|
Sharon Rocha
Preliminary Hearing October 31, 2004
Direct Examination by Rick Distaso DISTASO: Ms. Rocha, would you state your full name and spell your last name for the record? ROCHA: Sharon R. Rocha, R-O-C-H-A. DISTASO: And Laci Peterson was your daughter; is that correct? ROCHA: Yes. DISTASO: Let me show you People's 44. Is this a picture of Laci before she died? ROCHA: Yes. DISTASO: And did you know when this picture was taken? ROCHA: December 14th. DISTASO: Of 2002? ROCHA: Yes. DISTASO: So is this a fair representation of what Laci looked like, even as late as December 23rd, 2002? ROCHA: The last time I saw her was December 15th.
GERAGOS:
I'm sorry? Last time -- GERAGOS: 15th. Thank you. DISTASO: And do you know where this picture was taken? ROCHA: No. DISTASO: Now, were you and Laci -- can you describe for the Court your relationship? ROCHA: Laci and I were very close. DISTASO: And can you give a little more detail than that? I mean, what do you mean by that? Would you talk regularly or that type of thing? ROCHA: We talked probably at least every other day or every couple of days. We did things together. We went shopping together. We would go to the movies together, have lunch together. DISTASO: And the types of things that you would talk about or share, would that be normal mother-daughter type of things? ROCHA: Yes. DISTASO: Just like would Laci tell you about her everyday life? ROCHA: Yes. DISTASO: And would you tell her also about your everyday life? ROCHA: Yes. DISTASO: Did Laci tell you when she became pregnant? ROCHA: Yes. DISTASO: How was Laci? How did she feel about that? ROCHA: She was ecstatic. DISTASO: Did -- I take it from what you've told me that you were aware of Laci's condition both mentally and physically as the pregnancy progressed? ROCHA: Yes. DISTASO: Did -- in the latter part of December of 2002, were you aware of what physical effects the pregnancy was having on Laci? ROCHA: Yes. GERAGOS: Objection. Calls for hearsay. JUDGE: Overruled. That's a complaint of injury or pain. Proceed. DISTASO: Go ahead. Did Laci tell you what physically she was feeling about the pregnancy? ROCHA: Yes. She said that she was very tired all the time. She was surprised that she was so tired. She said that she was still getting sick or she had started to get sick again in the mornings, and she had to eat as soon as she got out of bed in order not to be sick. Her feet were swelling, so she was having a hard time walking, and her back was aching a lot. DISTASO: Did you actually observe some of these physical symptoms that you've just talked to us about? ROCHA: I didn't see her feet swelling. When I did see her or talk to her, I could hear that she was very tired or see that she was very tired. DISTASO: Okay. When was the last time that you physically saw Laci in life? ROCHA: December 15th, 2002. DISTASO: And what was her physical demeanor or affect on that day? ROCHA: She seemed to be fine. She was a little slow, but she had made dinner for us. DISTASO: Okay. And where did that take place? ROCHA: At her house.
DISTASO: Before we go into that, can you tell me what effect mentally the
pregnancy had on her? I mean, did it -- by that, I don't mean did it
cause her to go crazy. I mean, how was she feeling about it? JUDGE: I think that is speculation. Sustained. DISTASO: Were you aware of what preparations Laci had made, you know, in preparation for having the baby? ROCHA: Yes. DISTASO: And can you tell us about that? ROCHA: Are you talking about the room and that sort of thing? DISTASO: Yes, uh-huh. ROCHA: She had bought her crib and her bedding, and she had decorated the room, and she was just waiting for the baby. DISTASO: And let me ask you about an exhibit. This People's 47 here, do you recognize the truck that's depicted in that photograph? ROCHA: Yes. DISTASO: Whose truck is that? ROCHA: Scott's. DISTASO: And when you say Scott, do you mean the defendant in this case? ROCHA: Yes. DISTASO: Scott Lee Peterson? ROCHA: Yes. DISTASO: Just for the record, do you recognize Mr. Peterson as he sits here today? ROCHA: Yes, I do. DISTASO: And the boat that is being -- that is behind the truck, do you recognize that boat? And let me tell you, nothing that you've seen in the mediA. Do you recognize that boat from anything you personally saw? ROCHA: No. DISTASO: Did you have any knowledge at all from any source prior to December 24th, 2002, that the defendant in this case owned a boat? ROCHA: No. DISTASO: Had -- so I take it, from your saying that, that you personally have never been in that particular boat? ROCHA: