Defense asks if Dennis Rodgers had a violent felony on his record previous to these drug charges. Rodgers says that he got 3 years supervision, and 3 years in state prison by pleading guilty.
Defense asks if police came to see him on June 20, 2007, before he pleaded guilty. Rodgers says no, and asks if he knows who Investigator Kopec came to seem him. Rodgers says "it was a year ago," and doesn't remember. He says he doesn't remember talking to police in county jail.
While in jail, Rodgers says he did see that Officer Lindsey had been killed from watching the news.
Defense asks how many times Rodgers came into contact with Flaco. Defense wants to know if Flaco was spoken English when Rodgers overheard conversations. Rodgers says he deosn't speak Spanish, but that Flaco was speaking in a broken-English mixed with Spanish.
Rodgers says he was able to make out conversation from Flaco. Rodgers reiterates that he heard Flaco say "I had to kill somebody, so I killed that motherf$%#er."
Friday, March 14, 2008
Day Four: In prison transport, Flaco said "They ain't got S#@t on me."
Dennis Rodgers, an inmate at Oneida State Prison says he was coming to court for felony charges, when he recognized Flaco in the transport van. Rodgers says Flaco began talking in the van to another Spanish man. Rodgers was able to hear the conversation.
He said Flaco said "They ain't got S#@t on me."
Rodgers said he did not receive any deal for testifying, other than a recommendation for work release. He is not on work release at this time, hwoever.
He said Flaco said "They ain't got S#@t on me."
Rodgers said he did not receive any deal for testifying, other than a recommendation for work release. He is not on work release at this time, hwoever.
Day Four: Inmate testifies Flaco said he meant to kill Sammy, but didn't due to the baby
A man in a green jumpsuit, handcuffs and shackles is brought into court. A bailiff unlocks the handcuffs, but leaves the feet shackles on.
The man's name is Dennis Rodgers, he is 26 years old, and is being held at Oneida State Prison for felony drug charges he was arrested on March 2007. He is serving 3 1/2 years in prison for those charges.
He was incarcerated at Oneida County Jail at one point, where he at some timebecame familiar With Wesley Molina-Cirino (Flaco). While in the medical ward for a thumb injury in June, he came across some other inmates, who were having a conversation. He overheard a conversation between Flaco and another Spanish guy...speaking in broken english. Rodgers says he was able to understand the conversation.
He says he overheard Flaco say he was really going to kill Sammy, but didn't because there was a baby in the car, so shot Officer Lindsey instead. He said Flaco said he "just had to kill somebody."
The man's name is Dennis Rodgers, he is 26 years old, and is being held at Oneida State Prison for felony drug charges he was arrested on March 2007. He is serving 3 1/2 years in prison for those charges.
He was incarcerated at Oneida County Jail at one point, where he at some timebecame familiar With Wesley Molina-Cirino (Flaco). While in the medical ward for a thumb injury in June, he came across some other inmates, who were having a conversation. He overheard a conversation between Flaco and another Spanish guy...speaking in broken english. Rodgers says he was able to understand the conversation.
He says he overheard Flaco say he was really going to kill Sammy, but didn't because there was a baby in the car, so shot Officer Lindsey instead. He said Flaco said he "just had to kill somebody."
Day Four: Maldanado cross-examined
Defense asks about the interview. She asks if they asked a specific question and got a specific answer. Officer says yes. Defense wants to know if there's any record in question and answer form asked between him and Wesley. Officer Maldanado says no, that it was just taken down in paragraph form by Investigator White.
Day Four: Flaco's statement to police
Officer Maldanado says that Flaco's understanding of English was "very limited."
While interviewed by UPD, Officer Maldanado says that he knew Flaco was wanted on warrants out of Syracuse. The officer is asked by prosecution to if the person interviewed is in the room. Officer says yes, and points to Cirino.
The officer is then asked to read from the statement.
In Flaco's statement, he said (paraphrased):
"On April 17, I was brought to UPD because of a warrant for my arrest. I met with investigator White. I dont' know English well. So officer Maldanado translated."
"On April 12, I awoke at 2 or 3 in afternoon, showered, got dressed and waited for my brother to come home from work. We then ate dinner. I went to Howard Ave to visit my cousin, Francisco Cirino."
