Detective describes taking voluntary statement from Israel Cortez; investigation handed to lead detective

Detective Randall Hines told the jury he was assigned as an assisting investigator and conducted a voluntary audio-video interview of Israel Cortez at SAPD Public Safety Headquarters on Sept. 14, 2023. The state published the recording as State's Exhibit 15; Hines confirmed the recording was a fair and accurate depiction of his interview and that Cortez was not handcuffed and was there voluntarily.

Hines repeatedly told the court that his role was narrowly focused on taking the statement and preparing a supplemental report, and that additional follow-up was left to lead investigator Detective Ronald Sto. Under cross-examination he confirmed he did not measure height or weight for Cortez or the victim and that database entries in the report (addresses, heights, weights) were autopopulated from law-enforcement records rather than measured at the interview. Hines also confirmed he did not conduct other investigative steps after taking Cortez's statement. "I was assigned...as an assist investigator on that particular case," he testified.