4.Shoddrick Nobles — Direct/Cross/Redirect
659 lines(Jury enters the courtroom.)
JUDGE HANKINSON: If you would face the clerk and be sworn, please, sir.
whereupon, SHODDRICK NOBLES was called as a witness, having been first duly sworn, was examined and testified as follows:
JUDGE HANKINSON: Have a seat, and slide up to the microphone, please, sir.
DIRECT EXAMINATION BY MS. CAPPLEMAN:
MS. CAPPLEMAN: what is your name, sir?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Shoddrick Nobles.
MS. CAPPLEMAN: Could you spell Shoddrick, please?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: S-H-O-D-D-R-I-C-K.
MS. CAPPLEMAN: All right. And is Nobles N-O-B-L-E-S?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Yes.
MS. CAPPLEMAN: Do you live here in Tallahassee, Mr. Nobles?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Yes.
MS. CAPPLEMAN: Did you live in Tallahassee back in June and July of 2014?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Yes.
MS. CAPPLEMAN: Do you recall an incident where you came in contact with a couple of guys from Miami?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Yes.
MS. CAPPLEMAN: I'm going to show you State's Exhibit 46. This has previously been introduced into evidence. Do you recognize State's 46?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Yes.
MS. CAPPLEMAN: How do you recognize it?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Those are the guys that I came in contact with.
MS. CAPPLEMAN: Those are the guys that you came in contact with back in June and July of 2014?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Yes.
MS. CAPPLEMAN: where were you when up first came in contact with those two men?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: It was a Budget Inn on Tennessee.
MS. CAPPLEMAN: The Budget Inn on Tennessee?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Yes, ma'am.
MS. CAPPLEMAN: Okay. And was this the first time you had ever seen either one of these men?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Yes, the first time.
MS. CAPPLEMAN: And what was -- what was the nature of the conversation when you-all first came into contact?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: They actually flagged me down and was talking about drugs, trying to get some drugs.
MS. CAPPLEMAN: All right. And were they on foot or in a car?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: They were standing outside of the room.
MS. CAPPLEMAN: All right. They had a room there?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Yes, ma'am.
MS. CAPPLEMAN: And were you in your car or on foot?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: I was in my car.
MS. CAPPLEMAN: what kind of car did you drive?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: A Caprice, Chevy.
MS. CAPPLEMAN: A what?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: A Chevy Caprice.
MS. CAPPLEMAN: Chevy. Okay. what color?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Gray.
MS. CAPPLEMAN: All right. And they were looking to buy some drugs?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Yes.
MS. CAPPLEMAN: Do you remember which one of the men it was that was looking to buy the drugs, or both of them?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: It was the slim one, the guy there.
MS. CAPPLEMAN: You see him in the courtroom?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Right there Cindicating).
MS. CAPPLEMAN: All right. Could you explain what he is wearing?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: A black suit, jacket.
MS. CAPPLEMAN: A nice suit?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Yeah.
MS. CAPPLEMAN: There's a couple of those --
SHODDRICK NOBLES: with glasses.
MS. CAPPLEMAN: Glasses. All right.
MS. CAPPLEMAN: Let the record reflect the witness has identified the Defendant Garcia.
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Yeah.
BY MS. CAPPLEMAN:
MS. CAPPLEMAN: All right. So he was the one that was looking for some drugs. What kind of drugs?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Cocaine.
MS. CAPPLEMAN: All right. And were you able to assist him with that?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Yes.
MS. CAPPLEMAN: what did you do?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Go and grab it.
MS. CAPPLEMAN: Did he give you money?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Yes.
MS. CAPPLEMAN: Did you front the money, or did he give you money upfront?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: He gave me some money.
MS. CAPPLEMAN: Gave you the money upfront?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Yeah.
MS. CAPPLEMAN: Do you recall how much or how much cocaine was purchased?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: He had, like, a 40, I think.
MS. CAPPLEMAN: $40 worth?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: It was about 40.
MS. CAPPLEMAN: Okay. And when you came back with the cocaine, were you invited into the motel room?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Yes.
MS. CAPPLEMAN: By who?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Him, Garcia.
MS. CAPPLEMAN: All right. And the defendant that you'd previously identified?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Yeah.
MS. CAPPLEMAN: All right. And was there anybody else inside of the motel room when you went in there?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Yes.
MS. CAPPLEMAN: who else was in there?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: The partner.
MS. CAPPLEMAN: who?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: His homeboy. His partner.
MS. CAPPLEMAN: His homeboy --
MR. ZANGENEH: Judge, I'm going to object to the classification of "partner."
JUDGE HANKINSON: Overruled.
BY MS. CAPPLEMAN:
MS. CAPPLEMAN: And was that the person that was in the photograph that I showed you, State's 46?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Yes.
