GUILTY CA - Omar Medina, 28, found deceased in barrel floating in Chula Vista Marina, Oct 2017

[Suglo]

@Suglo - are you local? Not finding anything "current" on this trial. I shall stop posting the daily notes I have until I hear some more!

Not local but same state. I also looked and couldn’t find anything. I’ll ask my daughter who is local if she has read or heard anything and get back to you.

 

[Niner]

Thanks Suglo! I knew you were in California (somewhere)!

 

[Niner]

Okay - confirmation the trial is still ongoing!

https://www.thestarnews.com/roommate-in-week-two-of-trial/

The murder trial involving the death of a Chula Vista man who was found in a 55-gallon drum in San Diego Bay went into its second week on Tuesday. [11/12]
[.....]
Medina’s mother testified she had never met his roommate in the home they shared in the 500 block of McIntosh Street in Chula Vista. She said she brought him food at the house and last saw him alive on Sept. 28, 2017.
[.....]
She said her son did scaffolding work with Cook’s brother. He also loved to produce music.
A jury of 10 men, two women plus five alternate jurors are hearing the trial before San Diego Superior Court Judge Carolyn Caietti.....
[.....]
Sgt. James Petray, of Chula Vista Police, testified he began working on the case after a missing person’s report was filed by the victim’s family. He said he knocked on neighbors’ doors, but no one knew the whereabouts of Medina.

 

[Niner]

So I shall post this:

Friday, November 15th:
*Trial Continues (Day 8) for both (@ 9am PT) – CA – Omar Medina (38) (Sept. 30, 2017, Chula Vista Marina; reported missing Oct. 2, 2017, found Oct. 12, 2017 in 55 gal. drum in San Diego Bay) – *Timothy John Cook (52) arrested (12/13/17) & charged (1/5/18) with 1st degree murder. Plead not guilty. No bond. Faces up to 87 years to life.
*Derrick Jefferson Spurgeon (38) arrested (12/13/17) & charged (1/5/18) with accessory after the fact to murder drove the boat) Plead not guilty. $500K bond. Trial started on 10/22/19
10/22/19 Day 1 & 10/23/19 Day 2 & 10/24 Day 3 of jury selection.
11/5/19 Day 1 of Trial: Opening statements for both sides. State witnesses: Alicia Villegas (Medina's sister). No other info available yet. Trial continues on 11/6.
11/6/19 Day 2 of Trial. No info available yet. Trial continues to 11/7.
11/7/19 Day 3 of Trial: No info available yet. Trial continues to 11/8.
11/8/19 Day 4 of Trial: No info available yet. Trial continues on Tuesday, 11/12.
11/12/19 Day 5 of Trial: State witnesses: Medina’s mother. Sgt. James Petray, of Chula Vista Police. No other info available yet. Trial continues on 11/13.
11/13/19 Day 6 of Trial: No info available yet. Trial continues on 11/14.
11/14/19 Day 7 of Trial: No info available yet. Trial continues on 11/15.

 

[Niner]

Monday, November 18th:
*Trial Continues (Day 9) for both (@ 9am PT) – CA – Omar Medina (38) (Sept. 30, 2017, Chula Vista Marina; reported missing Oct. 2, 2017, found Oct. 12, 2017 in 55 gal. drum in San Diego Bay) – *Timothy John Cook (52) arrested (12/13/17) & charged (1/5/18) with 1st degree murder. Plead not guilty. No bond. Faces up to 87 years to life.
*Derrick Jefferson Spurgeon (38) arrested (12/13/17) & charged (1/5/18) with accessory after the fact to murder (drove the boat) Plead not guilty. $500K bond. Trial started on 10/22/19 (for Case #SC29718) Jury of 10 men, two women plus five alternate jurors.
Jury Selection (Day 1-3) 10/22/19 to 10/24/19 & Trial (Day 1-6) 11/5/19 to 11/13/19 reference post #124 here:
CA - Omar Medina, 28, found deceased in barrel floating in Chula Vista Marina, Oct 2017
11/14/19 Day 7 of Trial: No info available yet. Trial continues to 11/15.
11/15/19 Day 8 of Trial: No info available yet. Trial continues on 11/18.

 

[cvaldez1975]

So - any locals here? Not getting much on google for any articles...

Wonder "what" is happening??

Anyone?

i can ask my sisters or mom they are all local.

 

[Niner]

Thank you cvaldez1975! I have still not found anything on this trial....

 

[Niner]

Trial testimony wraps up in killing of Chula Vista man found in oil drum in San Diego Bay


SAN DIEGO —

Testimony wrapped up Wednesday in the murder trial of two men accused in the stabbing death of a Chula Vista music producer whose body was found in a drum floating in San Diego Bay.
[.....]
Attorneys will make closing arguments Monday [11/25] morning at the downtown San Diego courthouse.