"At about 8 p.m. Sammy came to my house with his son. Sammy stayed for half an hour. I told Sammy I was gonna turn myself in because of some warrants. Sammy said things were good with his wife and kids. We shook hands and left. I got a ride home from my brother, then showered and went to bed."
"Next day I read the newspaper and saw the officer was shot. I went to get my haircut on Saturday, and then I was told Sammy was locked up for what happened to the cop. I was going to the Domenican store at Seymour and Arthur. I met up with a guy I know as "Indio," Sammy's uncle."
"Indio said Sammy, Indio and another guy named Rico were on Neilson Street that night and were going to kill someone. They stole a car they left behind and got into Sammy's car. Sammy parked on Neilson Street that night and the officer then parked behind Sammy's car."
"Rico came up behind officer and shot him in the head. Rico is a short, and chubby Hispanic male with braids in his hair."
"I continued to the store for a loaf of bread."
While interviewed by UPD, Officer Maldanado says that he knew Flaco was wanted on warrants out of Syracuse. The officer is asked by prosecution to if the person interviewed is in the room. Officer says yes, and points to Cirino.
The officer is then asked to read from the statement.
In Flaco's statement, he said (paraphrased):
"On April 17, I was brought to UPD because of a warrant for my arrest. I met with investigator White. I dont' know English well. So officer Maldanado translated."
"On April 12, I awoke at 2 or 3 in afternoon, showered, got dressed and waited for my brother to come home from work. We then ate dinner. I went to Howard Ave to visit my cousin, Francisco Cirino."
"At about 8 p.m. Sammy came to my house with his son. Sammy stayed for half an hour. I told Sammy I was gonna turn myself in because of some warrants. Sammy said things were good with his wife and kids. We shook hands and left. I got a ride home from my brother, then showered and went to bed."
"Next day I read the newspaper and saw the officer was shot. I went to get my haircut on Saturday, and then I was told Sammy was locked up for what happened to the cop. I was going to the Domenican store at Seymour and Arthur. I met up with a guy I know as "Indio," Sammy's uncle."
"Indio said Sammy, Indio and another guy named Rico were on Neilson Street that night and were going to kill someone. They stole a car they left behind and got into Sammy's car. Sammy parked on Neilson Street that night and the officer then parked behind Sammy's car."
"Rico came up behind officer and shot him in the head. Rico is a short, and chubby Hispanic male with braids in his hair."
"I continued to the store for a loaf of bread."
Day Four: Flaco signed, understood statement; treated as witness, not a suspect
Officer Maldanado advised Flaco that if he gave a false statement, that he could be arrested. The officer says Flaco reviewed the final draft of the statement and then indicated that everything he told was the truth. The officer then asked Flaco to initial the deposition at the beginning and end, which he did.
The officer says that during the drafting of the statement, Flaco never said he wanted a lawyer or said that he didn't want to talk. During this time, the officer says, Flaco was never a suspect in the case.
The officer says that at this time, Flaco was treated as a witness, not as a suspect, and was told that.
The officer says that during the drafting of the statement, Flaco never said he wanted a lawyer or said that he didn't want to talk. During this time, the officer says, Flaco was never a suspect in the case.
The officer says that at this time, Flaco was treated as a witness, not as a suspect, and was told that.
Day Four: Corrections made to Flaco's translated deposition, then printed
The interview began with Flaco telling how his day started. As a writte deposition was taken, Investigator White typed everytihng in the computer as the Officer and Flaco spoke back and forth.
As Maldanado would translate to English, Investigator White would write down the answers to create the statement, which was then printed up. The Investigator then handed it to Officer Maldanado, who asked Flaco if anything in the statement needed to be changed, or if it was correct.
Officer Maldanado read the deposition line by line to Flaco to make sure it was correct. The officer says Flaco made some minor corrections and a new copy drafted.
The statement in question is then shown to the officer.
As Maldanado would translate to English, Investigator White would write down the answers to create the statement, which was then printed up. The Investigator then handed it to Officer Maldanado, who asked Flaco if anything in the statement needed to be changed, or if it was correct.
