FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — Prosecutors rested their case in the trial of Cassandra Michael Friday after presenting cellphone-location evidence and recalling Detective Malhi. The defense then called two witnesses, including a friend of Cassandra’s and the witness identified throughout the case as Jane Doe.
Software Analyst Details Cellphone Evidence
Former Clovis Police Department forensic analyst Destin Watkins testified about extractions performed on cellphones belonging to Cassandra and the suspected teen shooter.
Watkins said data from Cassandra’s iPhone showed five significant locations on the night of April 23:
Clovis Hills Church from approximately 6 p.m. to 7:39 p.m.
McDonald’s from 7:47 p.m. to 8:13 p.m.
An area near Omaha and Mattis avenues from 8:21 p.m. to 8:28 p.m.
A return to McDonald’s from 8:36 p.m. to 8:59 p.m.
An area near Heirloom and Hughes avenues from 9:11 p.m. to 10:23 p.m.
Watkins testified that Cassandra’s phone recorded more than 70 lock and unlock events between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. on the night of the shooting.
According to Watkins, shortly after the shooting, the first application to come into focus on Cassandra’s phone was the phone app, followed by Instagram and Snapchat notifications.
Watkins also reviewed call records from Cassandra’s phone. He testified that she attempted to call her boyfriend at 8:25 p.m., but the call was unanswered. Additional calls were made later that night to friends.
Watkins testified that location data from the boyfriend’s phone was “essentially the same” as Cassandra’s and appeared to indicate the devices were together.
The judge also heard testimony that investigators found internet searches on the boyfriend’s phone related to news coverage of the shooting. Watkins said another search, conducted on April 28, asked: “when does footage in the Tesla delete.”
Watkins also testified that the boyfriend searched his own name twice on April 30.
During cross-examination, defense attorney Sally Vecchiarelli noted the boyfriend’s phone data showed both phones near Omaha and Mattis around the same time and highlighted the timing differences between phone-location data and other evidence.
On redirect, Watkins testified location data may lag behind a person’s actual movement because a phone may not immediately register that it has left a defined geographic area.
Friend Describes Phone Call After Shooting
Dana Moen testified that she was Cassandra’s best friend at the time of the shooting.
Moen said she learned about the shooting through a group text message while at her pastor’s house and then spoke with Cassandra by phone later that evening.
Moen testified Cassandra initially sounded normal and that she could hear the boyfriend in the background during the call. She described Cassandra’s demeanor as initially “giggly” and “typical.” Moen said Cassandra began crying after learning Caleb had been shot and told her she did not know what had happened and had not seen anything.
Surveillance video previously shown in court shows Cassandra saw Caleb’s body in the parking lot, and was aware of the shooting.
Moen testified Cassandra considered Caleb to be like a brother.
According to Moen, Cassandra later told her she was struggling with the news because of what she had learned about allegations involving Jane Doe.
Moen also testified that Cassandra had told her the boyfriend did not like Caleb and generally did not like many of Cassandra’s male friends.
During cross-examination, Vecchiarelli pointed to phone records showing that Cassandra called Moen, rather than Moen calling Cassandra as Moen initially recalled.
Moen also testified she learned of Jane Doe’s allegations the day after the alleged incident occurred.
On redirect, Moen reaffirmed that Cassandra’s demeanor at the start of their call was normal.
Detective Malhi Recalled
Detective Malhi briefly returned to the stand.
He testified investigators were unable to locate clothing or shoes they believed the suspected shooter wore on the night of the shooting despite searches of both the residence and Cassandra’s Tesla.
Malhi also identified photographs of items found in the boyfriend’s bedroom that investigators used to identify the room during the search.
During cross-examination, Hammerschmidt questioned Malhi about Valley Crime Stoppers tips and how investigators would obtain such information. Malhi testified he understood members of his department reviewed tips and would provide relevant information to detectives.
Starla Montoya
The defense’s first witness was Starla Montoya, who testified she knew Cassandra, Caleb, the suspected shooter and several other members of their church and school friend group.
Montoya testified that after the shooting she contacted Clovis police because she believed information she had received before the shooting could help investigators understand why Caleb had been targeted.
According to Montoya, the boyfriend told her he had recently learned from Cassandra about allegations involving Jane Doe and appeared upset.
Montoya testified he later asked whether she would help him “beat up” Caleb. She said she refused.
Montoya testified the conversation occurred before the shooting, during the school week leading up to April 23.
During cross-examination, she testified the discussion occurred the Friday before the shooting and said she felt obligated to report everything she knew to police.
Montoya also testified the boyfriend commonly wore black Nike Air Force 1 shoes to school, the same shoes worn by the masked shooter.
Jane Doe Testifies
The defense’s final witness was Jane Doe, who testified under protective restrictions ordered by the court because she was a minor at the time of the alleged assault discussed during the trial.
Jane Doe testified she met Cassandra through school in 2024 and described her as a caring friend who offered support when she needed it.
She testified that in April 2025 she told Cassandra about an incident involving Caleb that had changed their (Jane Doe and Caleb’s) friendship.
Jane Doe described Caleb doing something to her that “she did not agree with him doing.”
She went on to say she did not know what Caleb did to her initially, until he sent her a video of the incident the following morning via Snapchat, and un-friended her soon after.
According to Jane Doe, she first disclosed the incident to two friends before later telling Cassandra.
Jane Doe testified that when she informed Cassandra, Cassandra hugged her, apologized for what had happened and expressed support.
She testified Cassandra never expressed a desire to harm Caleb.
Instead, Jane Doe said Cassandra believed her account and comforted her.
Jane Doe also testified she discussed attending church with Cassandra on the night of the shooting but ultimately did not go.
After learning of the shooting, Jane Doe said she saw Cassandra at school the next day and later attended Caleb’s memorial with her.
Jane Doe described Cassandra as very emotional at school and at the memorial. She testified that both of them cried following the shooting.
Under questioning from Chief Deputy District Attorney Kendall Reynolds, Jane Doe reaffirmed that Cassandra was emotional the day after the shooting and during the vigil.
She also testified that she attended prom with Cassandra several weeks later and described Cassandra as acting like her normal self during that event.
Evidence Phase Concludes
With Jane Doe’s testimony complete, both sides concluded the evidentiary portion of the trial. Closing arguments are scheduled to begin Monday, August 17.
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