Unclear recollections a trend among witnesses in Cueball Beating trial
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By MEGAN KOSKOVICH
Story Created:
Mar 6, 2008 at 7:14 PM EDT
Story Updated:
Apr 11, 2008 at 11:30 AM EDT
UTICA - One thing that seems to be a trend with the young witnesses, whether called by the prosecution or defense, is a tough recollection of what happened in the early morning hours of August 12, 2007.
"I seen Cory two times the entire fight," said Brad Stanistreet to his dad in a recorded phone conversation. "He said he seen me do this and do this and do this."
That conversation took place between Stanistreet and his dad via phone from the Oneida County Jail.
"Do you understand everybody at that party put their hands on that kid," Stanistreet also said in the phone conversation.
Stanistreet describes what many witnesses have said to be a "chaotic night" when a massive fight broke out at a party at Camelot Village in August of 2007.
It's that night where Carl Hill was said to have been severely beaten and died from his injuries days later. Witnesses who attended the party admit to being intoxicated, while others couldn't accurately recall the events that unfolded.
"Did you see somebody swing the sock and hit him on the head with a pool ball and who was that person," asked the prosecution.
"Him...it was that individual," said Courtney Biagini, a witness. "Oh no no...I don't remember," she then retracted.
Some of the young witnesses took the stand, admitting that they had not been completely truthful with investigators.
"You signed a statement and you didn't really tell them too much and was there a reason for that?" asked the prosecution.
"Honestly, because I didn't want to get involved, I was afraid. I just wanted to get it done and over with," responded Kara Johnson, another witness.
"To be very frank, you were not honest," the prosecution said.
"Not totally honest, no," said John Almanza while on the stand. "But then again, things were coming clearer. I heard this kid wasn't doing well in the hospital and said 'wow'."
Whether those fuzzy memories or mis-statements to police will play any role in the jury's decision will have to wait to be seen.
On Friday, final witness testimony on the defense side is expected to wrap up.
We're still not sure if Stanistreet and Stolarcyk will be taking the stand to testify in their own defense.
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