Prosecution direct of victim A.S
Prosecution direct examination of victim A.S. – Emilio Chavez
Judge Baca: Alright, the State’s next witness. `
Emilio Chavez: The State calls A.S. to the stand.
Judge Baca: Alright A.S.
Ms. Montoya: Your Honor, I think that witness may take a lengthy period of time so perhaps we should break for lunch rather than break it up.
Judge Baca: The problem is that I have other hearings in the middle, and so if we stop now we wouldn’t get back together for about two hours.
Ms. Montoya: Ok.
Judge Baca: So I’d much rather continue.
A.S. is sworn in by Judge Baca.
Judge Baca: Move up as close as you can to the microphone and speak loudly,so we can hear you, and tell us your name.
A.S.: My name is A.S. (she responds with her full name)
Judge Baca: Ok, you may proceed.
Emilio Chavez: Good morning Miss S.
A.S.: Good morning.
Emilio Chavez: Is it alright if I call you A.?
A.S.: Yes.
Emilio Chavez: A.S., can you please tell us how old you are.
A.S.: Eighteen.
Emilio Chavez: And when is your birthday?
A.S.: August second.
Emilio Chavez: Now, let’s just go back a couple years. Or... I’m sorry... Where are you currently living?
A.S.: P. (Redacted) Street, Clayton, Union County.
Emilio Chavez: And did you ever live on the Strong City compound?
A.S.: Yes, I did.
Emilio Chavez: And I’m sorry. What did you refer to it as?
A.S.: The land.
Emilio Chavez: The land. When did you live there?
A.S.: Uhm... two years ago.
Emilio Chavez: Now let’s go back to two years ago on two thousand six. What were some of your daily activities on the land?
A.S.: Uhm... gardening, working, walking.
Emilio Chavez: And was there a set of rules for the land?
A.S.: No.
Emilio Chavez: Was there some things that you had to follow while you were on the land?
A.S.: Yes.
Emilio Chavez: What were some of those things?
A.S.: Your heart.
Emilio Chavez: Let me be a little more specific. Was there people that, sort of, helped lead the Strong City or the land?
A.S.: Yes.
Emilio Chavez: Who were some of those people?
A.S.: Wayne Bent.
Emilio Chavez: Ok. And do you know Wayne Bent as any other name?
A.S.: Michael.
Emilio Chavez: Alright. Did you at any point... Did you go to school, while you were on the land?
A.S.: No.
Emilio Chavez: What did you do as far as education?
A.S.: Home school.
Emilio Chavez: And was there any reason for that?
A.S.: Mostly cause my parents wanted it.
Emilio Chavez: Alright and at that time were your parents living on the land?
A.S.: Yes.
Emilio Chavez: In two thousand six did they move off...
Ms. Montoya: Your Honor, I’m having a difficult time hearing her responses.
Judge Baca: Speak up a little bit.
Emilio Chavez: It’s easy if you get close to the microphone. It’ll be real loud. Did your parents move off the land in two thousand six?
A.S.: Earlier.
Emilio Chavez: Ok, earlier than two thousand six. Do you remember when they moved off the land?
A.S.: Uhm... not correct.
Emilio Chavez: Did your...? Did you return to the land without your parents?
A.S.: Yes.
Emilio Chavez: And did your sister return with you?
A.S.: Yes.
Emilio Chavez: Where did you and your sister live?
A.S.: At a friend’s house.
Emilio Chavez: Do you remember that person’s name?
A.S.: Louise and...
Emilio Chavez: And I know I’m asking you questions from a long time ago, so if you don’t remember, you can tell us that.
A.S.: ...Purity. I don’t remember her original name.
Emilio Chavez: Ok, you refer to her as Purity.
A.S.: Yeah.
Emilio Chavez: Do you remember around the time of July two thousand six?
A.S.: Somewhat.
Emilio Chavez: Somewhat, ok. Around that time did Michael ever talk to everybody on the land about a vision that he had?
A.S.: I don’t remember.
Emilio Chavez: Let me be more specific. Did he ever talk to you about a vision that he had concerning seven messengers or seven virgins?
A.S.: Yes.
Emilio Chavez: And what did he talk to you about?
A.S.: (Long pause) Uhm... being one of the seven.
Emilio Chavez: Were you one of the seven selected on the compound in the community?
A.S.: Yes.
