The State’s Key Witness in Alfredo Gutierrez Murder Trial
The trial for a man charged with murder continued on Monday for the third week. The state called its key witness to the stand. This witness testimony has been years in the making. In 2021, the case was about to go to trial but the witness was deported. The witness is now back.
In October of 2020, Jesus Saenz Luna told Phoenix PD that he witnessed the aftermath of Alfredo Gutierrez murdering Lee Rice in a Phoenix home that belonged to Gutierrez’s brother. Luna claimed Gutierrez confessed to him, threatened him, and demanded help in cleaning up the crime scene.
Rice’s body was later found by police zip-tied inside a blue barrel. He had blunt force injuries and damage to his windpipe. The barrel was found in the guest bedroom where Gutierrez stayed at his brother’s home.
Luna testified that he saw Gutierrez dragging Rice’s body through the home and attempting to put it into the barrel. Gutierrez allegedly pointed a gun at Luna during this process. Luna provided police with a drawing showing the layout of the home.
While Luna is the key witness in the state’s case, he is also at the center of the defense. Gutierrez’s legal team is using an alternate suspect defense and claims Luna is actually the one who killed Rice. This tactic aims to shift the focus away from Gutierrez as the murderer.
During cross-examination, defense attorney Jamie Jackson pointed out inconsistencies in Luna’s statements, including lies told in 911 calls after the murder. The defense team is working to create doubt around Luna’s credibility as a witness.
The trial will continue with Jackson’s cross-examination of Luna on Wednesday. The case has drawn significant attention due to the conflicting narratives presented by the prosecution and defense.
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