SEX!

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For the past week, Gabbard—who suffers from advanced emphysema—has provided colorful videotaped testimony in case he dies before the upcoming trial. Laird believes the 69-year-old businessman (and convicted felon arrested for murder, several armed robberies, embezzlement and illegal drug possession) is a star prosecution witness against Jaramillo.

But almost everything Gabbard has said on the witness stand either contradicts his earlier statements, exposes Sheriff Carona's complicity or helps the defense. There's no mystery why Laird has stood in court sweating profusely, fanning his face with a file folder and looking perturbed. The DA's case is simply unraveling. Could this be why someone leaked the sex stories?

RSCOTTMOXLEY@OCWEEKLY.COM