SAN ANGELO - The trial for Levi Todd Turner, 26, charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon against a family, began today in the 340th District Court. There were various court hearings going on this week, including the murder trial for Stephano Culbreath. Each trial began with jury selection.
There are 12 jurors selected for this trial; five males and seven females. There is also one alternative jury member.
The Honorable Judge Jay Weatherby began the hearing by swearing in the State's witnesses before the jury came in to the courtroom.
Turner pleaded not guilty at the beginning of the opening remarks. Click here and here to read the original story.
State Assistant District Attorney Ashley Knight started by telling the jury about the events leading up to the aggravated assault against the family.
Recalling The Assault
On Jan 6th, 2015, Desiree Reyes, with her husband and young children as passengers, was driving on 1812 West Ave N.
After a car cut her off, Reyes honked her car horn to indicate they were about to collide with the vehicle. In doing so, the driver of the other car spurred into a fit of road rage and an argument ensued. At some point during the altercation, a single shot was fired at Reyes's car, and the two male occupants, a white driver and black passenger, fled in the vehicle.
Witness Accounts
The first witness, Dona Robins, a supervisor for the records and information with police dispatch at the San Angelo Police Department, stated Reyes called police after the shot was fired. Dispatch received the call at 9:34 p.m. on Jan. 6, 2015.
The next witness, Travis Gonzalez, was the dispatcher on call with Reyes that evening, and described her as being in a “panicked” state. The State filed the recorded dispatch call as evidence and played it for the jury to hear. This audio made it clear that Reyes was in distress and Gonzalez was trying to help calm her down.
After a short recess, the jury came back to hear the last testimony for today. Diana Garcia, a crime scene technician present during the investigation, ran a gunshot residue (GSR) test on Turner. She positively identified Turner to the jury, showing he was the same individual who received the GSR testing.
The defense made a motion to suppress the information prior to Garcia’s testimony in front of the jury. Judge Weatherby denied this motion and the defense asked for the court record to show continued objection to the denial of suppression.
Garcia showed the jury what swabs are used during the GSR test, and explained this was used to collect samples from Turner's left hand, right hand and face.
Garcia also recalled being sent to take photos of a vehicle at the Stripes on 19th and Bryant. She ran a GSR test on the passenger side dashboard, seat, and center console of the vehicle.
The defense asked why samples weren’t taken on the driver side handle, steering wheel, or headliner.
Garcia responded saying detective Lynn Dye, with the San Angelo Police Department, told her to swab specific portions of the interior. Those areas mentioned by the defense were not specified to her.
At that point, the trial was called for recess and will continue at 9 a.m. tomorrow.
Updates will be provided during trial proceedings.
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