 

[Niner]

Wednesday, November 20th:
*Trial Continues (Day 11) for both (@ 9am PT) – CA – Omar Medina (38) (Sept. 30, 2017, Chula Vista Marina; reported missing Oct. 2, 2017, found Oct. 12, 2017 in 55 gal. drum in San Diego Bay) – *Timothy John Cook (52) arrested (12/13/17) & charged (1/5/18) with 1st degree murder. Plead not guilty. No bond. Faces up to 87 years to life.
*Derrick Jefferson Spurgeon (38) arrested (12/13/17) & charged (1/5/18) with accessory after the fact to murder drove the boat) Plead not guilty. $500K bond. Trial started on 10/22/19 (for Case #SC29718) Jury of 10 men, two women plus five alternate jurors.
Jury Selection (Day 1-3) 10/22/19 to 10/24/19 & Trial (Day 1-6) 11/5/19 to 11/13/19 reference post #124 here:
CA - Omar Medina, 28, found deceased in barrel floating in Chula Vista Marina, Oct 2017
11/14/19 Day 7 of Trial: No info available yet. Trial continues on 11/15.
11/15/19 Day 8 of Trial: No info available yet. Trial continues on 11/18.
11/18/19 Day 9 of Trial: No info available yet. Trial continues on 11/19.
11/19/19 Day 10 of Trial No info available yet. Trial continues on 11/20.
11/20/19 Day 11 of Trial: State & defense rests. Closing arguments on Monday, 11/25.

 

[Niner]

Monday, November 25th:
*Trial Continues (Day 12) for both-Closing Arguments (@ 9am PT) – CA – Omar Medina (38) (Sept. 30, 2017, Chula Vista Marina; reported missing Oct. 2, 2017, found Oct. 12, 2017 in 55 gal. drum in San Diego Bay) – *Timothy John Cook (52) arrested (12/13/17) & charged (1/5/18) with 1st degree murder. Plead not guilty. No bond. Faces up to 87 years to life.
*Derrick Jefferson Spurgeon (38) arrested (12/13/17) & charged (1/5/18) with accessory after the fact to murder drove the boat) Plead not guilty. $500K bond. Trial started on 10/22/19. Jury of 10 men, two women plus five alternate jurors.
Jury Selection (Day 1-3) 10/22/19 to 10/24/19 & Trial (Day 1-10) 11/5/19 to 11/19/19 reference post #129 here:
CA - Omar Medina, 28, found deceased in barrel floating in Chula Vista Marina, Oct 2017
11/20/19 Day 11 of Trial: State & defense rests. Closing arguments on Monday, 11/25.

 

[Niner]

@Suglo or @cvaldez1975 - anything local for the trial? Jury deliberating or is finished deliberating??
TIA!

 

[Niner]

Tuesday, November 26th:
*Trial Continues (Day 13) for both-Verdict Watch? (@ 9am PT) – CA – Omar Medina (38) (Sept. 30, 2017, Chula Vista Marina; reported missing Oct. 2, 2017, found Oct. 12, 2017 in 55 gal. drum in San Diego Bay) – *Timothy John Cook (52) arrested (12/13/17) & charged (1/5/18) with 1st degree murder. Plead not guilty. No bond. Faces up to 87 years to life.
*Derrick Jefferson Spurgeon (38) arrested (12/13/17) & charged (1/5/18) with accessory after the fact to murder drove the boat) Plead not guilty. $500K bond.
Trial started on 10/22/19. Jury of 10 men, two women plus five alternate jurors.
Jury Selection (Day 1-3) 10/22/19 to 10/24/19 & Trial (Day 1-10) 11/5/19 to 11/19/19 reference post #129 here:
CA - Omar Medina, 28, found deceased in barrel floating in Chula Vista Marina, Oct 2017
11/20/19 Day 11 of Trial: State & defense rests. Closing arguments on Monday, 11/25.
11/25/19 Day 12 of Trial: Closing arguments. No other info available yet. Jury deliberating??? To 11/26?

 

[Niner]

Looks like Defense is finishing their closing today, 11/26. I shall correct my notes as it's too late to edit the above.

Closing arguments begin in murder of man found in barrel

The defense is expected to finish closing arguments Tuesday, at which point the jury will begin deliberations.

 

[Suglo]

@Niner I found this. It looks like it went to the jury today.

Deputy District Attorney Cherie Somerville argued that Cook was motivated by hatred and greed when he fatally stabbed his housemate Omar Medina on Sept. 30, 2017. The prosecutor contended that Cook was annoyed by Medina’s lack of cleanliness in the home they shared, and that Cook wanted to get his hands on an $80,000 legal settlement Medina had recently won.

Defense lawyers, however, argued that the prosecutor failed to prove that Cook was guilty of murder or that Spurgeon was aware of what was inside the 55-gallon drum when he drove the boat used to dump the barrel on Oct. 11, 2017.

