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Defense Expected To Call Jailed Man In Ruiz Case

MAYVILLE — The defense will present its case starting Tuesday as it requested the witness Quentin Watts to be present. Watts is a pivotal character to the defense’s story as he was informed that Julian Duman was joking as he pretended to be Walter “Waldo” Dupree and he is the one who ran from the scene, according to Anthony L. Pendergrass’ opening statement.

Watts is currently in Chautauqua County Jail after giving contradicting statements for the Rebecca Ruiz murder trial. It is unknown what he said, but he was charged and arrested by the city of Dunkirk Police Department for a Class E felony for making a false statement.

Pendergrass alleges that on the night of the shooting, July 6, 2017, the trio of Duman, Watts and Angel Morales went to a South Roberts Road address to kill Dupree. Dupree, who is married to Ruiz, left jail on February 2017 and wanted to get Ruiz back though she was dating Duman, Pendergrass said. The defense, through evidence in the prosecution’s case, has noted that Ruiz and Dupree were in an abusive relationship.

When Duman and Watts returned (the defense didn’t state where Morales went), Duman told Watts that he was going to mess with Ruiz. He allegedly pounded on the door saying, “(Expletive), it’s Waldo, opening up the mother (expletive) door, (expletive).” Shortly thereafter, Ruiz reportedly heard the keys enter the deadbolt lock and she shot through the door, killing Duman.

Witnesses that were walking on Lake Shore Drive East state that when they arrived at the house, a person in all black or dark clothing ran away from the scene. That person, the defense said during its opening statement, would be Watts.

During Ruiz’s 911 call, the District Attorney Patrick Swanson stated that Ruiz said, “Please get this out of here, please take it. I can’t go to jail.” Swanson believes that Ruiz is talking about the gun, which was not found, and that it was handed to Watts.

Tuesday’s trial is scheduled to resume at 9:30 a.m.

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