Opening Statements

We got opening statements and two days of testimony this week. The first and only witness so far has been Lieutenant Ray Hermosillo from the Rexburg Police Dept.

He started testifying about when the police were alerted about the missing children, the search of Lori’s apartment, garage and storage unit and went on to testify about finding and exhuming the bodies of JJ and Tylee. It’s very sad and gruesome testimony. It was exactly the same as what we heard in Lori Vallow Daybell’s trial, but still extremely difficult to listen to. In the gallery, we were not subjected to the pictures again, but I remember them.

Chad’s attorney, John Prior interupted Lieutenant Hermosillo several times while Prosecutor Rob Wood questioned him. Priors cross examination of Hermosillo was a little disjointed to say the least. I was waiting for the top of Hermosillo’s head to explode, but he held it together like the professional he is. I felt like I could see the stress on his face though and I worry about him. He is not allowed to talk to me or anyone not directly involved in the case other than regular chit chat. Still, when I or my two fellow jurors who are attending the case encounter him in the hall, we make sure he knows we support him. I don’t feel like it’s near enough though.

Not sure who the next witness for the prosecution will be, but we’ll find out Monday morning.