Opinion ID: 202178
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Lizardo's Testimony

Text: 52 Lizardo testified in his own defense at trial. Lizardo said that he knew Bello and sometimes met with him at Bello's Multi Services. On two occasions, Yturrino was also present, but he did not see them exchange drugs or cash. Lizardo denied running any warrant or registry checks for Bello or Yturrino and denied that the two of them ever discussed their cocaine business in his presence. Lizardo also interpreted the telephone conversations between himself and Bello, attributing non-inculpatory meaning to the unclear statements. 53 Regarding the two occasions when officers surveilled Lizardo and Bello, Lizardo denied having assisted with any countersurveillance actions. Further, he was upset with Bello's attempts to evade surveillance. Lizardo testified that he was suspicious of the officers surveilling them at the Ninety-Nine restaurant because he thought the officers might be gay or connected to criminals he had recently arrested. He stated that he went to the Casa del Sol nightclub with Bello because he wanted to use Bello as an informant and arrange a meeting between Sergeant Kennefick and Bello.