Alcohol, testosterone and anti-gay slurs are not a good mix and three San Diego firefighters will learn Sept. 20 whether they will stand trial for felony assault, battery, making a criminal threat and robbery of two brothers they encountered in Normal Heights.
Both the alleged victims and the off-duty firefighters made remarks about the masculinity of the others, according to witnesses in the preliminary hearing which started Aug. 29. One firefighter was bitten on the arm by one alleged victim, and both brothers also had been drinking.
The firefighters are accused of calling one brother a “bicycle faggot,” while the other brother called the firefighters “bitch” in Spanish in the 2 a.m. incident Feb. 26. His brother yelled “you hit like a bitch,” and his other brother called the firefighters “faggots,” according to testimony.
Luis Martinez testified the firefighters took his bicycle and wallet, and he called his brother to come help him on Adams Avenue. Willie Martinez testified he told his brother “What did they do, hit you with their purse?”
Luis Martinez said one firefighter held up his state ID card and photo of his child and made threats. Luis Martinez suffered a concussion and was treated at a hospital days later.
The three retained defense attorneys and the prosecutor have tried the patience of San Diego Superior Court Judge Fred Link who has questioned some witnesses himself because the attorneys are either long-winded or asked irrelevant or improper questions.
Link asked a district attorney investigator why the case was considered “high profile,” which brought an objection from Deputy District Attorney Michael Runyon. Link ruled against his own question and told the witness not to answer, which caused a defense attorney to object.
Friday, Sept. 7, firefighter Gregory Mark Econie, 27, took the stand on his own defense – an unusual tactic in a preliminary hearing. The hearing will resume Sept. 20.
The incident occurred after Econie, and firefighters Vadid Cisneros, 37, and Andrew Connor Brennen, 30, left a bar on Adams Avenue.
The trio work at three different fire stations, and have pleaded not guilty. They are free on their own recognizance.
