DISTRICT JUDGE'S MINUTES

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

DISTRICT OF ARIZONA – PHOENIX

U.S. District Judge: Diane J. Humetewa Date: October 17, 2023

USA v. Michael Lacey, et al Case Number: CR-18-00422-PHX-DJH

Assistant U.S. Attorneys: Kevin Rapp, Austin Berry, Margaret Perlmeter, Andrew Stone, Peter 

Kozinets

Attorneysfor Defendants: Paul J. Cambria Jr., Retained for Defendant Lacey, present; Bruce S. Feder, 

Retained (Knapp) and Eric W. Kessler, CJA for Defendant Spear, present; Gary S. Lincenberg and Gopi 

K. Panchapakesan, Retained for Defendant Brunst, present; David S. Eisenberg, CJA for Defendant 

Padilla, present; Joy M. Bertrand, CJA for Defendant Vaught, present.

Defendants: ☒ Present ☐ Not Present ☒ Released ☐ Custody ☐ Summons ☐ Writ

JURY TRIAL (Day 19):

8:59 a.m. Court reconvenes. Discussion held with counsel. 9:10 a.m. Jury present. Quoc Thai examined 

further. Exhibits 1689, 1690, and 1693 are admitted. 9:49 a.m. Cross-Examination by Mr. 

Panchapakesan. 10:34 a.m. Recess. 

10:55 a.m. Court reconvenes. 10:57 a.m. Jury present. Cross-Examination by Mr. Cambria. 11:09 a.m.

No additional cross-examination. Redirect. 11:20 a.m. Recross by Mr. Cambria. 11:23 a.m. Witness 

excused. Naiomy Figueroa sworn and examined. 11:37 a.m. Jury exits courtroom. Discussion held 

with counsel. 11:46 a.m. Jury present. Witness examined further. 12:02 p.m. Cross-Examination by 

Ms. Bertrand. 12:05 p.m. Cross-Examination by Mr. Cambria. 12:06 p.m. Cross-Examination by Mr. 

Eisenberg. 12:08 p.m. Cross-Examination by Mr. Feder. 12:09 p.m. No additional cross-examination. 

Redirect. 12:11 p.m. Witness excused. Recess. 

1:15 p.m. Court reconvenes. Discussion held with counsel. The Court makes an inquiry of Jurors 10, 

6, and 15, individually. Mr. Lincenberg makes an oral Motion for Mistrial. For the reasons stated, IT 

IS ORDERED the oral Motion for Mistrial is denied. 1:47 p.m. Jury present. Astrid Cervantes sworn 

and examined. No additional cross-examination and no redirect. Andrea Benson sworn and examined. 

2:36 p.m. Cross-Examination by Mr. Eisenberg. 2:42 p.m. Cross-Examination by Mr. Cambria. 2:44 

p.m. Cross-Examination by Mr. Feder. 2:55 p.m. No additional cross-examination and no redirect. 

Witness excused. 2:56 p.m. Recess. 

3:19 p.m. Court reconvenes. 3:21 p.m. Jury present. Arshana Sanders-Willis sworn and examined. 2:55 

p.m. No cross-examination and no redirect. Witness excused. Derek Fritze sworn and examined. 

Exhibits 1606, and 1606a-c are admitted. 4:17 p.m. Cross-Examination by Mr. Kessler. 4:30 p.m. Jury 

exits courtroom. Counsel are informed of the Court’s intent to set aside Friday afternoons, beginning 

with this Friday, between 1:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. to review the Final Jury Instructions and Verdict, 

and to hear argument re: the same. Government is instructed to review its Verdict form. Discussion re: 

witnesses. IT IS ORDERED that by Wednesday, October 18th at 4:00 p.m., defense counsel shall 

Case 2:18-cr-00422-DJH Document 1863 Filed 10/17/23 Page 1 of 2
USA v. Michael Lacey Date: August 17, 2023 

Case Number: CR-18-00422-001-PHX-DJH Page 2 of 2

disclose Rule 26.2 statements of their first witnesses. 4:51 p.m. Court in recess until Wednesday, 

October 18, 2023 at 9:00 a.m.

Court Reporter Hilda Lopez/Cathy Taylor

Deputy Clerk Liliana Figueroa

Start: 8:59 AM

Stop: 4:51 PM

Total: 6hrs 4min

Case 2:18-cr-00422-DJH Document 1863 Filed 10/17/23 Page 2 of 2