Monday, September 15, 2008

Day Two : September 12th 2008

10:30 a.m.
Only 6 seats remain. So far, Galareka Harrison has not shown up. Both prosecuting and defense attorneys are present.

10:35 a.m.
Galareka arrives (unhand cuffed). Today she is dressed in a brown suit with a white blouse underneath. Her hair is again parted into two sections, with a braid gathering the sectioned of hair. it is all pulled back in a pony tail. No judge, jury, or witness (Jordan Begaye) is present yet.
The female prosecutor (Kellie) is wearing a gray suit. The male prosecutor is dressed in a navy blue suit. There is another male who sits with them (he was there yesterday too). A badge hanging from his belt loop says "police". Possibly a Native, he appears to be in his late 30's. Very clean cut and wearing black rimmed glasses.
10:38
Judge arrives. We all rise. A minute later Jordan Begaye again takes the stand. Today he is wearing a white and blue pinstriped button up shirt. Black pants.
We patiently wait for the jury....
10:41
Jury arrives. Defense begins his questions. He asks Jordan if he had opportunities of travel during high school. Jordan says 'Yes'. He asks Jordan if not all students are given that same opportunity. J.B. says 'Yes'. The the Defense makes the comment that some students had to "...live sheltered lives."
Talks about NASA(Native American Student Affairs) where Native American youth live together in a Learning-Living Environment. No one could not request a certain roommate, because the purpose of the first years scholar's program is to get out and meet new people. Ms. Young and Ms. Henderson tried to request to be roommates but it wasn't very successful. Mia and Galareka never really hung out together beside when present with each other in their dorm room. Mia became aware that her card cat was missing around the 23rd or 24th the defense attorney emphasized the fact that you need a cat card to access the dormitory. He asked how Mia was able to gain access to the dormitory, but Jordan didn't know how she gain access.
Jordan testified that, on the night of the 27th "him, Mia and Londynn were studying. Later Londynn left and returned back to her room, but shortly after Mia noticed her cat card in Galareka's Wallet. It was not hidden , but it was out in the open." She removed her cat card and her social security card was wrapped around it. Soon after she called Londynn back down to her room and they went to look for Diane(RA) they didn't find her, so they went to the 3rd floor. The RA there said she wasn't on duty, so they went across the the opposite side of the dorm(Graham) where they found Kevin, he didn't know what to do. eventually the police were called, and Officer Lopez took statement. They went back to Mia's room and took pictures of the scene.
The defense attorney asks Jordan "Did Officer Lopez want to take Pictures" Jordan replies " I don't Know." Jordan had the impression that the officer didn't take the matter seriously. Officer Lopez did speak with Galareka, then spoke again with Mia. He advised Mia to Stay in a Different room for the night. There were no Police contact after this. Mia typed a letter giving a time line of what she thought was going on, but Galareka was never kicked out. Mia received text from Galareka stating "I'm sorry... Forgive me..." Jordan didn't know if Mia accepted her apology.

