By Kathy Laird
A jury of eight women and four men began hearing testimony Thursday morning in the Crawford County Common Pleas Court. Jason Westerfield, 40, of Mansfield is facing trial on three separate felony counts. Westerfield is accused of aggravated robbery, aggravated burglary and felonious assault.
Westerfield allegedly entered the home of Crystal Caudill 515 N. Pearl St., Crestline, without permission, and caused severe injuries to Christopher “Alex” Brooks of Willard.
In opening statements, Crawford County Assistant Prosecutor Ryan Hoovler explained the events that the state believes occurred on June 23, 2017. The state alleges that Crystal Caudill and Jason Westerfield had been in a casual sexual relationship.
On the night in question, Crystal picked the victim, Christopher “Alex” Brooks, up to bring him to her home in Crestline for the weekend. On the way to Caudill’s home, they stopped at a liquor store and Brooks purchased alcohol. They arrived at her home where they began to drink at approximately 4 p.m.
The prosecution accuses Westerfield that he called Caudill to ask what she was doing. When Caudill told Westerfield she had company he became angry and began to drive from Mansfield to Caudill’s residence in Crestline. Along the way, Westerfield sent texts, videos and repeatedly called Caudill. He sent text messages that were shown in court vowing he would make an example of whoever was at the house with Caudill. Westerfield then pulled into Caudill’s driveway honking his horn and blaring music. Caudill waited for a few minutes to see if he would go away. When Westerfield did not leave, Caudill went outside to talk to him. She repeatedly told Westerfield not to go into her house, but he forced his way in and confronted the Brooks. Westerfield ordered Brooks to leave and Brooks refused. Westerfield then allegedly hit Brooks in the mouth with a closed fist. Brooks was hit two more times and then Westerfield pulled a pocketknife on him. Caudill stepped between the two and took the knife from Westerfield. Brooks decided to leave but was stopped when Westerfield took his bottle of Crown Royale. It was at the point that Brooks struck Westerfield. Westerfield returned a kick to Brooks leg, which broke it in two places. Westerfield then fled the scene.
Hoovler noted that both Caudill and Brooks were drunk at the scene, and that they initially lied to officers about what happened. Hoovler went on to warn the jury that he did not know what Caudill would testify to when questioned, but that she had avoided his calls for a meeting and statement.
In his opening remarks to the jury, attorney Adam Stone called the allegations by the state a good story, but noted they left out important details. He noted Westerfield surrendered as soon as he became aware of charges, and that Westerfield was mad but did not trespass on Caudill’s property.
Stone advised the jury that Caudill had come to his office to make a statement on the case and that she felt intimidated by the prosecution, Crestline Police and the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office.
Stone indicated that evidence would reflect that Brooks fell down causing his injuries.
As its first witness, Hoovler called Brooks to the stand.
Under questioning by Hoovler, Brooks explained that he currently is incarcerated on violation of his probation. He was put on probation on a charge of aggravated assault. This incident put him in violation of that probation causing him to be sent back to prison.
Brooks testified that he had known Caudill since approximately 1991. He had helped her do work around the home she has rented in Crestline for the past several years.
Brooks testified that his relationship as described by the prosecution was accurate, as was the events and items purchased on his way to Caudill’s residence with her.
According to his testimony Brooks said that when Westerfield showed up at the residence, Caudill told Brooks not to answer because she feared what Westerfield would do. When it was apparent he was not leaving, she went outside. Brooks said that within a minute of Caudill going outside, Westerfield charged into the house and got in his face.
“He told me you’re leaving and I said I wasn’t going anywhere,” Brooks said.
Hoovler asked Brooks to identify the man who told him that. He pointed to Westerfield, identifying him as his assailant.
Brooks said that after he told Westerfield he wasn’t leaving, he was struck with a closed hand to the right side of his head and lip. Brooks said Caudill told Westerfield that she would just take Brooks home. Westerfield was angry because she had been drinking. Brooks testified that as he was packing his bag, planning on walking home Westerfield reached down and took the bottle of Crown Royale.
Brooks testified that Westerfield told him as he took the bottle, “You are leaving, and this is staying.”
He told Westerfield that he was taking the bottle. At that point Brooks testified that Westerfield struck him again with a closed fist to the head. He stood up and Westerfield pulled a knife out of his left pocket and pointed it toward him. Brooks testified that he himself was not armed and that the knife appeared to be a pocketknife.
