Opinion ID: 867572
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The 1993 Joint Trial of Minnitt and McCrimmon

Text: ¶ 14 In 1993, Peasley began to lay the foundation for Godoy's testimony. His questioning of Godoy and his arguments to the jury indicate that he knew the case hinged on Woods' credibility. His purpose, clearly apparent, was to destroy the defense's claim that Godoy himself, not the suspects, was the source, and that Godoy had fed Woods the three names during the untaped interview. Throughout the trial he argued that Woods was believable because the only possible sources for Woods' information were the defendants themselves, not Godoy. ¶ 15 In his opening statement to the jury, Peasley described Godoy's investigation, stating that the detective did not know that Soto-Fong had worked at the El Grande Market until Godoy interviewed Woods on September 8. Contrary to what he knew to be true, Peasley insisted that the police did not have the names of Soto-Fong, McCrimmon, or Minnitt until after Godoy and Woods met on September 8. During his direct examination of Godoy, Peasley elicited testimony that Godoy had gone to the El Grande Market with the name of Martin Soto-Fong only after talking with Keith Woods. The record is replete with evidence of Peasley's full awareness that this line of testimony was utterly false. ¶ 16 On redirect examination, Peasley continued to ask questions designed to mislead the jury regarding when and how Godoy discovered the defendants' names. Peasley: And is it fair to say that essentially the information that you began working with when Mr. McCrimmon and Mr. Minnitt and Martin Fong became suspects would have been after the time that you talked to Keith Woods in this case? Godoy: Yes. Godoy was later recalled, whereupon Peasley continued: Peasley: Sir, when was the first time you became aware personally that a former employee may have been involved in the El Grande homicide? Godoy: When I spoke with Keith Woods on September the 8 of 1992. ¶ 17 In his closing argument, Peasley reinforced Godoy's false testimony by stating, I told you at the beginning of the case, folks, that there would be no less than four major reasons for why you would believe Keith Woods and why you would find that these Defendants are guilty. ¶ 18 He continued this theme in his rebuttal statement: When you look at Mr. Woodsand I would invite you to do itif you go back in the jury room, you can look at the exhibits all you want. The simple fact of the matter is that when you go back into the jury room, answer the question about whether or not you believe Keith Woods, about what he had to say in the case. Because if you do, the case is over, the trial is over and you can start signing the verdicts. Because if you believe Keith Woods' testimony about his conversations, both of these defendants have confessed to every one of these offenses. And I would ask you, again, as I did in closing arguments or, excuse me, in opening statement go through and talk about it.