Opinion ID: 2791285
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Herrera-Gutierrez’ Testimony

Text: The events of December 2, 2012, revolved around a drug transaction planned to occur at Morales’ shop. HerreraGutierrez testified that Morales had asked him if he could get Morales some cocaine. Herrera-Gutierrez and Noriega were supposed to deliver the cocaine to the shop. At approximately 11:30 a.m., Herrera-Gutierrez and Noriega left a restaurant to go to Morales’ shop. Upon their arrival, Herrera-Gutierrez exited the vehicle and telephoned Morales to unlock the shop’s door. Morales opened the door and came outside. Herrera-Gutierrez saw Noriega linger in the vehicle for a moment, grab something, and put it underneath his arm. Herrera-Gutierrez testified that the thing Noriega had grabbed was “that cocaine.” The three proceeded into Morales’ shop and up the stairs to the shop’s office. Herrera-Gutierrez testified that when they arrived in the office, two black males were already present. Nebraska Advance Sheets 548 290 NEBRASKA REPORTS Herrera-Gutierrez identified them as Stricklin and Newman. And he testified that he had recognized them from prior visits to the shop. He had seen Stricklin approximately four times at the shop, and he had seen Newman approximately three times at the shop. However, he had never learned their names, because Morales had not mentioned any names. Upon entering the office, Noriega gave the cocaine to Morales and Morales set the cocaine on a table. Newman approached the table, and he and Morales opened the cocaine. Although Stricklin had a “see-through bag” containing wrinkled bills, Newman told Morales that he was going to get the money. Newman turned around as if he was going to leave the office. But rather than leaving, he turned back around with a gun in his hand. Newman pointed the gun at them, and HerreraGutierrez saw that Stricklin also had a gun. Newman instructed Morales to tell Herrera-Gutierrez and Noriega to lie down. Herrera-Gutierrez and Noriega lay face down on the ground. Newman tied Herrera-Gutierrez’ wrists, and a piece of plastic was wrapped around his face. Although Herrera-Gutierrez was able to breathe, he was unable to see if Stricklin and Newman were doing the same to Noriega. Herrera-Gutierrez heard Stricklin and Newman instruct Morales to lie down as well. He heard Morales say, “No, you respect me, my house is your second house,” and Newman reply, “I’m sorry, [Morales], business is business.” HerreraGutierrez felt Morales lie down close to him. Herrera-Gutierrez was then lifted up a “little bit” and a plastic bag was placed over his head. Right after the bag was placed over his head, he heard “boom, boom, boom” and someone screaming. He testified that he heard two or three gunshots. Herrera-Gutierrez started to feel like he was “asphyxiating.” After he heard the shots, he heard a voice that he thought was Noriega, “lamenting, like AH, AH, AH.” He then heard one more shot. Someone grabbed Herrera-Gutierrez, the bag was taken off his head, and his hands were untied. He was dropped back to the ground, where he stayed and did not try to move. He heard footsteps, as if someone was walking quickly, and Nebraska Advance Sheets STATE v. STRICKLIN 549 Cite as 290 Neb. 542 then heard someone turn around, as if the person had forgotten something and returned to grab it. After approximately 5 minutes, Herrera-Gutierrez turned around and saw a “circle” of blood where Morales was lying. He called out to Morales, but Morales made no response. Herrera-Gutierrez ran out of the office, walked down a nearby street, and was eventually picked up by a passing driver. After being dropped off, he traveled to the home of Noriega’s family in order to tell them what had happened.