CA - Orson & Orrin West (3&4), MEDIA, MAPS & TIMELINE - NO DISCUSSION

CLOSING ARGUMENTS, PART 2
DAY TWENTY TWO - May 16, 2023
https://twitter.com/KGETnews

(Continued - Prosecutor Eric Smith)

Back in session. The 911 call reporting the boys missing cam in at 5:41 p.m. on Dec. 21, 2020. #WestsTrial

The investigation began with that call. Cal City Officer Brian Hansen arrived, looked at a vacant lot and other officers searched the home. They drove around the area and found nothing. #WestsTrial

"They found nothing. Absolutely nothing, during all of that searching," Smith said of the helicopter, civilians and law enforcement that canvassed the area. #WestsTrial

Police began noticing things the Wests said weren't adding up. They noted Trezell said he closed the gate so the dogs wouldn't get out, but somehow the kids got out. The description of the kids' clothing changed. The Wests' demeanor seemed off. #WestsTrial

There were no footprints in the dirt where the Wests said the boys were playing. The Wests gave inconsistent statements to police, Smith said. #WestsTrial

Their time frame, given by Jacqueline West, was wrong. "Alarm bells were going off" with police as they continued to question the couple, Smith said. #WestsTrial

Smith is going over the different surveillance camera footage from California City that the jury will have access to. #WestsTrial

None of those videos show children walking. There was testimony regarding 4 separate residences with surveillance footage, Smith said. #WestsTrial

One video shows Trezell West going in and out of the gate in his backyard. At some point he's seen walking from the gate area to the house. If the children had been there, that's when they would have walked away from the home. #WestsTrial

"There's no children visible. None whatsoever. There's no adult visible approaching the home," Smith said. #WestsTrial

Smith said, "In that video there is no sign whatsoever of Orrin and Orson from Dec. 21." #WestsTrial

No blood evidence was found, but Smith said this wasn't a shooting or stabbing. "That's now how you kill children," he said. They would have been choked, or drowned, subjected to something that cuts off their airway. #WestsTrial

Disposing of the bodies would have been as simple as placing them in a garbage bag and throwing them away, Smith said. The boys were small, it wouldn't have been difficult. #WestsTrial

A diaper found in a trash bag after BPD got involved tested positive for DNA evidence for two of the West children but not Orrin or Orson. #WestsTrial

Smith is going over mattresses and pillows where the boys' DNA was not found. #WestsTrial

Orrin's and Orson's DNA was not found in the rooms where they were supposed to be staying in Cal City. #WestsTrial

The backyard gate was difficult to open, as seen in a video of a Bakersfield detective opening and closing it. The boys wouldn't have been able to open it, Smith said. #WestsTrial

Trezell and Jacqueline gave conflicting statements as to who closed the gate. Trezell in an interview said "100%" he didn't close it. Jacqueline says she didn't close it when questioned. "Again, none of their stories are lining up at all," Smith said. #WestsTrial

Jacqueline says she was wrapping gifts in the living room, but Trezell says she wasn't there, Smith said. #WestsTrial

Smith is playing portions of interviews. Jacqueline tells police she went down the street looking for the boys. "No, she did not," Smith said. "That's an absolute lie." He said the video shows she wasn't there. #WestsTrial

Phone records show Jacqueline and Trezell spent about 5 minutes talking on the phone with their eldest son, not searching, Smith said. #WestsTrial

Smith said the Wests even created fictional characters. Jacqueline West at first says the biological family had no contact with the boys, but months later says an "Aunt Titi" had the kids for a week earlier in 2020. She provides no contact info or Titi. #WestsTrial

A cadaver dog was brought to the home because of what Jacqueline told investigators about 2 dirt mounds. Asked if that's where the boys were buried, she said, "Maybe." #WestsTrial

Remains weren't found but the dog did alert to the area Jacqueline pointed out. Smith said death had been in that backyard at some point. #WestsTrial

Perla Martinez, Jacqueline's sister, never met Orrin or Orson. During video calls the camera moved around and she couldn't see who was there. She testified she didn't know what the boys looked like, Smith said. #WestsTrial

Maria Martinez, Jacqueline's mother, said she didn't watch the boys or have much contact with them. She was so disconnected, Smith said, she didn't even know their names. #WestsTrial

