The jury trial of vehicular manslaughter suspect Marie Antoinette Villarruel continues Tuesday, March 18, in Department S-19. (File Photo)
By Michael P. Neufeld
San Bernardino, CA – The vehicular manslaughter trial of Marie Antoinette Villarruel from Crestline – charged with the death of James Mainer, 61, on August 1, 2008 — returns at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, March 18., in Department S-19.
MONDAY, MARCH 17
Judge Michael Smith called the third day of the trial to order shortly after 9:30 a.m. Several hearings were held related to people’s exhibits.
At 1:41 p.m., people’s witness Sheriff’s deputy R. Warrick was sworn and testified and he was excused at 2:51 p.m. CHP officer R. Jedlick was sworn and testified starting at 3:13 p.m.
At 4:02 p.m., court was adjourned for the day, officer Jedlick was ordered to be present March 18 along with the defendant, and the jury was admonished.
THURSDAY, MARCH 13
Thursday’s session began at 9:30 a.m. with Judge Michael A. Smith presiding. Numerous peoples’ exhibits were marked for identification purposes.
Then at 9:50 a.m., court reconvened with all parties present including all jurors and alternate jurors, according to court documents.
Two individuals testified and were cross-examined and a DVD of the incident was played twice, just 20 minutes apart.
The jury was admonished at 11:19 a.m.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12
Jury selection (voir dire) continued at 10:35 a.m. after Judge Smith marked numerous people’s exhibits for identification.
Shortly after the trial resumed, both sides gathered at the bench and Judge Smith granted a motion to preclude the prosecution from referring to insurance in questioning during voir dire. Jury selection resumed.
At 11:05 a.m., an off the record meeting in the judge’s chambers was held before court reconvened at 11:08 a.m.
At 11:44 a.m., counsel advised Judge Smith that they were satisfied with the 12 jurors. A recess was declared at 11:49 a.m.
At 1:45 p.m., the court reconvened outside the presence of the jury. At 2:03 p.m., two alternate jurors were selected followed at 2:16 p.m. by the swearing in of the jury and alternates.
At 3:01 p.m., opening arguments were given by the people and ten minutes later by the defense. The people’s first witness was sworn and testified and cross examined.
The jury was admonished at 3:52 p.m. and a recess was declared.
TUESDAY, MARCH 11
The first day of the trial began about 9:30 a.m. and the jury panel was summoned. Following roll call, the jury panel was sworn regarding their qualifications to act as trial jurors.
Several people’s exhibits were marked for identification and voir dire was conducted by court and counsel.
At 4:13 p.m., the jury pool was admonished and the trial recessed.
THE INCIDENT
Mainer died about a month after the incident on Lake Drive in Crestline from injuries sustained when he was allegedly struck by the defendant’s black Mercedes Benz SUV after Mainer purchased a soda at a nearby liquor store.
The incident –which happened at 8:25 p.m. on August 1, 2008 – was partially caught on the store’s security camera, but CHP investigators reported the actual impact was not recorded. (103)