Emilio Chavez: Now, I know these questions are tough. When with all these people and everything, so please take your time with any of the questions. What happened as a result of being selected as one of the seven... the seven?
A.S.: I don’t know.
Emilio Chavez: How did that make you feel?
A.S.: Good and scared.
Emilio Chavez: Ok. Was your sister one of those seven also?
A.S.: Yes.
Emilio Chavez: Did you talk to your sister at all about being one of the seven selected?
A.S.: Probably.
Emilio Chavez: Did you guys ever talk about, or did you ever talk with anybody about how this made you feel?
A.S.: I don’t remember.
Emilio Chavez: Let’s just go ahead and fast forward to August second, two thousand six. How old were you on that date?
A.S.: Sixteen.
Emilio Chavez: And do you remember that date?
A.S.: Yes.
Emilio Chavez: Do you remember anything that happened on that date?
A.S.: Yes
Emilio Chavez: Would you please tell us what happened.
A.S.: I went to Michael’s.
Emilio Chavez: Ok. And about what time did you go to Michael’s?
A.S.: I don’t remember. It was in the evening.
Emilio Chavez: Was it dark?
A.S.: No.
Emilio Chavez: Was there anybody else at Michael’s?
A.S.: No.
Emilio Chavez: How did you approach the house?
A.S.: Walked up to it.
Emilio Chavez: Did you knock on the door?
A.S.: Yes.
Emilio Chavez: And what happened when you knocked on the door?
A.S.: He answered.
Emilio Chavez: What was he wearing when he answered?
A.S.: Normal clothes.
Emilio Chavez: Was it ah... a suit?
A.S.: What he’s wearing now.
Emilio Chavez: He was wearing what he’s wearing now. What happened after? Did you come in? Did you enter the house?
A.S.: Yes.
Emilio Chavez: What happened after you entered the house?
A.S.: We talked.
Emilio Chavez: Can you tell us a little bit about the house. Where were you talking?
A.S.: In the living room.
Emilio Chavez: And did you guys stay in the living room?
A.S.: No.
Emilio Chavez: Where did you go?
A.S.: The bedroom.
Emilio Chavez: Ok uh... Did you suggest to go to the bedroom?
A.S.: Yes.
Emilio Chavez: Why did you suggest to go to the bedroom?
A.S.: Because it was something I had to do.
Emilio Chavez: Ok, and I … I’m not questioning that. I’m just asking what you were thinking at that time. Did he tell you maybe we should stay in the living room?
A.S.: I don’t remember.
Emilio Chavez: Did he go with you into the bedroom?
A.S.: Yes.
Emilio Chavez: When you were in the bedroom,did you say anything to Michael?
A.S.: Yes.
Emilio Chavez: And initially when you got in there, what did you say?
A.S.: I don’t remember.
Emilio Chavez: Do you remember a little bit about what you might have said?
A.S.: I was nervous.
Emilio Chavez: Did you tell Michael you were nervous?
A.S.: Yes.
Emilio Chavez: And A.S., why were you nervous?
A.S.: Because I was scared.
Emilio Chavez: Did Michael ask you anything at that time?
A.S.: I don’t remember.
Emilio Chavez: Alright, let’s go to what you do remember. After you entered the bedroom what was the next thing that happened?
A.S.: He left the bedroom and he said that I could get undressed and then he’d come in.
Judge Baca: I’m sorry I couldn’t hear you. I don’t think anybody heard you. Would you mind getting a little bit closer to the microphone and just speak up a little bit more. Answer that question again.
A.S.: He said he’d leave the bedroom and I’d get undressed and lay on the bed and he would come in.
Emilio Chavez: Ok. So he told you to get undressed and lay on the bed.
A.S.: Yes.
Emilio Chavez: And did you do that?
A.S.: Yes.
Emilio Chavez: What happened once you laid on the bed?
A.S.: He came into the room.
Emilio Chavez: Now let me ask you about that bed. Did you go and put the covers over you? Did you just lay on top of the bed? How were you in the bed?
A.S.: Just laid on the top of the bed.
Emilio Chavez: And what were you wearing at that time?
A.S.: Nothing.
Emilio Chavez: When Michael came into the room what was he wearing?
A.S.: Clothes.
Emilio Chavez: Ok, did he ever ask if you wanted him to take off his clothes?
A.S.: I don’t remember.
Emilio Chavez: How did he approach you when you were laying on the bed?
