LAKEPORT — The brother of one defendant testified Wednesday afternoon during the trial of the two Clearlake Oaks men accused of killing a toddler and shooting other people last year.
Leonardo Lopez said he did not observe his brother, Orlando Joseph Lopez Jr., handling a firearm the day of the shooting but did see the other defendant, Paul William Braden, with a shotgun.
The prosecution alleges Orlando Lopez and Braden shot at a group of people gathered for a late-night barbecue on June 18 in Clearlake, killing Skyler Rapp, 4, and injuring five others.
Braden, 22, and Orlando Lopez, 24, pleaded not guilty to 15 felonies (including murder and five counts of attempted murder) and denied more than 30 special allegations in connection with the case.
The men are standing trial in the same courtroom but have different attorneys and separate juries.
Leonardo Lopez was the final witness called to the stand Wednesday at the Lake County Courthouse.
He said both defendants were at a party at his house during the afternoon and evening on June 18. Other people, part of a group known as the “Avenue Boys” or “Ave Boyz,” were also there, according to the witness.
At some point during the afternoon both defendants left the gathering but returned 30 to 40 minutes later with Braden holding a pump-action shotgun, Leonardo Lopez said.
He testified that he did not see Braden alter the appearance of the shotgun on June 18 — a statement that differed from the testimony of several partygoers who said they observed Braden sawing off the butt of the weapon.
Leonardo Lopez said Braden”s shotgun was the only firearm he ever observed at his house.
Anthony Gaston, a member of the “Ave Boyz” who testified last month, said Leonardo Lopez gave him permission to leave a loaded shotgun at that house several days before the day of the shooting.
Gaston said he saw that shotgun at the June 18 party and knew that Orlando Lopez was aware of the firearm”s location.
Leonardo Lopez testified that he was telling the truth on the stand Wednesday and was not lying to protect his older brother.
Leonardo Lopez also said he observed Braden “mad” on the phone on June 18 but did not know who was on the other line.
Braden and Orlando Lopez left the house for the final time with a third man, Kevin Stone, according to Leonardo Lopez, who could not describe Stone”s car.
Stone was a co-defendant in the case but reached a plea agreement last fall. He is expected to testify as a prosecution witness.
Additionally, Leonardo Lopez described being involved in a fight along with the “Ave Boyz” against Josh Gamble at a Lower Lake graduation ceremony about a week before the shooting.
Gamble is the cousin of Ross Sparks, the boyfriend of Rapp”s mother.
Micaela Cain, the witness called before Leonardo Lopez, testified for about 10 minutes.
Cain said she lived with her then-boyfriend, Curtis Eeds, at a house neighboring Sparks” residence. Several shooting victims testified the shots came from Eeds” side of the fence.
Cain said she was not at home any time the evening of June 18.
James Jordan, also known as “Goofy,” was the first witness called Wednesday. He said he knew Sparks through Eeds.
Jordan testified he spoke with Orlando Lopez on the phone while at Sparks” home the afternoon of June 18. The defendant said, “Tell them fools to meet me at the park,” according to Jordan, who indicated he relayed the message to Sparks.
Sparks wanted Orlando Lopez to instead come to his home for a potential fight, Jordan said. The witness testified he encouraged Orlando Lopez not to bring “drama” to Sparks” residence, where children were present.
The co-defendant concurred, saying “yeah, I wouldn”t want that around my kids,” according to Jordan”s testimony.
Jordan said he then departed but returned to Sparks” house that night.
He testified he was present when the shooting occurred, left the scene after hearing six to seven gunshots because he had an outstanding warrant, and didn”t speak to law enforcement until several weeks later.
The proceedings are set to reconvene today at 10 a.m.
Contact Jeremy Walsh at jwalsh@record-bee.com or call him at 263-5636, ext. 37. Follow trial coverage live on Twitter @JeremyDWalsh or by searching #BradenLopez.
