Testimony continues in murder trial against Joshua Palacios
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Witness
Thomas Taitano, who is in cooperation with the government in the Keith Castro homicide case returns back on the witness stand in Joshua Palacios’ trial detailing events from the night of July 28, 2019 and the several days after when he was at large.
Taitano: I was wanted for the shooting in Yigo
Defense Counsel Tom Fisher: You were wanted for the shooting in Yigo?
Taitano: And I didn’t do it that’s why I turned myself in.
Government Witness Thomas Taitano testified that on Aug. 2, 2019 he turned himself into the Guam Police Department, and at that time he told officers Joshua Palacios was responsible for the murder of Keith Castro. He then helped officers locate Palacios at a home in Barrigada.
Fisher: Where in Barrigada?
Taitano: I don't know exactly where.
Fisher: You don't know exactly where?
Taitano: I don't know the name of the street.
Fisher: You don't know the name of the street and this person named Briana Afaisen told you where Josh was.
Taitano: Yes.
Fisher: Didn't you say Briana Afaisen was your friend why do you refer to your friends as the streets?
Taitano: Umm, I don't know, sir.
Taitano is also a defendant currently incarcerated at the Department of Corrections for his role in the death. He entered a cooperation agreement with the government and plead guilty to aggravated assault and criminal mischief charges for beating Castro. In court today Taitano testified he went to Matt Sablan's home in Yigo the night of the incident to confront Castro for posting about his family on social media.
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Assistant Attorney Richelle Canto: What did you do when you got to Matt Sablan's house?
Taitano: I confronted him about it.
Canto: And then what happened?
Taitano: We got into a fight.
Canto: When you say you got into a fight, just you and Keith?
Taitano: Yes ma'am.
Canto: OK, and so then more than five people were trying to break you and Keith Castro up, is that right?
Taitano: Yes ma'am.
Canto: Then what happened?
Taitano: I noticed a car light pulling up and that when it was Josh Palacios.
Palacios is the man on trial accused for pulling the trigger that killed Castro. Taitano testified that Palacios went after Castro and started fighting.
Canto: And then what happened after he fell?
Taitano: He continued punching him on the ground and then the gun went off.
Both parties questioned Taitano on the amount of drugs he used that day. He testified that he had been high on ice at the time of the incident, and has been using the drug for several years.
Canto: So even though you were pretty high you are pretty sure that you saw Josh Palacios there.
Taitano: Yes ma'am.
Canto: Were you also sure that he had a weapon on him?
Taitano: Yes ma'am.
Canto: Did you have a gun on you that day?
Taitano: No ma'am.
Canto: Do you own a gun?
Taitano: No ma'am.
Canto: When you smoke the drug ice do you ever hallucinate?
Taitano: Just makes me energized.
This trial is ongoing.