Court Proceedings Summary — February 25, 2026

Section 1: Summary

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• Date: February 25, 2026
• Court: U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas, Fort Worth Division (with Dallas simulcast courtroom)
• Case: Prairieland Federal Trial — Day 4 (Trial Day 3)
• Judge: Mark Pittman
• Prosecution: Shawn Smith (AUSA), plus prosecution team
• Defense Attorneys Present:
• Cody Cofer and James Luster (Autumn Hill)
• Patrick McClain, Bradley John Sauer, Brian Matthew Bouffard (Zachary Evetts)
• Phillip Hayes (Benjamin “Champagne” Song)
• Chris Tolbert (Savanna Batten)
• J. Warren St. John and David Miles Brissette (Meagan Morris)
• MarQuetta A. Clayton (Maricela Rueda)
• Harmony Schuerman and Blake Ryan Burns (Elizabeth Soto)
• Leigh Davis (Ines Soto)
• Christopher Weinbel and Rachel Taft (Daniel “Des” Sanchez Estrada)
• Defendants Present: All nine defendants present
• Type of Proceeding: Jury trial — Continuation of government’s case-in-chief (Witnesses #3 through #6)

Key Takeaways

• Detention officer Reedy’s own testimony undermined prosecution narrative. On cross, he confirmed: no one threatened him, no one shot at him, no one tried to enter the facility, he saw no guns, and his prior written statement claiming 20 people was authored by someone else and he had never seen it.
• FBI lead agent Whithorn conceded key defense points under cross-examination. He confirmed: no evidence of a break-in (initially reported), only 1 shooter (initially thought multiple), no photos of firework damage, no “no trespassing” signs, the person in the green mask did not fire until after Gross drew his weapon, and it is lawful to defend someone else’s life. He testified that the FBI does not investigate political groups, but researched Sikes’ membership in the Revolutionary Communists of America, and testified that having a firearm at a protest is not illegal.
• Prosecution redirect revealed 11 rifle shell casings were recovered, 3 from Gross’s weapon. This is notable new detail on the physical evidence.
• Daytime protest organizer Nelida Frias testified the July 4 daytime protest was peaceful, collaborative with law enforcement, and that the woman in the pink hat “was not aggressive in any way.” She testified that guns, legal observers, or medics at a protest would not be unusual, and that she would have had a problem with a police officer pointing a gun at her at a protest. She testified that she did not know other protestors prior to meeting them at the protest, and that if a protest happens without permission from law enforcement, it is no less legitimate
• FBI cell phone analyst’s 180-page report showed defendants’ phones were primarily at their homes and workplaces. Several phones ceased transmitting around 9-10pm on July 4 (consistent with being turned off or placed in Faraday bags). Critically, Daniel Sanchez Estrada’s phone was never near the 56th St. address or Prairieland on July 3 or July 4.
• Prosecutor repeatedly referred to Autumn Hill by her previous name “Arnold” during Agent Page’s testimony — contrary to the judge’s prior instruction to use legal names.
• Judge addressed jury strikes request: has never disclosed strikes in his records; Northern District judges do not do this. Only available under a Batson challenge (a challenge alleging racial discrimination in jury selection), which was not made. Attorney Burns asked for juror numbers without names; judge said file a motion. Judge said it was too late for a Batson challenge.
• Pre-sentencing reports are now available for attorney viewing across the hallway at pretrial services.
• Tomorrow (Feb 26): Prosecution will continue with body cam and dash cam from other officers, a “bunch of witnesses,” and physical exhibits related to items found in backpacks (prosecution characterized these as related to “Antifa”; judge had asked for clarification).
• Schedule discussion: Judge considering 30-minute lunches and ending at 3pm to accommodate jurors with long drives. Each side has 35 hours total but judge willing to give 10 extra minutes.

Narrative Summary

Pre-Trial Matters (~8:50 AM)

Judge Pittman entered at approximately 8:50 AM. He announced that pre-sentencing reports requested by counsel are ready and available. He noted that a witness coming up today would be introducing 33 exhibits, and the defense planned to object to several; the judge said he would address objections as they came up. He also reminded the courtroom: “No sleeping in the courtroom.”

Attorney Cofer raised questions about an upcoming witness involving Song. The judge said he would address this during the next break. Cofer also again raised the issue of courtroom seating and the displacement of defendants’ families, noting there are 80 seats available in the Dallas simulcast courtroom.

Attorney introductions were made. The jury entered.

Witness #3: Officer Dekeithan Reedy — Prairieland Detention Officer

Prosecution Direct: Officer Reedy was employed at Prairieland Detention Center on July 4, 2025, contracted through LaSalle. His duties included supervision of detained individuals. He worked the 5:30 PM–6:00 AM shift, 2–5 days per week, and had been employed there for approximately 2 years (1.5 at the time of the incident).

He testified that around 10–11 PM, his lieutenant (or sergeant — notes vary) told him to step outside to investigate a commotion. He saw 4 people along the fence line, wearing all black with face coverings. Someone had a bullhorn and was speaking in Spanish, but Reedy — who knows some Spanish — could not make out the words. He told them to leave, stating it was private property. Detention Center detained individuals were gathered at the dorm windows looking out.

Reedy heard sounds he described as fireworks but could not see them. He did not see anyone in the tree line. Sergeant Hart radioed to call Alvarado PD — it was the first time Reedy had ever seen police respond to the facility. He was unarmed, not wearing a bulletproof vest, and possibly carrying pepper spray.

Reedy ran to catch up with Hart. He began to see more than 4 people. He saw a bright flashlight he thought was a signal. In the employee parking lot, 2 people in black ran toward him. He stepped aside. They did not say anything to him and ran past. He saw police lights arrive. He pointed toward a person standing by a gate who was not moving, yelling to the officer: “There’s someone right there!” He then heard rapid gunfire, heard the officer say “Oh, God!” and assumed the officer was shot. He was 10–15 feet from Lt. Gross, saw a muzzle flash from one point, and ran. He described himself as “absolutely terrified” and in fear for his life.

Court note-taker observed that the prosecution was “asking so many leading questions.”

Cross-Examination (Attorney MarQuetta Clayton, for Maricela Rueda): Reedy confirmed this was his first time working at the facility on July 4th. Clayton confronted him with a prior written statement claiming he saw 20 people. Reedy said he only recalled 3–4 people. He testified that he had never seen the written statement and did not know who wrote it for him. He confirmed:

• He did not see people in the tree line
• He did not receive any threats
• He did not see anyone trying to get into the facility
• No one shot at him
• The 2 individuals running in the parking lot did not run at or into him, said nothing to him, and were not the same as the original 4 at the fence line
• The area where people were running was the only road in and out of the facility
• He was unsure whether he saw Lt. Gross draw his weapon

Witness was excused but subject to recall.

Witness #4: FBI Special Agent Clark Whithorn — Lead Investigator

Prosecution Direct: Agent Whithorn, the FBI lead investigator (also identified in some notes as “Smith” — Note-taker RM’s notes refer to “Mr. Smith, FBI – lead investigator” while other note-takers consistently say “Whithorn” or “Clark”; this appears to be the same witness), established the Prairieland Detention Center layout using maps and exhibits, identifying Sunflower Lane, Tanglewood, Burnett Road, and Highway 67.

Whithorn narrated the 911 call from Sergeant Hart, in which Hart said she thought people were shooting fireworks and that “they’re outside walking the perimeter.” He then narrated Lt. Gross’s dashcam and body cam footage:

• On the body cam (Ex. 3), the prosecution highlighted someone yelling “get to the rifles” as Gross pulled up, then again as Gross opened his door
• Whithorn identified 4 subjects on video right before the gunshots
• Defense objections (hearsay, leading) were overruled; the defense also sought to take Whithorn on voir dire regarding his personal knowledge, but the judge did not allow it

Whithorn then narrated extensive CCTV footage from multiple angles:

• Liz Soto’s silver SUV was visible on CCTV (Ex. 10) making 3 passes on Tanglewood over the course of the evening, 30–45 minutes before the shooting. No activity was visible in the area 44 minutes prior to the SUV first appearing.
• Multiple CCTV angles showed individuals in black arriving in groups: first 5, then 6, then 8–9, eventually approximately 13. Whithorn described fireworks being shot “at the facility,” “toward the fence line,” and “above the facility,” using terms like “artillery shell” and “mortar style.” Note-taker ES observed the prosecution “repeatedly use military-esque vocabulary to describe them.”
• The judge agreed the firework footage was becoming “unnecessarily repetitive” and told the prosecution to streamline, but overruled the defense’s objection.
• Less than 3 minutes before the shooting, Whithorn counted 3 silhouettes, later testified that on the CCTV there were a total of 13 individuals in black clothing.
• CCTV also showed the daytime protest (Ex. 6) and 2 individuals walking toward a white Jeep registered to Maricela Rueda at the 56th St. address (Ex. 75 — photo of Jeep admitted).

Jury excused at 10:18 AM for argument on exhibit objections. Cofer pre-announced objections to exhibits 152, 159, 163–172, 175, 178, and 207 (agent identified as sponsoring witness).

Judge addressed jury strikes: He stated he has never disclosed strikes in his records; Northern District judges do not do this. Strikes are only made available if there is a Batson challenge (a challenge alleging racial discrimination in jury selection), “which we don’t have here.” Attorney Burns asked to know which juror numbers were stricken; the judge said to file a motion. The judge stated it was too late to make a Batson challenge.

Return at 10:43 AM. Additional CCTV footage narrated, showing flashlights, groups of individuals, and more fireworks. The judge sustained an objection that Whithorn was repeating testimony.

Cross-Examination (Attorney Cody Cofer, for Autumn Hill): Whithorn confirmed he organized evidence, wrote reports, and conducted interviews — including of defendants Seth Sykes and Nathan Baumann. Neither Sykes nor Baumann interviews were recorded. Cofer established:

• People at Prairieland made noise with fireworks and a bullhorn
• All fireworks were shot from the tree line; no one ran up to the fence to throw fireworks over, though nothing prevented them from doing so
• There were no photos or evidence of damage from fireworks
• The evidence showed 13 people, but it was difficult to see them; other colors besides black may have been present but it was nighttime
• Having a firearm at a protest is not illegal — Whithorn agreed
• It is lawful to defend someone else’s life — Whithorn agreed
• There were no “no trespassing” signs and no purple paint indicating private property boundaries
• The person in the green mask did not shoot at the unarmed detention officers before the armed police officer pulled up
• No shot was fired until Gross pulled his gun — “That’s what Gross testified”

Cross-Examination (Attorney McClain, for Zachary Evetts): Whithorn confirmed the FBI operates on probable cause, not beyond a reasonable doubt. He initially believed someone was trying to break in — now known to be false. He initially thought there were multiple shooters — now known to be false (only 1 shooter). He initially thought there were multiple injured — now known to be false (only 1 injured). He acknowledged that when evidence contradicts a theory, you change the theory.

Cross-Examination (Attorney Hayes, for Song): The alleged shooter was not hiding — the mask was reflective, and the person was standing next to a reflective wagon. Whithorn was present at the grand jury. Video shows the first shots hit the ground. Whithorn confirmed law enforcement training is to not shoot unless you have to, and if you do, you neutralize the threat. Only 1 gunshot shell casing was found at the scene (from the alleged shooter). “Is it ever okay to shoot in the back? – depends on situation.”

Cross-Examination (Attorney Burns, for Liz Soto): The silver SUV identification was based on likeness — the license plate was not visible on camera and the make could not be confirmed as a Subaru. The car was half a mile from the scene. Liz Soto could not have walked that distance in the 3 minutes between the SUV being seen and fireworks starting. Whithorn testified that the FBI does not investigate people for political beliefs, but criminal acts. He acknowledged Seth Sykes was identified as being part of the Revolutionary Communists of America and concedes that it is not a criminal organization.