“There is no witness, no murder weapon and no real motive,” said Deputy Public Defender Kara Oien, who represents Cook.

https://www.sandiegouniontribune.co...nd-whose-body-was-found-in-a-barrel?_amp=true

 

[Niner]

Wednesday, November 27th:
*Trial Continues (Day 14) for both-VERDICT WATCH! (@ 9am PT) – CA – Omar Medina (38) (Sept. 30, 2017, Chula Vista Marina; reported missing Oct. 2, 2017, found Oct. 12, 2017 in 55 gal. drum in San Diego Bay) – *Timothy John Cook (52) arrested (12/13/17) & charged (1/5/18) with 1st degree murder. Plead not guilty. No bond. Faces up to 87 years to life.
*Derrick Jefferson Spurgeon (38) arrested (12/13/17) & charged (1/5/18) with accessory after the fact to murder drove the boat) Plead not guilty. $500K bond. Trial started on 10/22/19. Jury of 10 men, two women plus five alternate jurors.
Jury Selection (Day 1-3) 10/22/19 to 10/24/19 & Trial (Day 1-11) 11/5/19 to 11/20/19 reference post #132 here:
CA - Omar Medina, 28, found deceased in barrel floating in Chula Vista Marina, Oct 2017
11/25/19 Day 12 of Trial: Closing arguments by State. Defense will finish their closing on 11/26.
11/25/19 Day 13 of Trial: Closing arguments finished by defense. Jury instructions read. Jury started deliberations and continued to 11/27.

 

[Niner]

Looks like the jury did deliberate yesterday & will continue on Monday, 12/2. At least that's what I get from this article.

https://www.thestarnews.com/jury-takes-break-in-body-in-a-barrel-deliberations/


The attorney for a Chula Vista man accused of killing his roommate and putting his body in a 55-gallon drum in San Diego Bay conceded Monday that he placed the body in the barrel.

The attorney for Timothy John Cook, 54, insisted he did not kill him, but only found the body of Omar Medina, 28. Medina, who was stabbed 66 times, was found in the 55-gallon white barrel on Oct. 12, 2017.

The 10 man, two woman jury began deliberations Tuesday. They were scheduled to be off on Wednesday, Thanksgiving, and Friday. They were to return Monday, Dec. 2 for more deliberations.

 

[Niner]

Update in red

Wednesday, November 27th:
*Trial Continues (Day 14) for both-VERDICT WATCH! (@ 9am PT) – CA – Omar Medina (38) (Sept. 30, 2017, Chula Vista Marina; reported missing Oct. 2, 2017, found Oct. 12, 2017 in 55 gal. drum in San Diego Bay) – *Timothy John Cook (52) arrested (12/13/17) & charged (1/5/18) with 1st degree murder. Plead not guilty. No bond. Faces up to 87 years to life.
*Derrick Jefferson Spurgeon (38) arrested (12/13/17) & charged (1/5/18) with accessory after the fact to murder drove the boat) Plead not guilty. $500K bond. Trial started on 10/22/19. Jury of 10 men, two women plus five alternate jurors.
Jury Selection (Day 1-3) 10/22/19 to 10/24/19 & Trial (Day 1-10) 11/5/19 to 11/19/19 reference post #129 here:
CA - Omar Medina, 28, found deceased in barrel floating in Chula Vista Marina, Oct 2017
11/20/19 Day 11 of Trial: State & defense rests. Closing arguments on Monday, 11/25.
11/25/19 Day 12 of Trial: Closing arguments by State. Defense will finish their closing on 11/26.
11/25/19 Day 13 of Trial: Closing arguments finished by defense. Jury instructions read. Jury started deliberations and continued to 11/27.
11/27/19 Day 14 of Trial: Jury continues deliberations on Monday, 12/2.

 

[Niner]

Monday, December 2nd:
*Trial Continues (Day 15) for both-VERDICT WATCH! (@ 9am PT) – CA – Omar Medina (38) (Sept. 30, 2017, Chula Vista Marina; reported missing Oct. 2, 2017, found Oct. 12, 2017 in 55 gal. drum in San Diego Bay) – *Timothy John Cook (52) arrested (12/13/17) & charged (1/5/18) with 1st degree murder. Plead not guilty. No bond. Faces up to 87 years to life.
*Derrick Jefferson Spurgeon (38) arrested (12/13/17) & charged (1/5/18) with accessory after the fact to murder drove the boat) Plead not guilty. $500K bond. Trial started on 10/22/19. Jury of 10 men, two women plus five alternate jurors.
Jury Selection (Day 1-3) 10/22/19 to 10/24/19 & Trial (Day 1-13) 11/5/19 to 11/25/19 reference post #137 here:
CA - Omar Medina, 28, found deceased in barrel floating in Chula Vista Marina, Oct 2017
11/27/19 Day 14 of Trial: Jury continues deliberations on Monday, 12/2.

 

[Niner]

So @Suglo - any thing local? Any verdict? TIA!

 

[Suglo]

So @Suglo - any thing local? Any verdict? TIA!

@Niner I haven’t found a thing today. I’ll look again in the morning to see if reporters updated their articles overnight.