That's correct. DISTASO: Never even really near it? ROCHA: That's correct. DISTASO: At any time prior to December 24th of 2002, were you aware from any source that the defendant, Scott Lee Peterson, was having an affair with a woman by the name of Amber Frey? ROCHA: No. DISTASO: Now, how long have you known the defendant in this case? ROCHA: I believe since the summer of '94. DISTASO: And did you meet him while he and Laci were dating prior to their marriage? ROCHA: Yes. DISTASO: And then I assume then that you have known him since that time, including through the marriage relationship; correct? ROCHA: Yes. DISTASO: All right. Can you tell me about the last time on December 15th, the last time that you physically saw your daughter? Just tell us what happened on that day. When was the last -- tell me when you first saw her and what happened. ROCHA: She had called that day and invited us over for dinner that evening. We went over. We had dinner. Then we were sitting in the living room, watching television. She was on the love seat, and Ron and I were on the sofa, and Scott, I believe, was sitting in the floor, if I remember correctly; and she had asked if I wanted to feel the baby. GERAGOS: Objection. Hearsay. JUDGE: Sustained. DISTASO: Did -- well, again, Your Honor, I'm not actually offering this statement for the truth. I'm offering it to show why Ms. Rocha took the action that she then took. JUDGE: I will sustain it, but you can just ask her what action she took after she talked to her. DISTASO: Okay. Did Laci ask you a question? ROCHA: Yes. DISTASO: And what happened -- what did you do in response to that question? ROCHA: I went over and set next to her and I put my hand on her stomach to feel the baby kick. DISTASO: And could you actually feel the baby kicking? ROCHA: No, I never felt him. DISTASO: All right. Now, regarding the boat, is -- Ron Grantski is your long-time companion; is that right? ROCHA: Yes. DISTASO: And how long have you been together? ROCHA: Twenty-six years almost. DISTASO: Regarding the boat that the defendant owned, would that have been something that Ron would have been interested in? ROCHA: Yes. DISTASO: And why is that? ROCHA: Because he's an avid fisherman and he's mentioned it several times. DISTASO: Now, let's go to -- when was the last -- the last time that you actually spoke to your daughter? ROCHA: It was on December 23rd, about 8:30 PM. DISTASO: And tell the Court what happened. How did you speak to her? ROCHA: She had called -- I had asked them on a couple of different occasions to come to our house on Christmas Eve, And she called about 8:30 Monday evening to tell me that they would be coming to our house for dinner. DISTASO: And how long did that conversation last? ROCHA: It was only a couple of minutes because I was on another line. DISTASO: Did -- were you able to tell in those couple of minutes anything about Laci's physical demeanor at that time? ROCHA: She sounded very tired, and I asked her if she was feeling all right, and she said that she was just really tired. DISTASO: And you said that was around 8:30 in the evening -- ROCHA: Yes. DISTASO: -- on the 23rd? Did you hear from Laci ever again after that phone call? ROCHA: No. DISTASO: When is the next time -- or when were you made aware that there was some problem and that Laci was missing? ROCHA: It was about 5:17 PM December 24th when Scott called. He asked if Laci was at our house, and I told him no, and he proceeded to tell me that her car was in the driveway and the dog was there with his leash on and Laci was missing. DISTASO: Did -- what did you do after hearing that? ROCHA: I told him to call her friends to see if any of them had heard from her or if she was at their house, and I told him to call me back immediately. In the meantime, I ran down the hall and I told Ron that Laci was missing. And then Scott called back. He said that none of her friends had heard from her or talked to her that day, and so I told him to go to the neighbors' to see if she was at a neighbors' house and to call me right back. After that conversation, I started to change my clothes to put warmer clothes on, because I'd already decided that when he called back, if he hadn't found her, that I going over there. DISTASO: Okay. What was your -- what was your demeanor at that time? ROCHA: I was getting really scared by then. When he said the word "missing," that's what concerned me. It wasn't that she wasn't home or he couldn't find her; he said "missing." DISTASO: Okay. And do you know about what time that call came in? ROCHA: The