Witness 4- Londynn Young

Londynn is from Mesa, she attended the University Of Arizona in 2007. She was active in sports, especially in softball, and participated in many softball tournament out of state. In 2006 she competed in the Indigenous games in Denver, Colorado. Prior to the games she met Mia during weekly practices. Through out their senior year in high school they kept contact through text messaging and phone calls. She was put on a wait list for student housing on campus. while attending orientation she heard about the first years scholars program offered by NASA. Neither her nor Mia had a car. So they thought about living in an apartment, but it was too expansive. So londynn requested to have Mia as her roommate. She received an email by Amanda Tachine(Assistant Director of NASA) stating a "Denial of her request because she wanted them to meet new people and not form cliques." So Mia was later placed with Galareka as her roommate, and Lodynn was placed with another student from Tuba City.
On August 17, 2007 Londynn was introduced to Galareka for the first time by Mia. Mia and Londynn tried to make conversation with Galareka and they were replied with one word answers. Londynn seen here only a couple times after that in the hallways or in their room. Both Mia and Londynn tried to get to know Galareka a little bit more but she hardly spoke to them. In additional Mia had introduced Londynn to Jordan.
Prior to the 27th, Mia reported to Londynn that she was missing her cat card since the 24th. Mia had asked other fellow students or dorm residents for assistance in access to the dorm. She had asked Londynn once to gain access. Londynn stated that, on the night of August 27, 2007, Jordan, Mia and her were studying in Mia's room. She stayed till 11:30 P.M. Jordan remained in the room with Mia after. Londynn never saw Galareka while they were studying. At 11:35 P.M. Londynn received a phone call from Mia saying they had found Mia's cat card while overlooking Galareka's wallet. Shortly after Londynn reported back down to Mia's room, and notice the wallet on the desk. Pictures were taken and after they went out to look for and RA. They eventually found "Kevin" who offered to call the police.
They waited for the police by the housing office. One officer showed up. Londynn felt like he "minimized" the situation. Mia wanted to press charges, but Officer Lopez laughed and said, "Why would you want to do that?" because things like that happenned "every day". He gave Mia a case number and then went to look for Galareka. He pulled Mia out 10-15 minutes later and told her to go to a safe room where she could stay the night and keep all her valuables. She decided to stay in Londynn's room and with her she took: her Coach purse, her perfume, a plastic box containing items, and her laptop. The next day Mia typed and printed several letters. L.Y. and her went around delivering them. There was still no change in her roommate. Galareka did know about the texts and when Galareka asked what Mia was going to do about the theft, Mia said press charges and that she didn't want to live with her anymore.
Londynn went home for Labor day weekend. On September 4th, Londynn went to Mia's room. Galareka's belongings were still there. 11:32 pm, Mia went to Londynn's room to help her with some homework. Mia returned to her room. At about 11:48 pm L.Y received a text saying 'do you want to go running tomorrow?'. L.Y. said 'no'. Mia said 'spoken like a true slacker'.
Defense attorney now questions Londynn.
He begins by asking her questions about softball and traveling. The summer before school started, Mia and Londynn had requested to be roommates. He asks,
"So you were in the First Year Scholars Program for housing?"
"yes"
"You were in First Year Scholars Program by default?"
"Yes"
"So you were just there because they had a spot. You didn't need that kind of program?"
"No"
"Ms. Henderson didn't need that kind of program?"
"No"
"Amanda didn't want you two to be roommates because you were already friends?"
"Yes"
"You got a mentor as a roommate?"
"Yes"
"But you didn't need a mentor?"
"No"
When Galareka first arrived at the U of A she didn't bring any linens for her bed. Seh thought the dorm would provide her with that plus a computer.
Once L.Y went back to Mia's room after Mia had found her cat card and "Sam's" cat card, they went to look for their RA but she wasn't there. Londynn asked Officer Lopez to be in some of the pictures but he said no. He was accompanied by "Kevin" to the third floor to look for Galareka. He returned 1 hour later.
10:55 am. Objection by Prosecution. Council talking. Trial continues
Officer Lopez suggested that Mia stay somewhere else. Mia had to call them back about the case. On August 28th Mia met with Nina (the housing director), but she said she was too busy. She told Mia to go to small claims court and that it would take two weeks for her to move out completely so Mia didn't think it was a good option. There was a loop-hole called a "4-person agreement". This is where 4 people have to agree to switch rooms in the presence of a hall director. Nina suggested that Galareka move into Londynns room and Londynn move into Mia's room but Mia didn't want to stay in the room where the theft occurred.
12:04 p.m. Lunch recess
1:09 p.m. Galareka enters, cuffed. She gives her first look at all the people present. We know wait for judge, witness, and jury.
1:22 p.m. judge enters. A minute later witness (Londynn Y.) enters.
1:24 Judge enters.
Londynn was frustrated about not being able to be Mia's roommate. Mia never textG.H. back. Defense asks if L.Y. if she didn't "care" for Galareka's friends. Prosecution objects. council approaches the bench and now talking with judge.
1:36 p.m. court continues
Galareka sent a chain text to Mia saying "I'm sending you 100 prayers to protect you." Londynn never saw GH threaten, get angry, or with a weapon. Officer Lopez kept the $500 that Galareka had given to him. L.Y. was not present when Mia went through Galareka's belongings.
On September 5th 2007, L.Y. gave a statement to the police. Defense gives her a transcript of the conversation. Londynn had originally stated that Mia would say "Eew" whenever Galareka and her friends walked by. Londynn clarifies that "eew" was her own word description of how Mia's facial expression whenever these girls walked by. Mia never physically said "eew"

Witness 5: Stacy Wallace
She is a young girl, possibly 18 or 19. Today she wears tight denim jeans with no back pockets and a white spaghetti strap. She takes the stand smiling. VERY casually dressed. Her hair is curled and let down.
In 2007 she attended the University of Arizona and was a member of First Year Scholars. Her roommate was Calandra Begay. Prosecutor asks if she knows Galareka Harrison. She says Yes. Prosecution asks her to point to her. Stacey laughingly points to Galareka from across the room.
On the eve of September 4th, 2007, she stayed until 2:30 am. She was communicating with Galareka through text messaging. Galareka text her and asked:
'Is she still there', meaning her roommate Mia Janelle Henderson.
'Is she still awake?'
Galareka then told Stacey to check and see if her roommate was awake but Stacey never did. Later that morning she awoke up and heard banging noises and screams. Someone said,"Help me Stacey!" She said this occurred at 4:45 a.m. [Prosecution hands Stacey the police report she gave. Police report says Stacey originally heard the screams at 5:43 a.m.] When Stacey ran out into the hallway, Galareka was saying Mia attacked her. Her roommate went to get the RA. Police was called by Diane.

1:56 p.m. Defense begins questioning.

