Victoria Guadamuz

 

Witness for the People:  Guilt Phase

June 16

 

Direct Examination by David Harris

HARRIS: Thank you. Miss Guadamuz, I'm going to direct your attention back to 2002, and ask if you worked for the Motherhood Maternity store in Modesto?

GUADAMUZ: Yes, I did.

HARRIS: And specifically during the month of August were you working in that store?

GUADAMUZ: Yes, I was.

HARRIS: On and around August 30th, 2002, did you have a customer come in by the name of Laci Peterson?

GUADAMUZ: Yes, I did.

HARRIS: And like to show you what's been provided as some records from Motherhood Maternity. If you would look at that real quick, and see if you recognize that information.

GUADAMUZ: Yes, I do.

JUDGE: What number?

GUADAMUZ: This is the receipt,

JUDGE: What number did you show her, Mr. Harris?

HARRIS: Hasn't been marked yet.

JUDGE: Hasn't been marked. This is a new exhibit.

HARRIS: Have you had a chance to look at that?

GUADAMUZ: Yes, I have.

HARRIS: Do you recognize that to be the kind of electronic transaction that we're talking about?

GUADAMUZ: Yes, it is.

HARRIS: And does that transaction show where the employee number is and the information?

GUADAMUZ: Yes, it does.

HARRIS: What was the price for that particular transaction? If I can help you. If you look at the bottom left of the first page.

GUADAMUZ: 198.55.

HARRIS: And was there a particular outfit to that transaction that you remember specifically with that customer?

GUADAMUZ: The red silk outfit. Pants and top. There were also two flowery blouses, pair of tan pants, and then an extra blouse, the flutter sleeve.

HARRIS: Now, did you specifically recall one outfit more than the others?

GUADAMUZ: Yes, the red silk outfit.

HARRIS: Was there an issue of sizing when you were helping Miss Peterson?

GUADAMUZ: Yes, there was. When she came in the second time, she had tried on several of the sizes. And the size that would fit her perfect was not in. So we put the top piece in our back room with her name on it. We then put a paper on our desk right next to the cash register stating like she wanted what size. And then as we opened up the totes, we have like 32 a week full of clothing. As we're unloading them and processing the items, we check them off of the list. And soon as we find, say, the pants that she had wanted, we call her and give her 24 hours to come in and pick it up.

HARRIS: Let me just go through, so we're clear about what you are talking about. Totes, are these containers or boxes that,

GUADAMUZ: Like big suitcases.

HARRIS: And so this is stuff that comes from Motherhood Maternity, kind of in bulk, you take it out?

GUADAMUZ: Yes.

HARRIS: You put it on the sales floor?

GUADAMUZ: That's correct.

HARRIS: So when she was attempting to get this originally, not everything was there.

GUADAMUZ: Right.

HARRIS: The totes come in, you found the size that she wanted?

GUADAMUZ: Yes.

HARRIS: Did she come back in and purchase that red silk outfit?

GUADAMUZ: Yes, she did.

HARRIS: Like to show you what's been marked as People's Number 14. Show you this photograph.

GUADAMUZ: This is the outfit.

HARRIS: Okay. Appeared that you recognize the outfit that's depicted in People's Number 14?

GUADAMUZ: Yes.

HARRIS: Is that also the customer that we're referring to, Laci Peterson?

GUADAMUZ: Yes, it is.

HARRIS: People have no other questions.

JUDGE: Mr. Geragos, any questions?

GERAGOS: May I have just one moment?

JUDGE: Sure.

GERAGOS: No questions. Thank you.

JUDGE: That's it.

HARRIS: That's it.

JUDGE: Thank you very much. You are excused.