Prosecutor does not expect victim testimony today in gang-rape case

Waiting for court to begin.

C.B. Hanif for WAOD:

Following on previous post:

Caught Assistant State's Attorney Craig Williams for few seconds as he headed to the prosecutor's table. Contrary to the possibility suggested earlier by attorney Robert Gershman, Williams said he does not expect that the Dunbar Village victim and her son will be testifying today.

Rather, the presentation of more law enforcement evidence will take up most of the day, Williams said.

Earlier, Gershman, defense attorney for Nathan Walker, said what he expects today is:

"I think I'll cross examine this first witness, the crime scene person. There's inconsistenties in what she says, where things are found, how things are collected. I think there are telephones found in the house, the condom was not found as she says it is. So I anticipate that her testimony will be discredited this morning."

Seal on door of Courtroom 11H.

On the possibility that West Palm Beach Housing Authority Director Laurel Robinson will be heard from today:

"I don't think it will be today but I subpoenaed her. She is the records custodian for the Dunbar tenant file of the mother. So she's sunder subpoena, she supplied records pursuant to public records requests about the information and the specific applications that the mother filled out for housing at Dunbar Village.

"I'm not sure the judge is gonna allow me to question (the victim) about the issues. So I'm not sure it will ever come to the housing authority attorney testifying or not. But she's under subpoena, they've denied the motion to protect, and I'm ready to go forward in that regard."

Gersham then said he expected the mother's testimony possibly could come today. Minutes later prosecutor Williams, who obviously is privy to the state's case, indicated otherwise.

When it does happen, the mother's testimony would take place in the courtroom, the son's via closed-circuit TV.

The judge granted the state's motion regarding the latter arrangement, over defense objections.

Locked door of courtroom.


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