Prosecution Redirect: Whithorn said the Soto vehicle was seen circling 3 times and it was “possible” individuals were dropped off. Liz Soto’s car was parked farthest away but near the others. He opined that Gross acted “extremely reasonable” given the totality of circumstances — a 911 call about a break-in, graffiti, and a person running from corrections officers. Regarding property lines, Whithorn said there was evidence of knowledge of boundaries in Signal chats where defendants discussed the boundary lines. On shell casings: 11 rifle shell casings were recovered, 3 from Gross’s weapon.

Lunch break at 11:40 AM. Judge quoted Matt Damon and told a funny story. He noted that recross was taking longer than anticipated. Each side has 35 hours. The judge stated he would be flexible with an extra 10 minutes if needed.

Afternoon Session — Whithorn Recross (continued after lunch, ~12:45 PM)

The judge returned, noting only 5 or 6 people were in the Dallas simulcast courtroom.

Recross of Whithorn (Cofer): Whithorn confirmed his opinion that Gross acted appropriately from a law enforcement perspective, but also testified that: law enforcement’s job is not to escalate at a protest; a person at a peaceful protest faces no risk of being shot or killed by law enforcement. The time between Gross exiting his car and the shooting was approximately 3 seconds. Whoever was outside and saw Gross draw his gun had the same amount of time — though Whithorn noted “they were there a while.” and testified that Lt Gross’s gun was not visible on camera.

Witness subject to recall.

Witness #5: Nelida Quirina Media Frias — Protest Organizer

Prosecution Direct: Ms. Frias is a project manager who helped organize a peaceful protest on July 4, 2025, from 10 AM to 12 PM outside the Prairieland Detention Center in Alvarado. She organized through the Facebook group “DFW Peaceful Protest” using Facebook Messenger and a digital flyer with a map.

The flyer (Ex. 7) and a protest photo (Ex. 8) were admitted. The map showed a “red area” where protests were “allowed,” determined by word of mouth from a prior organizer and from a correctional officer at Prairieland who placed cones to mark the demonstration area. The protest had opening remarks, ground rules, statistics about migrants, and identified coordinators responsible for safety and deescalation.

Frias described the weather as hot — protesters wore shorts and hats. No face coverings, no weapons, no body armor were visible. She noted one attendee who seemed unusual: wearing dark long pants, long sleeves, and a face-obscuring mask in the heat. The man introduced himself as “John.” A woman with a pink hat accompanied him. John walked past the cones toward the facility. Frias confronted the woman in the pink hat about staying behind the cones. The woman became combative and yelled to the group: “How are we allowing these cones to repress us?” She then left. Three individuals (John, the woman in the pink hat, and a third person — possibly the woman’s sister) departed together.

Police showed up twice. Frias described the relationship as collaborative: “They were keeping everyone safe… we coexisted mutually.” Officers reiterated where protesters were allowed to be. One officer gave Frias his card. The second time officers came was because someone had gone past the cones.

The protest had about 15 people. They had a megaphone but Frias did not recall using it. Protesters were yelling, wanting the detainees inside to hear them. The Facebook post referenced legal observers and volunteer medics.

Cross-Examination (Attorney Luster, for Autumn Hill): The purpose of the protest was to highlight injustices at the facility. The Facebook post’s call for medics was normal at protests. One woman in the group photo was wearing all black. When asked if she would be held responsible if someone began destroying property, Frias said she didn’t know.

Cross-Examination (Attorney Hayes, for Song): The 50501 group (“50 protests, 50 states, 1 movement”) started “No Kings” day. Frias denied it was directed at any specific individual (Trump) — “No, just kings.” She had been in the DFW Peaceful Protests group for about a year. The red line on the protest map was not physically delineated on the land. Her interaction with law enforcement was professional, but she acknowledged it would have been different if an officer had pointed a gun at a protester — “If peaceful, yes, that’s a problem.”

Cross-Examination (Attorney Clayton, for Maricela Rueda): Why July 4? “We felt by everything we know, people were not being treated fairly. Rights violated, so celebrating freedom is appropriate. It feels American.” The Facebook post referenced legal observers — desired to have people with different skills in case anything happened. The cones were physical cones placed by someone from Prairieland. The woman in the pink hat did not interrupt Frias, did not threaten her, did not push or attack — “She was not aggressive with me in any way.” She left after the conversation and did not go past the cones again.

Cross-Examination (Attorney Tolbert, for Savanna Batten): Frias did not recognize Batten from the protest. She chose Prairieland because it was the closest detention center and she believed there was inhumane treatment at the facility. She was proactive with law enforcement. If a protest happens without reaching out to law enforcement, that does not make it less legitimate. She met almost everyone at the protest for the first time that day.

Prosecution Redirect: The medic pack contained basic first aid items: water, bandaids, Neosporin, supplies for sprains, and sanitizing wipes.

Recross (Attorney Burns): Asked whether she would need “a medic to apply bandaids” — witness appeared to be minimizing the significance of the medic request.

Witness #6: FBI Special Agent Taylor Page — Cell Phone Records Analyst

Prosecution Direct: Special Agent Taylor Page, FBI, based in Dallas, is part of the violent crimes task force. Note-takers differ on his tenure — ES notes 8 years, JM notes 4 years. He specializes in analysis of cell records as part of the FBI’s Cellular Analyst Survey Team (CAST), a national network of 90–100 cell phone investigators. He analyzed call detail records (CDRs) — cell tower pings used to geographically locate and map phone movements — for all defendants’ cell phones. A subset of records called “engineering records” exist even when a phone is not being actively used, and include distance measurements from cell towers. The data shows parties involved and location, but not the content of calls or messages.

Exhibits 200 (180-page raw data report) and 201 (summary exhibit) were admitted. Page walked through location data for each defendant’s phone on July 3–5, 2025:

• Autumn Hill (phone #0065): At/near 56th St. house all of July 3 and all day July 4. One outgoing phone call at approximately 4:07–4:10 PM on July 4. July 5: phone had not moved, no incoming or outgoing activity.
• Savanna Batten (phone #2503): July 3 at her residence. July 4: at/near her residence from 12 AM–12:50 PM, then near 820/Jacksboro Hwy for approximately 8 hours (9 AM–5 PM, consistent with work). Home by 6:01 PM. At 8:47 PM, incoming call from Ines Soto. 8:55 PM: phone travels away from home. 9:06–9:32 PM: moving from 820 area to near downtown. 9:42–10:05 PM: southbound travel to Alvarado area. 10:10–10:21 PM: near PDC. After 10:21 PM, signals stop — could have been turned off, put in airplane mode, or placed in a Faraday bag.
• Liz Soto (phone #0913): July 3: at home near 820/Hwy 20. July 4: 3:15–4:39 PM at home, then travels to a shopping center. 7:06–8:34 PM: returns home. 8:49 PM: starts traveling toward PDC. 10:10 PM: near PDC. 10:10 PM: ceases communication with network — 11 minutes before Batten’s phone goes off.
• Zachary Evetts (phone #2425/2426): July 3: near Waxahachie Sports Complex 7:37–10:30 PM, returns home by 11:13 PM. July 4: 9:07 AM–12:02 PM no connection with network. 12:30–2 PM phone travels northwest, text received at 1:35 PM. 1:56 PM: travels home. 4:26–9:12 PM: at home. 9:12 PM: ceases records.
• Meagan Morris (phone #8667/9667): July 3 and July 4 at/near 56th St. address (consistent with Autumn Hill’s phone). July 4: device goes dark at 9:03 PM.
• Daniel “Des” Sanchez Estrada (phone #4431): July 3: at home in Garland (2510 Dove Meadow Dr.). July 4: 1:20 PM not home but close, 1:31 PM in East Dallas, 3:53 PM moves toward Sunnyvale/Garland. 4:06–9:01 PM in Far East Dallas. Sanchez’s phone was never near 56th St. or Prairieland on July 3 or July 4. July 5: 12:10 PM calls Rueda (Rueda was in custody by this time, which Sanchez was apparently unaware of). 12:39 PM moves west. 1:31–7:01 PM at/near Rueda’s residence in Fort Worth. 7:10 PM heads east. His phone transmissions did not stop at any point — he was not hiding his location. Home by 9:22pm in Garland. July 6: 12pm-2pm travels to Denton.
• Benjamin “Champagne” Song (phone #0795): July 3: at Song’s address, then moves to 56th St., arriving by 8:36 PM. July 4: leaves 56th St. 7:44 AM, goes to Song’s home address in West Dallas. Home through 11:07 AM. 12 PM–2:34 PM leaves and returns home. Stays until 5:50 PM. 7:34–8:45 PM: goes to 56th St. address. 9:01 PM: phone goes dark. 11:25 PM: signal picks back up at Prairieland area through 5:44 PM on July 5. July 5: phone is 6 miles from Prairieland area. July 6: 9:09 AM in North Dallas. July 7: last communications from device, near 635 & 75 in N. Dallas.
• Maricela Rueda (phone #2107): July 3: at Rueda’s house. 3:20 PM moves north. Returns home. 5 PM near PDC (5:22–6:09 PM near but not at PDC, 6:18–6:51 PM possibly at PDC). Returns home by 9 PM. 9:43–9:57 PM traveling south toward Alvarado. July 4: 9:34 AM leaves home, 9:57 AM moving toward Prairieland, 10 AM–11:22 AM at or near Prairieland (consistent with daytime protest). Home by 1:25 PM. 4:01–6:53 PM near house. 7:56 PM at 56th St. residence. Phone stays at 56th St. through 12:10 PM on July 5 when it receives call from Sanchez.
• Ines Soto: Phone was in the vicinity of Prairieland around 10:21 PM on July 4; activity similar to Liz Soto and Savanna Batten.
• Susan Kent: At/near 56th St. address at 12:18–12:19 AM on July 4. Phone leaves 56th St. house after that.
• Joy Gibson: July 3: at Song/Gibson house 7:40–4:13 PM, then goes to 56th St. July 4: 9:15 PM goes dark.

Emergency break at 2:00 PM — the judge had a personal matter. Court resumed between 2:15 and 2:25 PM. Judge Pittman returned and gave candy/treats to the jury. Note-taker ES commented: “What is he bringing them? Isn’t there no food in the courtroom?”

Agent Page continued through remaining phone data. Note-takers observed that the courtroom was losing attention: “All are bored, judge may be sleeping” (ES). One note-taker recorded that the judge nodded off during a break. A jury member was seen grinning at one point.

Key observation from note-taker ES: “180-page report of cellular data compiled by FBI special agent shows defendants’ phones were frequently at their places of residence and places of work!”

Break at 3:43 PM, back at 4:01 PM.

Cross-Examination (Attorney Weinbel, for Sanchez Estrada): Weinbel established that Sanchez’s phone was never near 56th St. or PDC. On July 5, Sanchez was in Garland, made an outgoing call to Rueda at 12:10 PM — Rueda was already in custody. Sanchez then traveled from Garland to Fort Worth (~1:30–7 PM). Was Sanchez hiding his location or using a Faraday bag? No — his transmissions never stopped. Page analyzed 11 phones total. He did not personally obtain the warrant; “someone did.” When asked whether a warrant is needed for cell phone data, Page responded: “Except in certain circumstances” (referring to exigent circumstances).

Cross-Examination (Attorney Davis, for Ines Soto): Agent Page did not independently research Ines Soto’s or Liz Soto’s addresses — those were provided by other agents.

Witness excused. Jury dismissed.

