Forensic evidence revealed in Iraq veteran's manslaughter trial
Jurors heard detailed testimony on gunshot residue, DNA and other forensic evidence during Monday's proceedings in the manslaughter trial of an Iraq war veteran in West Valley Superior Court.
Christopher Sullivan and Cesar Valdez were both intoxicated when Sullivan's pistol discharged in Valdez's mouth on April 9, 2006, killing the 24-year-old.
According to testimony Monday from a criminalist at the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department crime lab, Sullivan's blood-alcohol content was about 0.16 when it was drawn two hours after the shooting.
When Valdez was shot, at about 6:30 a.m., Sullivan's blood-alcohol content may have been 0.18 or 0.19, Regina Foreman said.
Tests of Valdez's blood showed he had a blood-alcohol content of 0.17, Foreman said.
Valdez and Sullivan, close friends since high school, went out drinking with friends the night of April 8, 2006 to celebrate Sullivan and a friend's return home from Iraq.
When Valdez and his girlfriend dropped off Sullivan at his home in Upland the next morning, the two men left the car to say goodbye in Sullivan's front yard.
It was there at Valdez was shot and killed.
Prosecutors believe Sullivan, a 26-year-old former Marine, pulled the trigger. Sullivan's attorney has alleged that Valdez pulled the gun into his own mouth, accidentally causing the weapon to fire.
In testimony Monday, a crime lab technician said that gunshot residue was found on Sullivan's hands but not on Valdez's.
Technicians found Valdez's DNA on the barrel area of Sullivan's weapon, a handgun issued to the former deputy by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.
DNA that could have belonged to Sullivan, Valdez or both men was found on the weapon's handle, a technician testified Monday.
David Goldstein, Sullivan's attorney, said in his opening statement that Sullivan had his weapon holstered during the incident.
Valdez tugged on the the holster when the gun discharged, Goldstein said. It was not clear during his opening statement weather Goldstein believed Valdez removed the holster completely before it discharged.
An examination of Sullivan's holster showed a gun had never been fired inside it, said Mark Arifuku, an investigator for the San Bernardino County District Attorney's Office.
Deputy District Attorney Tom Colclough told Judge Raymond Haight at the conclusion of Monday's proceedings that he may rest his case Tuesday.
Colclough said he will play video in court Tuesday of Sullivan's interview the day of the shooting with Upland police detectives.
Sullivan faces up to 21 years in prison if convicted of manslaughter and a related gun charge.
Click here to read past stories on Sullivan's case.
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