first call was about 5:17. DISTASO: After -- did the defendant then call you back? You told him to call her friends and check around; correct? ROCHA: Yes. DISTASO: And did he then call you back? ROCHA: Yes, he did. And then that's when I told him to check with the neighbors, and then he called back again and said that nobody had seen her; and I went down the hall and I told Ron to call the police, and I called my friend to come and pick me up to take me over to the park. I told him I was going to the park. DISTASO: Okay. And why did you want to go to the park? ROCHA: Because Scott had said that McKenzie had his leash on. DISTASO: Did -- ROCHA: So I was concerned that she had told me earlier, several weeks prior to that, that she had gotten sick and had to sit down and she was throwing up and she felt as though she was going to pass out. That happened a second time. She didn't get sick, but she felt she was going to pass out. So those were the first thoughts that I was thinking about that something had happened to her in the park. DISTASO: Okay. Did she tell you those instances where she became ill were in relation to when she'd been out walking? ROCHA: Yes. DISTASO: So did you then go to the park? ROCHA: Yes. DISTASO: How did you get there? ROCHA: My friend Sandy Brickard [phonetic] had came and picked me up and took me over to the park because Ron was told to stay at home and wait for an officer to come to our house. DISTASO: In the meantime, had someone called 911? ROCHA: Ron had. DISTASO: What happened next? Did you go to the park? ROCHA: Yes. DISTASO: Where did you go? ROCHA: We went to the entrance near the tennis courts, and then I got out of the car and I was just running all around that area and towards the river and along the path screaming her name. DISTASO: And there was no response? ROCHA: No. DISTASO: What happened next? ROCHA: I remember looking in trashcans and -- with a flashlight and trying to find her. I was just running all over the park trying to find her. DISTASO: Okay. Let me stop you there for a second. The -- can you describe for me, what were the lighting conditions in the park? It was dark; correct? ROCHA: It was dark in outer areas. The lights were on within the park itself, and then they did shut off one or two times. They had gone off and they came back on. But the outer areas of the pathway were dark.
DISTASO: Did you make plans or had you made any plans to meet up with the
defendant? DISTASO: Okay. Did you meet up with the defendant that night? ROCHA: Yes. DISTASO: Can you tell the Court what happened? ROCHA: It seemed like it was a long time, but I remember wondering where was he. It seemed like it took a long time. Then when he -- when I did see him, he was walking along the river, looking towards the river, with McKenzie's leash in his hand. DISTASO: Let me stop you. He had the dog with him; is that right? ROCHA: Yes. DISTASO: Okay. Go ahead. ROCHA: Yes. I remember yelling to him, yelling his name, and I didn't get a response. DISTASO: How far away from him were you? ROCHA: Not far at all. Maybe 30 feet. Twenty, 30 feet. DISTASO: Okay. So can you just give the Court an idea? Were you as close as you and I are here today in the courtroom or further? ROCHA: No. No further than the back of the room. JUDGE: About 40 feet. ROCHA: Forty feet. DISTASO: And the courtroom's measured so they have it. DISTASO: And what happened next then? ROCHA: I remember seeing my nephew run by, and he ran up to Scott and he was talking to Scott. DISTASO: And then did the police then eventually arrive at the park? ROCHA: Yes. DISTASO: In all the times you've known the defendant, are you familiar with what his hair color is? ROCHA: Yes. DISTASO: And as he sits here today, do you see the hair color that he has? ROCHA: Yes. DISTASO: Is that his natural hair color that you've observed? ROCHA: Yes. DISTASO: Did you ever see him to have an orange or reddish tint in his hair? ROCHA: Not that I recall. DISTASO: Let me show you some photographs. GERAGOS: Objection. There would be an objection. I believe she was still answering the question. ROCHA: I was going to say I've seen it a little bit lighter, like in the summertime. JUDGE: She finished it. Next question.
DISTASO:
Let me show you -- DISTASO: -- both 45 and 46. Did you ever see the defendant have hair color such as in those two photographs? ROCHA: No. DISTASO: And did you ever see him to wear a large, heavy goatee like he has in that photograph? ROCHA: Not that I recall. DISTASO: Nothing further, Your Honor. GERAGOS: May I inquire? JUDGE: Go ahead.