End-of-Day Matters

After the jury was dismissed, Judge Pittman discussed scheduling. He is considering shortening lunches to 30 minutes and ending the day around 3:00–3:30 PM because some jurors have long drives. He will think about it and may ask the jurors directly. Each side has 35 hours.

Pre-sentencing reports are available for attorney viewing across the hallway at pretrial services.

Tomorrow (February 26): The prosecution will continue with witnesses. The judge asked whether upcoming evidence/witnesses would relate to proving the case regarding “Antifa.” The prosecutor clarified it would be related to items found in backpacks. The prosecution also plans to present body cam and dash cam footage from other officers and described a “bunch of witnesses” for the day.

Incidents and Atmosphere

• Dallas courtroom nearly empty: Only 5–6 people in Dallas by the afternoon session. The judge noted seats had opened up in Fort Worth.
• Judge gave candy/treats to the jury after the emergency break despite no food allowed in courtroom.
• Judge may have fallen asleep: Multiple note-takers recorded that the judge appeared to nod off during Agent Page’s lengthy cell phone data testimony. One note-taker wrote: “All are bored, judge may be sleeping.” Another recorded: “Break — Judge nodded off.”
• Prosecution used dead name for Autumn Hill: During Agent Page’s testimony, the prosecutor repeatedly said “Arnold” rather than “Autumn Hill,” contrary to the judge’s prior instruction that their legal name be used.
• Prosecution’s use of military language for fireworks was noted: repeatedly describing common consumer fireworks as “mortar style,” “artillery shell,” etc.A note-taker flagged this as a key takeaway.
• Judge told defense “Is the juice worth the squeeze?” after a defense objection during Reedy’s testimony, seeming to imply the defense should limit its objections on background testimony.
• Jury member seen grinning during one portion of testimony (noted by ES note-taker).
• Judge quoted Matt Damon and told a story about another judge before the lunch break.

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Section 2: Full Notes

Note-Taker ES — PM Session (2026_2_25 ES.pdf)

PM_ES
2/25/2026

** illegible words in bold

Judge returns

• Only 5 or 6 people in Dallas – Seats opened up

Cross ex of A Cofer

• re: Gross pulling his weapon – From Law enforcement perspective that Gross acted appropriately – Opinion that peaceful have no risks – Sometimes responds with excessive force – His experience + training + field observations inform his understanding – Re time: 3 seconds that Gross got out of his car – Gross’s gun was not visible on camera / o

States witness Ms. Nelida Quirina Media Frias – project manager – Organized a peaceful protest from 10-12am at All outside of PDC – Objection overruled

• How did you organize the protest? – Sees Facebook post/Facebook messenger – Exhibit 7 pg 1 — admitted – Facebook post with flyer + map attached – How did you become aware of PD? Fb group – Map shows the area where protests were “allowed” — determined by word of mouth – Red/black flyer for protest – Exhibit 8: Photo of protest from early on during opening remarks, grovad rules, coordinators, allowed area, stats re. migrants – short sleeves, hats for hot weather – Any face coverings: not in this image, no – All coordinators were responsible for safety/deescalation – Weapons? No body armor? No – Would that have surprised you? It would have alerted me – Shows photo to clarify allowed areas – Kept an eye on him because he was wearing long pants, not standard face mask, he looked like a man – Man introduced himself as John – Exhibit 8 frame 1: image, witness identifies pink hat – John marched past the cones — woman in the pink hat was angry when addressed about not passing the cones – Objection — personal knowledge
• Two women who arrived together – Police arrived at two times – Witness spoke to the police, on good terms – Police called when people were walking past the cones – 49:30 wanted detainees to hear them – No noise elements but they were yelling – Interaction with law enforcement was collaborative — they were there to ensure safety + we were there to exercise their rights – 15ish people

Cross ex by AJ Lustor

• Purpose to highlight injustices – Hoping for people inside to be able to hear you – Ex. 7 (fb post) — any medics that would like to volunteer to be medics / it would be normal to have medics at a protest – Exhibit group photo: woman is wearing all black – Would you be held responsible if someone began destroy property? Idk

Cross ex by A Hayes

• 50501 — associated with anti Trump but she denies No Kings is directed at the individual – DFW peaceful protests – Is there a professional protest group? – Wanted to know about movements in her area? Member for 1 year – Red line was not delineated on the land – Interaction with law enforcement was professional but would have been different

Cross ex by AM Clayton

• Significance of July 4: symbolic of freedom – Why did you choose July 4? Knew people were not being given dignity. A day that represents freedom etc – Facebook post references legal observers – Were desired to have people with different skills just in case anything happened – An individual from PDC the cones – Woman did not interrupt + did not threaten her. She was not aggressive in any way. She left after the conversation

Cross ex by AC Tolbert

• That “sounds like a great day to protest” – Chose PDC because of location – Met almost all of them for the first time on that day

Redirect

• First aid kid (water, sprained ankle, bandaids, Neosporin, sanitizing wipes)

Recross A Burns

• Would you need a minute to apply bandaids?

State’s witness: special agent Taylor Page

• FBI Special Agent in Dallas – 8 years – Violent crimes task force in Dallas – Specialty: analysis of cell records – Call detail records (cell towers to geographically locate + visualize on a map) – Data received from cell phones of all defendants present – Shows cover page from report 0065 – Shows page 2 — explains how the conduct research – Next page shows how secors used to locating phones – Subset of cell records — engineering records that exist even when cell is not being used (includes distance measure) – Data shows parties involved + location but not content of calls – Geographic overview – Exhibit 200 raw data (180 pg report) / 201 summary exhibit — admitted – Page 7 — map of Verizon cell towers
• 56th street residents – # ending 0065 — device stays at 56th residence OR nearby – 46 + 56 operating signals used to identify intersection of timing events

Emergency Break until 2:15

—————————————————————————————————————————

Pittman returns by giving candy/treats to the jury
“What is he bringing them? Isn’t there no food in the courtroom?”

State’s witness continued

• Showing time maps + pings over time to determine location/movement of photo – Data sessions from wifi use – 6:36 the device is at/near 56th St – Prosecutor keeps saying “Arnold” rather than Autumn Hill – Phone is on and at/near the house on July 4 – Only one outgoing phone call – July 5 data map shows that the phone has not moved – No incoming or outgoing – #2503 — Batten – July 3 show this phone was located near/at Batten’s residence – July 4 12am 12:50pm phone is near/at Batten’s residence – 8 hours from 9-5 phone is near 820 to Jacksboro Hwy – 8:47 incoming call from Ines Soto – 9:06-9:32pm — moving from 820 loop to near downtown – 9:42-10:05 shows south bound travel to Alvarado – Then near DC 10:12-10:21 – After 10:21 signals stop (could have been turned off, put in airplane mode, or placed in faraday bag)
• Liz Soto – Near 820/7:08 (about) 12 – Hwy 20 phone moves + returns to at/near Soto residence – 2:26pm — incoming call – 4:39pm — device moves away from 7:08 – 8:44PM leaves shopping center + travels toward Soto residence – 8:49pm — starts traveling towards PDC – 10:10pm — close to PDC – 10:10 — ceased communication with the network
• #2425 – Evetts – July 3 7:37 – 10:30 near Waxahachie Sports Complex – July 3 — 1:13pm phone returns to area at/near Evetts residence – July 4 — 8:58AM, 9:07am no connection with network – No transmission until 12:02 – 12:38pm-2:00pm, 1:35 incoming text – Travel from phone moving – 8:12pm — no connection with network
• #8667 — “mr. Morris” – July 3 + July at/near 56th St – July 4 0:03PM — last transmission / no more connection with network
• # — Sanchez – July 3 12am-0:02am — address 2510 Dove Meadow Dr. – 9:21AM — 5G site prevented distance from being tracked – 9:31AM — – 11:45-11:53PM east
• Return to Sanchez residence – July 3 1:20pm – July 4 3:51pm. Move near Sunnyvale Garland – July 4 4:06pm-9:02 — Far east Dallas – July 4 9:18pm – 12 – July 5 1am-Noon – July 5 12:10pm – Sancez calls Rueda – July 5 12:39pm – moving west – July 5 1:36pm – near/at Ruedas address – July 5 5:23 PM – 701pm — at/near Rueda residence – July 5 7:10pm – East of FW

Song

• Smaller cell tower with 360 degree signal detector on top — smaller radius – Movement along I 30 – Phone is now traveling back to 56th St – 8:25pm Device has now moved away – 9-2 – July 4 – 11:57am – departs home address – July 4 – 7:38pm-8:11pm – July 4 – 8:45pm – July 4 – 9:01pm – stops transmitting signals – July 4 – 11 near PDC – July 4 9:30 last signaling event? – July 6 – 9:08am – July 7 – before 8am – N Dallas – 1 Incoming missed calls

Rueda

• 12:13am – July 3 3:20pm – 360 degree tower – moves to the North – July 3 – returns back home – July 3 – 5pm – PDC – July 3 5:22-6:09 – near but not at PDC – July 3 – 6:18-6:51 PDC — Rueda’s residence – July 3 around 9pm – Rueda residence – No data available from 6:51 – 9 – Implied this was likely due to AT&T data aggregation process – 9:43-9:57 traveling south towards Alvarado – July 4 10am-11:22 at/near PDC – July 4 4:01pm 6:53pm near Rueda residence – July 4 7:22pm 130 to East FW – July 4 8pm at/near 56th St – Song device arrives within the next hour – July 4 – device likely at 56th residence

Break — Judge nodded off

Key take away: 180 page report of cellular data compiled by FBI special agent shows Defendants phones were frequently at their places of residence _ places of work!

—————————————

Special Agent Page continues

[Note-taker annotation: Missed all are bored, judge may be sleeping]

Soto

• p179 – Home _ work address shown on map – July 4 data show data moved down to the south in Alvarada at 10:05 – Consistent travel route with Liz Soto _ Savanna Batten – Phone stops transmitting signal

Susan Kent

• At/near 56th St address 12:19am – p136

Cross ex by A2 for Sanchez

• Did Sanchez mt near 56th St or PDC? No – P76 — Sanchez in Garland July 5, makes outgoing call 12:10pm – Ms. Rueda was in custody – Sanchez goes from Garland to Fort Worth 1:30pm-7pm on July 5 – Is he hiding his location? Using a faraday bag? No – Analyze 11 phones — Did you get a warrant? Someone did? – Only analyzed at a – Would you need a warrant for this information? Except in certain circumstances

Cross ex by A Davis (Ines Soto)

• 2511 Skyline Drive — other agents provided this address – 2621 Calvin St — provided this information by others

Witness excused
Jury dismissed

———————————————

Judge sharing philosophy about times. Might consider only giving 30 min lunches + leaving early around 3. Some jurors have long drives

Pre sentencing Reports Available

Tomorrow the state will continue with witnesses. Witnesses/evidence to prove case re:antifa? Judge asks. Prosecutor clears up that it’s stuff related to what was found in backpacks.

[Note-taker annotation: Missed some]

---

Note-Taker JM — PM Session (20260225 JM PM.pdf)

Court Notes — Trial Day 3 PM, 2/25 (18 pages)

Page 1 — Cofer Re-Cross / Prosecution Direct Ms. Frias

Back in @ 12:48 Judge: only 5 or 6 ppl in Dallas

Cofer Re-Cross Whithorn

• Is it law enforcement’s job to ever escalate? — No
• If there is a person at a peaceful protest, are you saying there is no risk of getting killed/shot at a protest? — No
• Sometimes law enforcement officers are arrested for wrongful actions? — Objection, sustained
• Amount of time btw getting out of car & getting shot? — about 3 seconds
• ≈ Gross
• How long was Lt. Gross gun visible? — It’s not visible on camera

Prosecution Direct Ms. Frias — Naleda Frias (Media)

• Project Manager
• Organized peaceful protest 7/4/25 10am–12pm at Prairieland
• Part of “DFW Peaceful Protest” group on FB
• Coordinated protest w/ a few others on FB

Page 2 — Frias Direct (cont.)