MS. CAPPLEMAN: The shorter gentleman?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Yes.
MS. CAPPLEMAN: what was he doing inside of the hotel room?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Laying around.
MS. CAPPLEMAN: Okay. Laying on the bed?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Yeah.
MS. CAPPLEMAN: Okay. what did you-all do inside of the motel room =that night?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: well, did what he sent me out to get.
MS. CAPPLEMAN: Did what he sent you out to get?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Yeah.
MS. CAPPLEMAN: So, did you use cocaine with --
SHODDRICK NOBLES: No, I didn't use no drugs. I got a little drink. I do a little drinking.
MS. CAPPLEMAN: You had a drink?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Yeah. I wasn't on the cocaine thing.
MS. CAPPLEMAN: All right. And did you see anybody using cocaine in =the room?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Yeah.
MS. CAPPLEMAN: who?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: The guy that sent me to get it. The guy that sent me to get it.
MS. CAPPLEMAN: Okay. The taller gentleman?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Yeah.
MS. CAPPLEMAN: All right. what about the shorter guy? Did he use cocaine?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: No. I don't think so, no. No.
MS. CAPPLEMAN: You didn't observe him use any?
MS. CAPPLEMAN: All right. What about drinking? was he drinking, the shorter one?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: He was busy trying to figure out what the hell I was doing in there.
MS. CAPPLEMAN: The shorter one was trying to figure out what you were doing in there?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Yeah.
MS. CAPPLEMAN: Okay.
SHODDRICK NOBLES: He really wasn't too --
MS. CAPPLEMAN: Did you overhear these two men having a conversation about a woman or something to do with a car and calling a woman?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Yeah. I think they wanted her car to come get the car. I think there was something wrong with the car or something like that.
MS. CAPPLEMAN: There was something wrong with the car?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Yeah.
MS. CAPPLEMAN: Okay. And you had two interactions with these guys about a month apart; is that right?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Yes.
MS. CAPPLEMAN: And the time that there was something wrong with the car, was that the first time or the second time or both?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: It was both times.
MS. CAPPLEMAN: Both times they had car trouble?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Yeah.
MS. CAPPLEMAN: All right. So, the first time that they had car trouble, was that when you overheard this conversation in the motel room?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Yes, ma'am.
MS. CAPPLEMAN: Okay. And what were they saying about the car?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: It wasn't nothing they was saying. I just heard that she needs to come get the car basically that night --
MS. CAPPLEMAN: Okay. Do you remember their exact words?
MS. CAPPLEMAN: Did they seem, like, angry about it? Like, she can come get the car if she wants to get the car?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Ah, no.
MS. CAPPLEMAN: You can't say that?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Yeah.
MS. CAPPLEMAN: Okay. Did they identify who the woman was that they wanted to come and get the car?
MS. CAPPLEMAN: All right. Did they tell you what the car trouble was?
MS. CAPPLEMAN: All right. I want to fast-forward you to about a month later. Did you see these men again?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Yes.
MS. CAPPLEMAN: And what were the circumstances of you running into them this second time?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: I observed them on the side of the road. They was flagging me down, saying they needed help. Can I take them to get a part for the car.
MS. CAPPLEMAN: All right. They were on a side of the road?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Yeah.
MS. CAPPLEMAN: what road?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Monroe.
MS. CAPPLEMAN: Monroe Street?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: South Monroe, yeah.
MS. CAPPLEMAN: Okay. And they flagged you down. which one or both?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: The taller one.
MS. CAPPLEMAN: The taller guy. And was the taller guy with the same shorter gentleman that you had seen before?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Yes.
MS. CAPPLEMAN: was anybody else with them either time?
MS. CAPPLEMAN: All right. And what was the purpose of them flagging you down on this second occasion?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: To get the car off of the road. They needed help with the car.
MS. CAPPLEMAN: What was wrong with the car?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: I'm not sure.
MS. CAPPLEMAN: Okay. But it was -- it wouldn't run?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: It wasn't moving.
MS. CAPPLEMAN: All right. Did you take them or one of them to the auto parts store?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Yes.
MS. CAPPLEMAN: what auto parts store was that?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: It was the Advanced Auto on South Monroe.
MS. CAPPLEMAN: All right. And did you go inside the Advanced Auto?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: No. No.
MS. CAPPLEMAN: Do you know what was purchased in the Advanced Auto?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Like, a hose for the car.
MS. CAPPLEMAN: A hose for the car?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Yeah.
MS. CAPPLEMAN: Do you know which one of the gentlemen purchased the hose?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Oh, shit. It was both of them. I would say both.
MS. CAPPLEMAN: Both of them?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Yeah.