Officer Maldanado read the deposition line by line to Flaco to make sure it was correct. The officer says Flaco made some minor corrections and a new copy drafted.
The statement in question is then shown to the officer.
Day Four: Flaco interviewed in Spanish; "would tell everything he knew"
Officer Maldanado, Investigator White, and Molina-Cirino sat down at UPD for an interview in Spanish. The officer told Flaco he was speaking to him because they thought Flaco might know something about Officer Lindsey being killed.
The officer says that Flaco agreed to talk. The Officer says the tow fo them understood each other fine in Spanish. Investigator White would ask the question, and Maldanado would translate to Flaco in Spanish. Flaco would answer in Spanish and the officer would translate for Investigator White.
The officer says that Flaco never indicated that he wanted to stop answering questions at any time. Maldanado says that the interview was oral and that nothing was written down at the time.
Flaco told the officer he "didn't know anything, but would tell everything he knew."
The officer says that Flaco agreed to talk. The Officer says the tow fo them understood each other fine in Spanish. Investigator White would ask the question, and Maldanado would translate to Flaco in Spanish. Flaco would answer in Spanish and the officer would translate for Investigator White.
The officer says that Flaco never indicated that he wanted to stop answering questions at any time. Maldanado says that the interview was oral and that nothing was written down at the time.
Flaco told the officer he "didn't know anything, but would tell everything he knew."
Day Four: Officer translated for Flaco at UPD
Maldanado was mandated to respond to UPD where he would be needed to interpret for a person who needed to be translated in CID. There, he met with Investigator White. Upon arriving, he learned that he woul dneed to translate for Wesley Molina-Cirino.
Day Four: Officer Raymond Maldonado takes the stand; fluent in Spanish
Officer Raymond Maldonado has taken the stand to testify. He is a patrol officer who speaks Spanish, employed by the UPD. He says he learned to speak Spanish when he was a child and other family members of his speak Spanish. He says his grandparents from Puerto Rico barely spoke English, and so, living with them, he was immersed in the language.
Maldonado says that he has often spoke Spanish in his work at the UPD and has provided translating services to Spanish speaking witnesses, victims, etc, in his work with UPD. His foundation and background with the Spanish language is then laid out for the court.
Maldonado says that he has often spoke Spanish in his work at the UPD and has provided translating services to Spanish speaking witnesses, victims, etc, in his work with UPD. His foundation and background with the Spanish language is then laid out for the court.
Day Four: Court begins; approaching the bench
Judge Barry Donalty has arrived as has the jury, and court has begun. The prosecution has asked to approach the bench.
Day Four: Flaco brought into court
Flaco has arrived in the court room, wearing the blue shirt, but with a new tie than from previous days.
Day Four: Awaiting judge and jury...
Just about 9:20 a.m. The prosecution and defense attorneys have arrived, as has Flaco's translator. Judge Donalty has left the bench and the jury has not yet been brought out.
Donalty has had a knack for things starting exactly when he said he would, so it seems likely that we'll be starting very soon.
Donalty has had a knack for things starting exactly when he said he would, so it seems likely that we'll be starting very soon.
Day Four: Officers and family take their seats
The UPD officers have made their way into the courtroom and are taking their seats. Flaco's translator has also arrived. Chief Pylman stands to the back, greeting the officers who come in with a nod or a handshake and pointing any who haven't been here yet as to where they should sit.
Lindsey's family and Lisa, Lindsey's girlfriend at the time has also arrived and taken their seats.
Lindsey's family and Lisa, Lindsey's girlfriend at the time has also arrived and taken their seats.
Day Four: Court to begin soon...
Judge Barry Donalty is running through his court calendar for the morning before he gets to Day Four of the Wesley Molina-Cirino trial.
The hallway outside Donalty's courtroom is filled with uniformed UPD officers, including Chief C. Allen Pylman.
Court should begin shortly. We are expected to hear from more DNA and Forensics experts this morning.
The hallway outside Donalty's courtroom is filled with uniformed UPD officers, including Chief C. Allen Pylman.
Court should begin shortly. We are expected to hear from more DNA and Forensics experts this morning.
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