Bolsa murder trial: Aaron Bendle’s mother testifies
Posted Sep 29, 2011 5:49 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Several witnesses took the stand on day seven of the Bolsa murder trial.
Nathan Zuccharato and Michael Roberto have pleaded not guilty to three counts of first-degree murder in a triple shooting at the restaurant, on New Year’s Day 2009.
On Thursday, court heard testimony from the man who owned the home where murder victim Aaron Bendle was held captive on New Years Eve 2008.
That witness testified he had no idea his home was being used to store a kidnapping victim.
Also taking the stand on Thursday was the mother of victim Aaron Bendle.
Eroca Bendle told the court it was New Year’s Eve 2008 when she last saw her son alive. Aaron had returned to his home where his mother also lived, accompanied by a man now known to be the Crown’s key witnesss, “MM”.
MM’s real name is protected by a publication ban. He’s been given immunity for his testimony in the case.
Eroca testified that she had no idea that while she was making idle chit-chat with M-M in her home, her son had already been kidnapped and was being forced to return to the house at gunpoint, to pick up a blackberry.
In addition, Court heard taped audio from a witness who watched 43-year-old innocent bystander Keni Su’a get gunned down and killed outside Bolsa restaurant.
The witness now suffers from a illness that impacts his memory, so the judge allowed the Crown to submit his statement from the day of the massacre, instead of having the man testify in court.
