Ruth Sivick Testimony
Testimony from Charles "Tex" Watson trial.
MR. BUGLIOSI: Thank you very much. People call
Ruth Sivick.
THE CLERK: Raise your right hand, please. You do solemnly swear
that the testimony you may give in the cause now pending before this
court shall be the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth,
so help you God?
THE WITNESS: I do.
THE CLERK: Thank you. Take the stand and be seated. Will you
state and spell your name, please.
THE WITNESS: Ruth Sivick, S-i-v-i-c-k.
DIRECT EXAMINATION BY MR. BUGLIOSI:
Q Mrs. -- is it Mrs. or Miss?
A Mrs.
Q Mrs. Sivick, what is your occupation, ma'am?
A I manage a dress shop.
Q What is the name of the dress shop?
A Sporty Knit.
Q Directing your attention to August of 1969, did you know a woman by the
name of Rosemary LaBianca?
A Yes, I did.
Q Would you briefly explain your acquaintanceship with her?
A She was my dearest friend and business partner.
Q She was a partner with you in the business?
A Yes.
Q That you now own or --
A No, previously.
Q What was the name of that one?
A Boutique Carriage.
Q On Figueroa?
A That is correct.
Q And you of course knew her husband Leno LaBianca?
A Yes.
Q When was the last time that you saw Mrs.LaBianca alive?
A Friday, August the 8th.
Q 1969?
A Right.
Q About what time of day?
A About 4:30.
Q In the afternoon?
A Yes.
Q Where were you and she at that time?
A Well, we had just come back from a buying trip from town.
Q And were you at your business or at her house?
A No, at the place of business.
Q Now, after 4:30 p.m. on August the 8th, 1969 did you ever speak to her,
let's say, over the telephone?
A Saturday morning, August the 9th.
Q Did she call you or did you call her?
A No, she called me.
Q And what was the conversation at that time?
A Well, she had told me she was going up to Lake lsabella and wouldn't be
back until 3:00 or 4:00 o'clock the next morning and if I would feed her
animals while she was gone.
Q Her two dogs?
A Three dogs.
Q And did you in fact go to Mr. and Mrs. LaBianca's residence to take
care of the dogs?
A Yes, I did.
Q And when did you go there?
A I guess I arrived between 6:00 and 6:15.
Q P.M.?
A Yes.
Q On what date?
A August the 9th.
Q The same day you spoke to her?
A Yes.
Q Incidentally, you never spoke to her after that?
A No, I did not.
Q And had you been to that residence on many prior occasions?
A Yes.
Q At 3301 Waverly Drive?
A Yes.
Q And how did you enter the home on this particular Saturday, August the
9th, 1969 at about 6:00 p.m. or thereabouts?
A Well, I parked my car on the street and walked up the driveway, took
the key from underneath the mat and walked in the front door.
Q You opened the front door with a key?
A Yes.
Q And what did you do after you entered?
A Greeted the dogs and went to the refrigerator, took the food and fed
the animals and then left the Labrador retriever out in the back yard for a
little romp.
Q Did the retriever comeback into the house before you left?
A Oh, yes.
Q How long did you stay inside the residence?
A I would say about 30 minutes.
Q Now, you say you got some food out of the refrigerator.
A That is right.
Q I show you people's 206 for identification. Directing your attention to
the refrigerator depicted therein, is this the refrigerator in the LaBianca
residence, in the kitchen?
A Yes, it is.
Q You notice that the words "Helter skelter" are printed on that
refrigerator door. Were those words on the door when you were inside the
residence at 6:00 p.m. on August the 9th?
A No.
Q When you got the food out of the refrigerator did you grasp the handle
of the refrigerator door?
A Oh, yes.
Q I take it that would be the only way for you to open it; is that
correct?
A I believe so.
Q Did you enter the living room of the residence?
A No, I don't think so. I think I went just to the family room.
Q How long did you stay inside the residence?
A About 30 minutes.
Q When you left did everything appear to be in order inside the
residence?
A Yes.
Q Were all the doors locked when you left?
A Yes.
Q Were the windows open or closed?
A I didn't check the windows.
Q Did you notice whether they were open or closed?
A No, I didn't.
MR. BUGLIOSI: Thank you. No further questions.
THE COURT: Just a moment.
MR. BUBRICK: No questions.
THE COURT: Thank you. You may be excused.
MR. BUGLIOSI: No further questions, your Honor. Is there any
objection to receiving pictures 303 and 304 into evidence at this
time to show to the jury?
THE COURT: Any objection?
MR. KEITH: No.
THE COURT: They may be received.
MR. BUGLIOSI: I will pass them among the jury. The people call as
their next witness Mr. John Fokianos.
