 thru 4/24/22 & Trial Days 1-4 (4/25 thru 4/28/22) reference post #134 here:
TX - Mason Williams, 21 months, murdered, parents blame death on demons, Kyle, 4 Jul 2018

4/29/22 Friday, Trial Day 5: State witnesses: Helen Jackson Franks. She is Stevie Williams' grandmother (or mother?). Amanda Del Cueto, Dazrine's half sister. Garry Pruitt, Dazrine's dad.
for more info see post #138 & 139 here:
TX - Mason Williams, 21 months, murdered, parents blame death on demons, Kyle, 4 Jul 2018
State witnesses: Lindsay Ortiz, half sister to Dazrine. Linda Chagoya, Dazrine's mom.
for more info see post #139 here:
TX - Mason Williams, 21 months, murdered, parents blame death on demons, Kyle, 4 Jul 2018
Trial continues on Monday, 5/2/22.

*Stevie Dwayne Williams – Trial began on 10/12/21 & ended on 10/21/21 was found guilty of 1st degree capital murder & sentenced to LWOP. Appealed filed 12/21/21.
 
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