Kelly Soo Park Trial Synopsis: Part II, Prosecution Witnesses 1 to 10

This is a very condensed summary of the testimony presented at trial. It does not include every single thing testified to at trial. Sprocket

PROSECUTION WITNESSES

1. GREG REDDING

DIRECT EXAMINATION
Redding is an Arizona pharmacist and the father of the victim.  He was introduced to Munir Uwaydah, an othropedic surgeon through his daughter in August 2007.  He assumed that his daughter and Uwaydah were in a relationship.  Uwaydah and Redding entered contract negotiations for Redding to run one of Uwaydah’s companies, Golden State Pharmacy. Redding had toured the pharmacy as well as another adjacent business, ‘The Bubble Bakery‘ that Uwaydah indicated he also owned. 

Negotiations with Uwaydah went through until March, 2008.  It was a pharmacy, but not a typical pharmacy like Walgrens, Rite Aid, it was more a private pharmacy, for the medical practice of Uwaydah’s private patients.

Redding testifies that his daughter briefly lived at a home owned by Uwaydah, with a friend, Stephanie. Juliana was not living in that home after her birthday October 25th birthday, but before.

Redding did some research on Uwaydah. He found Uwaydah was married, had children and lied about his age.  Concerned for their daughter’s safety, the called and told her what they had found out. After Juliana returned from the disaster birthday celebration in Las Vegas, she moved out of the home that Uwaydah owned.

Redding’s business negotiations with Uwaydah cooled but started up again in November or December 2007.

When Redding started looking at what he would be doing at the pharmacy, (manufacturing a pain cream in very large volumes) he became concerned that the Pharmacy didn’t have the required licenses to manufacture in such large volumes.

If the company was in violation, his pharmacy license would be on the line. Redding passed his California exams towards the end of February 2008. It was decision time whether he would go forward with the job.

Contract negotiations broke down.  Letters were exchanged between Uwaydah’s counsel and Redding’s counsel.  (I hope to obtain copies of these documents. Sprocket.) Redding’s counsel sent a letter dated March 10th, 2008, ending the business negotiations.

CROSS EXAMINATION
Contract negotiations with Uwaydah in November. Saw Uwaydah a couple of times. They were on friendly terms.  Negotiations appeared to break down over whether or not Redding would have use of a plane Uwaydah had. Uwaydah seemed to be upset about this.

Redding had concerns about the appropriate licenses for manufacturing the pain cream. They didn’t resolve the issues.  Uwaydah being a physician, didn’t have any say in the pharmacy. Rules and regulations in California preclude Uwaydah from owning a pharmacy. Redding did not know who owned the formula for the pain cream.

REDIRECT
After his last conversation with Uwaydah, Redding received a call from Uwaydah’s employee Melissa Hornbeck (sp?) demanding that he answer the phone. Redding never answered the call.

Uwaydah didn’t own the pharmacy per se. That would be a conflict.  However, Uwaydah, offered him the job at the pharmacy even though Uwaydah didn’t own it.

RECROSS
Redding barely remembers the name of his attorney at the time.

REDIRECT
There were things Redding felt were left out of the contract. Letter from Redding’s attorney to Uwaydah’s attorney discussing that he would be willing to discuss any points in the contract that were in contention.

2. KELLY DUNCAN

DIRECT EXAMINATION
Friend of Juliana since 2006. Juliana’s relationship with Uwaydah lasted one to three months; she’s not sure. Met Uwaydah and some of his medical practice employees. Met Letti Lemuse (sp?), Paul Turley, who ran the medical office. Never met Marissa (sp?), or Shelly (sp?) but heard the names from Juliana.

Duncan was the last person to see Juliana when they went to dinner at Tengu. Left restaurant around 7:00 PM. Juliana had a photo shoot the next day. Testifies she never met or seen Ms. Park before. She would have remembered because she has the same name.

CROSS EXAMINATION
She met two of Dr. Uwaydah’s employees. Paul Turley and Letti.

3. BRIAN VAN HOLT

DIRECT EXAMINATION
Friend of Juliana who knew her for about 2 years. Met her at the restaurant, Primivtio. Met her March 14th, 2008.

Last time Van Holt saw Juliana, she was leaving his loft in Venice. Prior to that, he was with her at the restaurant with a number of friends. At his residence, they engaged in some light necking.  They kissed and embraced.  Van Holt believes he touched the upper part of her torso.

When he heard Juliana had been murdered, he contacted police immediately to let them know he had been with her on Friday night.  He provided a sample of his DNA when Detective Henry showed up with a subpoena.

CROSS EXAMINATION
Juliana left his loft to take Cher back to Juliana’s apartment and then returned.  There was sexual contact between him and Juliana but no intercourse.