• Shows FB post advertising the protest
• Blurb, flier, map of Prairieland
• Map shows red area which was designated protest area. Not allowed to go past that.
• Heard that from another organizer who had made a protest there before; also heard that from C.O.s on day of protest
• “No children in cages”
• Ex. 4 — Photo of protest
• Opening of protest
• Shared ground rules, outlined who the coordinators were
• Hot, wearing shorts. No faces covered.
• Not allowed to go off the part of the road they were on. It was coned off.
• She was part of policing the protestor conduct (all coordinators were)
• CCTV footage from day of protest
• Couldn’t go past cones
• Directed ppl not to park in parking lot
• Someone waving flag
• Prosecution points out a person in a pink hat & a man in green w/ a face mask, tactical backpack

Page 3 — Frias Direct (cont.)

• Kept an eye out on the person in green w/ the coordinators
• Mask wasn’t typical from the store, more intense
• Green w/ mask = man (named John)
• Pink hat = woman (recalls no name)
• On video see John walking toward cones
• She confronted woman in pink hat. Allowed protest area is behind the cones.
• Tells her to stay behind the cones
• “She became combative” — yelled to the group, “how are we allowing these cones to repress us?” And then she leaves.
• 3 individuals leave after that (John, pink hat, & a 3rd person)
• Who was 3rd person? Maybe her sister.
• Arrived together, seemed like they knew each other.
• Police showed up 2ce. Monitoring to make sure everything was safe & peaceful.
• She spoke to police who reiterated where they were allowed to be. 1 officer gave his card to her.
• 2nd time officer came b/c they heard someone had crossed the cones
  • She told officer they told them not to, and then those ppl left.

Page 4 — Frias Direct (cont.) /Autumn Hill Cross

• Had a megaphone, don’t remember using it.
• Collaborative with law enforcement
• “They were keeping everyone safe… we coexisted mutually”
• Was in Alvarado, doesn’t know if it was ARD
• Only ppl who left were those 3.

Autumn Hill Cross

• Ppl there were aware of injustices at the facility
• Point was to be heard by detainees? — Yes
• Could they hear you? — IDK
• Protest flier called for medics
• Normal to have medics at protest? — Yes
• There was someone there in black clothes
• Most protestors that day are in the image, not John
• If someone started spray painting or breaking windows, would that be your responsibility?
• It would be my responsibility to tell them not to.

Page 5 — Song Cross

• Flier posted to 50501 protest group on FB — Yes
• That is against Trump? — No
• Did it not start from No Kings? — IDK
• Is No Kings not against Trump? — No, just kings.
• DFW Peaceful Protests Group
• Ppl show up to several protests in the area
• Red line on map — There is no visual representation at the area
• If you didn’t see red line on map, how would you have known?
  • I would have asked.
• Your vibe w/ the officer was good? — Yes
• Would it have been different if he had pointed his gun at a protestor?
  • I would have had a problem w/ that

Page 6 — Maricela Rueda Cross / Savanna Batten Cross

Maricela Rueda Cross

• Why protest that day? — It’s Independence Day
• Why at Prairieland? — Human rights. It’s American to protest for human rights on that day.
• Why did you call for legal observers? — In case anything happens
• Who placed the cones? — A C.O. from Prairieland
• Did the lady in the pink hat interrupt your speech? — No
• Did she threaten you? — NO
• “She was not aggressive with me in any way”
• After your convo she left and did not go past the cones again? — Yes

Savanna Batten Cross

• Do you recognize Ms. Batten from the protest? — Don’t remember her.
• Didn’t know of any other protest in the area.
• That was a great day to protest
• Chose Prairieland b/c inhumane treatment at facility
• Communicated w/ law enforcement before
• If a protest happens w/o reaching out to law enforcement, is it less legitimate? — NO

Page 7 — Savanna Batten Cross (cont.) / Prosecution Redirect / Prosecution Call Agent Taylor Page

• Met almost everyone at the protest for the first time at the actual protest.

Prosecution Redirect

• What things would be in the medic pack?
• Like a first aid kit
• Bandaids, something to clean scrapes, stuff for dehydration

Prosecution Call Agent Taylor Page

• Special Agent w/ the FBI for 4 years
• Violent crimes task force in Dallas
• Part of national network of cell phone investigators w/ the FBI (90–100 ppl)
• Ex. 200
• Maps cellphone pings to cell phone towers
• P.1 = cover page of report
• Maintains master list of all the cellphone towers in the area; maps w/ cell phone pings of which phones were in a given area at a given time.
• Records can still track phones when not being used; can tell distance of phones from tower when they were used.

Page 8 — Agent Page Direct (cont.) — Phone ending 0065 (Autumn Hill’s)

• Maps
• Shows phone numbers of defendants in the case.
• Ex. 200 = raw data; Ex. 201 = summary exhibit
• Phone number 0065 — [later revealed to be Autumn Hill’s]
• 7/3/25 tracking distance measurement to track where phone was from 12pm–5pm that night.
• Was at a house in that area the whole night, likely.
• Device consistently stayed in the area

[Emergency break 2:00–2:25 — Judge had a personal matter]

• Device starts to move at 5pm. Moves from 56 St. house address area; reaches an area in NW Dallas around 5:43–5:45.
• Is in NW Dallas area at 6pm
• By 6:10 PM, phone moves back down south.
• Returns home to 56 St. around 6:36pm.
• Can’t say it was definitely at that address, but that address would be consistent.
• This is Autumn Hill’s phone
• 7/4 — Phone stays in 56 St. house area all day.
• Makes 1 outgoing phone call at 4:10 pm that day

Page 9 — Agent Page Direct (cont.) — Phone ending 2503 (Savanna Batten’s)

• 7/5 — phone stays there all day
• Can’t tell if/what phone applications are being used.

Phone Ending in 2503 [Savanna Batten Phone]

• Associated w/ Batten’s house & 56 St. address.
• 7/3 all day — data consistent w/ Savanna being at the house.
• 7/4
• 12AM–8:37AM → Phone consistent w/ Savanna house
• 9am–5pm → away from residence
• 5:10pm → Heads home
• 6:01pm–8:47pm → at home; incoming phone call @ 8:47pm from Ines Soto
• 8:55pm → phone travelling away from home
• 9:06pm–9:32pm → phone moving again
• 9:42pm → southbound travel
• 10:05pm → Device arrives in Alvarado area
• 10:10–10:21pm → Consistent w/ Prairieland facility
  • Ceases communication. Put in Faraday bag, possibly. Or could have been shut off.

Page 10 — Agent Page Direct (cont.) — Phone ending 0913 (Liz Soto’s)

Phone Ending in 0913 — [Liz Soto Phone]

• 7/3 — 12am–9pmish — consistent w/ being at home
• 6:13am–6:24am → travelling, goes to area btw 820 & Highway 20
• 7:05am–12:39pm → stays in that area
• 1:33pm → heads home to Soto house
• 7/4
• 3:15pm–4:39pm → device at home
  • then travels to shopping center until ~7:04pm
• 7:06pm–8:34pm → travels home
• 8:49pm–10:08pm → Heads to Alvarado; consistent timing w/ Batten’s phone
• 10:10pm → arc gets closer to facility, then ceases communication w/ network. Powered down or Faraday bag (11 min before Batten’s phone goes off)

Page 11 — Agent Page Direct (cont.) — Phone ending 2426 (Evetts’) / Phone ending 9667 (Meagan Morris’)

Phone Ending 2426 — [Evetts’ Phone]

• 7/03
• 3:46pm–6:15pm → at home
• 7:35pm → just past his residence then moves close to sports complex
• 10:30pm → still there. Thru
• By 11:13pm → Back at home thru 8:55am on
• 7/4
• 9:58am–12:30pm
  • No communications from 9:07am–12:02pm
• 12:30pm–2pm → phone travels northwest
  • Tex at 1:35pm
• 1:56pm → travels home
• 4:26pm–9:12pm → at home
  • 9:12 ceases records

Phone Ending 9667 — [Meagan Morris’ Phone]

• 7/03 — all day at 56 St. address (consistent w/ Autumn Hill’s)
• 7/04 — Device goes dark at 9:03pm

Page 12 — Agent Page Direct (cont.) — Phone ending 4431 (Des’ Phone)

Phone Ending 4431 — Des’ Phone

• 7/03
• 12am–9:02am → at Des’ house in Garland
  • 4:21am → 5G doesn’t collect distance here.
• 12:32pm → at Des’ house
• 1ish pm–11:39pm → in East Dallas
• 7/04
• Back home by 12:20am
• 1:20pm → Not home but close
• 1:31pm → East Dallas
• 3:53pm → move away toward Sunnyvale
• 4:06pm–9:01pm → Back in East Dallas
• 9:07pm → Leaving
• 9:16pm–12:30am → phone in overlapping area.
• 12:40am → back at home.
• 7/05
• 1am → afternoon → at home
• 12:10pm → Calls Maricela Rueda
• 12:39pm → for East Dallas, moving
• 1:31pm → Device is at Rueda’s house in FW
• 1:37pm–3:06pm → At Rueda residence
  • 2:42pm = outgoing call
• 3:15pm–5pm → several phone calls; no distances but phone has left Rueda residence
• 5:33pm–7:01pm → Back at Rueda residence

Page 13 — Agent Page Direct (cont.) — Des’ Phone (cont.) / Phone ending 0795 (Song’s)

• 7:10pm–7:45pm → Moves from Rueda address
• –9:15pm and is back in East Dallas
• 9:22pm–11:56am → Back home in Garland.
• 7/6
• 12pm–2pm → Leaves residence, travels
• 1:13pm → Near Denton

Phone Ending 0795 [Song’s Phone]

• 7/3
• 1:37am–9:22am → at Song’s address
• 4:42am–4:34pm → near 6 Flags
  • Then phone travels back home
• 9:17pm → Moves south, arrives at 56 St address at 8:36pm
• 7/4
• 2:24am–7:44am → Leaves 56 St & heads home to Song address in West Dallas
  • Home thru 11:07am
• 12pm → Phone leaves home, around West Grand Prairie thru 1:54pm
• 2pm–2:34pm → goes home. Stays there until 5:50pm
• 5:54pm → Not at home

Page 14 — Agent Page Direct (cont.) — Song’s Phone (cont.)

• 7:34pm–8:45pm → goes to 56 St. address
• 9:01pm → Phone goes dark.
• 11:25pm → signal picks back up at Prairieland in the area thru 5:44pm on 7/5
• 7/5
• 11:25am–4:05pm is 6 miles away from Prairieland.
• 9:15pm–9:30pm → Device moved a little more west, more toward 67 & 35 W intersection
• 7/6
• 9:09am–11:44pm → in N. Dallas, intersection Highway 635 & 75
• 7/7 — Last comms from this device
• 9am–1pm using N. Dallas tower, near 635 & 75

Page 15 — Agent Page Direct (cont.) — Phone ending 2107 (Maricela Rueda’s)

Phone Ending 2107 — [Maricela Rueda]

• 7/03
• 12:13am–9:26am → Rueda house
• 9:45am → in the neighborhood, Westover Hills
• In the area of the house thru 3:16pm
  • Goes north and is back home before 4pm
• 4:15pm–4:55pm → Travels to south of FW
• 5pm → Prairieland Detention Center or close to it.
  • Phone call incoming at 5:19pm
• 5:22–6:08pm → At Prairieland
• 6:18pm–6:51pm → going home
• 9:04pm → first time getting distance consistent w/ Rueda residence
  • Lapse in time b/c AT&T data aggregation, which is typical.
• 7/04
• Stays at residence over night.
• 9:34am → leaves home, travels south
• 9:57am → moving toward Prairieland
• 10AM–11:22am → at or near Prairieland
• 1:25pm → back home; leaves at 3:24pm
• 4:01pm–6:53pm → Near house
  • 6:53pm goes east of Dallas
• 7:56pm → at 56th St. Residence

Page 16 — Rueda Phone (cont.) / Break / Ines Soto Phone / Susan Kent Phone / Joy Gibson Phone

• Phone stays at 56 St thru 12:10pm on 7/5 when it receives call from Des.