MS. CAPPLEMAN: Okay. So you took both of them to the auto parts store?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Yes.
MS. CAPPLEMAN: All right. And you didn't go in to see which one actually paid the money for the hose?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: No, ma'am.
MS. CAPPLEMAN: All right. Did you take them back to their car on the side of Monroe Street?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Yes.
MS. CAPPLEMAN: And did you hang around while they were working on the car?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Yes.
MS. CAPPLEMAN: All right. Who was doing the work on the car?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: I think it was the -- I think it was the taller --
MS. CAPPLEMAN: You think it was the taller one?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Yeah.
MS. CAPPLEMAN: Did they ask you to do anything else for them after you helped them with the car?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Yes.
MS. CAPPLEMAN: What was that?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Grab them a room.
MS. CAPPLEMAN: All right. And did you register for a motel room for them that night?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Yes.
MS. CAPPLEMAN: And you did that in your name?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Yes.
MS. CAPPLEMAN: And where was that?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: The Rodeway on North Monroe.
MS. CAPPLEMAN: Okay. what kind of car did they have when you checked them into the Rodeway on North Monroe?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: It was, like, a small station wagon car, gray station wagon. TI don't know. It's like -- I'm not sure what it was.
MS. CAPPLEMAN: Okay. But it was small?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Like a little station wagon looking car.
MS. CAPPLEMAN: Okay. Do you know the make and model of that vehicle?
MS. CAPPLEMAN: All right. Have you previously seen a photograph of a vehicle that you've indicated was similar?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Yeah.
MS. CAPPLEMAN: I'm going to approach and show you what I have marked as State's Exhibit 4. Do you recognize State's 4?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Yeah.
MS. CAPPLEMAN: How do you recognize it?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: That's the vehicle that -- that was actually parked outside of the room and the one that was on the side of the road.
MS. CAPPLEMAN: That's -- is that consistent with the vehicle --
SHODDRICK NOBLES: That's it. That's the one right there.
MR. ZANGENEH: Judge, I'm going to object to -- it appears the prosecution is suggesting similarity between what he saw and what's in the picture, and I would object.
JUDGE HANKINSON: Overruled.
BY MS. CAPPLEMAN:
MS. CAPPLEMAN: Is the vehicle pictured in State's Exhibit 4 consistent with the vehicle you saw these two gentlemen driving?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Yes.
MS. CAPPLEMAN: Okay. I'm going to ask you to initial that photograph. Anywhere is fine.
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Okay. (Witness complies.)
MS. CAPPLEMAN: Thank you.
MS. CAPPLEMAN: May I publish State's 4, this one?
JUDGE HANKINSON: I beg your pardon?
MS. CAPPLEMAN: May I publish?
JUDGE HANKINSON: Yes.
BY MS. CAPPLEMAN:
MS. CAPPLEMAN: All right. Did you have any contact with them in the motel room that night in the Rodeway?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: No, ma'am.
MS. CAPPLEMAN: Did they give you any money for assisting them with the car?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Yes.
MS. CAPPLEMAN: How much?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: I can't recall. Probably about --
MS. CAPPLEMAN: You can't recall?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: -- $60 or something.
MS. CAPPLEMAN: Say that again.
SHODDRICK NOBLES: About 60.
MS. CAPPLEMAN: $60?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: About something like that, yeah.
MS. CAPPLEMAN: Did they tell you why they did not want to register for the motel room in their own name?
MS. CAPPLEMAN: And you didn't ask?
MS. CAPPLEMAN: when you left the motel that night after getting a room for them, did you take a photograph of their vehicle?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: I took a photograph of the tag.
MS. CAPPLEMAN: why did you do that?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: I wasn't too sure about what the hell was going on. I wanted to cover my -- you know.
MS. CAPPLEMAN: Because the room was in your name, you mean?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Yeah. Yeah, I wanted to, yeah, cover myself.
MS. CAPPLEMAN: Okay. And the picture that you took of the tag of the vehicle, do you still have that?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: No. The phone is long gone.
MS. CAPPLEMAN: All right. By the time law enforcement located you and interviewed you, was that photograph gone?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Yes, ma'am.
MS. CAPPLEMAN: Were you shown photographic lineups in this case?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Yes.
MS. CAPPLEMAN: I'm going to approach with what I have marked as State's Exhibits 85 and 86.
State's Exhibit 86 indicates -- it's a photographic lineup of Sigfredo Garcia. Were you able to pick anybody out of the photos that were shown to you in this case?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Yes.
MS. CAPPLEMAN: All right. Is that your signature there on the front page?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Yes.
MS. CAPPLEMAN: All right. And this indicates you selected Photograph 2. There is Photograph 2. Is that the photo you selected?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Yes.