Cross Examination by Mark Geragos GERAGOS: Good morning. ROCHA: Good morning. GERAGOS: The day you were over the last time you saw Laci was on the 15th of December? ROCHA: Yes. GERAGOS: That was at the house on Covena? ROCHA: Yes. GERAGOS: Okay. On that day, did it appear to you that there were any problems between Scott and Laci? ROCHA: No. GERAGOS: Okay. Did it appear to you up until -- I guess you talked to her on the 23rd. But from the fif - is it a fair statement from the 15th obviously to the 23rd you hadn't seen her physically? ROCHA: That's correct. They were out of town a few days. GERAGOS: Right. They'd gone I think with Jackie and Lee to Carmel someplace? ROCHA: Yes. GERAGOS: And is it a fair statement that you had at least talked to her on the phone at least once, twice, during that time period at least? ROCHA: More than that. GERAGOS: Okay. And did she indicate any problems at that point to you? ROCHA: Problems? GERAGOS: In terms of her and Scott. ROCHA: No. GERAGOS: I'm not asking for what they were, but any problems whatsoever? ROCHA: No. GERAGOS: You've known Scott since you said roughly 1994? ROCHA: Yes. GERAGOS: During that entire time -- you've obviously known Laci or knew Laci that entire time as well. She never confided in you any problems in the relationship; isn't that correct? ROCHA: Not really problems. Just a few little things that we had talked about but -- GERAGOS: Marital bumps in the road? ROCHA: Right. GERAGOS: Okay. Something -- you've been with your companion for 26 years. ROCHA: Exactly. GERAGOS: You can't go a year without having some bump in the road. ROCHA: Right. GERAGOS: But nothing of any consequence to your mind; isn't that correct? ROCHA: That's correct. GERAGOS: Okay. In fact, is it a fair statement -- you talked to Laci every other day and you'd see her how often? ROCHA: Oh, probably at least once a week, if not more than that. GERAGOS: Okay. Is it a fair statement that you also talked to Scott fairly frequently? ROCHA: Yes. GERAGOS: Okay. Maybe some period -- for some periods of time, you talked to Scott even more than you'd talk to Laci, maybe on one two-week period or one one-week period? ROCHA: Not that I recall. I mean, if I would call and Scott would answer the phone, we'd have a conversation. GERAGOS: Okay. You considered yourself close to Scott? ROCHA: Yes, I did. GERAGOS: Okay. And is it a fair statement that prior to the 24th, that you thought the world of him? ROCHA: That's correct. GERAGOS: Okay. Also the -- when they moved to Modesto, you heard Amy testifying, they lived in a different house; is that correct? ROCHA: Yes. GERAGOS: And that was a house they were renting? ROCHA: Yes. GERAGOS: Okay. When they moved to Modesto, it was Laci's intention to get pregnant. I assume she had made that known? ROCHA: No. Actually, she told me that she just wanted to be back home closer to her family. Her grandmother had passed away earlier, a couple of years before. So -- GERAGOS: Dennis' mother? ROCHA: That's correct. GERAGOS: Right. And she moved back initially because she was somewhat concerned about Dennis' father; isn't that correct? ROCHA: Yes. GERAGOS: And I asked it inartfully to begin with. That’s why she moved to Modesto was because of the situation involving Dennis' parents and her grandfather; her paternal grandfather was fairly ill and suffering from some problems? ROCHA: Right. GERAGOS: Then sometime after that, she -- after having moved to Modesto, she started expressing an interest in having a child? ROCHA: Yes, she was very anxious to have a baby. GERAGOS: Okay. Now, is it a fair statement that she was also concerned about her appearance and her health? ROCHA: How do you mean "concerned"? GERAGOS: She was somebody who took great care as to how she looked and how she dressed; isn't that correct? ROCHA: Yes. GERAGOS: Okay. And when -- in having the baby, she was very serious about what she was going to do, physically keeping herself fit and taking care of herself; isn't that correct? ROCHA: Yes. GERAGOS: She -- before she got pregnant, she would enjoy wine; is that correct? ROCHA: Yes. GERAGOS: After she started to attempt to get pregnant, she stopped drinking alcohol altogether; isn't that