It was Patrick Michael Aleman's turn Friday to take the witness stand in his own defense against felony domestic abuse charges.
Wearing a Crow Wing County Jail-issued orange jumpsuit and with his legs in shackles, Aleman walked to the witness stand, sat down and poured himself a glass of water.
Aleman was preparing himself for cross-examination by Crow Wing County Attorney Don Ryan. Aleman, who is defending himself on the felony charges, Thursday waived his right to remain silent.
Before Aleman, 35, took the stand he asked Judge David J. Ten Eyck if it would be OK if he took a piece of paper and a pen to the stand. Aleman told Ten Eyck he wanted to take notes so he could remember what he said if he had questions later. As the judge was thinking about his request, Ryan interjected, "I have no problem your honor with him bringing a pen and paper to the stand." The judge then OK'd Aleman's request.
Once Aleman sat down, Ryan offered only one comment: "Your honor, the state does not feel like we need to cross examine Aleman. Therefore, I have no questions."
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Aleman then walked back to the table and sat down next to his advisory counsel, Andrew Wipper, an attorney with the Ed Shaw Law office.
The state rested its case Thursday and the defense rested Friday.
Aleman was charged with three felonies Feb. 20, 2014, in Crow Wing County District Court for first-degree attempted murder, while committing domestic abuse with past pattern of domestic abuse; third-degree assault to cause substantial bodily harm; and domestic assault by strangulation. Those charges were later amended to first-degree assault to cause great bodily harm; third-degree assault to cause substantial bodily harm; and domestic assault by strangulation.
Aleman is accused of choking a Brainerd woman, his on-and-off-again girlfriend, until she passed out, burning her with a cigarette and causing significant bruises to her body. The assault was reported to Brainerd police at 2:51 a.m. Feb. 18, 2014, to the 3300 block of Oak Street in response to a 911 call concerning a female who was covered in bruises.
The criminal complaint filed against Aleman said the victim had a broken tooth from being head-butted in her face and she had multiple cigarette burns on her body.
On Friday Ten Eyck ruled closing arguments will be submitted in written form instead of orally. Ten Eyck gave Ryan until Feb. 27 to submit his closing argument to the court. Ten Eyck set Aleman's deadline in March 13.
Once the closing arguments are submitted to the court, they will be public data. After Aleman's argument is submitted, Ryan will have time to submit a rebuttal. Once the rebuttal is complete the judge then will take the case under advisement and make a ruling on whether Aleman is guilty or not guilty of the charges.
JENNIFER STOCKINGER may be reached at jennifer.stockinger@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5851. Follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/jennewsgirl .