MS. CAPPLEMAN: All right. And that was one of the people that you interacted with --
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Yes.
MS. CAPPLEMAN: -- both trips?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Yep.
MS. CAPPLEMAN: State's Exhibit 85, I'm showing you the first page of that exhibit. Is that your signature there on State's Exhibit 85?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Yes.
MS. CAPPLEMAN: Okay. And this one indicates it's a photographic lineup of Luis Rivera. Did you select Photograph No. 3?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Uh-huh.
MS. CAPPLEMAN: Is that the photograph you selected --
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Yes.
MS. CAPPLEMAN: -- No. 3?
MS. CAPPLEMAN: One moment, please, Your Honor.
BY MS. CAPPLEMAN:
MS. CAPPLEMAN: I'm approaching you now with State's Exhibit 84, Mr. Nobles. And, Mr. Nobles, this is a document which purports to be a record, certified and authentic, from the Rodeway Inn at 2702 North Monroe Street in Tallahassee, Florida. Is that where you got them a room that night?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Yes.
MS. CAPPLEMAN: Okay. And I want to draw your attention to the guest list here. It indicates down here on the list Shoddrick Nobles --
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Yes.
MS. CAPPLEMAN: -- July 17th. And the end is cut off there, but July 17th -- oh, here is --
SHODDRICK NOBLES: That's 2014?
MS. CAPPLEMAN: -- to July 18th, 2014; is that correct?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Yes, ma'am.
MS. CAPPLEMAN: Okay. Judge, at this time, I would ask to move into evidence State's Exhibit 84.
JUDGE HANKINSON: Any objection?
MR. ZANGENEH: I would like to review that document, please.
Judge, I object. I believe that document is hearsay.
JUDGE HANKINSON: Overruled.
Does Magbanua have any objection?
MR. DECOSTE: No objection.
JUDGE HANKINSON: AITl right. It will be submitted.
(State's Exhibit No. 84 received in evidence.)
MS. CAPPLEMAN: Okay. Permission to publish?
JUDGE HANKINSON: You may.
BY MS. CAPPLEMAN:
MS. CAPPLEMAN: Mr. Nobles, is that your name there?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Yes.
MS. CAPPLEMAN: All right. No further questions.
JUDGE HANKINSON: Cross.
CROSS EXAMINATION BY MR. ZANGENAH:
MR. ZANGENEH: Mr. Nobles, good afternoon.
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Good afternoon.
MR. ZANGENEH: Do you know exactly what day in June that the Government was referring to that you first claimed that you had contact with my client?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Do I what now?
MR. ZANGENEH: Do you remember the day in June?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Shit, man, no.
MR. ZANGENEH: well, whatever day it was, your testimony was that you were hanging out in the parking lot of a motel; correct?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: No, I wasn't hanging out. I was coming through, driving through.
MR. ZANGENEH: I'm sorry?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Driving through when I was flagged down by your --
MR. ZANGENEH: You were driving through by a hotel. And was it daytime or nighttime?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Night.
MR. ZANGENEH: I'm sorry?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Night.
MR. ZANGENEH: Was it dark outside?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Yep.
MR. ZANGENEH: And so someone from a motel randomly picks your car and flags you down. That's your testimony; correct?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Randomly picked me, I guess so. That's what happened.
MR. ZANGENEH: I'm sorry, sir? I can't --
SHODDRICK NOBLES: That's what happened. I was flagged down.
MR. ZANGENEH: Okay. So you were flagged down. Had you ever had any previous exposure or experience with my client?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Nope.
MR. ZANGENEH: And so he randomly flags you down and asks you to buy cocaine; correct?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Yeah.
MR. ZANGENEH: And you were more than happy to oblige; correct?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Right.
MR. ZANGENEH: Okay. So you had -- did you have cocaine on you?
MR. ZANGENEH: Okay. So did you have to go to your stash house to get it?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: What stash house?
MR. ZANGENEH: I'm sorry?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: What stash house?
MR. ZANGENEH: well, if you didn't have the cocaine on you, was it stashed --
SHODDRICK NOBLES: I know where to get it from.
MR. ZANGENEH: You know where to get it from?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Yeah.
MR. ZANGENEH: So you then went and retrieved cocaine and came back to the motel?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Yeah.
MR. ZANGENEH: were you alone?
MR. ZANGENEH: Right. You were with other people; correct?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: I was with a girl.
MR. ZANGENEH: You were with just a girl?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Yeah.
MR. ZANGENEH: Not a girl and two other guys?
MR. ZANGENEH: So it was just you and a girl?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Yeah.
MR. ZANGENEH: was her name Lakeisha?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Laticia.
MR. ZANGENEH: Laticia?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Laticia.