Stacey says she was never friends with Mia because Mia was never friendly to her. She did have several interaction with Londynn, mostly during the "icebreakers" excericise. She testifies that she never saw Galareka get upset about the theft allegations. Defenese asks if it's unusual for young people to stay up late. Stacey says no, but did say it was weired that Galareka wanted to know if her roommate was still up because no one asks that.
The morning of the murder, Galareka immediately wanted to speak to her mom. Stacey called Galareka's mom for her and then Galareka got on the phone.

2:02 p.m. Witness 6: Diane Pogavoh.

She is a Native woman with short black hair. Today she wears a red, black, and whit shirt. There is a tan bag slung across her shoulder.
Diane was an RA for the U of A. She was assigned to the Graham-Greenlee dorm. She was also a mentor for the first year scholars. As the semester started, she got to know the students through meetings. She got to know both Mia and Galareka. On Thursday, August 30th, 2007 she became aware of the theft allegations. She talked tot he students and tried to find solutions. She also spoke with the hall director, Nina. She said the girl's options were:
1. To move to a room within the hall and switch roommates. Just because Mia was the victim doesn't mean that Galareka should have to move. It was whoever was willing to move. Diane has been an RA for 2 years. She says it's her job to solve disputes between roommates. This is what she is trained to do.
As she was walking to the hall director's office (Nina Perez) she saw Galareka and an officer talking. He said that Mia and Galareka needed to shake hands and let bygons be bygons. On the nights of the 29th and the 30th, Mia did not stay in her room. August 31st-September1st, Diane didn't see Mia during the weekend.
On the morning of September 5th, Diane heard a noise. She describes it as someone moving furniture. Then there were several minutes of silence. She heard Galareka say "Help me Stacey, help me". She ran down the hall and into the room where she saw Mia on the floor with her head on the ground. She then called UAPD. She asked Galareka questions. G.H. said Mia attacked her. She describes Mia as being very bloody and non-responsive. She had no pulse and a bloody back.

2:25 p.m. Defense questions

He asks Diane if many residents have shared value systems. She says yes. She claims she never heard about problems between Mia and Galareka. She never had any complaints about Galareka. After the allegation of Galareka's theft, she met with the hall director. During a meeting with the police officer, both girls were upset and she knew the issue wasn't over. She knew that Mia wanted to room with Londynn. Mia wanted Galareka to be kicked out of First Year Scholars.


Witness 6: Yolanda Nez
Yolanda previously attended the U of A and graduated in December of 2007 with her degree in political science. She lives in Farmington, NM. She rodeos.
One day she recognized Galareka as she was walking on campus. They previously knew each other from rodeos on the reservation. They visited and exchanged numbers. Galareka frequently text Yolanda. She would ask her questions and Yolanda would answer to the best of her knowledge. Yolanda made plans on Labor Day weekend to go to Window Rock. She originally was going to travel alone, but decided to offer Galareka a ride. That Friday afternoon she met up with GH, they boarded the cat tran and got off at a parking lot on Prince Rd, where she parked her car. It takes 6-7 hours to get to Window Rock from Tucson. On the drive up north they talked about Galareka's first semester and how G.H. was transitioning. Galareka told her that a person she knew was thinking about committing suicide. She heard about this threw Myspace. She told Yolanda WHO it was that was thinking about suicide. Galareka did tell Yolanda that she thought Mia was stealing from her. Yolanda tried to give her advice on roommate problems. Galareka asked her what happened to people who steal.
Yolanda says she stayed in Window Rock until Tuesday due to her rodeo schedule. On the way back to Tucson, Galareka made a reference to the show CSI and asked if fingerprints could still be identified through gloves. On the way back she and Galareka took turns driving back. They didn't talk the whole time. They were both texting and calling. When they didn't have any service is when they would talk. When they were getting back into Tucson, Galareka told Yolanda that she had a bad feeling that something was going to happen.
Once they arrived in Tucson, Galareka wanted to stop at Target because she needed school supplies. Yolanda went to the bathroom. When she returned to look for Galareka she found her in a aisle holding a knife and saying,
"Do you think this will work?"
"For what?"
"For class, my classmate has the same knife."
On Thursday, Yolanda was planning to return to Window Rock for the rodeo. On Wednesday she went to the Graham-Greenlee dorm looking for Galareka. Eventually she met with the police and gave a formal statement.
3:23 The prosecution is showing pictures of Yolanda's car. She states that she was present while the police searched her vehicle. On the side pocket of the passengers door they found a receipt. Yolanda said Galareka paid for the knife (and gum) with cash.
3:31 p.m. Defense questions

Yolanda has been through Many Farms area and has run into Galareka's family from time to time. Besides the U of A, she never saw Galareka off the reservation. Yolanda knew Galareka was home-sick and having a hard time at the U of A. She thought Galareka was immature, but had no problem carrying on a conversation with her.








*Special thanks to S.D. for helping me type some of this*

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

:( o my...all of this could have been prevented....its so sad...:(

Anonymous said...

so sorry for mia:(, but this girl is going to suffer for the awful heartless evil thing she committed...jus awful:(