Opinion ID: 2621362
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The extent of other evidence suggesting guilt

Text: Rodrigues does not dispute that his statements to Motooka and to the police were given knowingly, intelligently, and voluntarily. He had a full opportunity at trial to elaborate on the voluntary and willing quality of his cooperation with both Motooka and the police in the days following the identification of the welder, to elaborate on the circumstances of the police interview, to challenge the accuracy of Detective Kanemitsu's recollection of his December 19, 2001 statement, and to set before the jury his version of events. Detective Kanemitsu testified both that Rodrigues denied that the trailer he obtained from Tony was composed of stainless steel and that Rodrigues told him that he had dismantled it, saving only the spindles. At trial, the testimony of Cambra, Miyagawa, and Detective Kanemitsu identified the trailer that Rodrigues brought to Miyagawa's home as the stolen stainless steel HC & S trailer. At trial, Rodrigues maintained that he had, in fact, dismantled a different, unidentified trailer and had kept the trailer supplied by Tony, but conceded that it was indeed composed of stainless steel. He further testified that Tony had informed him the day that he had taken possession of the stainless steel trailer that he could keep it. Miyagawa testified, however, that Rodrigues told him, while the trailer was stored at Miyagawa's house, that it was only on loan and was to be returned, only later asking Miyagawa's assistance in selling it for $1500.00. Rodrigues denied telling Miyagawa that he wanted $1500.00 for the trailer, but did not otherwise contradict Miyagawa's testimony. The jury was also aware that Rodrigues never attempted to cull HC & S employment files for Tony's contact information and that he never requested call records from Verizon in order to locate Tony's telephone number. Given the full opportunity afforded Rodrigues to set before the jury both his version of events and his explanation of any inconsistencies between his testimony and that of third-party witnesses such as Miyagawa and Kanhai, as well as the extensive testimony of Rodrigues, Cambra, Motooka, and Miyagawa over a three-day trial, there is no reasonable possibility that the cursory testimonial statement in question by Detective Kanemitsu might have contributed to Rodrigues's conviction.