Tylar Witt Testifies In Mother's Murder Trial
EL DORADO COUNTY (CBS13) -- Tylar Witt walked into court in a purple sweatshirt and dark green pants, at first shackled, but with the request of her attorney, she was unshackled, stating that she's been an "exemplary ward" and does not pose a threat.
Witt's official testimony began at 8:46 a.m. as she faced Steven Colver for the first time since the trial began.
Witt first described how she met Colver at the Habit Coffee Shop, and it was her friend that had a crush on him. She then explained how they began to form a close friendship and then started seeing each other after she had a bad breakup with her then boyfriend.
She testified that she loved and trusted Colver more than anyone saying, "If he asked me to jump off a bridge, and I asked him why and he said just trust me, I would have done it."
When Witt was asked about her relationship with her mother, she went on to say that their relationship was "great, fine" when she first met Colver, but her mother drank and that made her feel "frustrated, mad and sad."
"I couldn't stand being around her, ever since I was little, I could always tell," said Witt.
Witt also admitted to using drugs with Colver, as well as having sexual intercourse within weeks of February 23, 2009.
During her testimony, Witt described how her mother suggested that Colver move into their home because she needed a boarder and she was comfortable around him. But, soon after he moved into the home, her mother caught the two of them engaging in sexual acts, and ordered Colver to move out. Witt also testified that her mother wouldn't press charges if Colver stayed away from the home and her as well. But, the couple decided to keep sneaking around, which is when her mother decided to call the authorities when she realized the two were still seeing each other.
Witt testified that a shoving match occurred one night while the drama with Colver esclated. Witt explained that they pushed one another, and her mother threatened to call the police. Instead, Witt decided to call the authorities and pretended to be her mother saying "My daughter is hitting me, come take her away."
"I wanted to go anywhere to get away," said Witt.
Witt was taken to Juvenile Hall where she told the authorities she hated her mother. After Witt was released, Witt said that she was extremely distant from her mother.
Witt told the jury that hours before the killing, she and Colver agreed to commit suicide together.
"We were going to use Drano, vodka and Pepto Bismo," Witt explained.
During the testimony, Witt admitted to lying to protect herself as well as Colver.
"I thought by giving you what you wanted to hear, it would help me," said Witt while speaking to the jury.
When Witt was asked by the prosecutor why they should believe her now, she replied with," Um, I can't really answer that other than to say I'm telling the truth. It takes a lot of energy to lie; I don't have that kind of energy anymore."
Prosecutors charged Colver with the stabbing death of Joanne Witt inside her El Dorado Hills home in 2009. Prosecutors said Colver stabbed Witt to death after she discovered Colver was having a sexual relationship with her 14-year-old daughter, Tylar Witt.
Witt agreed to plead guilty to second-degree murder in exchange for her testimony against Colver.
