Opinion ID: 2107127
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: The Testimony of James [16]

Text: The first jewelry salesman to enter the jewelry store, James, testified at defendant's trial that, at some point in April of 2002, he was contacted by a man who called himself Dan Matos. Mr. Matos informed James that he would be opening his own jewelry store, and he asked the salesman if he dealt in diamonds. James testified that he told Mr. Matos that he did not deal in diamonds; but, when he learned that Mr. Matos had some gold, he agreed to have it assayed [17] with a view towards possibly buying the gold from Mr. Matos. He further testified that, at some point before the day of the robberies, he went to the jewelry store to pick up the gold that was to be assayed. Although Mr. Matos was not present, he testified that a person who looked like a construction worker gave him the gold and signed a receipt for the gold as William Thomas. [18] James testified that he returned to the jewelry store at 1:15 pm on April 25 for a scheduled appointment; he said that he brought with him approximately $7,000 in cash so that he could purchase additional gold. He testified that, when he arrived at the store, he was met by a woman whom he later identified as Elaine. He further testified that Elaine led him to a door down a hall and that, as he entered the doorway, he was ambushed by two men. He testified that one of the men sprayed mace in his face. James testified that, after being pulled to the floor by his assailants, he was hogtied with his hands being bound to his feet behind his back and that he was then dragged into a smaller room. [19] James also testified that he did not remember many of the details about his attackers, but he stated that he did know that the two men who attacked him took the $7,000 which he had brought for the purpose of purchasing gold from Mr. Matos. James further testified that, while confined in the small room with his hands and legs bound and his mouth covered with duct tape, he heard another man arrive outside the door and heard the sounds of a violent scuffle. James testified that, minutes later, a man (who was also bound) was put into the room. James further testified that he had a small pocket knife on his belt, which he used to cut his own bindings and then to free the other man. B