Fresno man accused of kidnapping professor takes stand in own defense

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- A erstwhile pupil accused of kidnapping his prof took the basal successful tribunal connected Wednesday, allowing jurors to perceive from Rodolfo Brambila directly.

"I had a backpack afloat of stuff," helium said. "(I) hopped implicit her fence. Sat successful a small country determination by her greenish trash can."

While Action News cannot amusement Brambila's face, helium broke down respective times, flooded with emotion arsenic attorneys pressed him astir that time successful 2020.

Prosecutors person charged the 59-year-old with 5 counts of assault, mendacious imprisonment, and kidnapping. Brambila denies them all.

Action News cannot sanction the victim, but she taught Brambila euphony classes astatine Fresno City College and privately.

"I considered her a precise bully friend," Brambila said. "Over time, I developed feelings for her."

Hundreds of messages betwixt the 2 were shown successful court. Brambila repeatedly asked to conscionable successful person, telling the assemblage connected Wednesday that helium was lonely amid the pandemic.

"The isolation was driving maine nuts," helium said. "I wasn't functioning. I wasn't going to school. I wanted to spot her."

Investigators accidental Brambila went to his instructor's backyard successful December 2020.

At 1 point, helium wrapped his limb astir the woman's cervix portion helium had a gun.

Police recovered handcuffs, zip ties, chains, and padlocks.

Brambila insists helium was not determination to harm oregon kidnap his prof but admits the country turned violent.

"After I spot her and she removed her mouth, she started gouging astatine my eye. My near eye. I grabbed her limb astatine that constituent to support her from gouging astatine my face," helium said.

The assemblage heard much grounds successful the day from quality witnesses, perchance clearing the mode for closing arguments and assemblage deliberations successful the coming days.

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