Samuel Dieteman
If you woke up early enough today, you had the chance to see me live, via the magic of telephone, on ABC 15‘s morning show “Daybreak” to talk about the ongoing Serial Shooter trial. One of the things I mentioned on air, which I haven’t written about in the blog, is the chance that confessed killer Samuel Dieteman may take the stand again before the trial ends.
It’s true, but it depends on two very distinct things, according to statements made this week in court by the various lawyers and Judge Roland Steinle.
First, Serial Shooter suspect Dale Hausner, standing trial accused of eight murders, would have to take the stand in his own defense. Back in October, when testimony began, his defense attorney said the odds of that happening were good, but not a sure thing. This week, defense attorney Ken Everett said in open court they were “still deciding.”
[Bonus video at the end of this post of Dieteman testifying yesterday.]
Next, Hausner would have to point the finger at Dieteman for every one of the crimes tied to the Serial Shooter case, including the ones that took place before the pair even met. Remember: Authorities have only accused Dieteman of the shootings that took place between May and August 2006, saying he participated in the killing spree for about three months. As for Hausner, authorities have accused him of starting to kill people beginning almost a year before he met Dieteman — back in May 2005.
Hausner’s attorneys made it clear in opening arguments that they plan to place the blame completely on Dieteman, who has already confessed to two murders and numerous other shootings. Dieteman says each shooting took place with Hausner in the driver’s seat and in control. During opening arguments, Dieteman was called names like “killer Sam” and “the deal-maker Sam” for his agreement to testify in exchange for a number of assault and attempted murder charges being dropped. Throughout the trial, Hausner’s attorney Everett has referred to him as “the confessed Serial Shooter.”
If Hausner takes the stand and essentially says that Dieteman was the killer all along, and that he himself had no knowledge of the crimes, Judge Steinle said he may allow Dieteman back on the stand to refute those claims.
That’s a lot of ‘ifs,’ but added up, it means we may not have seen the last of Samuel Dieteman in this trial.
Bonus footage
Here’s bonus video from ABC 15 of Dieteman on the witness stand, answering juror questions that are being asked by the judge.