Paul garcia achilli trial

Some of the Los Gatos locals who have been coming to court every day say friends of Tessa Donnelly are in the courtroom as well. Still, Joey Battiato is on the witness stand, ready for more cross examination.

Although Tessa Donnelly would spend the night with Garcia, there was a period of time when she withheld sex from him, Battiato said. Joey Battiato also said that Paul Garcia had made threats against another man in his past — a Robert Aldana, who Garcia said owed him money related to a luxury box at HP Pavillion.

The jury has been dismissed for the day — without the long-anticipated testimony of Tessa Donnelly. Defense lawyers have still not finished questioning Joey Battiato. Joey Battiato will be back on the stand at 9 a. Tomorrow morning. Several so-called character letters on behalf of Garcia were submitted to Judge Cena as he weighed the sentence. The missives expressed shock at Garcia's conviction and described his character as kind, loving and positive.

Judge Cena said he had also read the victim's family statements and the jurors', with the latter "presenting a very different picture of Mr.

I respect the jurors' findings. As the sentence was read, Garcia sat emotionless, looking down on papers he had taken out of a box he carried as he entered the courtroom dressed in Santa Clara County Department of Corrections clothing and shackled at his hands and feet. Denying probation, Judge Cena sentenced Garcia on count one of murder to life without the possibility of parole and he received 1, days of prison credit.

He was forbidden from ever owning a firearm and was remanded to San Quentin State Prison. Garcia was also ordered to pay restitution and a claim by Michelle Achilli to cover her husband's funeral expenses and other costs, which will be later determined.

Garcia appealed the sentence immediately after it was handed down with Sousa presenting such notice during the proceedings.

The appelate court will find an attorney to represent him, Cena explained. In the courtroom Thursday were Michelle Achilli, Mark Achilli's widow, his daughter and other family members and friends.

Connie Garcia, Paul Garcia's mother, brother Erik and relatives and friends were also in attendance wearing white solidarity ribbons on their lapels that said, "We support Paul. Both women read statements before the court after Judge Cena declared he would be sentencing Garcia. Having her husband gone for four years "has not been an easy road," she said. He had a heart of gold Since his murder, Michelle Achilli said her family of three children has grown adding three new grandchildren, a son getting married, a new baby expected and a daughter graduating from college in June.

She called the sentencing bittersweet because "a part of me is missing and those bullets that were fired The courtroom doors have opened after the lunch break.

The jury is seated. Jeff Rosen is telling the jury how to size up credibility of witnesses, whether they have a motive or self interest to lie. The trial is taking a brief recess while public defender Charlie Gillan sets up a projector and prepares to deliver his closing argument on behalf of the alleged triggerman Lucio Estrada. She was in a black dress when she testified.

Public defender Charlie Gillan starts his presentation with a logo of the San Francisco Giants on the projector, thanking the jury for choosing to be in the courtroom instead of watching the Giants game. His job, he said, is to represent only his client.

Charlie Gillan says you give the benefit of the doubt to the accused. Charlie Gillan is referring to the testimony of cleaning lady Alma Fuentes, who picked out someone else in a police photo lineup as having a resemblance to the killer.

It was an unfair choice, he said. Charlie Gillan put up a photo of a jail cell with blood red letters spelling out the name of Daniel Chaidez.

He lies about little things, he lies about big things. Court is taking a minute break. James Leininger, the defense lawyer for alleged middleman Miguel Chaidez, is up next. Achilli only steps from his townhouse at the Rancho de Los Gatos complex and shot him multiple times, killing him on site. Achilli instead of him. After the criminal trial several of the defendants, including Mr. Garcia, sought to have their convictions reversed in various appellate courts.