It was usual for him to stay in on the weekends if he had an audition on Monday. Initially, his lawyer wouldn’t let him speak to the police immediately. He testified at the grand jury.  He went to the restaurant a couple times a week.

REDIRECT
Van Holt did have an audition on Monday and he lives about a block from the restaurant.

4. JESSICA CRISSEY

DIRECT EXAMINATION
Grew up in Tucson with Juliana. Knew her 20 years. Celebrated Juliana’s 21st birthday with her.

Crissey, Ashely & Juliana went to Las Vegas in Uwaydah’s plane to celebrate Juliana’s birthday.  She had never met Uwaydah before. Describes how Juliana was upset on the flight to Vegas.

They stayed at the Wynn Hotel. Over dinner Juliana became more upset, and was crying. Describes how Uwaydah thought she was upset about her dogs. Juliana just kept calling Uwaydah a liar. Juliana and her girlfriends decide to stay at a different hotel.  Some of the girlfriends left separately. Juliana did not have any more contact with Uwaydah after that event.  Uwaydah was calling her not stop trying to get her to talk to him. They all took commercial flights back to LA.

NO CROSS EXAMINATION

5. NATASHA HOBEY

DIRECT EXAMINATION
Friend of Juliana. Met Juliana two years ago at Santa Monica College. “She was my best friend,” Hobey testified. Knew Juliana was involved with Uwaydah but not how long. Relationship ended with Uwaydah after she knew Juliana for about a year. Juliana was uncomfortable having a relationship with him.

Juliana lived in the Centinela Ave apartment about five months.  When she looked for the apartment, she had been living in the Beverly Hills house.

She went with Juliana to the Beverly Hills house to pick up her dogs, they picked up the little dog, Gigi, and “a couple of boxes” of Juliana’s belongings from the Beverly Hills house. The last time she saw Juliana was March 12th. They went to get their nails done together.

Hobey describes the special key chain that Juliana had with her all the time. It was a Louis Vitton key chain, a gift from Uwaydah, that looked like a bag of skittles.  Hobey testified that she was supposed to see Juliana after the 12th. She provided a DNA sample. She never saw Park before. Juliana never spoke about Park.

CROSS EXAMINATION
Juliana typically locked her doors all the time. Hobey is asked about a statement she gave police, about Juliana not showering.  “She just was the type of girl that, even though she appeared to be high maintenance, she wasn’t. She would just put on some deodorant.”

Describes the “yappy hour” place they went that was for their dogs. There was a time that she and Juliana went and Uwaydah was there. At a later time, after Juliana was uncomfortable being around Uwaydah, they saw Uwaydah at the “yappy hour” location and they were surprised. Juliana thought that Uwaydah may have been (following?) her.

6. ROBERT HERNANDEZ

DIRECT EXAMINATION
First responder, Santa Monica Police Dept. officer to the crime scene. He was dispatched to the scene for a welfare check on Juliana.  He took to try to contact Juliana by calling her phone. Introduces crime scene photos. Couldn’t enter apartment. Called for Officer Cap, experienced in lock picking.  The security gate was successfully picked. Entry was gained through the window in the rear wood door. Forced up the window, reached in and unlocked the door. Just the bottom lock on the rear door was locked. The deadbolt on the rear door was not locked.

Upon entry, he could smell the distinct odor of gas. He could tell the gas odor was coming from the stove. Requested the Santa Monica Fire Department.  Testifies about the other officers that were present at the scene.

Introduces crime scene photos of the apartment and evidence markers. The front door deadbolt was engaged on the front door and security door.  Other officers entered the bedroom. Introduces photos of Juliana as she was found on her bed.  Describes the injuries that he saw on Juliana. Her feet were dangling off the bed. There was a small pool of blood underneath her right foot.  He called the Redding house in Arizona and spoke to Greg Redding as to what was found.

The bottom lock to the back door, the metal door was locked. It was a type of lock that you did not have to lock from the outside.  The top lock on the back door requires to lock with a key.

NO CROSS EXAMINATION

7. RICHARD LEWIS

DIRECT EXAMINATION
Sargent with Santa Monica Police Department. Detective who responded to the crime scene. Introduces photos of the living room and other areas of the crime scene where it appeared there was evidence of a struggle and an attempt to clean up the scene.  The gold chain that was broken in two pieces, one half of the chain was located under the coffee table leg.  One table leg was twisted. The lamp in an unusual location, unplugged. The laptop computer on the sofa. The sofa cushion cover that was missing. The vase with the oil in it and oil spilled underneath the tray on the table. The lit candle.

Introduces photos of Juliana on the bed and describes her injuries and the blood pooled under her right foot on the floor.  Names the criminalists who arrived at the scene and started to collect evidence. Describes the locks on the doors and which ones were engaged. Describes the various pieces of evidence that were recovered from the scene (cell phone, computer, etc.) and that the cell phone and computer were given to Beverly Hills PD for information recovery on those items.

