Opening statements were made today in the battery case against former Fresno City College instructor Brian Calhoun. Lawyers from both sides also questioned several witnesses including FCC student Kevynn Gomez and FCC instructor Michael Medrano.
Calhoun is on trial after allegedly attacking Gomez on March, 22, 2013 over an argument in the Old Administration Building of FCC. The trial wrapped up jury selection on Oct. 8, 2013 after several delays in the trial. The jury consists of eight men and four women.
Lawyers from both sides questioned Gomez about her actions on March 22, including her use of vulgar language, her use of violence towards Calhoun and her interview with police following the incident.
During the questioning, prosecutor Michael Brummell asked why Gomez had cursed at Calhoun. Gomez said “Because I was upset that he had disrupted our test and had yelled at the professor.”
Brummell also focused his questions on the logistics such as where Gomez was prior to the incident, where Calhoun was during the incident and where things had escalated on that day in March.
Gomez stated that she punched Calhoun in the face when he grabbed her. Brummell asked Gomez why she had hit Calhoun.
“I wanted to get free,” Gomez said as she began to cry.
Judge Denise Whitehead excused the court for a short recess giving Gomez some time to compose herself.
“I was like a deer in the headlights, I was shocked,” Gomez said as she recalled her confrontation with Calhoun. “He had pushed me up against the wall.”
Roger Nuttall, Calhoun’s attorney, questioned Gomez and also focused his line of questioning on her actions that day.
“You never gave him your name, did you?” Nuttall asked Gomez.
Gomez said she had not. Whether or not Gomez gave Calhoun her name was a point that Nuttall returned to several times during his questioning.
Nuttall also asked about Gomez punching Calhoun in the face and the number of times she had made contact with him during the altercation.
Two FCC students who witnessed the altercation were also questioned and gave statements in the trial. Several more students and staff members are expected to be called to the stand.
The trial will continue Thursday morning at 9:30 a.m.
