Important

Key Points to Highlight in Testimony

  1. Your Credentials and Experience

    • 10 years with the Emerald Bend Sheriff's Department.

    • Served as a detective (6 yrs) and patrol officer (4 yrs) in a larger city prior.

  2. Initial Response to the Crime

    • Received Taylor Alexander's distress call at 2:30 PM on 11/11/23 and arrived at 1335 Lakeside Drive.

    • Noticed ligature marks, muddy clothing, and the pillowcase with "Dorais for Emerald Bend."

    • Recognized the logo of the Gold Standard Inn on the pillowcase.

  3. Evidence Collection

    • Toxicology report indicating cold syrup in Alexander's system.

    • Receipt for blue dock rope in Logan Gold's name dated 11/5/23

    • Tire tracks at the scene matched Gold’s car.

    • Pillowcase displaying the words “Dorais for Emerald Bend” written in what appeared to be black Sharpie, and there was a small hole of about 1” in diameter that appeared cut into the fabric with logo of the Gold Standard Inn

  4. Witness Interviews

    • Statements from Taylor Alexander and Harper Dorais.

      • “I was trying to make sure the family inn could be passed down for generations.” -Gold

    • Dorais seemed nervous when Gold arrived at the debate.

      • “It’s taken care of” to Dorais

    • Gold claimed to have spoken to CJ Costly and distributing flyers but no one around Ambrasia Lake saw Gold but they did have flyers in their mailboxes

  5. Arrest and Interrogation of Gold

    • Gold was arrested 12/4/23

    • Gold invoked Miranda rights but later spoke with Dorais.

    • Gold made a cryptic comment about preserving the family inn.

Mock Questioning Practice

Direct Examination

Q1: Can you state your name and your role in this case?
A: My name is Deputy Riley Kim, and I am with the Emerald Bend Sheriff’s Department. I was the responding officer in the alleged kidnapping of Taylor Alexander.

Q2: How did you become involved in this investigation?
A: On November 11, 2023, at about 2:30 PM, I received a call from Taylor Alexander reporting a kidnapping. I arrived at their property at 1335 Lakeside Drive approximately 45 minutes later to begin my investigation.

Q3: What did you observe when you arrived at the scene?
A: I saw Taylor Alexander standing on the porch, visibly distressed, wearing muddy sweatpants and a T-shirt. Their wrists appeared red and inflamed, consistent with ligature marks. Alexander was holding a pillowcase with the words “Dorais for Emerald Bend,” which I recognized as coming from the Gold Standard Inn.

Q4: What evidence did you collect at the scene?
A: I secured the pillowcase, photographed tire tracks at the driveway, and collected two blue dock ropes and a metal chair from the storage shed where Alexander reported being held.

Q5: Did your investigation lead you to any suspects?
A: Yes. Evidence pointed to Logan Gold, based on the use of materials tied to the Gold Standard Inn and the discovery of a receipt in Gold’s name for blue dock rope, which matched the restraints used.

Cross-Examination

Q1: Deputy Kim, isn't it true that no one saw Logan Gold kidnap Taylor Alexander?
A: That’s correct, no eyewitnesses saw the act itself. However, the physical evidence strongly links Gold to the crime.

Q2: The toxicology report only found cold syrup in Alexander’s system. Couldn’t that have been consumed willingly?
A: While cold syrup could be consumed willingly, its effects as described by Alexander align with a substance being used to incapacitate them.

Q3: Didn’t Logan Gold have an alibi for the morning of the alleged kidnapping?
A: Gold claimed to be distributing flyers near Ambrosia Lake, but only one witness, C.J. Costly, confirmed seeing Gold during that time.