Witnesses & Testimony
This witness is the victim; he was the teenager working alone at Byers Goods when two men came in with a gun.
Who is Weslee Byers?
This witness testified that Destin locked eyes with him for 10–15 seconds during the robbery and was smiling at what was happening.
Who is Weslee Byers?
This is the only charge filed against Destin Henderson.
What is Robbery (Fla. Stat. § 812.13)?
Hargrove criticizes Harrington for powdering for fingerprints before searching for DNA, which can contaminate samples, and notes this owner's prints were notably absent from the gun.
Who is Edward Munson?
This form of questioning occurs when an attorney interrogates their own witness on the stand to present evidence and build their case.
What is direct examination?
This is the defendant on trial; he is the teenager accused of driving the getaway car in the Byers Goods robbery.
Who is Destin Henderson?
This cooperating witness, facing 10–25 years, got a plea deal for probation of no more than 5 years in exchange for testimony, and says Munson tucked cash into Destin's pocket and said, "Welcome to the Club."
Who is Landry Sinclair?
The robbery took place at this family-owned business, formerly an abandoned 7-Eleven.
What is Byers Goods ("the Eleven")?
Officer Buckley testified he saw this on Henderson's ribs, and that what he saw was consistent with a gun being pressed against him (though it faded before booking and was never photographed).
What is redness/a bruise on his side?
In a criminal trial, this side (the one with the burden of proof) gives its opening statement first, calls its witnesses first, and closes first.
Who is the Prosecution (the State)?
This witness, the defense's forensic expert, is paid $500/hour and has invested 35 hours, for a total of $17,500 plus a $2,500 flat fee, which the prosecution can use to argue bias.
Who is Dr. Max Hargrove?
This exhibit, a Ten of Swords tarot card, was found in the front pocket of Henderson's backpack, and Harrington found a 12-point match to Henderson's right pinky on its face.
What is Exhibit 12?
This is the gang that Weslee Byers says moved into Hawkins and whose members wear white shirts and horned-devil tattoos.
What is the Hellfire Club?
Destin's duress story is supported by the fact that this item, the Ten of Swords, appeared in his backpack wallet without his knowledge, per Sinclair's testimony that Munson planted it there.
What is the calling card / the initiation card?
On cross-examination, these types of questions that begin with words like "Isn't it true that…", are permitted, but aren't allowed on direct-examination because they suggest the answer.
What are leading questions?
This police officer admitted he lied to Sinclair during interrogation, telling him gang evidence and Henderson's cooperation existed when he wasn't sure.
Who is Officer Rory Buckley?
These text messages, Exhibit 10, show Munson writing "the initiate is driving" — evidence the State uses to argue Destin was a willing participant completing gang initiation.
What are the texts between Landry Sinclair and Edward Munson?
These two sentencing enhancements attach to the robbery charge.
What are the Firearm enhancement and Criminal Gang enhancement?
This physical item, found hanging in the backseat of the Tesla, supports Destin's claim that he planned to change out of his white shirt before the party.
What is the damp shirt (Defendant's white T-shirt alternative / Exhibit 7 context)?
This is the first thing each side delivers at trial: a roadmap of the case that is not evidence, as the jury instructions expressly state.
What is an opening statement?
This witness is the crime scene technician who collected the fingerprints and hair samples, and whose report is Exhibit 17.
Who is Shiloh Harrington?
This is the name of the podcast where Hargrove said he'd "testify for a guilty man eight days a week" and that "there is no such thing as a bad not guilty verdict" — ammunition for impeaching his credibility.
What is Ray's Review?
This affirmative defense is the heart of Henderson's case; he claims Munson put a gun to his side and forced him to drive.
What is duress?
Stipulation 14 states this about Destin Henderson's body; this is evidence the defense could use to argue he was not a Hellfire Club member, since Byers testified all members have horned-devil tattoos.
What is Destin has no tattoos?
This objection applies when a witness testifies to an out-of-court statement offered for its truth.
What is hearsay?