Trial Transcripts
The trial of Wayne Bent (Wayne Bent v. State of New Mexico) occurred in Taos, New Mexico, December 9, 2008 through December 12, 2008 with the verdict being rendered on December 15, 2008. Sentencing was on December 30, 2008. Following are transcripts from various parts of the trial. Eventually, this collection will become more complete as transcripts will be added as they become available.
Attribution for these transcripts
The work on transcribing these transcript documents from the official audio (released by the trial court) has been done by Jan Brennan. Jan is a "true crime" author, as well as a romance novel book reviewer. You can see her book about the Natalee Holloway disappearance, online, No Evidence of a Crime.
Production of typed transcripts requires playing, stopping and replaying, while typing what was said, then checking the printed copy against the original recording. Jan deserves credit for enabling students of the case to have this valuable resource.
Names Redacted
All transcripts show victims' true names redacted (substituted with initials).
Safe Room Interviews
Prior to the Grand Jury session, which was seeking indictment of Wayne Bent, Safe Room interviews were conducted with key potential witnessess. The two alleged victims were given such Safe Room interviews. The following is from the audio of the Safe Room interview with A.S., which is being played for the Grand Jury members to hear. Because this is a recording of an audio playback, some parts were not audible (those areas are indicated in the transcript). Other transcripts of additional Safe Room interviews from the Grand Jury session have been prepared and may follow later.
Safe Room Interview with A.S (prosecution witness)
Preliminary motion discussion
Prior to calling witnesses, the defense discussed excluding Wayne Bent's internet postings, expressing concern about Sam Redman as an expert prosecution witness.
Defense motion for document exclusion
Opening statements
Prosecution Case
State Police Officer, Ben Romero - prosecution direct and defense cross
Safe Room Interviewer, Kat Duff - prosecution direct and defense cross
State Police Agent, Matthew Martinez - prosecution direct and defense cross
Courtroom discussions - various issues, including admission of certain exhibits
Elsa Sayer (victims' mother) prosecution direct
Elsa Sayer (victims' mother) defense cross, plus re-direct
John Sayer (victims' father) prosecution direct and defense cross, plus re-direct
LS (called Healed) prosecution direct
LS (called Healed) defense cross
LS (called Healed) prosecution re-direct
LS directs from judge, then final LS re-direct/re-cross
AS redirect by judge -- with defense followup
Arguments about media and next two prosecution witnesses
Prosecution direct of expert Dr. Elizabeth Dinsmore
Defense cross of expert Dr. Elizabeth Dinsmore
Prosecution direct of expert Dr. John Gordon Melton
Cross and re-direct of expert Dr. John Gordon Melton
Prosecution rested after previous witness
(The prosecution's resting declaration included previous transcript).
Defense motion for Directed Verdict to dismiss
Defense Case
Defense direct of expert Dr. Ned Seigel
Cross and re-direct of expert Dr. Ned Seigel
Defense Direct of Gabriel Travesser, plus cross and re-direct
Defense Direct of Allaso Travesser, plus cross and re-direct
Defense direct, religion expert, Dr. Stephen O'leary, plus cross.
Defense rested after previous witness
Judge's instructions to the jury
Closing remarks
The Verdict
Sentencing
Sentencing hearing proceedings - Part One
Sentencing hearing proceedings - Part Two
Sentencing hearing proceedings - Part Three
Sentencing hearing proceedings - Part Four (Conclusion)
This concluded the trial. Wayne Bent was taken into custody following these proceedings.
Los Lunas fasting
Fasting hearing while in Los Lunas prison
Bent's requests were denied and force feeding was permitted. Shortly after initial nasogastric tube food force feeding and water by intravenous injection, Bent began voluntarily eating Ensure and Glucerna brand meals.