Opinion ID: 4578624
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Bernadette Brown

Text: Ms. Brown described the night of the attack as follows. She, Mr. Oldman, Mr. Whiteplume, Mr. Dodge, and Mr. Tabaho, were in the basement drinking, smoking marijuana, and (except Mr. Dodge) using methamphetamines. After Mr. Dodge refused Mr. Oldman’s request for a bottle of alcohol, Mr. Oldman punched him. ROA, Vol. 3 at 531. They fought. Mr. Oldman knocked Mr. Dodge to the ground and punched and kicked him. Mr. Tabaho gave Mr. Oldman a nearby wrench. Id. at 570. He hit Mr. Dodge on the head with the wrench twice. Id. at 570-71. Mr. Oldman then asked Mr. Tabaho for a crowbar from upstairs. Id. at 532, 571-573. He used it to hit Mr. Dodge in the face four times. Id. Mr. Whiteplume kicked Mr. Dodge at least twice while he was on the ground. Id. at 558. Mr. Whiteplume proposed they cut Mr. Dodge’s throat. Id. at 557. Mr. Oldman and Mr. Whiteplume put Mr. Dodge—who was barely breathing—in the crawlspace. Id. at 534. At Mr. Oldman’s suggestion, they unplugged the basement freezer to mask any smell “in case he rots.” Id. at 534-35. They left Ms. Brown in the 2 We discuss only those witnesses whose testimony is relevant to this appeal. 4 basement with Mr. Dodge. She could hear him “gurgling,” but his throat had not been cut. Id. at 533, 535. She left early in the morning while it was still dark.3 A week later, Mr. Whiteplume told her he “had to slice [Mr. Dodge’s] throat.” Id. at 539.