Opinion ID: 2575291
Heading Depth: 5
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: From relatives and friends

Text: Mina Belle Farley, defendant's mother, testified that she married defendant's father in 1947, and they remained married at the time of trial. Defendant's father was an airplane mechanic in the Air Force. They had six children, of whom defendant was the eldest. The family moved frequently, but when defendant was about seven years of age, they settled in Petaluma. His mother described him as a very quiet boy who required little attention from his parents. In high school he was quiet, and did not smoke, drink, or use drugs. His mother testified that he spent much of his time studying, and also played table tennis and chess, enjoyed photography, and baked. His high school grades were very good, and he graduated 61st out of 520 high school students. Mina Farley testified that defendant's father spent long periods of time away from the family while he was in the Air Force, but when he was home, he would spend time with the children. She stated that he retired from the Air Force in 1960, and then worked as a school custodian, spending little time with defendant because of his work schedule. According to her, there was much love in the house, but the family displayed little outward affection. Mina Farley testified that she did not see defendant often after he joined the Navy. In 1973, she and her husband moved to Texas, where they resided at the time of trial. She recalled that defendant visited them in Texas twice between 1973 and 1988, and that the most recent occasion on which she had seen defendant prior to February 16, 1988, was in 1986 or 1987, while she was visiting her daughter. Defendant's mother also recalled that when defendant was 10 years of age, he helped care for his younger siblings while she was in the hospital and his father was stationed in Japan. She testified that defendant did not have a bad temper, nor did she ever see him act violently toward his siblings. She stated she was shocked when she heard about the ESL shootings, [b]ecause that wasn't Rick. She testified she loved him and was proud of the fact that he tried to obtain an education, did not run around, and did not smoke, consume alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Gregory Farley, defendant's brother, testified that defendant was nonviolent while growing up. He recalled that when defendant was about 10 years of age, and Gregory was six years of age, Gregory, who could not swim, fell into a swimming pool and defendant rescued him. He also recalled that defendant helped him learn to drive, and sold him a vehicle at a very low price. Defendant's brother described defendant as someone from whom he could seek advice, although he could not recall any specific occasion on which he had done so. Defendant's brother had resided in Germany since 1972, and at the time defendant was arrested he had not seen defendant in 16 years. The brother also stated they never wrote to each other or spoke by telephone. He agreed that he probably did not know defendant at all as an adult, and that the person he knew as a child was totally different from a person who would commit these crimes. Lois Eaquinto resided on the same street in Petaluma as defendant when he was growing up, and was close to his mother. She testified that defendant's home was well kept. She stated that defendant's brothers, but not defendant, joined her boys in attending church services. She also stated that defendant's father was absent in the military much of the time, and she could not recall ever having had a conversation with him. According to Eaquinto, when defendant's father was home everything revolved around him, and defendant and his brothers did not play with Eaquinto's boys during those periods. Eaquinto witnessed little interaction between defendant and his parents, and little reaction by the parents to their children's accomplishments. She also testified that defendant sometimes was real rough with his brothers, sitting on them and twisting their arms and stepping on their fingers. Lois's son, Francis Eaquinto, was the same age as defendant, and they played and attended school together. Francis testified that defendant was the smarter of the two, was more interested in math and science, and was conscientious about his schoolwork. He recalled that defendant's father was strict, but Francis felt welcome at defendant's house when the father was home. Francis had not seen defendant since graduating from high school. George Duisman grew up on the same street as defendant, and was defendant's best friend when they were teenagers. He testified they played table tennis, chess, and bridge, and enjoyed chemistry and math. According to Duisman, defendant did well in school and was not violent. Thomas Vail met defendant when defendant was a teenager. Vail testified that defendant was well mannered and had a curious mind. He stated that defendant and Duisman studied bridge, and that defendant was not violent. Dianne Mahan had at least one class with defendant in high school. She testified that they were not friends socially, and that defendant was quiet and studious. In defendant's senior year of high school, Paula Stonitsch taught his class in American institutions. Stonitsch testified that although he received a C in her class, he was a very good student.