MR. ZANGENEH: what's her last name?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Berrain.
MR. ZANGENEH: Berrain.
And you entered the motel room; correct?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Yeah.
MR. ZANGENEH: And was there another gentleman in the motel room?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Yeah.
MR. ZANGENEH: Can you describe that gentleman?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Short and stocky.
MR. ZANGENEH: (Picture displayed.)
That gentleman right there; correct?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Believe it.
MR. ZANGENEH: That gentleman right there?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Believe it.
MR. ZANGENEH: would you have -- did you describe him as villainy?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: villainy?
MR. ZANGENEH: Like he looked like a villain?
MS. CAPPLEMAN: Objection.
SHODDRICK NOBLES: TI don't know what you talking about. That's him right there Cindicating).
BY MR. ZANGENAH:
MR. ZANGENEH: Have you ever described him as villainy?
MS. CAPPLEMAN: Object.
JUDGE HANKINSON: Sustained.
SHODDRICK NOBLES: That's him right there (indicating).
JUDGE HANKINSON: Wait a minute. Stop. when there is an objection, stop, don't answer.
I will sustain the objection.
BY MR. ZANGENAH:
MR. ZANGENEH: was he armed?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Yeah.
MR. ZANGENEH: And "by armed," I mean, did he have a gun?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: There was a gun laying on the dresser.
MR. ZANGENEH: Did he leave it laying on the dresser when you ~walked into the room?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: when I came in, he kind of picked it up.
MR. ZANGENEH: Okay. And what did he do when he picked it up?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Picked it up and had put it on him.
MR. ZANGENEH: I'm sorry?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Like, basically picked it up.
MR. ZANGENEH: He picked it up?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Yeah. Held it up, too. I was, like, Damn --
MR. ZANGENEH: At any point, did you see my client with a gun that night?
MR. ZANGENEH: would you describe that gentleman as being aggressive?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Yeah.
MR. ZANGENEH: And by “that gentleman," I mean, Luis Rivera, the gentleman in the picture.
SHODDRICK NOBLES: The guy right there with the gold as well, yeah.
MR. ZANGENEH: At any point during that evening, did they mention to you that they were there for a homicide?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: why would they do that?
MR. ZANGENEH: why would they flag down a random stranger to buy cocaine? I'm asking the question.
SHODDRICK NOBLES: That's a good question.
MR. ZANGENEH: Now, you claimed that you'd never met either my client or the gentleman in that picture before; correct?
MR. ZANGENEH: That gentleman in the picture's name is Luis Rivera. Are you aware of that?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Thanks for telling me.
MR. ZANGENEH: So, no one had ever told you that before, sir?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: That's his name; right?
MR. ZANGENEH: was he your source of supply of drugs from Miami?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: What the fuck is he --
MR. ZANGENEH: I'm sorry?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Like, what are you talking about?
MR. ZANGENEH: well, you are a drug dealer; right?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Hell, no.
MR. ZANGENEH: No. What did you do that night? Did you go and deliver drugs to Mr. Garcia, according to your statement?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: I went and got some drugs for him.
MR. ZANGENEH: I'm sorry?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: I went and got drugs for him.
MR. ZANGENEH: Okay. So, was Mr. Rivera the plug for the person that supplies you your drugs?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: No. Nope. This is crazy.
MR. ZANGENEH: You claimed that you saw them again a month later; correct?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Yeah.
MR. ZANGENEH: And this time, it was by happenstance; that once again, they just ran by -- ran into you on the road in Tallahassee; correct?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Yeah. Yeah. That was crazy.
MR. ZANGENEH: A coincidence; right?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Yeah. Strange.
MR. ZANGENEH: And the Government showed a document --
COURT CLERK: You talking about this?
MR. ZANGENEH: Yes, ma'am.
BY MR. ZANGENAH:
MR. ZANGENEH: -- the reservation list for a motel here in Tallahassee; correct?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Yeah.
MR. ZANGENEH: And it's your testimony that you reserved this room for -- in essence, for strangers; correct?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Yeah.
MR. ZANGENEH: You didn't reserve the room to conduct another drug transaction?
MR. ZANGENEH: No?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Uh-uh.
MR. ZANGENEH: where do you live? Or, I'm sorry. Let me rephrase the question.
where did you live at the time of -- let me finish the question. I'm sorry.
where did you live on July 14th, 2014?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: In my vehicle.
MR. ZANGENEH: You lived in your vehicle?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Yeah.
MR. ZANGENEH: You would agree with me that conducting a substantial -- and this is a general question.
would you agree with me that conducting a substantial drug transaction in an open-aired vehicle would be a stupid, stupid decision?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: You better believe it.