correct? ROCHA: No, not until she discovered that she was pregnant. GERAGOS: Okay. So when she was tested, came back positive she was pregnant, then she swore off alcohol? ROCHA: I think I remember her telling me that she had a glass of wine or a couple of sips of wine one time. GERAGOS: Okay. Do you know if she had any other changes in her habits? Did she stop drinking caffeine or things that contained caffeine? ROCHA: I'm not sure. GERAGOS: Okay. Did she ever -- ROCHA: I don't think she drank as much, if she did. I'm not really sure. GERAGOS: Okay. Did you ever see her drink coffee while she was pregnant? ROCHA: I don't recall. GERAGOS: Did you ever see her eat chocolate while she was pregnant? ROCHA: Oh, yes. GERAGOS: Did you see that all throughout the pregnancy? ROCHA: Yes. GERAGOS: And then as she was pregnant, she was, as far as you were aware, when she was complaining about this throwing up or getting sick, that was when she was getting McKenzie for walks; is that correct? ROCHA: Yes. GERAGOS: Okay. And she would walk -- did you ever walk with her? ROCHA: I have walked with her. GERAGOS: Okay. When you walked with her, would she take --how many times would you say you walked with her? ROCHA: Just a couple of times and it was -- it may even have been before she got pregnant or just in the very beginning of her pregnancy. GERAGOS: Okay. So as you sit here today you don't -- you never took any notes of it obviously. You don't remember the exact days you went walking with her? ROCHA: No, I don't. GERAGOS: When you took those walks, did you go into the neighborhood itself or did you go down into the park? ROCHA: We went to the park. GERAGOS: When you went down into the park, from the house, you go towards the end of the cul-de-sac. Do you know where I'm talking of? ROCHA: Yes, I do. GERAGOS: Okay. And when you go down to the end of the cul-de-sac, there is kind of a fence with a trail. ROCHA: Uh-huh. GERAGOS: Do you know where I'm talking about? ROCHA: Yes, I do. GERAGOS: Now, that trail as you go down is fairly steep, isn't it? ROCHA: Yes, it is. GERAGOS: Okay. And is it a fair statement that, if that trail was wet or even if it wasn't wet, because of the steep grade, it's not likely that somebody who was seven-and-two-thirds-months pregnant is going to be going down that trail there, is it? ROCHA: That's correct. GERAGOS: The fact of the matter is, though, that she did still try to walk at the later stages of her pregnancy; isn’t that correct? ROCHA: Not that I'm aware of. GERAGOS: Well, when you last -- ROCHA: The last time we talked about it was when she was sick, when she got sick in the park. GERAGOS: You told her to stop walking, didn't you? ROCHA: Yes, I did. GERAGOS: Okay. You weren't confident that she was going to listen to you, were you? ROCHA: No, I wasn't. GERAGOS: Fair statement that Laci was a determined young lady? ROCHA: Yes, she was. GERAGOS: Okay. ROCHA: I told her to at least take her cell phone with her in case anything happened. GERAGOS: Okay. I'm not using the word, but in the police reports, I think I won't quote whether it was you or Ron, but somebody described her as headstrong. Is that a -- ROCHA: That was Laci. GERAGOS: And you couldn't really tell her what to do; she was going to do what she was going to do and that was it. Is that a fair statement? ROCHA: I think a lot of that she would at least listen and take it into account, but she still did whatever she decided was the best. GERAGOS: Okay. And as far as you know, even though you’d expressed concern about her walking, as far as you know sitting here, you don't know whether she was still walking or not? ROCHA: No, I don't. GERAGOS: Okay. When you would go over to the house, the last time was the 15th, would you see McKenzie come in and out of the house? ROCHA: I have, yes. GERAGOS: Did they also have a cat? ROCHA: Two cats. GERAGOS: Two cats. And were the cats inside the house on occasion? ROCHA: I think in the beginning I remember seeing when they were babies, but I don't remember seeing them as Adults. GERAGOS: Okay. The call that you got from Laci on the 23rd, which you said you were on the other line, do you remember who you were speaking to? ROCHA: I was talking