Break at 3:43 — Back at 4:01

• Phone ? — Seems like Ines Soto phone
• Is in vicinity of Prairieland around 10:21; activity similar to that of Liz Soto & Savanna Batten on 7/4

Susan Kent Phone

• 7/3
• 7pm–9pm → at her house
• 4:23–9:42 → goes to 56 St House
• 7/4
• 12:18am → Phone leaves 56 St. House.

Joy Gibson Phone

• 7/3
• 7:40–4:13pm → at Song/Gibson house
  • Then goes to 56 St. House
• 7/4
• 9:15pm — Goes Dark

Page 17 — Des Lawyer Cross Page / Ines Soto Cross Page

Des Lawyer Cross Page

• I want to talk about Mr. Sanchez
• Never went to Morris/Arnold residence on 7/3
• Never went to Prairieland on 7/4
• P. 76
• 7/5 Sanchez at his Garland house
• Calls Rueda at 12:10pm
• Rueda was in custody on 7/5? — Not aware of that
  • So you’re not aware of the facts of the case? — loosely but not sure
• Sanchez in Ft. W for ~6 hrs on 7/5? — No
• No transmissions stop at any point.
• How many phones did you analyze? — 11
• Did you get a warrant? Not me, but someone did.
• Do you have to get a warrant for this info / for anyone using a cell phone? — If there’s exigent circumstances, you don’t need one

Ines Soto Cross Page

• Did not independently research Ines Soto’s address
• Did not independently research Liz Soto’s address (different)

Page 18 — End of Day / Scheduling / Tomorrow Preview

• Judge is going to let jury go early
• Discussion of timing
• Trial go 9–3:30/4 w/ small 30 min lunch?
• Go longer each day to not have to do more days?
• Judge will think about it; may ask jurors’ questions
• Pre-Sentencing Reports available for attorney viewing now. Across hallway at pretrial services.

Tomorrow:

• Body cam, dash cam from other cops
• “bunch of witnesses tomorrow”
• Some physical exhibits about “Antifa” tomorrow
• Judge asked for clarification; Prosecutor clarified it’s stuff related to what was found in backpacks

---

Note-Taker JM — AM Session (20260225_JM AM_MH.pdf)

TRIAL DAY 3 AM 2/25 (p. 1)

Judge enters @ 8:50

• Pretrial sentencing reports are ready
• Will announce something about jury strikes at the next break
• A witness coming up today is supposed to introduce 33 exhibits and the defense plans to object on his ability to introduce several of these. Judge will address them as they come up.
• No sleeping in the courtroom.

JURY ENTERS
Attorney roll call & outfit inspection

Prosecution Direct of Officer Reedy

• Worked at Prairieland 7/4/25
• Has worked there for 2 years (1.5 at the time)
• Supervises “illegal aliens”
• Told to see what the commotion was outside ~10 or 11 pm
• Reedy said he could see people outside the fence line, including someone holding a bullhorn → 4 ppl; all black clothes
• Couldn’t understand what they were saying; speaking in Spanish.
• Reedy was confused & overwhelmed (p. 2)
• Works 5:30pm – 6:00 am; 2-5 days a week
• Tells them to leave b/c it’s private property
• Detainees were looking out the windows
• Couldn’t see fireworks but could hear
• Could not see anyone else
• Sgt called APD → they do not come often; fights are very rare
• Unarmed & he wasn’t wearing a bullet proof vest or armor. He was maybe carrying pepper spray; can’t remember
• Runs toward gate to catch up w/ Hard. Keeps telling the people to leave starts to see more than 4 ppl there.
• Couldn’t see 3 black-clad individuals who are on the video at the time → An additional 3 by the tree line in the video that he could not see.
• Could only see the people (4) on the fence line
• Saw someone flashing a bright light, thought it was a signal for people to know where to go.
• Pulls up CCTV from the gate at the parking lot
• Sees that there are more ppl around this time

(Prosecution asking so many leading questions) (p. 3)

• Couldn’t tell you how many but saw there was more. → All in black clothes, faces covered
• Heard tires popping and potentially a gun sound. → He started running
• Didn’t see flashlight at this time; back was to it as he ran.
• Ex. 11 – CCTV from another angle → Starts to walk toward noies → Sees 2 ppl in black, faces covered, running toward him in the parking lot.
• Didn’t hear police siren but was soon able to see police lights as he headed to the guard shack.
• EX. 10 – CCTV from another angle (p. 4) → Screaming at pointing at guy running away from cop car as it pulls up. → Had seen someone standing by the gate and the other running. Told this on the radio
• Thought it odd that someone was standing there & not moving
• Goes toward the officer to tell him what was going on. Was nervous → Informed cop (yelled) that there was a person standing there. “There’s someone right there!”
• Heard gunshots – assuming from the person who was standing there the whole time. → rapid fire → was maybe 10 or 15 feet from the officer → scared at this time. Had no weapon, officer was only line of defense. “absolutely terrified” → Saw a muzzle flask from one point
• Took off running. In fear for his life

Maricela Pueda Crosses Reedy (p. 5)

• First time working at Prairieland on 4th of July
• Gave a statement after the incident that he saw 20 people, doesn’t remember, Attorney brings the statement to him to refresh his memory → Today he said he only said 3-4 ppl → Has never seen that written statement; doesn’t know who wrote it for him
• Did not see people by the tree line
• Did not hear or receive any threats
• He remembers seeing people from before running to the tree line
• The person did not shoot at him
• The 2 individuals running in the parking lot couldn’t have been any of the ppl who were the 4 from the first part
• The ppl running in the parking lot didn’t run at him or into him; did not say anything to him
• Area where he saw ppl running is the only way in and out of the facility

Witness not excused, could be called again

Prosecution Directs FBI Clark Whithorn (p. 6)

• Before FBI was a police officer & before that a CO
• Establishes Praireland Detention Center landscape, area & roads around the center
• Plays Hart’s call to the police → Says she thinks they’re doing fireworks → Coffer objected to FBI summarizing self-evident phone call; objection overruled
• Hart: “They’re outside walking the perimeter”
• Plays dashcam from officer pulling up → Objection hearsay; judge overrules
• Defense wants to take Whithorn on voir dire about his personal knowledge, Judge does not let him and questioning continues
• EX. 3 – Body cam Lt. Gross → hear someone yell “get to the rifles” right as officer Gross pulls up → Shows person running away as Officer Gross opens his door → Hear “get to the rifles” again; according to Whithorn interpretation of the video → Whithorn sees 4 subjects on the video right before the gunshots
• EX. 10 – CCTV – Southwest of detention center (p. 7) → Silver SUV visible turning away onto Tanglewood → See same car pass the intersection 3 min later → This is the vehicle seized and owned by Liz Soto → Focusing on SUV now
• Car in video is same image and likeness as car seized
• No activity in the area 44 min prior to the SUV driving around
• After SUV is seen, another 30-45 min pass before cop is shot
• See Soto’s vehicle spin the block a 3rd time
• CCTV – another angle w/ Whithorn narrating → Shows individuals dressed in black a few min after you see Soto SUV → Shows a firework; 5 ppl visible → 1.5 min later, sees another firework that Whithorn says strikes the building. Approx 6 individuals visible → Says he sees roman candles then
• Evelts objects; says that is for Jury to determine; Judge overrules
  → More “artillery shell” fireworks fired again (p. 8) → Few minutes later, an additional individual joins. Approx 8-9 individuals in all black. → Minutes later, narrates that more fireworks are being shot in the air & toward the facility; though none of these hit the building → An individual goes southbound, toward where they had come from
• Another CCTV- Whithorn narrates → Sees an individual with a bullhorn → Minutes later, a “artillery style” firework shot at the ground toward the fence line → Minutes later, another individual throws a firework “directly at the fence line” → And another → Now, Approx. 10 ppl in frame → Minutes later, another firework “exploding outside the fence line” → More fireworks minutes later, one “exploding above the facility” → Minutes later, another “shot toward the facility but exploding over the building”

Jury Leaves 10:18

• Going over what parts of Whithorn testimony that Covver will be objecting to 152, 159, 163-172, 175, 178, 207
• Judge addresses the juror strike request
• has never done that in his records; the judges in the Northern District do not do that
• Only to be made available if there is a Batson challenge which we don’t have here
• Parties can request access by submitting a written request. Clerk will not disclose the names unless judge orders, and then only if necessary
• Liz counsel asked for numbers w/o names; judge said file a motion
• Too late to make a Batson challenge

Return 10:43 am (p. 9)

• CCTV 25:53
• Multiple subjects start to move Southbound down the treeline
• EX. 14 – CCTV another angle → Flashlight in the area where the individuals first arrived & where the subject in the green mask was standing → Different angle from where officer was shot (not yet on the video though) → Minutes later, shows fireworks → Minutes later, more firework “directly toward facility”
  → Minutes later, another firework “crossing over the fenceline and into the bounds of the facility”
• Can see 6-7 subjects in black at this time (p. 10)
  → Minutes later, see light of firework close to the camera → Minutes later, another firework w/i close distance of camera → Minutes later, another firework
• Objection: repetitive; judge says streamline it but overrules the objection
• Another CCTV – Whithorn narrates
• See flashlight illumination at northern point of Sunflower Lane
• Sees ~10 ppl total congregating little by little
• Less than 3 min prior to the shooting sees about 13 ppl in black clothing
• EX. 10 – CCTV- narrates
• Video shows ~3 ppl in dark clothing crossing reticence
• 1 min later Lt. Gross pulls up & arrives to scene → Sees 2 silhouettes [from? – transcriber] the 3 above come back across
• EX. 6 – CCTV of Prairieland Daytime Protest
• Same camera view as before, but during the day
• Protestors stay on the roadside. Someone holding an American flag
• 2 individuals walk toward a whitejeep → Jeep was located at address Maricela Rueda; said on phone her car was parked there
• Objection, hearsay; overruled
• EX 75 – Photo of Maricela Rueda’s jeep
• Jeep from daytime protest

Coffer/Autumn Hill Attorney Crosses Whithorn (p. 11)

• You organize the evidence. Also investigated
• Did you write reports – yes
• Did you conduct interviews – yes → Were those interviews of other defendants – yes → Was one of them Seth Sykes – yes → Nathan Baumann – yes (re: Sykes and Baumann interviews – neither recorded)
• At Prairieland, ppl made noise w/ fireworks & bullhorn – yes
• In FBI, do you investigate groups – only criminal action → Do you investigate groups who allegedly did criminal action – yes → Was the bullhorn issue loudness? – yes

