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Key witness cross examined in Valley’s serial shooter trial

Last Update: 1/12 6:21 pm

	UPDATED: Key witness cross examined in Valley's serial shooter trial
	Key witness cross examined in Valley's serial shooter trial

Samuel Dieteman

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A key witness in the Valley’s serial shooter trial was cross-examined Monday.

Defense attorney Ken Everett went to work focused on discrediting key witness Samuel Dieteman.

Everett pointed to Dieteman's substance abuse leading up to his arrest and a possible reason why Dieteman made a plea agreement once charges were filed.

Investigators say Dieteman and Dale Hausner terrorized the Valley with random shootings, some fatal, from May 2005 through August 2006.

Last year, Dieteman struck a deal with prosecutors to testify against his former co-defendant.

Everett suggested, based on a letter written by Dieteman, that the witness had plans to back out of the deal after ratting out his former roommate.

Hausner is standing trial charged with eight counts of first-degree murder and numerous other counts.

During testimony, Dieteman admitted to drinking and smoking meth shortly before he was caught and interviewed by police on August 4, 2006. Dieteman says he was feeling relief, fear and anger when he was caught.

Everett also pointed to how Dieteman said in pre-trial interviews he "just wanted to get the trial over with" and that's why Dieteman took the plea agreement.

Also on Monday, the judge in the case threatened to fine the defense attorney $100 after making an offhand remark against the witness in front of the jury.