Maria Martinez testified she found it weird that her daughter wouldn't show her grandchildren during video calls. #WestsTrial

On the side of Trezell's family, his parents and brother never saw the boys after covid started. #WestsTrial

The mistake Trezell and Jacqueline West made is they thought law enforcement had to ask permission before interviewing their children, Smith said. They don't need permission. #WestsTrial

"But ultimately speaking with those children is what changed the course of the investigation," Smith said. The 4 children gave consistent answers as to who lived in Cal City, who was in the van when they were dropped off Jan. 19, 2020 at Trezell's mom's house. #WestsTrial

Smith is playing clips from the interviews with the children. #WestsTrial

"At the apartment," one of the children says when asked when's the last time he saw Orrin and Orson. #WestsTrial

This boy says Orrin and Orson are with Jacqueline's mother. Smith says that's consistent with what his brothers have said their parents told them. #WestsTrial

"Again, this is consistent, child after child," Smith said. #WestsTrial

"Because they cry a lot," another child said when asked why Orrin and Orson don't live with them in Cal City. #WestsTrial

Everything the other children said was consistent, Smith said. #WestsTrial

Court is in recess for 15 minutes. #WestsTrial
 
CLOSING ARGUMENTS, PART 3
DAY TWENTY TWO - May 16, 2023
https://twitter.com/KGETnews

Court is back in session with prosecutor Eric Smith continuing his closing argument. #WestsTrial

The Wests' eldest child told a social worker he saw Orrin die at the apartment in Bakersfield and his parents told him if he told anyone he and his brothers would be taken away. #WestsTrial

Because the eldest child is so credible, the defense paid an expert witness between $35K to $42K to try to discredit him, Smith said. #WestsTrial

"He knew the right thing," Smith said of the eldest child. "The reason he didn't say anything earlier is because of his parents." #WestsTrial

Smith played a recording in which Jacqueline and Trezell West told the eldest son during a phone call that he didn't have to talk to anybody. They wanted him to stay quiet because they knew the truth would come out, Smith said. #WestsTrial

Going over the events of Dec. 19, 2020, Smith said Wanda West, Trezell's mother, never saw Orrin or Orson despite spending time in the van where the boys were supposedly sleeping in the back. #WestsTrial

The Wests made multiple stops that day. Surveillance footage never shows Orrin or Orson, Smith said. #WestsTrial

Smith is going over Dec. 5, 2020, where the Wests separately went to different locations after their 4 other children had been dropped off at a relative's. Orrin and Orson aren't seen in any of the videos. "Where are Orrin and Orson? They're dead," Smith said. #WestsTrial

Smith is going over the September 2020 timeline, the month in which he says both Orrin and Orson died. Orson is killed the night of Sept. 17, 2020, the attorney said. #WestsTrial

Wanda West, Trezell's mother, arrives the next day and watched the 4 children. She doesn't see Orrin or Orson. Jacqueline Wests tells her the boys are with them in a U-Haul they're using to move from Bakersfield to Cal City. #WestsTrial

Wanda West didn't see Orrin or Orson despite staying at the Cal City house from Sept. 18 through Sept. 20, 2020, Smith said. #WestsTrial

Smith said this case is about corroboration. All the circumstantial evidence points to one thing: the boys were never in California City, Smith said. #WestsTrial

When their kids do things wrong, the Wests react with violence, Smith said. They spank with a belt until the children bleed, they choke them, he said. #WestsTrial

Their whole lives are based on money for the four kids they adopted, Smith said. #WestsTrial

After Orrin died, the only way they could get away with it would be to kill Orson, Smith said. They then had 3 months to discard the bodies, get new phones, he said. #WestsTrial

"Trezell and Jacqueline have no moral fiber. They killed two kids," Smith said.

