Opinion ID: 4270652
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Defense’s Evidence

Text: The defense called Benitez as its first witness. Benitez testified that he robbed the bank carrying “a fake, plastic gun” that was a replica of a real firearm. On cross examination, Benitez admitted that he lied to the police by telling them that he had not committed the robbery. The government also questioned Benitez 11 Case: 16-10476 Date Filed: 04/27/2018 Page: 12 of 24 about his 1996 convictions under Florida law for grand theft and battery on an EMT or firefighter and a 1996 federal conviction for conspiracy to distribute narcotics. Benitez admitted to all three convictions. The defense’s second witness was Blanca Vega, Benitez’s 15-year-old daughter. Vega testified that, in September 2014 (shortly before the bank robbery), she had taken a photograph of herself with a fake pistol and posted it on social media. After school officials became aware of the photograph, they contacted Benitez, who told the school officials that the firearm was not real, but a toy gun. Vega testified that she had looked at videos and photographs of Benitez robbing the bank and believed that Benitez was carrying that same firearm replica when he robbed the bank. The defense’s third witness was Michael Galbreath, Vega’s school principal. Galbreath testified that he had investigated Vega’s picture and had not found reason for concern. The fourth defense witness was Alfred Olsen, a private investigator and former law enforcement officer. Olsen testified that he evaluated the security video from the bank and attempted to determine what type of weapon or instrument was used during the robbery. Olsen stated that the weapon held by Benitez appeared to be a Browning Hi-Power handgun, but that the weapon was distinguishable from a Browning Hi-Power handgun in several respects. Olsen 12 Case: 16-10476 Date Filed: 04/27/2018 Page: 13 of 24 then opined that the weapon was an Ekol Aras Magnum replica gun that fired blanks. Olsen also acknowledged that the Ekol Aras Magnum could be converted so that it could fire live rounds. However, Olsen stated that the conversion would require changing out the barrel and rechambering the gun, which was a complicated process. Based on his evaluation, Olsen did not believe Benitez used a real firearm during the robbery.