thedrifter
05-12-09, 07:27 AM
Former Marine says he tried to stop gunman in murder of Long Beach man
By Tracy Manzer, Staff Writer
Long Beach Press Telegram
Posted:05/11/2009 09:08:39 PM PDT
LONG BEACH - A former Marine on trial for killing a 22-year-old Long Beach man, in what authorities say was a drug deal dispute, testified Monday that he tried to stop the gunman.
Former Lance Cpl. Trevor Glenn Landers, one of three Marines accused in the case, insisted, for the second day on the witness stand, that the dispute arose from his cousin, former Pfc. Anthony Vigeant, selling a laptop computer to the victim, David Pettigrew.
When two weeks went by with Pettigrew failing to pay Vigeant, the cousins decided to go to the apartment where Pettigrew was staying and retrieve the laptop, Landers said.
"Did you report (the theft) to police," Deputy District Attorney Steve Schreiner asked on cross-examination.
"No need to," Landers said.
"Why not?" Schreiner asked.
"Because it wasn't my computer," Landers said.
"Is that because it involved drugs," the DA pressed.
"No sir," Landers said.
When it came time for the Sept. 9, 2007, showdown, Landers said he thought the gunman - former Cpl. Ramon Hernandez - brought his .9 mm semi-automatic handgun to the meeting "as a scare tactic."
"Me and Tony told (Hernandez) to put (the gun) away," Landers said, recalling the final moments of Pettigrew's life.
After slowly counting to 10, Landers said, Hernandez shot the victim in the face.
He described a feeling of shock after that, and being unable to move for several seconds before running from the one-bedroom apartment, in the 600 block of East Theresa Street, to Vigeant's car.
Hernandez - who pleaded guilty to all counts last month - testified Friday that he met Landers and Vigeant about three weeks prior to the killing at Camp Pendleton, where all three men were based.
He said Vigeant and Landers constantly complained about Pettigrew taking Vigeant's laptop as payment for about an ounce of cocaine but never delivering the drugs.
Hernandez, an Iraqi war vet who was barred from combat after a massive head injury ended his second tour of duty, told the jury he offered the use of his gun to settle the dispute after Landers said he wanted to "bust a cap in (Pettigrew's) a--," a point Landers vehemently denied.
Landers testified Friday neither he nor his cousin said anything about shooting or killing the victim. His testimony changed Monday.
"Did you say something about `busting a cap in his a--?"' Schreiner asked as Landers seemed to falter.
"No, I didn't," Landers said.
"Did your cousin?" the DA asked.
"That's probably what he said, sir."
Schreiner grilled Landers for close to two hours, focusing on inconsistencies in statements to police and in testimony.
The DA repeatedly asked Landers why he suggested Pettigrew as a candidate to buy Vigeant's computer when, according to Lander's testimony, he had met Pettigrew only once before when he bought 15 muscle relaxers for $400.
Landers said he called Pettigrew to set up the sale of the computer, but he never discussed a price range or the make or model of computer with either Pettigrew or his cousin.
Landers also insisted he and his cousin asked the victim "nicely" about the computer on the night of the deadly confrontation, despite voice mails played for the jury in which the defendants forcefully told the victim they were coming after him.
Landers admitted the three defendants did reconnaissance on the victim's apartment by Landers hopping a fence into a locked, off-limits area to peer through a bedroom window. The trio then mapped out a floor plan of the home using twigs, leaves and stones, and gained entry via an unlocked door without knocking, he said.
"So you break into his home, you bring three men and a gun, and you were asking him nicely?" Schreiner said. "Are you serious?"
"Yes sir," Landers said.
Landers claimed he didn't leave the apartment to avoid the violence because his cousin wanted "to stay and get his computer."
He said he and his cousin tried to stop Hernandez, but never tried to overpower the gunman - who is about 5-feet, 6-inches tall, whereas Landers and Vigeant are about 6-feet tall.
The DA aggressively questioned Landers on why he never told police he and Vigeant spent the night at the victim's apartment when they dropped the computer off about two weeks prior to the killing, and why Landers never told police he called Pettigrew to initiate the sale of the computer.
Schreiner noted that, on direct questioning by Defense Lawyer Arthur Lindars, Landers said nothing about the victim attacking him. Yet under cross examination, Landers testified the victim stumbled toward him, swinging his arms.
Landers said he either didn't see the importance of previously omitted details, or he claimed he wasn't asked about the issues.
Landers also said, for the first time, that he did not come forward about the killing because Hernandez threatened him.
In an interview with police, Landers said he was afraid of Hernandez. It wasn't until he was in court on Monday, however, that Landers said Hernandez threatened him by telling him to keep quiet.
"Now, I've never heard this before," the DA exclaimed.
"Are you just making this up as you go along?"
"No sir." Landers said.