"Trezell and Jacqueline West murdered Orrin and Orson," he said. #WestsTrial

Smith ended his closing argument by asking the jurors to find the Wests guilty on all charges. Court will resume at 1:30 p.m. with defense closing arguments. #WestsTrial
 
CLOSING ARGUMENTS, PART 4
DAY TWENTY TWO - May 16, 2023
https://twitter.com/KGETnews

The public and jurors have been let back in the courtroom and the defense is about to present their closing arguments. The defense has placed a number of items including toys, Christmas stockings and child car seats on the defense table. #WestsTrial

Timothy Hennessy, lead counsel for Trezell West, told the jury he's scared of saying one thing that could turn the jury against him. He said he's using notes to give him some sense of control. #WestsTrial

He said he's scared not only for the Wests but for himself because if he can't show the jury what the prosecution's trying to do then he's "just some idiot with silk around his neck." #WestsTrial

The birth parents' DNA is on a car seat in the van, Hennessy said, the boys gave conflicting stories and a car was seen driving away from the area. He said the prosecution's whole theory of what happened doesn't make sense. #WestsTrial

Hennessy said there are lights seen, possibly a car leaving, on the night of the reported disappearance that the prosecution can't explain. #WestsTrial

"This man has no moral fiber?" Hennessy said as he displayed photos of Trezell holding the children with a smile. He said the prosecution needs more evidence if they're going to make that claim. #WestsTrial

Hennessy is referring to Cal City's role in the investigation and their failure to document all evidence, and how there is even a jury instruction about how police failed to get surveillance footage from one house. #WestsTrial

Hennessy has mentioned covid, George Floyd and Tiger King in explaining how it was a weird time. #WestsTrial

"The reality is that two little boys went missing. They got took. And that is terrifying," Hennessy said. #WestsTrial

The attorney told the jury they have to think it's odd that they saw more videos than any of the detectives. #WestsTrial

Hennessy said he pointed out a car leaving the scene of the Wests' house during his opening statement and authorities weren't even aware of it. He said that shouldn't happen. #WestsTrial

Cal City police didn't look into registered sex offenders living in the area, Hennessy said. #WestsTrial

There should have been more investigation into a tip reporting the boys had been seen in Arlington, Texas, Hennessy said. "But those questions have scary answers," he said. #WestsTrial

"Why are their blinders on?" Hennessy asked. He said it's because they're scared, so they just focused on the Wests and didn't do more testing, look into other possibilities. #WestsTrial

Law enforcement didn't do enough, Hennessy said. They were stuck with the decisions made early on when Cal City police didn't take into account that someone took the boys, he said. #WestsTrial

"They were tied to what (Cal City Officer) Hansen did," Hennessy said, adding that Hansen was wrong in his belief the Wests were responsible. #WestsTrial

Hansen was ready to arrest the Wests the night of the reported disappearance, Hennessy said. The officer suggested he was going to arrest Trezell while in his house questioning him, he said. #WestsTrial

Hennessy noted a Realtor who went to the Cal City home testified he was confident he saw at least 5 children. #WestsTrial

Wanda West, Trezell's mother, was scared too, Hennessy said. She got dates and times wrong, doesn't accurately remember events, he said. #WestsTrial

Everyone was under the same spell, from investigators to family members, refusing to look into other possibilities, Hennessy said. #WestsTrial

The other children were given examinations and there's no evidence that corroborates they were abused, Hennessy said. #WestsTrial

"Race is hard to understand," Hennessy said. "Race is hard to talk about." He said it relates to this case. Trezell and Jacqueline are a mixed-race couple. #WestsTrial

A guy captured on surveillance footage riding a bike to a store was identified by an officer at trial as Trezell West. It wasn't, Hennessy said. It was another Black man. Trezell showed up later in a van, he said. #WestsTrial

Hennessy, who is white, said if his child went missing police wouldn't be calling him a liar the night of, taking his gun, questioning his account. He said they would have investigated everything first. #WestsTrial

"When they rested their case, you had to have winced a little, thinking 'that's all?'" Hennessy said in reference to the prosecution. He finished his argument and the court is taking a 15-minute break. #WestsTrial
 
CLOSING ARGUMENTS, PART 5
DAY TWENTY TWO - May 16, 2023
https://twitter.com/KGETnews

Court is back in session and Alekxia Torres Stallings, lead counsel for Jacqueline West, has begun her closing argument. #WestsTrial

Torres Stallings is going over a few jury instructions and said she will show how they apply to her closing. #WestsTrial