MR. ZANGENEH: And you also indicated that you took a photograph of the tag of the car, but that photograph is no longer anywhere to be found; correct?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Nope.
MR. ZANGENEH: Did anyone go with you to rent the room for this hotel other than yourself?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Yeah, the same girl.
MR. ZANGENEH: The same girl, Laticia Vernon?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Laticia Berrain.
MR. ZANGENEH: Berrain.
MR. ZANGENEH: Give me a second, Judge.
BY MR. ZANGENAH:
MR. ZANGENEH: Now, you understand there is a difference between powdered cocaine and crack cocaine; correct?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Believe it.
MR. ZANGENEH: And to convert powdered cocaine to crack cocaine, you are going to have to cook it; correct?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Yeah, I guess.
MR. ZANGENEH: You've never witnessed or observed powdered cocaine being cooked to crack cocaine?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Nah. Have you?
JUDGE HANKINSON: Mr. Nobles?
BY MR. ZANGENAH:
MR. ZANGENEH: Did you -- you didn't contact law enforcement after -- I mean, you heard about the Dan Markel murder the day -- the day it occurred?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: I don't even know anything about that.
MR. ZANGENEH: And you approached law enforcement in this case; correct?
MR. ZANGENEH: They called you; right?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Came and got me.
MR. ZANGENEH: They came and got you because there was phone records on a phone that you used; correct?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Right.
MR. ZANGENEH: That showed that there was communication between you and Luis Rivera; correct?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Right.
MR. ZANGENEH: Do you have multiple phones -- or did you have multiple phones at that time or just one?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Oh, shoot, man, so --
MR. ZANGENEH: Let me rephrase the question, sir.
Have you ever had a throw phone? A drop phone? A burner?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: You got me. what is that?
MR. ZANGENEH: Oh, okay. A phone -- like an additional phone. You know how some people have multiple phones?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Yeah. Yes.
MR. ZANGENEH: Have you ever had multiple phones?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Yeah, I have had a couple of phones.
MR. ZANGENEH: Okay. Did you give the phone numbers of the other phones to law enforcement?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: why would I do that?
MR. ZANGENEH: On the June 4th trip, did Mr. Rivera threaten you with a firearm?
MS. CAPPLEMAN: Objection. Relevance.
JUDGE HANKINSON: Overruled.
BY MR. ZANGENAH:
MR. ZANGENEH: when you went to speak to law enforcement --
JUDGE HANKINSON: Did you answer the question? I'm sorry? Did he say yes or no?
MR. ZANGENEH: Yes, sir, he did.
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Oh, no.
MR. ZANGENEH: He said no, Your Honor. Thank you.
JUDGE HANKINSON: No, I couldn't hear you.
BY MR. ZANGENAH:
MR. ZANGENEH: when you went to talk to law enforcement with regard to this, did you tell them that you sold or, your testimony is, that you provided powdered cocaine?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Okay. Say that again?
MR. ZANGENEH: Sure, no problem.
So, the cops call you; right?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: They ain't called me. They came and got me.
MR. ZANGENEH: They came, knocked on your door?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: No. They ain't -- they pulled up on me.
MR. ZANGENEH: They pulled up on you?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Yes.
MR. ZANGENEH: were you still living in your car?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Yeah.
MR. ZANGENEH: Okay. So, they pulled up on you, and they said, we need to talk to you downtown?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Yeah.
MR. ZANGENEH: Okay. was it like that or a little bit --
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Yeah.
MR. ZANGENEH: Okay. So they take you downtown; right?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Yeah.
MR. ZANGENEH: Did they read you your Miranda rights?
MR. ZANGENEH: Okay. And when they start asking you these questions, do you tell them that you sold powdered cocaine?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: why would I do that? That's crazy.
MR. ZANGENEH: well, you said it today; right?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Oh, yeah. But, shit, I wouldn't -- I wouldn't just volunteer that kind of -- no shit like that.
MR. ZANGENEH: And you will agree with me, Mr. Nobles, that you came here under a State's subpoena; correct?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Uh-huh.
MR. ZANGENEH: Correct? You have to say yes, because the young lady is taking --
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Yes. Yes.
MR. ZANGENEH: So, you have some sort of immunity from being able to give a confession because that's what you've done? You've confessed to the members of this jury that you were involved in a drug deal; correct?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Yeah.
MR. ZANGENEH: Okay. And you know that these prosecutors and no one from Leon County or no law enforcement officer will ever prosecute you for committing a second degree felony based on Florida Statutes?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: You just trying to paint that picture that I deal drugs, little buddy. That's not that. You can't paint no picture like that.
MR. ZANGENEH: Okay. But by your own --
SHODDRICK NOBLES: You steady trying to paint that picture, though.