Trial is scheduled to resume at 10 a.m. today for jury instructions, followed by closing arguments. Vigeant's trial is also scheduled to begin today, but will likely be postponed.
tracy.manzer@presstelegram.com, 562-499-1261
Ellie
By Tracy Manzer, Staff Writer
Long Beach Press Telegram
Posted:05/11/2009 09:08:39 PM PDT
LONG BEACH - A former Marine on trial for killing a 22-year-old Long Beach man, in what authorities say was a drug deal dispute, testified Monday that he tried to stop the gunman.
Former Lance Cpl. Trevor Glenn Landers, one of three Marines accused in the case, insisted, for the second day on the witness stand, that the dispute arose from his cousin, former Pfc. Anthony Vigeant, selling a laptop computer to the victim, David Pettigrew.
When two weeks went by with Pettigrew failing to pay Vigeant, the cousins decided to go to the apartment where Pettigrew was staying and retrieve the laptop, Landers said.
"Did you report (the theft) to police," Deputy District Attorney Steve Schreiner asked on cross-examination.
"No need to," Landers said.
"Why not?" Schreiner asked.
"Because it wasn't my computer," Landers said.
"Is that because it involved drugs," the DA pressed.
"No sir," Landers said.
When it came time for the Sept. 9, 2007, showdown, Landers said he thought the gunman - former Cpl. Ramon Hernandez - brought his .9 mm semi-automatic handgun to the meeting "as a scare tactic."
"Me and Tony told (Hernandez) to put (the gun) away," Landers said, recalling the final moments of Pettigrew's life.
After slowly counting to 10, Landers said, Hernandez shot the victim in the face.
He described a feeling of shock after that, and being unable to move for several seconds before running from the one-bedroom apartment, in the 600 block of East Theresa Street, to Vigeant's car.
Hernandez - who pleaded guilty to all counts last month - testified Friday that he met Landers and Vigeant about three weeks prior to the killing at Camp Pendleton, where all three men were based.
He said Vigeant and Landers constantly complained about Pettigrew taking Vigeant's laptop as payment for about an ounce of cocaine but never delivering the drugs.
Hernandez, an Iraqi war vet who was barred from combat after a massive head injury ended his second tour of duty, told the jury he offered the use of his gun to settle the dispute after Landers said he wanted to "bust a cap in (Pettigrew's) a--," a point Landers vehemently denied.
Landers testified Friday neither he nor his cousin said anything about shooting or killing the victim. His testimony changed Monday.
"Did you say something about `busting a cap in his a--?"' Schreiner asked as Landers seemed to falter.
"No, I didn't," Landers said.
"Did your cousin?" the DA asked.
"That's probably what he said, sir."
Schreiner grilled Landers for close to two hours, focusing on inconsistencies in statements to police and in testimony.
The DA repeatedly asked Landers why he suggested Pettigrew as a candidate to buy Vigeant's computer when, according to Lander's testimony, he had met Pettigrew only once before when he bought 15 muscle relaxers for $400.
Landers said he called Pettigrew to set up the sale of the computer, but he never discussed a price range or the make or model of computer with either Pettigrew or his cousin.
Landers also insisted he and his cousin asked the victim "nicely" about the computer on the night of the deadly confrontation, despite voice mails played for the jury in which the defendants forcefully told the victim they were coming after him.
Landers admitted the three defendants did reconnaissance on the victim's apartment by Landers hopping a fence into a locked, off-limits area to peer through a bedroom window. The trio then mapped out a floor plan of the home using twigs, leaves and stones, and gained entry via an unlocked door without knocking, he said.
"So you break into his home, you bring three men and a gun, and you were asking him nicely?" Schreiner said. "Are you serious?"
"Yes sir," Landers said.
Landers claimed he didn't leave the apartment to avoid the violence because his cousin wanted "to stay and get his computer."
He said he and his cousin tried to stop Hernandez, but never tried to overpower the gunman - who is about 5-feet, 6-inches tall, whereas Landers and Vigeant are about 6-feet tall.
The DA aggressively questioned Landers on why he never told police he and Vigeant spent the night at the victim's apartment when they dropped the computer off about two weeks prior to the killing, and why Landers never told police he called Pettigrew to initiate the sale of the computer.
Schreiner noted that, on direct questioning by Defense Lawyer Arthur Lindars, Landers said nothing about the victim attacking him. Yet under cross examination, Landers testified the victim stumbled toward him, swinging his arms.
Landers said he either didn't see the importance of previously omitted details, or he claimed he wasn't asked about the issues.
Landers also said, for the first time, that he did not come forward about the killing because Hernandez threatened him.
In an interview with police, Landers said he was afraid of Hernandez. It wasn't until he was in court on Monday, however, that Landers said Hernandez threatened him by telling him to keep quiet.
"Now, I've never heard this before," the DA exclaimed.
"Are you just making this up as you go along?"
"No sir." Landers said.
Trial is scheduled to resume at 10 a.m. today for jury instructions, followed by closing arguments. Vigeant's trial is also scheduled to begin today, but will likely be postponed.
tracy.manzer@presstelegram.com, 562-499-1261
Ellie