How to evaluate a witness' testimony? There are a number of things to consider, including how well could the witness see or hear the event, how reasonable is their testimony in light of the other evidence, what was their behavior like while testifying. #WestsTrial

Torres Stallings is referring to Officer Brian Hansen's testimony and said "there are glaring issues in this case that can not be excused." #WestsTrial

Other than the testimony of the Wests' eldest child, everything presented in the case is circumstantial evidence, Torres Stallings said. She said if two reasonable conclusions can be drawn from circumstantial evidence, one pointing to innocence and the other to guilt..#WestsTrial

then the jury must choose the one pointing to innocence. #WestsTrial

This isn't a case where there's an overwhelming amount of evidence, Torres Stallings said. There are no confessions, no forensic evidence, she said. #WestsTrial

More DNA testing should have been done, fingerprints should have been collected, Torres Stallings said. #WestsTrial

The eldest child's testimony is the heart of the prosecution's case, Torres Stallings said. It's not that the other children's testimony wasn't important, but the eldest child is what the case against the Wests was built on, she said.

There were issues with how the children were questioned, she said. #WestsTrial

Torres Stallings is continuing to go over how the children were questioned. #WestsTrial

Social worker Sunya Barton was the first person to mention a body in the interview with the eldest child. Until she mentioned that the boy had said nothing about death or a body, Torres Stallings said. #WestsTrial

Torres Stallings read part of the grand jury testimony where the eldest child said Orrin and Orson were seen a few days before Christmas 2020. #WestsTrial

She noted defense attorneys aren't present during grand jury testimony and couldn't ask followup questions. #WestsTrial

Torres Stallings said she's not calling the eldest son a liar, but the surrounding circumstances need to be taken into consideration when evaluating his testimony. #WestsTrial

Law enforcement was supposed to protect the Wests, not blame them, Torres Stallings said. She said law enforcement didn't take them seriously. #WestsTrial

She said investigators kept telling Jacqueline West they were taking her kids. That's hard, Torres Stallings said, her voice wavering, especially four days before Christmas. #WestsTrial

Law enforcement told Jacqueline West the chances were "slim" that a stranger took the kids. But Torres Stallings mentioned the cases of Jaycee Dugard and other prominent stranger kidnappings to illustrate it does in fact happen. #WestsTrial

Torres Stallings is playing a portion of an interview in which a detective tells Jacqueline West everything bad that's going to happen to her if she doesn't tell the truth. #WestsTrial

As the audio played, Torres Stallings showed a video of the Wests' now empty home and said everything the detective said came true. They've lost their children, family and friends. #WestsTrial

But Jacqueline and Trezell West are still together, and they haven't turned on each other, she said. "There is nothing in this case that points to the unreasonable conclusion that they did anything," she said. #WestsTrial

Smith is now giving his rebuttal testimony, then the case will go to the jury. #WestsTrial
 
CLOSING ARGUMENTS, PART 6
DAY TWENTY TWO - May 16, 2023
https://twitter.com/KGETnews

Smith's rebuttal has ended and the judge is giving the jury some final instructions. #WestsTrial

Smith during his rebuttal focused on the eldest child's testimony and how he described seeing Orrin die, and how strong that evidence is. #WestsTrial

He said the Wests were adopted by abusive parents who killed them and it's time for justice, and he asked the jury to find them guilty. #WestsTrial

The jury was taken to the back to begin deliberating and will resume deliberations at 9 a.m. Wednesday.

The judge has adjourned court for the day. They won't be back in session until they receive a note from the jury. #WestsTrial
 
May 16, 2023

‘They killed two kids:’ Prosecutor presents closing arguments in West trial

Trezell and Jacqueline West are adept at telling lies, an attorney said Tuesday.

They lied to law enforcement, their parents, even their children, prosecutor Eric Smith said. The lies, he said, revolved around what happened to their adopted children Orrin, 4, and Orson, 3.

[...]

The reality, Smith said, is Orrin and Orson never made it to California City. Relatives hadn’t seen them for months, and surveillance footage never captured them in California City or Bakersfield on multiple dates in the weeks leading up to the missing persons report.

“Where are Orrin and Orson? They’re dead,” Smith said as he presented a roughly two-hour closing argument in the Wests’ weekslong trial. He said the Wests killed them and asked the jury to return guilty verdicts on all charges, including murder.

