Eddie Varnes testified for the defense on Day 7 about an unrecorded jail interview with Patricia Byrd. The State questioned the lack of a recording and his paid engagement, and he reaffirmed his account on redirect.
Witness
Eddie Varnes
Investigator for Donna Adelson's former defense team who conducted an unrecorded August 2024 jail interview with Patricia Byrd.
AppearedDonna Adelson
61 lines·3 proceedings
About
Eddie Varnes, a private investigator, testified for the defense on Day 7 about an August 2024 jail interview with Patricia Byrd concerning information she said she had received about statements by Katherine Magbanua. Varnes testified that Byrd did not tell him Donna Adelson had offered compensation, confessed, or directed Byrd's account.
Varnes said the interview was not recorded at the instruction of prior defense counsel. He also testified that Byrd expected a plea offer from the State in her own case.
On cross-examination, the State questioned Varnes about the lack of a recording, his immediate report to prior counsel, his decision not to seek a recorded follow-up, and his paid engagement. On redirect, Varnes reaffirmed that he was recounting what Byrd had told him. The court sustained a State objection to a question about his experience as improper bolstering.
Trial Record (3)
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