MR. ZANGENEH: well, I'm --
SHODDRICK NOBLES: That's not me. I'm not one of those guys. Sorry.
MR. ZANGENEH: Sir -- no worries.
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Believe that.
MR. ZANGENEH: I'm simply saying your testimony has been, in June, that a random stranger flags you down, and you provided him with powdered cocaine, yes?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Believe it.
MR. ZANGENEH: And also in -- well, here's the thing. You say --
JUDGE HANKINSON: We are not just going to repeat everything he said twice, Mr. Zangeneh.
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Yeah. You just trying to paint that picture, buddy. That's not --
JUDGE HANKINSON: Nope. Stop. No. Be quiet. He will ask you a new question.
MR. ZANGENEH: Give me a second, Your Honor?
JUDGE HANKINSON: You may.
MR. ZANGENEH: Your Honor, can we go sidebar? I just want to clarify something before I ask the question.
SHODDRICK NOBLES: What kind of bullshit is this?
(A Bench Conference was held as follows:)
MR. ZANGENEH: JI actually want to make sure this isn't -- I did this outside the presence of the jury as to not to draw an objection in front of the jury. I'm going to proceed with a question as to whether or not he was on probation during this time. And I know that he had a withhold, and I know he violated his probation, but I can't determine, based on the records, whether or not they turned it into an adjudication.
MR. PADILLA: It did.
MR. ZANGENEH: It did. Okay.
MR. DECOSTE: I can give Your Honor the chronology of events as to Mr. Nobles’ case, if it would help the Court.
JUDGE HANKINSON: What's that?
MR. DECOSTE: I can give you the chronology of Mr. Nobles’ case.
JUDGE HANKINSON: I don't know that I need it. Is there some objection?
MS. CAPPLEMAN: No, sir.
JUDGE HANKINSON: ATl right. All right.
(The Bench Conference was concluded.)
BY MR. ZANGENAH:
MR. ZANGENEH: Mr. Nobles, were you on probation when you spoke to the police?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Shit, I don't recall. TI don't know.
MR. ZANGENEH: Have you been on probation recently?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Yeah, uh-huh.
MR. ZANGENEH: And you violated your probation. Now you are a convicted felon?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: I guess. If that's what you want to call it.
MR. ZANGENEH: well, I'm asking you, sir.
SHODDRICK NOBLES: well, I don't know.
MR. ZANGENEH: well, you were -- you were on probation, and you violated your probation; correct?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Yeah.
MR. ZANGENEH: As a result of the violation, did your withhold become a conviction?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: I don't know.
MR. ZANGENEH: Judge, no further questions. And I reserve the right to recall Mr. Nobles.
JUDGE HANKINSON: Magbanua.
MR. DECOSTE: Thank you, Your Honor.
CROSS EXAMINATION BY MR. DECOSTE:
MR. DECOSTE: Mr. Nobles, during the direct examination by Ms. Cappleman, you were asked a question. You said something about a girl. That the two guys in the room were talking to a girl because they -- correct me if I'm wrong -- they wanted help from the girl; right?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: They wanted help from the girl?
MR. DECOSTE: All right.
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Are you talking about the girl that I brought with me; right?
MR. DECOSTE: No, no, no. we're talking about -- you said you were in the hotel room or the motel room, and that the guys that you were in the room with were on the phone with somebody, that they needed help with the car, that they were talking to some girl. Do you remember that?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: They had said something about the vehicle. They said "she." I don't know what the conversation was about, but they was, like, She can come get the car, or something like that. That's what I heard --
MR. DECOSTE: Okay.
SHODDRICK NOBLES: -- overheard. It wasn't no conversation on no phone or none of that shit. It was, like, on my way out, and they were, like, She can come, da, da, da, some shit like that.
MR. DECOSTE: I just wanted to make sure you knew what topic I was talking about.
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Yeah, yeah. I know what you are talking about now.
MR. DECOSTE: You don't know who "she" is?
MR. DECOSTE: And what they were saying was, well, we need her to come here now to help with --
SHODDRICK NOBLES: She can -- yeah, come get that or the car, whatever.
MR. DECOSTE: All right. which would indicate somebody that's local, not somebody that's in another state?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Hey. Hey.
MR. DECOSTE: You don't know?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: I -- guess is as good as mine.
MR. DECOSTE: You don't know? A fair agreement?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: I don't know.
MR. DECOSTE: All right. Next topic, and I'm not trying to put you on the spot here or blow you up, the cocaine.
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Oh, man, here we go with this thing.
MR. DECOSTE: All right. So, you're saying that a gentleman asked you to go get cocaine; right? You take some money. You go and --
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Grab his shit up, yeah.