Fireworks → Shooting fireworks while raining – yes

• Can see rain in video
  → Several instances of fireworks? – yes
• No photos or evidence of damage (p. 12)
  → All ppl firing fireworks were by the treeline – yes → Most fireworks go up & don’t cross fenceline? – IDK → You mentioned 1 firework shot more toward detention center while 2 went straight up? – IDK → They adjusted the fireworks to go up – IDK → They did not run to the fence to throw fireworks over → No one was there to stop them from running to the fence if they wanted to → Counted 13 ppl
• Don’t know how many ppl? – Evidence shows 13
  → Difficult to see them
• You testified they were all in black
• But there were other colors like green & brown – It was nighttime, hard to see
  → You are not suggesting that a firearm at a protest is illegal – correct → You heard Gross testimony – yes (p. 13) → If you saw me pull a gun on someone, could you shoot me lawfully? – yes → What if I was a cop and you were in black? – have to defend all life → It is lawful to defend someone else’s life? – yes → No awareness of “no trespassing” signs → Open area → Person in green mask did not shoot at the detention officer before the armed police officer pulled up → Armed officer is not as easy a target as unarmed CO’s? IDK → No shot fired until Gross pulled gun? That’s what Gross testified

Evetts Crosses Whithorn

• FBI case agent is a primary investigator, central hub of investigation, interviews, evidence, case manager – yes
• Testified as to what you thought you saw in the videos? – yes → And then you investigate further – yes → If you have 1 theory of the case and find new contradictory evidence, do you throw out the evidence or change the theory? – change theory
• Presumption of innocence? – yes
• But you operate on much less than beyond reasonable doubt; you do probable cause – yes
• You heard someone was trying to break in? – yes → Now false – yes
• You initially thought multiple shooters? – yes → Now know only 1 shooter – yes
• You initially thought there were multiple injured? – IDK → But now know only 1 injured

Song Cross (p. 14)

• Alleged shooter was not hiding themself – yes
• Mask was identifiable
• Were you there for Grand jury? – yes
• Video shows first shots hit the ground – yes
• Shooter was in the road – yes
• Trained to not shoot unless you have to – yes → Neutralize the threat? – yes
• Is it ever okay to shoot in the back? – depends on situation
• Only found 1 gunshot shell? -yes

Liz Soto Cross

• Silver SUV you believe was Liz Soto’s? – yes
• Can’t see license plate on camera? – yes
• Can’t tell it’s a subaru? – I think it was
• Wasn’t car half a mile away? – yes
• Could she have walked that far in just 3 min between driving by & fireworks shooting? – probably not (p. 15)
• Don’t investigate ppl for their political beliefs? – correct
• Do you recall saying Mr. Sykes was part of Rev. Communists of America? – yes → That’s not a criminal org? – no

Prosecution Redirect

• CCTV shows Soto’s circling 3 times
• Is it possible individuals were dropped off at these times? – Could have been but IDK
• Liz car was parked farthest away, but near the others
• In your opinion did Lt. Gross act correctly? – Yes, in totality of the circumstances extremely reasonable → 911 call that people were breaking in → Pulled up to graffiti → Man running away from Cos
• Is there evidence of property lines? – in signal chats, defendants discuss the boundary lines

Break for lunch at 11:40, return at 12:45
Judge quoting Matt Damon, telling a story about a judge

---

Note-Taker RM — All Day Notes (20260225_RM ALL DAY_MH.pdf)

(p. 1) 2/25/2026 Wednesday

Prairieland Trial

Unfortunately I don’t have a watch so can’t record the time

Witness #3 Bekeithan (?) Reed (black guy)
Worked at Prairieland. Worked 2 years now. Supervision of illegal aliens. Contract ee. pd by va salle. Informed by Lt. (Sergeant?) to see what commotion was. After 10 before 11pm. Stepped out door – see people & someone with bullhorn. Wearing all black. Saw 4 people on fence line. What were they saying? Couldn’t make it out, none of the words. Bullhorn speaking Spanish but couldn’t make it out & knows Spanish. Confused about what was going on. 5:30pm-6am shift, 2-5 days per week. Fence line is private property. We said “leave, this is private property.” Clear something going on. Aliens were all in dorms looking out window. Whole back side of the dorm. All windows. Did you see fireworks? Could hear but not see. Were they close? Not that close. Could have been from neighborhood. Approx 4 people. Ms. Hart radioed in to call 911, Alvarado PD. Normally peaceful in facility. Wearing uniform, maybe pepper gray. Ran to catch up with sergeant. When outside thought more than 4. Didn’t see anyone by tree line. Think 4 along fence line. Cool sprinkling. Saw bright light like a signal (flashlight).
When first got out the gate thought saw more people (all trees). Everyone all black. Couldn’t tell gender hair coloring etc.
Heard tires popping, glass shattering, loud pops.

(p. 2) 2/25/2026 Prairieland

Was curious. Didn’t see flashlight. EE pkg lot – walked towards noise. See 2 running towards me, all black. Thought to get out the way. Couldn’t identify. Said had to leave. 2 runners.
At what point did you hear sirens? Didn’t hear siren, saw cop lights. After tires popped after 911 call. Can see police car. Runner. Said there’s someone up there. Maybe in trees. Thought to tell cop cause generally couldn’t see. Standing not moving. Runner to standing still person. Yelling to cop. There’s someone right there. Remember gun shots, assuming from one standing whole time. Heard cop say oh god & thought he was shot. 10-15 ft from cop. Scared. How many? One spot, no sense. Like lightning spark. Didn’t wait around, took off.

Cross exam Defense

Officer Reed. Noise? Commotion. Have worked July 4 before? No. Would you think you would have heard commotion July 4? yes.
Statement said saw 20 people. Now said 4. (memory refresh.) Do you know who wrote statement for you? No. Have you seen that written statement? No. Did you see folks in treeline? No. Is treeline 50 yds away? Not quite. Did you receive threats? No. When told to leave did they take off running? Yes. 2 gates before pkg lot correct? Yes. Did you see anyone trying to get in the facility? No. Looked toward pkg lot & saw 2 individuals went in their direction? Yes. Saw in bush? Yes. Just 1 in bush? Yes. Did they shoot at you? No.
When they took off, did they run at you? No. Said anything to you? No. Did you see a gun? No.

(p. 3) 2/25/2026 Prairieland

Did you see officer Gross draw his weapon? Not sure. Calm on inside? Yes. Where you saw people running is that only road? Yes. When pointing to cop, only pointing to 1 person? Yes. EXCUSED

Witness #4 Did not introduce witness until late.
Mr. Smith, FBI – lead investigator. FBI since Dec 2020. 7 yrs PD, before that … Ft Worth since 2024. Before in Miami. Google map of Prairieland. Sunflower Lane, Tanglewood, Long[photo cut off – transcriber]. Back road Burnett. Interior road where guards.
FBI received 911 call. Played 911 call. I think they’re doing fireworks. Control center in Prairieland. Confusion. Need police. I’m on phone with Alvarado PD. Is someone trying to come in? I don’t know. Just told to call. They’re walking around the perimeter.
Dash camL 11pm – N on Sunflower lane (van not at this time). Wason[photo cut off – transcriber] someone with face mask. 2 officers chasing. Right as he opens door hear “get the rifles.” Officer open door. Hear “get the rifles again.” See 3 subjects & 4th running behind (???). 3/10 second, less than second. Van on [?? illegible – transcriber] – Eliz. Soto’s. Matches cause near where Soto’s were arrested. Activity 35-40 min before cop was shot. Silver SUV driving down Tanglewood. 3rd time. 5 individuals?
See fireworks next to facility. More fireworks. Add’l types of fireworks. Can you identify? No. More fireworks, mortar style. Now 8-9 people. All black-clad, all moving around. More fireworks in air. More fireworks. Fireworks that goes inside facility. One lobbed inside. 10 black-clad people. ? Same thing. Fireworks over fence.

15 MIN BREAK

FBI continued; 1 min. after last fireworks, see flashlight in area where first arrived. Fireworks in air. Again. Again. Extremely difficult to see & number [← unsure of word- transcriber], all black-clad, again. Repetitive – Judge agreed. Govt is proving maliciousness. Meat & potatoes, head count. Flashlight #1, Hard out, 1st group of 3 i.e. #2, 3, 4. 2nd group of 3, #5, 6, 7. 3rd group of 3, #8, 9, 10. Flashlight remains in same place. 2 add’l in

(p. 4) 2/25/26

pkg lot. 13 all together. Less than 3 minutes before officer got shot, how many? 13. 3 silhouettes. 1 min. later Lt. Gross arriving. 2 came back.
Now same camera during day to see layout. Daytime protest. 2 people walking toward white jeep. Located at 56th St. address registered to Marciella. How do you know that? Relayed to me. Photo of white jeep wrangler, see it during daytime demo.

CROSS-DEFENSE
Lead case agent organize evidence, work w/ attnys? Yes. During investigation looked for evidence. Yes. Reports? Yes. Interviews? Assisted, yes. Did interviews include those charged? Yes. Interview Seth? Yes. Recorded? Yes. David recorded? No. Do you investigate political groups? We investigate criminal action. Fireworks next to detention center? At detention center. Have you seen photos of damage by fireworks? No. Cause no damage? Right. Damage may or may not occur. All fireworks from treeline? Yes. Rd in 2 lanes? Not positive. Most fireworks go up? Don’t know. We can count right? Yes. Some move toward center? Yes. Next 2 straight up? Yes. Adjusted to go up? Can’t tell. Did they go up to fence & shoot thru chain link? No. Were they prevented from doing that? No. View can look over when up? Yes. Counted 13? Yes. Difficult to see? Absolutely. Cause wearing black? Yes.
Other colors, can you make that out? No, it’s night time. You’re not saying have a firearm at a protest is illegal? No. If you saw me pointing a gun at runners back & someone shoots, is that lawful? I have a right to defend someone’s life too right? Yes. If we changed clothes? Is there a no trespassing sign? No. Is there purple

(p. 5) [actually p. 5 – transcriber] 2/25/26

paint or any way to know private property? No. Fireworks on grass on other side right? Yes. Private property line not physical right? Yes. Green mask in same place? Yes. Did they shoot at female/male detention officer? No. Aren’t they easier targets? Can’t say. Cop has gun right? Can’t say. No shot fired until after Gross introduced gun into situation? Yes.
Don’t see gun visible, Rely on Gross’s testimony? Yes.

DEFENSE 2 Role of FBI case agent-specific federal cases, etc. Yes. Interviews in coordination w/ prosecutors. Yes. Hypothesis based on evidence? Yes. If theory is wrong, do you stick to it or change? Throw out theory. Presumed innocent unless proved guilty? Yes. Sometimes probably cause? Yes. Looked at evidence? Yes. Beginning word of break in, now false? Yes no evidence of that. More than one shooter? Now we know that was false. Originally more than one shot, now 1? Yes… you can can change theory.

DEFENSE 3
Mask reflective? Yes. Present at grand jury? Yes. (Hard to hear this part – note taker) Trained to not load/ shoot unless have to? Yes. Where did other bullets end up? No others hit. No other shells (cars people etc.)

DEFENSE 4
Ms. Soto’s silver SUV? Yes. See plate? No. Is it a subaru? Can’t tell. Can’t identify who first? Know when car recovered ½ mile away? (Why don’t you use your own common sense? Can you walk that far?) – Judge

(p. 6) [actually p. 6 – transcriber] 2/25/26

If they wanted detainees to see fireworks had to be from there? Yes. Don’t investigate for political belief, right? Right.
July 9 rpt Notes (entire paragraph). Mr. Sikes had [unsure of word – transcriber] to Rev. Communists of America. Yes. That’s not criminal org, right? Right. Cause found leaflets anti-ICE [photo cut off, might miss a word – transcriber] Yes. Not political beliefs? No, cause investigating criminal act.

