Coach doesn't testify in trial

Closing arguments are expected later today after the jury is instructed how to deliberate the fate of Italo Arbulu. Among the evidence for jurors to consider is the testimony of Arbulu's daughter and step-son, both of whom stated during yesterday's brief defense case they never saw him abuse young boys he used to coach.

Jurors never heard testimony from a man who claims Arbulu also abused him decades ago while serving as his big brother in Arizona. The man known only as Dave, now in his early 30s, surfaced after Arbulu's May 2004 arrest on charges of lewd and lascivious behavior. Prosecutors checked out his story and were hoping to share it with the jury. Judge Craig Parsons denied the request.

Arbulu could not have been prosecuted for those alleged crimes during his ongoing trial but Dave's statements could be used to show prior sexual abuse. Similarly, jurors heard about two boys Arbulu is alleged to have molested in other counties even though he cannot be charged locally in those cases.

Parsons' ruling came just before prosecutor Karen Guidotti finished her case against Arbulu. Guidotti, who spent a week pulling details from the alleged victims and their parents, ended with testimony from an officer who recovered hundreds of deleted files from Arbulu's home computer after his arrest. More than 150 photos of young boys in swimsuits were discovered, including some snapshots of the victims.

Guidotti painted Arbulu as using both his stepson and coaching positions as a way to get close to adolescent boys. Often, he also befriended their parents to the degree they invited him to family parties and other social outings.

The incidents, which Guidotti said dated back to 1998, went unnoticed until one boy known as John Doe Number One informed his mother of the situation. After Arbulu's May 7, 2004 arrest and subsequent publicity, six other boys came forward. Prosecutors only charged Arbulu in the cases of five boys because two said their encounters occurred outside San Mateo County.

During his opening statements, defense attorney Geoff Carr did little to dispute the 28 charges against his client. Carr readily admitted the jury would find Arbulu guilty of some of the charges while others would not be proven, he hoped, beyond a reasonable doubt.

Carr's witnesses included a doctor, his daughter and his stepson. Both children denied being molested by Arbulu.

If convicted of all charges, Arbulu faces up to life in prison plus mandatory registration as a sex offender. Arbulu turned down a prosecution offer prior to trial and unsuccessfully sought a 15-year plea deal.

Prior to the jury convening yesterday morning, one male alternate was dismissed after arriving an hour late for trial.

Arbulu remains in custody in lieu of $1 million bail.

Michelle Durand can be reached by e-mail: michelle@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 104. What do you think of this story? Send a letter to the editor: letters@smdailyjournal.com.