Young Jury Seated as Zapata takes the 5th Before State Offers him Immunity

SAN ANGELO, TX -- A jury was selected last night in the John Young theft, forgery and money laundering trial and Ray Zapata was put on the stand to be sworn in as a witness.  Zapata told Judge Brock Jones he was exercising his fifth amendment right to refuse to testify because his testimony might incriminate himself.  

Zapata left the courtroom and then prosecuting attorney Shane Attaway filed a motion granting Zapata immunity if the court would compel him to testify.  Judge Brock Jones filed the motion, but took no action on it after defense attorney Daniel Hurley objected because Zapata’s attorney, Mark Snodgrass of Lubbock was not present and was not aware that the State was going to offer immunity.  

Judge Jones said since Snodgrass was in Lubbock, they could hold a court call or conference call with Snodgrass over the phone.  The attorneys agreed and the trial proceeded with opening statements.  

The jury was brought into the courtroom.  There are 12 jurors and 2 alternates; eight men and six women.  

Attaway’s opening statement painted Young as a desperate and greedy man deep in debt who saw John Sullivan as a source of significant income.  John Sullivan was charged with online solicitation of a minor and possession of child porngraphy.  John Young was his attorney.  

Attaway told the jury that Sullivan died on June 3, 2014 and was found by Zapata and Armando Martinez found Sullivan’s body on June 4 at about 3:30 p.m. and in a span of six hours Young and Zapata  had 15 phone calls.  

The prosecuting attorney alleged that Zapata took Sullivan’s missal, a Catholic daily prayer book, and the forged will was later found in that book.  Attaway said the prosecution would prove that Zapata forged the will at Young’s instruction leaving Sullivan’s estate to Young.  

Defense Attorney Daniel Hurley began his opening statement saying how good a person John Young was and that he was a generous person and had a wonderful family.  

A juror interrupted Hurley’s opening statement needing a break.  Judge Jones had the jury removed from the courtroom at 10:30 a.m.  Shortly after the judge sent the jury home for lunch.  They will return at noon for the trial to continue.