to my friend Sandy. GERAGOS: Okay. And you and Sandy were talking and then Laci called and you had Call Waiting and switched over? ROCHA: Yes. GERAGOS: And you had kind of a short conversation? ROCHA: Yes. GERAGOS: Were you planning on seeing her on the 25th or on the 24th? ROCHA: The 24th. GERAGOS: That was at your house? ROCHA: Yes. GERAGOS: Is that correct? ROCHA: Yes. GERAGOS: She was going to come over and bring some item of food? ROCHA: No, actually, we hadn't talked about her bringing anything over. GERAGOS: Okay. Was that something she would do on occasion, bring something over? ROCHA: Occasionally, yes. GERAGOS: Okay. The -- during that phone call, she indicated that she was tired; is that right? ROCHA: Yes. GERAGOS: Had she indicated that she'd been to the salon -- it's called Salon Salon, isn't it? ROCHA: Yes, it is. GERAGOS: Had she indicated that she'd just that evening been to Salon Salon? ROCHA: I don't recall. I know she told me that she had a doctor's appointment that day. GERAGOS: Did she tell you about the doctor's appointment? ROCHA: No, she -- well, she just said everything was well, it was fine. GERAGOS: Okay. Did she tell you that she had -- anything else about the day at that point? ROCHA: No. Like I said, it was a brief conversation because I was on the other line. GERAGOS: Maybe 30 seconds to a minute? ROCHA: Oh, a minute or so. GERAGOS: Okay. The next day when you got the call from Scott, what time were you expecting Laci and Scott at your house on the 24th? ROCHA: 6:00 o'clock. GERAGOS: Okay. ROCHA: And that's why I remember the time because I was in the kitchen and I saw the clock on the stove that said 5:15, And I remember thinking I needed to get myself put together before everybody got there. GERAGOS: And at that point, when you went over to the park, you were being driven by another friend? ROCHA: That was Sandy again. GERAGOS: Sandy again. And when Sandy was driving you over, do you remember the time? Did you go back and look at a cell phone or -- ROCHA: Yes. GERAGOS: So when you -- you don't have a memory such that you remember the exact minutes? ROCHA: No. GERAGOS: You had refreshed your recollection? ROCHA: Did I say 5:32? GERAGOS: 5:32 is what you said. ROCHA: No, that's wrong. That's when I called him. It was 5:49. GERAGOS: 5:49. So it was 5:49 when you called him. What time do you think you saw him in the park? ROCHA: I couldn't tell you. Time seemed to just slowdown. GERAGOS: I was going to ask that. Obviously this whole event has been horrific. Time just seems to stop or move at a glacial pace? ROCHA: (Affirmative nod.) GERAGOS: Isn't that a fair statement? ROCHA: (Affirmative nod.) GERAGOS: And you don't know exactly when it was you saw him? ROCHA: No. GERAGOS: And you don't know -- his back was to you when you were yelling at him; isn't that right? ROCHA: No, he was kind of sideways. GERAGOS: Okay. But not facing you directly? ROCHA: No, he was approaching this way and I was looking this way, so he was sideways. GERAGOS: Okay. How old is your nephew that came running up to him? ROCHA: I think he's about 26 or 27. GERAGOS: Okay. And when he came up, he got Scott's Attention -- ROCHA: Yes. GERAGOS: -- at that point? Was that shortly after -- and obviously with the proviso that you're not timing anything. But shortly after you had said something, your nephew approached him? ROCHA: It was pretty much at the same time. I was still calling Scott's name as I remember seeing Zachary go by me and run up to him. GERAGOS: Okay. That's what I was getting to. You're yelling "Scott." You got kind of a profile view? ROCHA: Right. GERAGOS: And as you're yelling "Scott," up walks or runs your nephew, whose name is? ROCHA: Zachary. GERAGOS: Zachary. At that point you see Zachary and Scott engage in some kind of a conversation? ROCHA: Uh-huh. GERAGOS: You have to answer yes for the court reporter. ROCHA: Yes. GERAGOS: Scott at that point has McKenzie on a leash with him? ROCHA: Yes. GERAGOS: Okay. And as -- are they walking alongside of the bank of the river? ROCHA: Yes. GERAGOS: And is the -- is there a grade going down to the river that you're aware of? ROCHA: It just kind of drops off. GERAGOS: Okay. Kind of an embankment? ROCHA: