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execution’s doorstep
Glisson, took part in the break-in working undercover for the Auburndale Police. The Reagans were presently in New England, Glisson testified. The defense had listed the Reagans as witnesses, and the court had agreed to pay their travel expenses, even though an o<cial subpoena was never issued. The sum e=ect of this was to paint the Reagans in a very unflattering light, suggesting that they would appear in court only if ordered to do so, and to exculpate Falcon from any wrongdoing in the incident. The Reagans actually had agreed to testify without being subpoenaed. They delayed making travel plans when Roger Alcott informed them the trial likely would be postponed, due to one of the witnesses being hospitalized. The witness, Detective Glisson, was released from the hospital, and the trial proceeded on schedule, without the Reagans.30 When Defense Attorney Roger Alcott asked Agent Tom Roper about the break-in and shooting at the Reagan home, Prosecutor Hardy Pickard objected, and the objection was sustained. Nor would the court allow Alcott to present evidence demonstrating that many of the details contained in David Falcon’s account were readily available to the general public from media sources.31 John Berrien denied involvement in the crime. He said Juan Melendez had asked him for a ride to Mr. Del’s Beauty School, so he could have his hair done and pick up some money, but John Berrien could not remember what day that was—not even whether it was before or after his marriage on September 2. He did remember the time of day, though. At about 4:00 he drove his cousin George Berrien and Juan Melendez from Lakeland to Auburndale. He didn’t actually see Juan Melendez or his cousin go inside Delbart Baker’s place of business. Juan Melendez had a bulge in his pants that might have been a gun, but John Berrien never saw a weapon. He picked his cousin and Juan Melendez back up at about 5:30 or 5:45. They weren’t excited, or scared, or bloody. On the drive back to Lakeland, they talked to one another in Spanish, so he wasn’t sure what they said. Sometime later, John Berrien could not remember when, he drove his cousin George and Juan Melendez to the train station, where George boarded a train for Delaware. Juan Melendez gave George two rings, a watch, and a gun to sell on his trip.32 When Alcott questioned John Berrien, Berrien admitted that he had a history of prior convictions. As to the fact that in exchange for his testimony John Berrien had made a deal with the State, and like Juan Melendez, initially had been charged with first-degree murder and armed robbery: “I didn’t feel like I had nothing to do with it, so I said no contest. My lawyer wanted me to plead guilty, but I wouldn’t accept a guilty plea.” John Berrien acknowledged that he spent 106 days in jail, and to start with