Opinion ID: 610843
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Richard Ruybalid's Testimony

Text: 10 Richard Ruybalid, an individual not otherwise associated with Morgan, was on the same plane into LAX as Morgan, and was waiting for the same connecting flight to Phoenix. Ruybalid had recognized Morgan on the flight, but did not speak to him. Ruybalid testified that he was making a call from the same phone bank as Morgan when Searle approached Morgan. Ruybalid's attention was caught by a heated conversation. Ruybalid approached to within ten feet, and witnessed the confrontation between Morgan and Searle. Ruybalid heard Searle saying to Morgan, Come along. Come with us. Come with us. Morgan responded, No I am not going. Leave me alone. I want to get my identification. According to Ruybalid, Searle was insistent, repeating You are coming with us. Forget it. You are coming with us right now. 11 Ruybalid moved in closer and said, Hey, what are you doing? That's Joe Morgan the famous baseball player. Searle responded by flashing his I.D. and saying, Back off, narcotics officer. Ruybalid testified that at this time Morgan was not doing anything threatening or violent, but that Morgan's demeanor was defensive, bothered, angry. Ruybalid testified that Searle was very angry and his tone of voice very stern, and that Ruybalid felt he was being ordered to leave the area by a person of authority. 12 Ruybalid backed away, but continued to monitor the situation, remaining within fifteen or twenty feet from Morgan and Searle. He did not see Morgan taken to the floor, but he heard the noise caused by that fall. He testified that prior to that noise, he did not hear any yelling, screaming or swearing. When he heard the noise of the fall, Ruybalid approached the men; he observed Searle pull Morgan to his feet and lead him away, holding his hand over Morgan's mouth. Ruybalid testified that Morgan walked reluctantly but did not resist, and that he did not use any profanity or scream.