It was a bizarre case from the start. A man allegedly drives into a PG&E Crew, and is then attacked with hatchet by a hitchhiker he picked up. Monday, opening statements began in the trial of Jett McBride.
McBride is charged with the attempted murder of a Fresno PG&E worker.
But, the trial will be missing a key witness; Caleb McGillivary, aka, Kai the hitchhiker. "Kai" was indicted by a grand jury in November in the murder of an elderly New Jersey man.
As for 55 year old McBride, he's accused of trying to kill Rayshawn Neely. It all happened back on February 1, 2013. McBride was driving from his home state of Washington. Along the way, he made a stop in Bakersfield, where he picked up "Kai." The two made their way to Fresno to the area of McKinley and Marks, where Neely and other members of the PG&E crew were doing some roadside work.
The prosecution pointed out testimony by Kai during the preliminary hearing who said McBride claimed he was Jesus Christ and purposely plowed his car into the PG&E workers and pinned Neely into the work truck. But, the defense told the jury about a phone call McBride made to his wife the day following the incident. McBride claimed it was in fact Kai who grabbed the wheel and caused the crash. McBride's attorney also said his client was suffering mental health issues when this all happened. He even quoted a police interview where McBride said he never meant to hurt anyone.
The prosecution however, is painting a different picture saying McBride drove his car into crew members with no intention of stopping and even caused a scene afterwards.
Prosecutor Becky Gong says, "He goes toward Mr. Neely and he says I'm Jesus Christ I'll save you; I'll take you home, and Mr. Neely is yelling 'get this guy away from me' because the defendant is pulling on him."
McBride's defense attorney
Scott Baly says, "He says I am so sorry for him and I would die right now not to hurt him or anybody. I swear to God."
McBride is also accused of attacking a female bystander who was trying to help; that's when Kai says he grabbed his hatchet and attacked McBride.
The prosecution also says McBride's attack on Neely was racially charged, citing some racial slurs that were made, but the defense says any racial slurs that came from McBride were completely out of character.
McBride has been charged with attempted murder, assault and misdemeanor battery.
McBride is charged with the attempted murder of a Fresno PG&E worker.
But, the trial will be missing a key witness; Caleb McGillivary, aka, Kai the hitchhiker. "Kai" was indicted by a grand jury in November in the murder of an elderly New Jersey man.
As for 55 year old McBride, he's accused of trying to kill Rayshawn Neely. It all happened back on February 1, 2013. McBride was driving from his home state of Washington. Along the way, he made a stop in Bakersfield, where he picked up "Kai." The two made their way to Fresno to the area of McKinley and Marks, where Neely and other members of the PG&E crew were doing some roadside work.
The prosecution pointed out testimony by Kai during the preliminary hearing who said McBride claimed he was Jesus Christ and purposely plowed his car into the PG&E workers and pinned Neely into the work truck. But, the defense told the jury about a phone call McBride made to his wife the day following the incident. McBride claimed it was in fact Kai who grabbed the wheel and caused the crash. McBride's attorney also said his client was suffering mental health issues when this all happened. He even quoted a police interview where McBride said he never meant to hurt anyone.
The prosecution however, is painting a different picture saying McBride drove his car into crew members with no intention of stopping and even caused a scene afterwards.
Prosecutor Becky Gong says, "He goes toward Mr. Neely and he says I'm Jesus Christ I'll save you; I'll take you home, and Mr. Neely is yelling 'get this guy away from me' because the defendant is pulling on him."
McBride's defense attorney
Scott Baly says, "He says I am so sorry for him and I would die right now not to hurt him or anybody. I swear to God."
McBride is also accused of attacking a female bystander who was trying to help; that's when Kai says he grabbed his hatchet and attacked McBride.
The prosecution also says McBride's attack on Neely was racially charged, citing some racial slurs that were made, but the defense says any racial slurs that came from McBride were completely out of character.
McBride has been charged with attempted murder, assault and misdemeanor battery.