GOVT RE DIRECT
Soto’s car circled. Yes. To be fair, parked ½ mile away? Yes. What recovered? Only 1 projectile recovered? Yes.
Extremely reasonable to draw weapon if sees graffiti running back glad. & guards… Opinion.
Any evidence of property lines/ boundaries? No.
Is there evidence of boundaries? Yes, some signage, barbed wire. Is evidence of property lines? Yes in signal chats, defendants discussed boundaries.

Recross – Lunch break Back at 12:45
Judge longer recross than anticipated. Each side 35 hours. Willing to give 10 extra minutes. Don’t [illegible word – transcriber] the time.

(p. 7) [actually p. 7 – transcriber] 2/25/26 After lunch break. Prairieland Trial

Recross of FBI
DEFENSE 1 Opinion of Gross drawing taking weapon. You said okay?
Yes. Is it also your opinion that law enforcement not escalate at protest? Right. Each circumstance.
Person at peaceful protest no risk of being killed by law enforcement. Yes. (Judge keep to this incident.)
What time out car & shot? Approx 3 seconds.
Short time. Yes. Whoever out there who saw drawn gun, have same amt of time? Yes but they were there a while.
Recall subject to recall.

Witness #5 Ms. Melinda Frias Media-project manager
GOVT. July 4 helped organize peaceful protest July 4 10am- noon. In Alvarado outside Detention Center. How did you organize? Facebook group. Human rts, immigration, love to support. Facebook messenger, digital flyer. Looking at facebook, sharing flyer & map.
In red area – designated protest area told. Advertising. “NO MORE CHILDREN IN CAGES”
Protesting inhumane treatment of migrant detainees.. Photo of protest. Opening statements shown at protest, peaceful, reading out statistics about migrants. What wearing? Hot so shorts, etc. No all black or face covering? No, not now at this time. Cones set out by facility to set up demo location. All coordinators ensured peaceful. Guns? Not that I can tell. If saw? Extra eye but okay. Pkg lot authorized? Directed NOT to go in there. Group of protesters. Kept an eye on one who seemed unusual. Dark long pants, long sleeves, unusual.

(p. 8) [actually p. 8 – transcriber] 2/25/26

Let’s just keep an eye out. What kind of mask? Obscured face? Yes. Man & woman. Introduced to arrivees [← unsure of this word – transcriber] His name was John. Don’t recall the woman’s name / pink hat. What is John doing? Walking towards the cones. Confronted woman w/ pink hat to stay behind cones, she was angry, combative. Told us “how are we allowing these cones to repress us?” Then she left. After asked to stay behind cones, 3 individuals left. Assumed women were sisters, close, arrived together. Rest were praying right. Yes. Do you recall police showed up? Yes they were there to monitor peaceful. Talked to cops. Officer said someone beyond the cones left. Got into white jeep. Chanting. Wanted those inside to hear. Megaphone? Yes but didn’t use. Other noise? Just yelling. Collaborative with law enforcement. How many? 15 others.

Cross-Defense
Bring awareness to injustice? Yes but not part of any group. As close as comes to possible so could hear? Yes. Could they hear? Don’t know. Facebook post – “Any medics that would like to volunteer, reach out.” Normal at protests to have 1st aid? Yes. Anyone wearing all black? Women in far right wearing all black? Yes. If someone damaged property would you be legally responsible? Not legal expert, would say something.

Defense 2 – Post “50501 Texas” group. 50 protests, 50 states, 1 movement. Started No Kings day. Against kings. Not specific individual. How long you in group? Someone got killed in Utah? No. Any protest groups?

(p. 9) [actually p. 9 – transcriber] 2/25/26

50501 Isis DFW people’s protest collective in DFW area, sponsored by different group. Professional protesters? Why did you join? Wanted to be informed & how I can contribute? Would you have known red line if no one told you? No. If not send, you wouldn’t have know. Found out? How? Asked. Law enforcement. Which officer did you speak to? Don’t remember. Good vibe? Vibe different if he had gun at me? Vibe if pointed gun at you? If peaceful yes that’s a problem.

Defense 3 Independence Day. Why choose to protest? We felt by everything we know, people not treated fairly. Rights violated so celebrating freedom is appropriate. Feels American. Reference legal observers. Yes. Contact organizers. Why needed? Skills I don’t have [unsure of word – transcriber] to potentially happen. Like what? Don’t know. Physical cones? Yes. Who placed? Ind. From Prairieland. Who directed them? Don’t know. Woman in pink hat, did she interrupt you? No. Confrontation – did she threaten? No. Did she attack or push? Not aggressive in any way. Did she go past them? No not after conversation, she left.

Defense 4: Do you recognize Ms. Batten? Don’t remember her. Variety of diff protests that day. Not aware. Coordinator of this protest on 4 July at Prairieland? Closest detention center. Believed inhumane treatment. Pro-active w law enforcement. If not proactive, does it make it less legitimate. No.

(p. 10) [actually p. 10 – transcriber] 2/25/26

Did you meet people at demo or know them all? Met.

Defense 5
First aide? Water, bandaids, neosporin, ankle, electrolytes, leading. [← unsure of this word – transcriber] Dehydration & scrapes.

Recross Do you need medic

Witness #6 Special Agent Page. Taylor Page, Special Agent FBI. 8 yrs. Crimes in Dallas, violent crimes.
Cellular Analyst Survey Team = CAST Call detail records. Text messages etc. Data from all defendants. Mirror/maps/cellphone tower. Subset: timed events, tower/sector/distance. NO CONTENT.
July 3 12:26 am – 5pm 3 July # ending “0065”
Prairieland & 56th St. House

EMERGENCY. END IMMEDIATELY 2:00 – 2:15

2:25 Govt continued: 5pm July 3 phone moves. 56th St. – NW Dallas near 3SE. 6:10pm back. Not calls, just location. Data session = WhatsApp/Facetime, etc. 6:32 back at 56th St. July 4 staying at 56th St. all day. One call 4:07 THIS IS AUTUMN. July 5 some travel, mostly 56th St.
“2503” – Savanna’s Batten. July 3 at her home. July 4 – 8:50 am moved to 9-5 near elsewhere. 6:01-8:57pm – home. Incoming phone call, 8:47. 9:32 moving to NW Ft Worth.
9:45 arrives at Alvarado. 10:21 at Prairieland then off – bag block or turned off. Etc.

2:45 had to leave the courtroom

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Note-Taker VJ — AM Session (20260225_VJ_AM_F.pdf)

Feb 25, 2026
2nd day of trial

Government Witness – Deke (?) an employee at the Detention Center.

Duties: Supervision of “illegal aliens”. Is contracted and paid by LaSalle.

Describing what he sees on video from 7/4/2025 outside of Prairieland Detention Center. He was told by the lieutenant to step outside to see what the commotion was. When he steps out, he sees people along the fence. Someone has a bullhorn, and they are wearing all black. He sees four people. He couldn’t understand what they were saying. It was in Spanish. He understands Spanish but words were distorted.

He works 5:30 pm – 6:00 AM shift. In his 1 ½ years in his position (at that point), he has never had this happen before. The protestors were on private property. He told them to leave. “Aliens” were all in dorms, looking out the windows.

He didn’t see any fireworks, but he could hear the explosions. Tells them to leave or calling police.

Did he notice people in the tree line? No. At first, he thinks four people on a fence line. He hears the lieutenant call 911. It’s his first time seeing Alvarado PD come to the facility. Things are usually peaceful and running smoothly.

Witness is wearing standard issue attire. No guns, possibly pepper spray. He is running to catch up with the Sgt. He and Harp are still telling the protestors to leave. He started to see that there were more than four people.

At first, he did not see the other individuals. He did not see people along the tree line. Three more appear on the video. Nine people run off frame. 4 people on fence line.

There is a flashlight flashing and his impression is they were signaling.

Witness is running towards a gate. Takes approximately a few seconds to open the gate and it closes right away. He sees more people up towards the trees. Every person was wearing black and a face cover. It is not possible for him to tell gender, hair color, or skin color.

He hears noises like a tire popping. He starts going in another direction. He is curious.

In the employee parking lot, he runs towards the noise. Two people are running towards him all in black clothing with faces covered. He stepped aside to get out of the way. He believes they were running towards the other protestors. He cannot identify the individuals. He continues to tell them to leave.

He heard a siren, saw the lights of the police cars coming. He pointed towards the person running..

He saw someone standing by the gate, a person still there, and told the cops there was a person there because it was dark and they couldn’t see him. HE thought it odd that the person was just standing there. Noticed the other person running was running towards the person standing. His thought/feeling ‘just, like, not knowing what was going on”.

He then heard gunshots. He assumed by the person standing. It was 20-30 rapid fire. Heard the officer say, Oh, God! Witness was around 10 – 15 ft from the officer. At this point, he starts getting scared. He had no weapon and officer was first line of defense. He saw shots come from one spot – saw a spark. He took off to get to safety. He was in fear for his life.

CROSS by Defense

He was instructed to investigate a noise. He had been working there for 1 ½ years. Possibly heard fireworks on other nights. He reviewed his first statement where he said he saw 20 people. He doesn’t remember making this statement and had never seen the written statement.

The tree line is not quite 50 yards away.

He did not receive any threats from the protestors. When they were told to leave, they took off running he had to go through two gates going through the parking lot and did not see anyone at those gates trying to get in to the facility.

The protestors ran towards the tree line. He saw people at the tree line When he looked at parking lot, he saw 2 individuals. He also saw someone in a bush. They did not shoot at him. They did not run towards him, said nothing to him, and he did not see a gun.

Government Witness – FBI Agent Clark

Looked at map of Prairieland and identified where officer was shot. Played the 911 call:

The caller said they were not sure what was going on, thinks someone is shooting fireworks. There was confusion and chaos. She says “someone is trying to get in”. They have a flashlight, walking the perimeter, don’t know what they are doing.

On Dash Cam, see police arriving. They see a wagon. One of the subjects dressed in all black and a face mask.

Heard someone yell “rifles – Get to the rifles” and see an individual running. Sees additional subjects. Hears gunshots within 3/10 of a second. (LESS THAN A SECOND)

On CTV video, a silver SUV is seen southwest of the detention center. It makes a left turn, 3 minutes later, the same vehicle is going in the opposite direction. The vehicle has been identified as belonging to the Sotos.

No activity seen in that area prior to the vehicle driving there. 44 minutes into the video, see activity. 30 or so minutes later the cop was shot. Once again (3rd time) can see the Soto vehicle, and people still milling about.

At the tree line, see individuals in all black clothing. Approximately 8-9 individuals. Sees fireworks next to the facility — Prosecutors show video of firework after firework until Judge says this is unnecessarily repetitive. They mention seeing one individual appear to be going back south.

Now they see flashlight and more fireworks, see groups of people, and final total count of 13 individuals all in black (repeated that they were black clad multiple times). See 3 people crossing a residence (?). LtCross vehicle arrives. 2 individuals coming back across.

Video shows the daytime protest in the same area with 2 people walking towards a jeep registered to Maricele Rueda. Showed picture of white jeep wrangler that had been towed.

CROSS EXAMINATION by Defense

Asked if during the investigation, the agent looked for evidence in the case? During course, author reports? Yes. Conducted interviews? Yes. Present for interviews of anyone charged in the case? Yes.

There was a noise demonstration, with fireworks and a bullhorn. Is this criminal action? Does the Agent investigate political groups?

Firework explosions are caught on two cameras. They were shooting them in the rain. There was no damage done by the fireworks. No one ran up to the fence or tried to shoot fireworks through the chain link fence. Nothing would have prevented them from running up to the fence of the facility.

Witness counted 13 people. Difficult to see people because they work black. Pointed out that couldn’t see any other colors in the dark either.

Agent agreed it is not illegal to have a firearm at a protest.

