WPCNR
The continuing trial of Mayor Adam Bradley started up again this morning with the Bradley au pair, Yuko Watanabe, who was present during the time the alleged domestic violence incident took place February 28, on the stand. The trial got back underway at 11:10A.M.
Defense Attorney Luis Penichet in his continuing examination of Ms. Watanabe established that during the incident where Fumiko Bradley claimed she saw Mr. Bradley and Ms. Watanabe sitting together on a daybed in the family room that there were three children present, with one of the Bradley’s daughters sitting inbetween Mr. Bradley and Ms. Watanabe, according to Ms. Watanabe’s testimony.
Mr. Penichet asked Ms. Watanabe if she had ever had a sexual relationship with Mr. Bradley. Prosecutor Audrey Stone objected, and Judge Susan Capeci sustained the objection.
Penichet established the fact that Ms. Watanabe was told by Mrs. Bradley that the employment agency was coming to pick her up on March 24, (three weeks after the February 28 incident), and she would no longer be employed and in the Bradley home. Watanabe was facing deportation as a result. Ms. Watanabe said the employment agency did not offer any other employment after Mrs. Bradley. Penichet attempted to have entered into evidence a material witness subpoena requiring Ms.Watanabe to testify in the trial after this happened, but the judge did not allow inclusion of that document.
On cross-examination, Prosecutor Stone established that since April, Ms.Watanabe had been staying at the homes of two friends of Adam Bradley, with rent and board provided at no charge. Stone questioned Watanabe about what she told two police officers, (one of whom was Detective Rodriguez, the day of the February 28 incident. Stone asked Watanabe if she told the investigators of the argument at lunchtime that took place February 27 (between Mrs. Bradley and Mr. Bradley where Mrs. Bradley was described as yelling at Mr. Bradley in front of two contractors), Ms. Watanabe said “No. I was not asked.” Watanabe also testified that she had told the two officers that day (the 28th) she thought the Bradleys needed to spend more time together.
Stone asked Watanabe about the alleged punching incident on Election Day, 2009 where Watanabe said she saw Mrs. Bradley punch Mr. Bradley. Stone started asking Watanabe what she could see from the kitchen where Watanabe said she was washing dishes. Watanabe said she could see part of the living room. Stone asked her that on previous testimony, Watanabe had said Mrs. Bradley had punched Mr. Bradley. Stone asked if “the punch” had left any marks on Bradley’s face. Watanabe said it had left a scratch by the right side of Mr. Bradley’s mouth.
“Was it a punch or a scratch?” Stone said quickly.
“It was a punch.” Watanabe said firmly.
Asking about Watanabe’s description of what the incident of February 28, which Watanabe heard taking place from her bedroom downstairs, Stone asked if Watanabe had heard Mrs. Bradley say “OW.” Watanabe said “No, I didn’t.”
Stone established that prior to the trial beginning, Ms. Watanabe had met with Mr. Penichet “about 10 times,” according to Watanabe. Stone elicited the fact that Mayor Bradley’s mother was paying for Ms. Watanabe’s lawyer.
Before the lunch break after Stone finihed cross-examination of Ms.Watanabe, Judge Capechi queried Watanabe closely as to whether she had seen or spoken with Adam Bradley between February 28 and March 4, Watanabe repeatedly, “No.” Asked by the judge how she had learned of a meeting with Mr. Bradley’s attorney, Watanabe said she was notified of the meeting, but not by Mr. Bradley.