[...]
 
MAY 17, 2023
The first full day of jury deliberations in the trial of Trezell and Jacqueline West has wrapped up.

[...]

The Wests are facing seven charges: The first three are related to Orrin and the next three are concerning Orson. The last charge is connected to both boys.

There's two counts of murder in the second degree, one count of involuntary manslaughter, two counts of willful cruelty to child, one count of conspire to commit a crime, and finally one count of false report of emergency.

[...]

MAY 18, 2023
Jurors are set to consider if they believe the Wests or their children.

Two different versions of justice were posed to jurors.

Smith implored them to find the Wests guilty of killing their youngest kids — they were parents and failed to act as such when Orrin died.

“It’s time for justice,” Smith said. “Orrin and Orson deserve justice.”

Torres Stallings told jurors acquitting her client would allow law enforcement to keep this case open and search for Orrin and Orson.

“Do more for these two little Black kids than anyone … has done for them in the last three years they have been missing,” Torres Stallings said.
 
Pre-Verdict
May 19, 2023
https://twitter.com/KGETnews

Court officials sent the following email at 8:52 a.m.: "Media to be present at 11:00 a.m. in D-4 today, May 19 with cameras if they wish to film based upon prior court orders." #WestsTrial

The email did not specify that a verdict has been reached in the trial of Trezell and Jacqueline West, but the court has previously said filming would only be allowed during opening statements, closing arguments and a verdict or other outcome in the case. #WestsTrial

The Wests are charged with second-degree murder and other offenses in the deaths of Orrin, 4, and Orson, 3. The boys' bodies have not been found. #WestsTrial

Prosecutors allege the boys were killed 3 months before the Wests reported them missing. Defense counsel says the boys were taken from their backyard by an unknown person or persons and the Wests had nothing to do with their disappearance. #WestsTrial

Several people have already gathered outside the courtroom ahead of the 11 a.m. hearing. #WestsTrial

Defense attorney Timothy Hennessy, lead counsel for Trezell West, showed up outside Department 4 but the doors to the courtroom are still locked. He moved on to another courtroom. #WestsTrial

So far Timothy Hennessy and Victor Nasser, attorneys for Trezell West, have been spotted on the second floor of the courthouse, but they had hearings in other courtrooms. No one has entered Department 4 yet. #WestsTrial

The bailiff is allowing a cameraman to begin setting up ahead of the 11 a.m. hearing. #WestsTrial

A couple attorneys not connected to the case attempted to enter the courtroom but the bailiff said only attorneys directly involved in the case are allowed to enter at this time. A large turnout is expected. #WestsTrial

Timothy Hennessy has entered the courtroom. #WestsTrial

About a dozen people are waiting outside the courtroom. #WestsTrial

Alekxia Torres Stallings and Fatima Rodriguez, attorneys for Jacqueline West, have entered the courtroom. #WestsTrial

About a dozen more members of the public have arrived and are waiting in the hallway, as are some attorneys. #WestsTrial

The hallway outside Department 4 is now packed with people. It appears the courtroom will be filled to capacity. #WestsTrial

It's unclear if everyone will be able to fit inside. #WestsTria

Victor Nasser, co-counsel for Trezell West, has arrived. #WestsTrial

A woman who has been at every hearing told people assembled outside to make sure family gets inside first. No one except attorneys has entered so far. #WestsTrial

Prosecutor Eric Smith has arrived. All attorneys have now arrived. #WestsTrial

The bailiff came out and said there will be one row for media, one row for attorneys and six rows for the public. He cautioned the public to not push or shove as they enter, and said the proceedings will be audiostreamed. #WestsTrial

We should be let in momentarily. The bailiff said he was dealing with some issues but hoped to begin letting people in soon. #WestsTrial

Media and the public are entering now. #WestsTrial

Trezell and Jacqueline West are present with attorneys, as are prosecutor Eric Smith and lead investigator Sgt. Thomas Hernandez from the BPD. #WestsTrial

Judge Charles R. Brehmer has instructed everyone to fill each chair. The courtroom is packed. #WestsTrial
 