The Louis Vitton key chain was never located. A green robe was never located.  The removed sofa cushion cover was never located.

NO CROSS EXAMINATION



8. LYNN MITCHELL-PARISH

DIRECT EXAMINATION
Neighbor or Juliana, next door, similar complex of units. There is 10 to 15 feet between her apartment and Juliana's.   Married, she was home the night of March 15th; her husband wasn't. 

Something caught her attention. She heard a scream and she looked at her cable box and the time was 9:53 PM.  It sounded like a female voice.  At 9:53 she was watching (TV) She knew the sound came from the complex to the south.  She muted the TV. She did hear at least two more screams and what sounded like some rustling of some furniture.  Some things were moved, making noise.  She believed all the screams were from the same person.

CROSS EXAMINATION
Her door was directly across from Juliana's unit. She only knew that the sounds were coming from the south.  There had been a social gathering, party on the property earlier, but at this time it was quiet.

She had hoped that it wasn’t a big deal. That's what she was thinking. The time frame, of the sounds happened over four minutes. She didn’t hear sound continuously over four minutes.  Her husband called her about four minutes after she heard the first scream.

She only spoke briefly to Detective Thompson about what time she (was to) arrive. Same with the DA.

9. GARY MARSHAL

DIRECT EXAMINATION
Santa Monica Firefighter paramedic for 34 years. Responded to scene. Smelled gas when he entered the apt from the rear door.  Noticed that a knob on the stove was in the on position. He turned the knob to the off position.

Explains his knowledge of sparks and ignitions. If the amount of gas in a space is between 4 and 15 percent, that is in the explosive range. If the gas percentage was in that range, a lit candle would cause an explosion.  Any spark would do.  A phone being picked up, etc. He did not enter any other rooms. Once the gas was turned off, he and his partner left.

Explains the ventilation. Gas is lighter than air. It collects in the corners, attic spaces or up in the roof. So it tends to rise. It will beat down until it finds an ignition. Usually it's light switches. Anything could spark it.

CROSS EXAMINATION
The stove knob was significantly on. When there is a gas leak, you will have one of three things: a stove, a water heater, or kitchen appliance.  In the kitchen it was obvious to him that one of the knobs on the stove was not in alignment with the others.  The knob was more than half way on. An ignition source lower to the ground, potentially might mean that the apartment would be less likely to ignite. No tests were performed on the stove. It was a standard stove; no reason to test it.  There was no evidence that anyone put tape down to improve the seal on the door.

His DNA was not collected. Did not evacuate the neighborhood after he opened the door and windows.

REDIRECT
If gas came down far enough, a lit candle would cause an explosion.

10 LESLIE FUNO

DIRECT EXAMINATION
Former Santa Monica PD forensic specialist.  Called to crime scene. She was in charge of processing evidence and photography. Gives her CV. She collected latent prints and photographs.  She created drawings of the interior rooms of the apartment.  Described her procedure for dusting and collecting latent prints.  Collected a latent print from the underside of an orange plate in the kitchen sink.  She would keep all the latent cards together until they could be transported back to the office.

Back at the office, she developed a case file for the collected prints and stored them.  The prints would then be scanned into the computer. There was no set time frame to enter prints. Since this was a homicide, they would have been entered quickly (into the computer). Doesn't know when print was entered into the computer system.


Because of this and another high profile case, her employers tried to terminate her.

CROSS EXAMINATION
There were several cases secured in her locker. She went on vacation. When she came back, her locker was completely empty and they tried to terminate her. Does not know if the print collected from the plate was entered into the system before she went on vacation or after.

She would collect the latent prints cards in the pocket of her uniform jacket.  Not required to put them in an envelope. She processed 100 cards that day. When she had collected a number of cards, they would be placed close to her fingerprinting kit for transport back to the office. The specialists are in charge of their own evidence items so she probably transported the fingerprints she collected back to the office.  She believes she locked the fingerprint card in her own locker so she could work on them the next day.  The items are not separated in individual envelopes. That's not necessary.  While the item(s) are in her locker they would not be handled at all. They would be taken out of the locker to be worked on.

Describes what a fingerprint is. Some surfaces take fingerprints better than others. You can develop fingerprints on paper, but it’s a different process. You can’t put a time frame on fingerprints.  Weather affects (them). She can’t say how long they last, because it depends on circumstances.

REDIRECT
Didn't put the prints she collected in separate envelopes because the print is covered by tape. Once on the card, it can't be disturbed. After processed, once on the card, gloves are not necessary.  The plate was very smooth and very shiny. She didn't know if it was porcelain.

RECROSS
She explains that a usable print has a number of identifiable ridges.

To be continued in Part II, Prosecution Witnesses 11-18...