MR. DECOSTE: You know where to -- hear me out -- you know where I'm going here. You know where to get it from is what you said; right?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Yeah.
MR. DECOSTE: You know people that are in the drug game?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: I just know where to get it from.
MR. DECOSTE: You know where to go get it?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Yeah.
MR. DECOSTE: You've been around cocaine before. I'm not saying you're dealing it. I'm not saying you're using it. You've been around it.
SHODDRICK NOBLES: I just know what he was talking about when he said "cocaine."
MR. DECOSTE: You know what's a big amount? what's a small amount?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Nah. TI don't know anything about that.
MR. DECOSTE: Okay. I'm going to give you some dates here. January of 2016 you get taken to the Tallahassee Police Department, and they talk to you about this case.
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Yeah.
MR. DECOSTE: A very short time later, you are arrested for two felonies here in Tallahassee; right?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: A short time later? Like, when? Some years later.
MR. DECOSTE: Dealing in stolen proper- --
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Years, years later.
MR. DECOSTE: Are you sure?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: That was years.
MR. DECOSTE: Do you remember when you were arrested?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Yeah, I was arrested.
MR. DECOSTE: And it was 2016?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Shit, was it? Yeah. Yes, it was. Yeah.
MR. DECOSTE: Do you not remember? would it help your memory if I showed you the online court docket?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Yeah, I remember.
MR. DECOSTE: You do remember?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Yeah.
MR. DECOSTE: Okay. So, we have January of 2016 you meet with the investigators and the agents on this case. A very short time later in 2016, you are then arrested on some felonies, and then you are put onto probation; right?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Okay, yeah.
MR. DECOSTE: You know, at one point in time, you appeared before His Honor, Judge Hankinson, on your case; right?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: I do -- yeah, I guess.
MR. DECOSTE: You don't remember?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: (Shakes head.)
MR. DECOSTE: You are put onto probation --
SHODDRICK NOBLES: I just know I was, on paper, probation.
MR. DECOSTE: All right. You are put onto probation, and then you violate probation; right?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Yeah.
MR. DECOSTE: And then they revoked your probation. You are no longer on probation?
MR. DECOSTE: And now you are here testifying for the Government?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Yeah, I guess.
MR. DECOSTE: Revoke your probation?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: I don't understand what you are saying, buddy.
MR. DECOSTE: You admittedly -- now, not saying that you area drug dealer, but you --
SHODDRICK NOBLES: That I had that and got off probation. I see it as a different time, so ain't nothing extra behind it.
MR. DECOSTE: And back to the cocaine, I know you don't like the topic, but you will agree with me that you at least possessed cocaine? The guy asked you, gave you some money, you went to wherever you went to, you picked it up, you took possession of it.
You possessing it would be a crime; right?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: I don't know. If that's what you call it. If that's what you call it.
MR. DECOSTE: But they're not prosecuting you for that?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: I don't know.
MR. DECOSTE: You are a witness for them, so you get a pass on ~=— that?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: I don't know. I don't know anything about that, buddy.
MR. DECOSTE: Okay. I don't think I have anything further, Your Honor. If I could have one second to confer.
JUDGE HANKINSON: You may.
SHODDRICK NOBLES: That's kind of crazy.
MR. DECOSTE: Nothing further, Your Honor. Thank you.
JUDGE HANKINSON: Redirect.
REDIRECT EXAMINATION BY MS. CAPPLEMAN:
MS. CAPPLEMAN: By the time law enforcement came to speak to you, that was a long time after the actual -- I mean, not -- like, maybe two years after you'd sold the cocaine to these guys; right?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Right.
MS. CAPPLEMAN: Okay. So you -- there wasn't any actual cocaine to charge you with, was there?
SHODDRICK NOBLES: Right.
MS. CAPPLEMAN: No further questions.
SHODDRICK NOBLES: I appreciate that.
JUDGE HANKINSON: Any juror have a question of this witness? All right. You can step down.
Do we need to keep him any further?
MS. CAPPLEMAN: No, Your Honor.
MR. ZANGENEH: No, thanks. we will release him.
JUDGE HANKINSON: What's that?
MR. ZANGENEH: We will release him. we are not going to recall him.
JUDGE HANKINSON: All right. You are excused to go about your business.
Call your next witness.
Let's go sidebar for a minute, though.
(A Bench Conference was held as follows:)
JUDGE HANKINSON: Nothing was said before the jury that needs to be corrected, but I did want it noted -- I pulled up the record in the meantime -- that there was never an adjudication of guilt as to Mr. Nobles. There was a violation of probation. He was put on probation April 6th, 2016. He was sentenced on the VOP on January 20th, 2017, but they, again, withheld adjudication after the violation of probation. So I just didn't want the record to be confused on that. All right.