Verdict - Trezell West
May 19, 2023
https://twitter.com/KGETnews

The hearing has begun. #WestsTrial

The jury has reached a verdict on 5 of the 7 counts for both defendants, have not reached a verdict on two counts and said they're deadlocked on them. #WestsTrial

The verdict on the 5 counts will be taken today and the jury will be asked if there is anything further that could help them reach a verdict on the 2 other counts. If not, a mistrial will be declared on those 2 counts. #WestsTrial

The jury is entering the courtroom. #WestsTrial

The jury has failed to reach a verdict on the charges of second-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder a they apply to Orson West. #WestsTrial

A mistrial has been declared on those 2 counts. On count 4 the vote was 8 votes guilty, 4 not guilty, count 5 had 10 votes guilty, 2 not guilty. #WestsTrial

Trezell West's verdict will be read first. #WestsTrial

The verdict is being read. #WestsTrial

On count 1, second-degree murder, Trezell has been found guilty of second-degree murder. #WestsTrial

On Count 2, involuntary manslaughter, he has been found guilty. #WestsTrial

On count 3, he was found guilty of child cruelty. #WestsTrial

ON count 6, he was found guilty of child cruelty. #WestsTrial

ON count 7, Trezell was found guilty of falsely reporting an emergency. There was a shout when the first count was read, and now multiple people are sobbing. #WestsTrial

Trezell showed no reaction. #WestsTrial
 
Verdict - Jacqueline West
May 19, 2023
https://twitter.com/KGETnews

The verdict will now be read for Jacqueline West. On count 1, second-degree murder, she has been found guilty of second-degree murder. #WestsTrial

Guilty of involuntary manslaughter, guilty of child cruelty. #WestsTrial

Guilty of the other child cruelty charge, and guilty of falsely reporting an emergency. #WestsTrial

The jury has been excused. #WestsTrial

Sentencing is set for July 13. #WestsTrial

A determination on whether the Wests will be retried on counts 4 and 5 will be made public at sentencing. #WestsTrial

Prosecutor Eric Smith said the gag order remains in place. It's expected to be lifted at sentencing. Attorneys are not allowed to discuss the case until then. #WestsTrial
 
MAY 19, 2023

Trezell and Jacqueline West found guilty in five of seven counts

A Kern County jury has found Trezell and Jacqueline West guilty of 5 of the 7 counts they were charged with Friday morning in regards to Orrin and Orson West.

The jury did not find a verdict for two counts, second-degree murder and conspire to commit a crime. Those counts are in regard to 3-year-old Orson West.

[...]

The Wests were each facing a total of seven charges including:
  • 2 counts of Murder: Second Degree
  • Involuntary manslaughter
  • 2 counts of willful cruelty to child
  • Conspire to commit a crime
  • False report of emergency
Jurors found Trezell guilty of:
  • Second-Degree Murder
  • Involuntary Manslaughter
  • 2 counts of Willful Cruelty to Child
  • False report of emergency
Jurors did not find a verdict of Trezell in:
  • Second-Degree Murder
  • Conspire to commit a crime
Jurors found Jacqueline guilty of:
  • Second-Degree Murder
  • Involuntary Manslaughter
  • 2 counts of Willful Cruelty to Child
  • False report of emergency
Jurors did not find a verdict of Jacqueline in:
  • Second-Degree Murder
  • Conspire to commit a crime
[...]
 
MAY 19, 2023

West Trial: Adoptive parents found guilty of 5 of 7 charges, including murder

Second-degree murder carries a prison term of 15 years to life. The couple was also convicted of falsely reporting an emergency.

The jury hung 8-4 for guilt on the conspiracy charge and 10-2 for guilt on the murder charge.

Sentencing is set for July 13. On that date, prosecutor Eric Smith will announce whether he will retry the Wests on the deadlocked charges.

vlcsnap-2023-05-19-12h55m31s432.jpg
Trezell West showed no reaction after being found guilty of second-degree murder.

vlcsnap-2023-05-19-12h56m35s818.jpg
Jacqueline West looks toward the audience after there was a shout when she was found guilty of second-degree murder.

A gag order remains in place and attorneys, investigators and others involved in the case are barred from speaking publicly on the matter.
 

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