Brooks went on to explain that Caudill stepped between the two of them, took the knife and she and Westerfield went to the kitchen. Westerfield came back out and hit Brooks two more times. Feeling “under attack” Brooks stood up, swung and hit Westerfield. Westerfield then kicked Brooks breaking his upper tibia and upper fibula. Brooks fell to the ground.
Hoovler then gave Brooks photos of his injuries and asked him to explain them and show them to the jury. Brooks had to have surgery and a metal rod placed in his leg along with several screws to hold the bones in place. With help from court personnel he showed the jury his scars and noted that he will never be able to return to his occupation, which required climbing trees and poles.
He is currently walking with one crutch and will do so for the next four months while the leg continues to heal.
Admitting in court that he had lied to police officers during their initial inquiry, Brooks noted that he was on probation and didn’t want to return to jail; knowing he had violated his probation. Once he saw the extent of his injuries he decided to come clean and tell the truth. He noted that’s why he is in prison now; paying the price for making poor choices.
In his cross-examination, Stone told the defendant, “Let’s simplify this. Someone else called 911, you lied to the police when you said you fell, and you lied when you said you were attacked by three people?”
Brooks replied, “Yes, we wanted to keep the cops out of it. Crystal was afraid of what (Westerfield) would do to her and her children. I was afraid of going back to prison.”
The final witness of the day was Caudill.
Caudill told Hoovler that she felt under pressure on the stand.
“What did I ask you to do?” Hoovler said.
“To tell the truth,” Caudill replied.
Hoovler asked, “Are you prepared to do that today?”
Caudill replied, “Yes.”
Caudill outlined the length of her relationship with the victim noting that she had known him since they were kids in school. When asked how long she’d known Westerfield, and how they met, Caudill said they met on a website called Plentyoffish.com and that she’d known him several months.
Caudill admitted under oath that she had intimate relationships with both Westerfield and Brooks. She said she only saw Westerfield a couple of times a month, but that they talked and texted often.
When presented with 13 pages of communication with Westerfield, Caudill admitted that he warned her he was coming. Saying that he often didn’t show when he said he was coming; Caudill made the case that she thought he wouldn’t come that night either. When presented with pictures and videos Westerfield sent as he was driving from Mansfield to Crestline she said the pictures were dark and she couldn’t see the images.
As testimony continued, Caudill had difficulty remembering details she had declared during interviews with the police. Eventually, Hoovler asked the court to declare Caudill a hostile witness.
Judge Sean Leuthold called a recess and removed the jury so he could view the interrogation tape made by the Crestline Police Department. Leuthold ruled that part of that tape could be used as a basis for impeachment of Caudill.
The jury was brought back in and listened to the tape. At the conclusion of the tape, Hoovler asked Caudill if she saw the inconsistencies in her testimony. She admitted to inconsistencies. Hoovler had no further questions.
When Adam Stone cross-examined Caudill, he asked her what she did in preparation for the trial. Caudill said that on Tuesday, she met with Hoovler and viewed three or four videos of her testimony to police. She acknowledged that she felt the tape played in court was most accurate.
Stone then asked her about 180 phone calls she received from Westerfield in jail.
Noting she accepted all of the calls totaling approximately 14 hours of conversation, Stone asked her if she was indeed afraid of Westerfield. She said no. In fact, she went to Stone’s office and filled out a statement saying just that; that she was not fearful of Westerfield and that they would get through this “together.”
Stone also noted she said Brooks had a bat between his legs during the altercation with Westerfield, but that she had failed to mention that.
She conceded she had said that in her statement.
“You’re under a lot of pressure aren’t you?” asked Stone.
“Yes,” Caudill said. “I feel pressured by the state, Crestline Police and the sheriff.”
Noting that deputies had come to her home because she refused to return Hoovlers phone calls, Stone indicated that Caudill feared charges of obstructing justice, which could result in criminal prosecution and the loss of her nursing license. Stone had Caudill verify that he had warned her also of possible charges of perjury and other charges stemming from the affidavit signed at his office. Stone went on to affirm with Caudill that she has a very strong bond with Westerfield still today.
Caudill then was excused.
Testimony resumes at 9 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 20.