Murder witness explains police cooperation

Sedillo was a passenger in the SUV carrying John Navarro and Tito Sedeno, both 22, when they allegedly fired more than a dozen bullets in the early morning hours of Jan. 13, 2003. Sedillo claims he simply wanted a ride home from a friend's surprise birthday party and had no idea Raymond Gardner, 22, was killed by one of the bullets until after he and the defendants were arrested a few hours later.

Schooled in police interviews during his checkered past, Sedillo initially refused to say anything. During his time in custody, though, he thought about his newborn daughter and was told he faced murder charges. Officers had placed paper bags over his hands to preserve possible gun shot residue and told him one person was dead, but Sedillo said he never connected either to the hail of bullets he claims the defendants fired into the two cars of Gardner and his friends. Eventually, he told CHP Lt. Mike Maskarich he wanted to talk.

Gardner died after one bullet fired from the SUV struck him in the back of the head. Three other shots hit the Infiniti carrying Gardner and another car carrying two other friends returning home to Pacifica from San Jose. Gardner's friend, Jeffrey Chin, testified last week about seeing an extended hand with a gun during the assault but could not identify a face or body.

He said the shooter's arm was bare.

Prosecutor Sean Gallagher had Sedillo sit in a chair in view of the jury wearing the same black denim jacket as when he sat in the Chevrolet Tahoe. He extended his right arm to show the jacket arm, with the cuff rolled up once, falls past his wrist.

Police arrested the defendants and Sedillo after a high-speed chase over many Bay Area highways and bridges into San Francisco's Mission District.

Navarro and Sedeno have pleaded not guilty and the defense attorneys are pointing to Sedillo as the actual shooter. They believe Sedillo lied about his own involvement because he was on probation for felony robbery and was trying to avoid prison.

Sedillo, though, testified yesterday he didn't want money or immunity but feared for the safety of his girlfriend and child if he cooperated with police. He didn't worry about Sedeno or Navarro specifically, but other acquaintances and gang member who wouldn't appreciate him speaking out against friends.

Sedillo agreed to join the witness protection program and hasn't been back to the Bay Area since shortly after his police interviews.

Sedeno and Navarro remain in custody on no-bail status and face up to a life sentence if convicted.

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.