A.S.: He just got on the bed.
Emilio Chavez: Did he walk over to the bed?
A.S.: Yes.
Emilio Chavez: Did he lay down on the bed?
A.S.: Yes.
Emilio Chavez: Did he lay next to you, away from you? Where did he lay on the bed?
A.S.: Next to me.
Emilio Chavez: How close was he when he was laying on the bed?
A.S.: Close sometimes and then not as close others.
Emilio Chavez: Did you guys begin talking when you were laying on the bed?
A.S.: Yes.
Emilio Chavez: What did you guys talk about?
A.S.: Mostly things that bothered me.
Emilio Chavez: And did he answer some of those questions?
A.S.: Yes.
Emilio Chavez: Was that part of the reason that you had come to Michael to begin with?
A.S.: No.
Emilio Chavez: What is the reason that you came to Michael?
A.S.: Because I thought I’d get closer to God.
Emilio Chavez: When you were in Michael’s bedroom did he kiss you?
A.S.: Yes.
Emilio Chavez: Did he kiss you on the lips?
A.S.: Yes.
Emilio Chavez: One, how many times?
A.S.: I don’t remember.
Emilio Chavez: Uhm … more than once?
A.S.: Yes.
Emilio Chavez: More than twice?
A.S.: Yes.
Emilio Chavez: Did he kiss you anywhere else?
A.S.: Yes.
Emilio Chavez: And I know it’s difficult, where did he kiss you?
A.S.: On the breast.
Emilio Chavez: Ok. And when you say on the breast, where do you mean?
A.S.: (Pause) Right here.
Emilio Chavez: Did he put his hand on your chest?
A.S.: Yes.
Emilio Chavez: Where did he put his hand?
A.S.: Right here.
Emilio Chavez: And, and I’m sorry, because there's... everybody is recording this and they have to write it down, can you tell us where, what physical part of your body he put his hand on.
A.S.: Over the heart.
Emilio Chavez: And when he had his hand over your heart was part of his hand touching your breast?
A.S.: I don’t remember.
Emilio Chavez: Did he touch you with his hands anywhere else?
A.S.: Not that I recall.
Emilio Chavez: You don’t remember. Just a few more questions. But ah... did...… Was there anything that was there anything on your stomach that he used to touch your stomach with?
A.S.: A zapper.
Emilio Chavez: And again.
A.S.: A zapper.
Emilio Chavez: Thank you. What’s a zapper?
A.S.: I’m not sure what it was. It was to help a bug bite.
Emilio Chavez: Ok. And did that zapper have anything to do with a religious experience?
A.S.: No.
Emilio Chavez: Did you feel that this was a religious experience?
A.S.: Yes.
Emilio Chavez: Now was there anybody else in the room, besides you and Michael?
A.S.: No.
Emilio Chavez: Did he ever hold you to him while you were in that room?
A.S.: Yes.
Emilio Chavez: How did he hold you?
A.S.: (Silence)
Emilio Chavez: Was it an embrace? Did he just put his arm around your shoulder?
A.S.: (Long pause) I’m not sure.
Emilio Chavez: After this interaction with Michael, what did you do next?
A.S.: Got dressed.
Emilio Chavez: Ok. Did he leave the room while you got dressed?
A.S.: Yes.
Emilio Chavez: What did you do after that?
A.S.: Went home.
Emilio Chavez: Did you go talk to anybody about this experience?
A.S.: Yes.
Emilio Chavez: Did you talk to your sister about this experience?
A.S.: Yes.
Emilio Chavez: Just one second. pause I just have one more question. Now how do you feel about this experience?
A.S.: Angry.
Emilio Chavez: And I’m really sorry, I couldn’t hear you.
A.S.: Angry.
Emilio Chavez: Angry. Why do you feel angry?
A.S.: I’m not sure.
Emilio Chavez: Please go ahead, I’m sorry.
A.S.: Uh... I’m not sure how to explain it.
Emilio Chavez: Is it hard to explain?
A.S.: Yes.
Emilio Chavez: Ok. Now moving on to other things. While you were there on the compound was there somebody that you guys would have called your leader?
A.S.: Yes.
Emilio Chavez: Who was that?
A.S.: Michael.
Emilio Chavez: And did Michael encourage you and the other followers to do things?
A.S.: Yes.
Emilio Chavez: No further questions, your Honor. Thank you.
Judge Baca:Alright.
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