Last prosecution witness testifies Nakita Aguon apologized for Jerry Kitchen crash

The prosecution’s last witness, Jasmin Wenzel took the stand Wednesday.  She’s testifying in the high-profile drunk driving case against defendant Nakita Aguon in Superior Court before Judge Alberto Tolentino earlier today.

Aguon is accused of driving her jeep and crashing into Jerry Kitchen restaurant in Tamuning in February 2021 after a night out drinking.

Wenzel was the former girlfriend of Guam Police Department officer Joneen Terlaje, who was off-duty the night of the crash and in the Jeep with Aguon.

Terlaje contacted Wenzel that night and she went over to the scene.

Although Wenzel says that Aguon did not outright admit to driving the Jeep, she apologized for the crash and was drunk.

Prosecuting attorney Olan Grant: Did she say why she apologized? Wenzel: She was apologizing for yeah, she's apologizing for crashing the car into the building.
Grant: So would it be correct to say that according to your testimony, Nakita Aguon was the only one who claimed to have been driving the Jeep when it crashed in the Jerry's Kitchen?
Wenzel: Yes.
Grant: And Nakita ever deny being the driver?
Wenzel: No.

Additionally, Wenzel said Aguon was intoxicated along with Terlaje and the rest of the group. 

Grant: Now you testified before that Nakita was intoxicated that morning. Are you sure?
Wenzel: Based on her mannerisms? I thought that she was.
Grant: Why do you say that?
Wenzel: Because I knew that all of them were going out at night to drink, celebrating and then when I saw all of them, they seemed intoxicated. And she's also trying to throw up."

Defense attorney David Lujan questioned the witness's credibility after she admitted she willingly lied about Terlaje’s involvement in the crash.

Lujan: Did Joneen need to ask you? Rather that she told you that people are asking whether she was involved? That she asked you to lie. Isn't that correct?
Wenzel: Yes.
Lujan: You lied for her, isn’t that true? Your lover?
Wenzel: For a bit, yeah.
Lujan: I'm sorry.
Wenzel: Yes. 
Lujan: So you won’t hesitate to lie in order to cover up for your lover. Isn't that true?
Wenzel: Depends.
Lujan: I'm sorry.
Wenzel: It depends on the situation.
Lujan: Well, she asked you to lie. And you agree to, well, isn't that correct?
Wenzel: Yes.
Lujan: So you won't hesitate to lie for your girlfriend and blame Miss Aguon because she asked you, isn't that correct?
Wenzel: It was on the basis of her being involved in things.
Lujan: I'm sorry.
Wenzel: It was around her not being involved in the incident. 

However, Wenzel stands firm that she has been truthful in her testimonies throughout the trial.

Wenzel: When I went to work, people asked about it, and I didn't say anything.
Grant: You didn't say anything?
Wenzel: I didn't tell them if she was in it or not.
Grant: OK, so it's not that you lied, you didn’t say anything?
Wenzel: Yes.
Grant: Are you covering up for joining now?
Wenzel: No.
Grant: What is your relationship with Joneen right now?
Wenzel: Non-existent.
Grant: When's the last time you were in communication with her?
Wenzel: Last year. 
Grant: So are you lying now when you said Nakita apologized for crashing into Jerry's Kitchen?
Wenzel: No.
Grant: Are you lying now when you said Nakita was intoxicated that morning?
Wenzel: No. 

Aguon's defense contends that she was not the driver that night. However, during her testimonies, Terlaje stated that Aguon was the driver.  

The trial is still ongoing and is anticipated to start up again on Monday.