The latest from murder defendant Joshua Palacios trial, government witness Matthew Sablan testified he lied to officers the night of Keith Castro's homicide because he did not want to snitch.

Sablan's house in Yigo is where Castro was killed in July 2019. In the Superior Court of Guam. On the third day of the trial, he testified the victim was tortured to his death. Defense counsel Tom Fisher cross-examined the witness.

Fisher: In this investigation when they were trying to find the murderer of Keith Castro, you were just giving a little bit of information?
Sablan: Yes.
Fisher: Why?
Sablan: I don't know.
Fisher: Were you scared
Sablan: Yes.
Fisher: On the 28th of July 2019, after the event, you were questioned by members of the Guam Police Department, is that correct?
Sablan: Yes.:
Fisher: And when you were questioned by members of the Guam Police Department you said you could not identify the two men involved or the two women involved. Correct?
Sablan: Yes.
Fisher: And why was it that you did know mossy was the one striking Keith, correct?
Sablan: Yes.
Fisher: And why is it that you withheld that information?
Sablan: I didn't want to snitch.
Fisher: So it's fair to say you were willing to lie to protect somebody, correct?
Sablan: Yes.

Thomas Taitano, known as Mossy, plead guilty to aggravated assault for beating Castro with a metal baton. In court this afternoon, Sablan testifies it was a torturous assault.

Fisher: It appeared that Keith was crawling at least at some point.
Sablan: Yes.
Fisher: Was he crawling in any particular direction?
Sablan: Underneath my car.
Fisher: Is that the Lexus?
Sablan: Yes.
Fisher: Do you think he trying to protect himself by crawling underneath your Lexus?
Sablan: Yes.
Fisher: In the process of Keith trying to protect himself...did Mossy continue to beat him?
Sablan: Yes.
Fisher: Sir that sounds quite a bit like torture, do you agree?
Sablan: Yes.

The night of the incident, Sablan and past government witnesses including Mossy testified they were high on meth. Attorney Fisher questioned Sablan's involvement with the drug industry and further brought into evidence his interview with the Guam Police Department.

Fisher: Do you remember telling officer Mondea that you were trying to stop the fight and a bald guy aimed a pistol at you and said back the... up?
Sablan: Yes.
Fisher: In that conversation did you say words to the effect; I don't want to be next?
Sablan: Yes.
Fisher: In the course of that conversation that was lasting through the early morning hours of July 29 2019, did the name Leyton Borja get mentioned?
Sablan: Yes by officer Mondea.

Leyton Borja is a repeated drug offender with a criminal history dating as far back to 2007 including past federal drug-related convictions. For now, Borja's connection to the Castro case is unclear.

Fisher: Did you ever mention it?
Sablan: No.
Fisher's questioning turned to the subject of Josh Taitano, the brother of Mossy. Mossy has testified he went to Sablan's home to confront Castro for talking about his family on social media.

Fisher: Did Mossy arrive at your house after he received a call from Josh Taitano.
Sablan: Yes.
Fisher: Is it your testimony sir that he came to your house to inquire about the pickup truck and also to beat up Keith? Yes. You testified that you know Josh Taitano, is that correct?
Sablan: Yes. And you also testified that Josh Taitano is bald correct? Yes.

Palacios' trial resumes tomorrow morning at 9 a.m.