Weighing in On DNA Evidence in Mason Murder Trial
While D.N.A. evidence lifted from the clothing of three of the five accused men does not, as yet, implicate his client, attorney Norman Rodriguez is studying today’s testimony carefully since the F.B.I. witness will continue from the stand on Wednesday morning where she will be cross-examined. He began by giving his take on what unfolded in court today.
Norman Rodriguez, Attorney
“I can start by telling you that it has been a very long day once more and I guess this will continue for another couple days or at least until the end of this trial. But the FBI expert gave evidence today, some evidence was tendered as to the clothing of some of the accused. Nothing came up yet about my client, I can’t say that it will not come so I will just prepare myself that when it comes, if it does, that I will do the regular cross-examining to ensure that that evidence does not affect my client the way they would want it to.”
Reporter
“Now sir, the FBI witness gave testimony that some of these accused persons supposedly had blood on their clothes and that the blood, the DNA, the matching is confirmed to be that of Mr. Llewellyn Lucas, the victim. What are your thoughts on how serious a piece of evidence like that is against the defendant?”
Norman Rodriguez
Norman Rodriguez
“Until the witness has been cross-examined, I would not be able to tell you that it would have any effect on any of those people. Still, I would reserve those comments for those attorneys who represent those people. But until the witness has been cross-examined I cannot say that the accused are affected.”
Isani Cayetano
“The matter goes back to the Supreme Court in Belmopan tomorrow, how prepared are you when your turn comes to go in cross-examination or to have any witness take the stand?”
Norman Rodriguez
“One of the things that we train for is to be able to think on our feet, so if you cannot think on your feet then you don’t belong in this position because the witnesses will come and things will come as a surprise sometimes so you just have to be ready. And we have the training so we should not fall flat on our butts in relation to the cross-examining.”
The murder trial of William ‘Danny’ Mason continues in Belmopan on Wednesday. The hearing was transferred to Belize City on Monday due to issues that the court was experiencing with poor internet connectivity. The move to the Old Capital proved no better.
