Deputy Testifies in Murder Trial

A sheriff’s deputy who works in the county courthouse testified Thursday that he overheard a Port Hueneme murder defendant implicate himself in the slaying of a Simi Valley man and his dog.

Deputy Larry Jarvis testified in the trial of Timothy E. Chrestman that the defendant admitted killing the dog in a conversation with another inmate while they were on their way from court back to jail.

Chrestman, 20, has pleaded not guilty to the March, 1994, shotgun slaying of Andy Anderson, 24, who was killed while on a fishing trip at Middle Lion’s Campground in the mountains above Ojai.

Chrestman testified earlier in the trial that two gang members killed Anderson, then forced the defendant to drive the dead man’s truck to West Hollywood. Prosecutors contend Chrestman killed Anderson and his dog so he could steal Anderson’s truck.

Jarvis, testifying as a rebuttal witness for the prosecution, said he overheard the brief conversation between Chrestman and the other inmate nearly a year ago, following Chrestman’s arraignment on the murder charge.

Jarvis said he had his back to the two men when he heard the other inmate say in amazement to Chrestman, “You killed the . . . dog, man?”

“Yeah,” Chrestman replied, according to Jarvis.

The deputy said he then turned and looked at the men, who immediately stopped speaking.

In another development Thursday, defense attorney Steve Pell asked permission to introduce the testimony of a Ventura man who has been linked to a car the Chrestman family contends was parked suspiciously outside their home the day the defendant was arrested.

Pell said he believes whoever was in the car wanted to kill Chrestman so he could not identify Anderson’s killers. Superior Court Judge Charles W. Campbell Jr. said he will rule on the defense request when the trial resumes Tuesday.