LAKEPORT ? Testimony began Thursday morning with a giggling woman, Jen Patterson, who was just a girl when she witnessed the April 29, 2006 crash involving Bismarck Dinius at the tiller of Mark Weber”s sailboat that was struck by a personal powerboat piloted by Lake County Sheriff”s Office (LCSO) Capt. Russell Perdock, who was off-duty. Passenger Lynn Thornton of Willows died as a result of the collision.
Defense attorney Victor Haltom asked Patterson if she remembered hearing laughter after the accident; “Yes, and the laughter turned to screaming quickly,” she said.
Gina Seago, 17, the second witness Thursday was on a dock at the time of the collision and testified that “It was pitch-black, there wasn”t a moon out.” She said Perdock”s boat was all she could see prior to the crash.
“I kept my eye on it. It was loud and the only thing I could see.”
Seago told District Attorney Jon Hopkins, that following the crash she heard “a guy”s voice” say “Oh my God. Somebody help me.”
During the course of testimony provided by Sgt. Mike Moreshed, of LCSO, it came to light that the Preliminary Alcohol Screening (PAS) devices had not been calibrated in what he described as “a long time.” He was also asked if the PAS devices that he testified may be inaccurate were used on citizens in the field for DUI cases and he answered “yes.”
The last witness of the day, Keith Lloyd Wells, LCSO boat patrol/marine patrol, described the process of towing the sailboat from Konocti Bay to Braitos Marina where the “Beats Workin” II” was left unsecured in a slip for approximately six hours. Wells said he went home at about 2 or 3 a.m. and returned to work at about 9 a.m.
Haltom asked if the sailboat was being watched, Wells responded “It was not being watched.”
Perdock”s passengers, James Walker and his daughter, Jordin Walker testified.
Jordin, 18, who was 15 at the time of collision testified that “Russell (Perdock) took her and her father by Konocti Harbor Resort & Spa marina to see a friend”s new boat.” She said they did not come to a complete stop nor did they exit the speedboat at anytime. “We just, like drove by it,” she said.
She said they headed toward Richmond Park Bar & Grille to get gas for the boat. She testified that at no time was she afraid while she and her father were in the boat with Perdock.
She said about two seconds before the crash, she saw a pole with a white sail. Her memory of events following the crash were limited. She testified that she sustained injuries to her back and her leg.
Three of Thursday”s witnesses described the crash scene as chaotic. Dispatcher Kimberly Erickson of LCSO, testified about the initial call and the subsequent flooding of calls reporting the crash.
Hopkins asked Judge J. Michael Byrne that observers refrain from commenting or attempting in any way to sway the jury, be it verbally or visually. Byrne said he advocates freedom of expression, but asked that observers be respectful of the judicial process.
The trial resumes at 9 a.m. today in the Lake County Superior Court located at 255 North Forbes St. in Lakeport.