Asked him, is it lawful to shoot someone who has a gun pointed towards someone else to save their life?

The facility employee yelled across the fence, this is private property. But there was not a “no trespassing” sign. Nothing purple to indicate no trespassing

People shooting fireworks stayed on the other side of the “line”. Person in green mask did not shoot at the female detention officer and no fires shot at the male detention officer. Wouldn’t it have been easier to shoot at them, while the detention officers had no guns? There were no shots fired until Gross introduced a gun into the situation.

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Note-Taker ES — AM Session (20260225ES_F_AM.pdf)

2/25/2026

1 Judge:
Pre-sentencing reports requested are available to lawyer
Will address court about —->
Attorney Cofer – raises questions about upcoming witness Song
during next break
Again, addresses court about taking the space of families. There are 80 seats available in Dallas

Back on record:
Lawyer introductions
Liz – Harmony + Burns
Ines – Mr. Davis
Sanchez – Weinbel

State’s witness Officer Dekeithan Reedy?

• was employed at Prairieland Detention Center on July 4
• immigration detention center
• worked there for 2 years
• duties include supervision of “illegal aliens”
• contracted by LaSalle who has contract with the federal government
• shows video of Sergeant Hart + witness
• got call from Lieutenant to step out the Freedom door
• steps out and sees 4 people along the fence line with bullhorn wearing all black with face covering

2 – Hearsay objection overruled

• could not make out any words
• speaking in Spanish but could not understand any words – witness knows Spanish
• 5:30 pm – 6 am 2-5 days per week (his work schedule)
• They told the people they had to leave because it’s private property
• “Aliens” were all gathered at the back looking out the windows
• He was watching two doors, he heard fireworks but could not see them
• He thought they were close, but didn’t think they were that close because the neighborhood was right there
• Did not see anyone in the tree line
• Sergeant Hart radioed to call Alvarado Police Department
• That’s his first time seeing Alvarado Police Department respond to Prairieland Detention Center
• Fights are very rare at this facility
• Wearing khakis, not armed, possible pepper spray
• Has used pepper spray before but not at the facility
• Exhibit shown running to catch up with Sergeant Hart
• 320A Another view – could not see individuals – Prosecutor shows 9 people run offscreen (barely visible/not visible to people in the audience)
• Saw flashlight/thinks signaling

3 – Exhibit 10: prosecuting about gate controlled by interior control center

• wearing all black – not possible to see hair color or skin color
• He heard noise like tires popping and glass shattering – loud pops
• He was curious about what was going on and started going that way / walks toward the noise
• 16:55 on video shows employee parking lot
• He saw 2 people running towards them
• He thinks he stepped to the side
• He told them again, “You guys have to leave, this is private property.”
• Then they head back towards the guard shack
• That’s when he saw the lights from the officers

Addresses defense after objection: This is background, so ask yourself, “Is the juice worth the squeeze”

• Seemed to imply defense should limit objections

4 – Screams to the cop that there’s someone standing right there

• Informed Sergeant Hart earlier that there was a person standing right there
• also told the officer that – they were just standing still
• He was thinking about telling the officer where the people still were
• Were you nervous? I was thinking I didn’t know what was going on. I guess I could say I was nervous
• Heard rapid gunfire, heard “Oh God”, thought he got shot
• He was 10-15 feet away from Lieutenant Gross
• He was scared and wanted to get out of area
• He had no sense of the number of shooters
• Saw a flash of fire from one direction
• In fear for your life? Yes
• He (Gross) was the only line of defense. I took off.

Cross Examination by Attorney MarQuetta Clayton

• fireworks
• gave a statement that he saw 20 people
• MarQuetta Clayton shows statement to witness
• He did not write the written statement and does not know who wrote the statement for him

5 – He did not see people on the tree line

• Did not see guns
• Did not hear any threats or anything threatening
• When asked to leave, people took off running
• Did not see anyone at any gates, windows or trying to get inside the facility
• On video, you’re looking around
• Later saw people at tree line
• Saw one person in the bush standing by the guard shed
• They did not shoot at him
• Two individuals were not the same as the originals by the fence line
• Not seen with weapons
• Did not say anything
• Unsure if he saw Lieutenant Gross pull his weapon
• Peaceful inside
• Only roadway to exit is where people were running towards

Witness excused

Judge preferences that hearsay objections must be specific

6 FBI Lead Investigator on this case

State’s witness Special Agent Clark

• Exhibit 60: 3 page document
• Screenshots of maps
• Prior work 7 years with Grapevine
• Fort Worth Resident Agency Joint Terrorism Task Force ?
• 2.5 years with Miami Division
• Highway 67, Tanglewood, Burnett

[Note-taker drew map of area showing Prairieland Detention Center, Burnett, and Highway 67]

• Shows property lines to identify private property
• Exhibit: phone call with Sergeant Hart
• Lieutenant calls 911
• Objection to commentary by Cofer 602 and 402: overruled
• Outside walking the perimeter
• Exhibit video: Lieutenant Gross’s dash cam
• Objection: Hearsay Cofer – overruled
• Video shows wagon and individual in all black
• We see correctional officers chasing after individuals in all black
• Exhibit: Lieutenant Gross’s body cam
• Agent explains we hear “rifles” or “get to the rifles”
• Objection by Attorney for Zachary Evetts: overruled
• Objection Leading Evetts
• Less than a second
• Exhibit 10: Agent studied them extensively

7 – Exhibit 10: CCTV Camera towards Tanglewood

• 44:04 – see a vehicle going down Tanglewood – 2 x in three minutes
• Vehicle driven by Liz and Ines Soto
• Judge asks for objections
• Attorney Burns objects – overruled
• Exhibit of vehicle owned by Sotos
• Exhibit 10: 44:10
• 30-45 minutes before the cop was shot
• 48:15 Sotos’ vehicle pass by for the third time
• Exhibit 13: 7:15
• 30 seconds later: 7:45 – 5 total black clad individuals
• 8:12 “Firework being shot at the facility”
• 9:43 – artillery shell style firework that clearly strikes the people
• Objection Evetts – overruled
• “Roman candles” – agent “Mortars” – prosecutor
• 15:47 – artillery shell – mortar style firework burned out above the facility
• 16:11 – 8-9 individuals all black clad. Difficult to pinpoint individuals.
• Shooting fireworks into the air, towards the facility, not striking facility
• Exhibit 60: page 3
• mentions person with megaphone
• Firework throw or shot at the ground

8 – Individual threw firework at the fence line

• Again, lit firework and threw it at the fence line
• 20:30
• 21:12 firework thrown at fence
• 21:31 “”
• 22:20 “”
• 23:25 shot off firework above the fence line
• 24:35 “”

Jury released

Judge: addresses witness testimony

• is admissible
• prosecutor intends to show CCTV
• Cofer will pre-announce objections
  Exhibits 159
• 163-172 agent is identified as a sponsoring witness
• 175
• 188
• 207
• Legalese, quoting [?] case law/policy
• Addresses Attorney Burns

Comments regarding jury strikes on the record

• Prior decisions have not been put on the record
• Policy is that the jury will only be available under challenge
• Policy that attorneys should request a list
• Attorney Burns asked to know which numbers of jurors were stricken

9 – time to review

BREAK

key takeaway: State called one witness, lead FBI agent on the case is recounting CCTV footage and sharing his version of events. They show fireworks and repeatedly use military-esque vocabulary to describe them: “”mortar” style artillery shell.”

[See jury member grinning]

State’s witness continued

• Exhibit 14: video shows flashlight on south facing camera
• @ 1:00 mark
• more videos of fireworks
• 14:14
• many more videos of fireworks

Objection: repetitive – Judge agrees
Prosecutor says they have to prove maliciousness so that’s part of the point

• Same video as before – vague silhouettes in the distance
  Points out a group of 4, a group of 3, and a group of 3

Objection Cofer hearsay – overruled

10 Objection – repeating – sustained

[Note-taker annotation: The label “daytime protest” seems like natural opposite to a “nighttime protest”]

• 13 people in black at Prairieland after? the shooting
• Confidently states “can count possibly 3 individuals”
• video 1:29:10 Lieutenant Gross’s vehicle arriving
• Exhibit 6: CCTV “Daytime Protest”
• Objection Cofer hearsay – sustained
• Two individuals near vehicle
• Objection hearsay overruled – witness stumbles answering how he know this info
• Objection – testifying – overruled
• Vehicle identified as belonging to Maricela Rueda
• Exhibit 75, page 4: Photo of Maricela’s Jeep – admitted

Cross Examination by Attorney Cody Cofer

• Lead [?] is responsible for organizing evidence, preparing evidence for case and investigation
• Did offer reports and assisted in a few interviews
• was present in interviews with Seth Sikes? Yes, and helped prepare him for trial? Define prepare
• Interviews were not recorded
• Do you investigate protesters or political groups? No, investigate criminal acts
• Bullhorn makes noise, right? Yes

11 – Re: fireworks caught on two different cameras

• It was raining, this is visible on cameras
• Have you see photographs of damage done by their photos?
• There was no damage
• Fireworks could not damage a chain-link fence and barbed wire
• Most fireworks go up and not at the fence line – available in evidence
• The very next firework went close and then it was adjusted to go straight up
• Did not throw things over or through fence
• Fireworks look different from different views
• Evidence shows 13 people were there
• cannot see people – consider the focal point is directed inside the facility (could obscure vision)
• not suggesting that having a firearm at a protest is illegal
• re: Gross testimony
• If you saw me pointing a weapon at Mr. Burns, you’d have the right to shoot me to defend Burns. Correct

12 – Right to defend someone else’s life – that is a right we have

• re: no trespassing/sign not visible
• no paint indicating no trespassing
• peaceful protesters were on the open road
• testified that the person in the green mask did not move – correct
• no shots fired at the Sergeant Hart or Officer Reedy
• No shot fired until after Gross pointed his gun

Cross examination by Attorney McClain (Evetts’ attorney)

• part of duties: find theories based on evidence and test them
• then pursue more evidence
• theory will change when additional evidence is provided
• has been in court before
• innocence until proven guilty
• also applies to his work
• probable cause
• no evidence of break-in
• originally thought there was more than 1 law enforcement shooter
• originally thought

13 Cross examination by Attorney Hayes (Song’s lawyer)

• re: 2 videos
• person identified as shooter was not hidden, reflective mask, next to reflective wagon
• was present during grand jury
• seen video 50 times?
• see rounds hitting the ground
• previous a police officer
• do not use your weapon unless necessary
• if you use it, neutralize the threat
• no shell casings collected at the scene

Cross examination by Attorney Burns

• clarification – silver SUV identified, cannot see make, model or license plate
• Liz could have not been near the fireworks?
• Fireworks were set off in the only place where detainees could see through their window
• Sikes: Revolutionary Communists of America – investigator researched pamphlets, concerning information
• But you don’t investigate people for their political beliefs

14 Redirect

• is it possible that the Sotos dropped people off at different locations
• Only 1 projectile recovered (refers to rounds)
• 11 rifle shell casings were recovered, 3 from Gross
• Did Gross respond correctly? Yes
• Objection – overruled – Justified to raise his weapon – had to make split second decisions
• Discussion of private property boundaries lines occurred in Signal chats

Jury released for lunch, return at 12:45

Comment about time: official time keeper is the court, – Each side has 35 hours – Don’t stress about time, I won’t cut you off if you need 10 more minutes. – But it (i.e., use of time) must be acceptable to me

• Attention span of 8 seconds for people these days due to cellphones. Implying short trial is for the benefit of the jury.
• But it is a fair trial to the defendants.

Tells funny story. Moral – don’t show all the evidence.