Yes. GERAGOS: Okay. The -- is there a bridge over there? ROCHA: Not in that area. GERAGOS: Okay. How far away from the bridge -- I guess you and I don't know the exact bridge we both have in mind. But which bridge are you thinking of? ROCHA: Are you asking me about the footbridge? GERAGOS: The incident where you see Zachary come up. I'm just trying to get a picture of where Scott was at that point, a mental picture, if I could, in the park. ROCHA: Okay. We would be closer to the bridge, the large bridge that goes over the river on Oakdale Road. GERAGOS: Okay. Kind of -- if you were heading across the bridge from the park, the hospital would be up the embankment? It's actually not a hospital. But a series of buildings farther up. ROCHA: There are homes on Scenic. GERAGOS: Oh, more the residential area? ROCHA: Yes. GERAGOS: Okay. The -- you said you weren't aware of the boat; is that correct? ROCHA: That's correct. GERAGOS: Okay. And that Ron is an avid fisherman? ROCHA: Yes. GERAGOS: Is that correct? Ron will fish at the drop of a hat; is that correct? ROCHA: That's correct. GERAGOS: It would not be unusual for Ron to go fishing like that -- ROCHA: That's right. GERAGOS: -- make a split-moment decision to go fishing; is that correct? ROCHA: Yes. GERAGOS: Okay. Did Laci confide in you about all purchases that she was making for things of -- ROCHA: No, not everything. GERAGOS: Okay. Would you say -- is it a fair statement also that Laci was also a private person as well, that she valued her privacy? ROCHA: I would say to an extent, yes. GERAGOS: Could I have just one moment, Your Honor? Thank you very much, Mrs. Rocha. I don't have any more questions.
Redirect Examination by Rick Distaso DISTASO: Mrs. Rocha, Counsel just asked you about whether or not Laci would confide in you regarding purchases. Would she confide in you, though, or would she confide in you regarding larger purchases, such as the pool of their home or a new car? ROCHA: Yes. DISTASO: Did she tell you about the pool of her home? ROCHA: Yes. DISTASO: When she was getting it? ROCHA: Yes. DISTASO: Did she tell you when they would purchase a new car? ROCHA: Yes. DISTASO: Did she tell you when I believe the defendant or somebody installed a new barbecue in their home? ROCHA: Yes. DISTASO: And what about if she received -- if she purchased a new couch or new furniture for the home? ROCHA: Yes. DISTASO: Would she tell you that type of thing? ROCHA: Yes. DISTASO: Nothing further, Your Honor. GERAGOS: I had one other question.
Recross Examination by Mark Geragos GERAGOS: Before the 23rd, they had – Scott and Laci had a truck, which I think you've got a picture of up there; is that right? ROCHA: Yes. GERAGOS: And they had a Land -- an older Land Rover; is that correct? ROCHA: Yes. GERAGOS: And they bought the Land Rover used? ROCHA: Yes, I believe so. GERAGOS: Okay. And it had a lot of miles on it; isn't that correct? ROCHA: I don't know how many miles were on it. GERAGOS: Okay. Had you ever been in that car? ROCHA: Yes, I had. GERAGOS: Okay. Did you ever see Laci in Scott's truck? ROCHA: Driving it or as a passenger? GERAGOS: No, as a passenger. I mean, when they would come to your house, would they ever drive the truck over? ROCHA: I want to say yes. I think so. GERAGOS: Okay. ROCHA: But I'm not a hundred percent sure. GERAGOS: I've got some interviews with the police and I believe in one of those you had told -- you know Detective Grogan; is that correct? ROCHA: Yes. GERAGOS: Do you remember telling Detective Grogan that she would oftentimes ride in the truck? ROCHA: No, not off the top of my head I don't remember that. GERAGOS: Okay. But you do remember her being in the truck? ROCHA: I can remember them coming over. I can remember seeing Scott's truck out there, and I'm sure Laci was probably there with him. GERAGOS: Okay. You don't think she walked there separately? ROCHA: I don't think she walked, no, but she may have already been at the house in her car. That's my hesitation. GERAGOS: Okay. ROCHA: But I think -- I'm pretty sure I remember actually seeing her in the truck. GERAGOS: In the truck itself?
ROCHA:
(Affirmative nod.) DISTASO: I have nothing further. JUDGE: You may step down. |