Transcription of shorthand notes – Kelley Lynch’s phone conversation with Keisha Martin.
A woman calls and says she is calling about Hopeton Brown.
I ask if she is the court reporter. Keisha Martin tells me “I am Hopeton Brown’s friend.” I attempted to get a transcript of the hearing. I am having a difficult time understanding Hopeton’s English and explanation of what occurred at the hearing. I know the “witness” who testified (male Asian) was not present when Amara Wilson was asked to give the camera back. I know there was a recess and the judge did not ask this man to return and Hopeton Brown was unable to rebut his testimony. He is upset about this. This man was the process server and Hopeton Brown told me he is Amara Wilson’s lover, witness, process server and possibly someone she does some type of business with.
Addi Somekh called Keisha Martin and had her call me re. Amara Wilson and Hopeton Brown. Keisha Martin is a friend of Wilson’s. She is also a friend of Hopeton Brown’s.
I explain to Martin what has unfolded with respect to Amara Wilson and her accusations directed at Hopeton Brown. That included the TRO, camera, tapes, an email with a virus, and a “soft kidnapping.”
Defined:
I was fat as a kid. I got into a van once because a man offered me cake. They called it a "soft kidnapping" because it was actually my idea.
Keisha Martin tells me:
“They went to court on that.”
“She doesn’t tell us what happens.”
“She’s one of my friends.”
“I told Hopeton Brown I would be a character witness.”
“I don’t think he is violent and I don’t think he would do that.”
“She is aggravating him at this point.” Martin said this is because they stopped dating.
I brought up the video tutorial tape and/or tapes. “She told him she destroyed it.” I replied that she appears to be a liar.
Martin says: “About the kidnapping: I don’t think he would do it. I think she’s making it up. If someone kidnapped her she would have told her friends.” “I knew Hopeton before I knew her.”
Martin tells me Amara Wilson is a “drama queen.” She tells me flat out: “There’s no kidnapping.” We discuss the fact that Wilson has raised the disappearance of Hopeton Brown’s ex and child on the record (TRO hearing) and is attempting to paint a portrait of a violent and possibly dangerous man. Martin thinks that’s preposterous and tells me “he would have got caught if that if it was.” I advise her that his ex applied for child support so we have evidence that they are alive and possibly in Florida.
Keisha Martin tells me: “I know that she’s a drama queen.” “This was an immature action.” “Wanting to break up.” Martin would not go into details about this. She believes Hopeton Brown and Amara Wilson were dating. “She said they were dating.” I mention that Hopeton Brown does not believe they were in a relationship – at all. Martin tells me “They both said they were dating. They had a relationship. Technically they were dating. He had dinner at her house. “The kids.” I ask about Wilson’s child. Martin confirms Wilson has a boy. I ask if he’s a young boy. Martin’s defensive now and does not want to talk about personal details re. Wilson’s life. She confirms – he’s a “young boy.” I asked if Wilson allowed Hopeton Brown around her son and Martin said “she allowed it.”
Martin tells me: “Hopeton Brown is a nice man. Hopeton Brown has not kidnapped anyone.” “The only reason why I’m calling – I know Hopeton Brown’s a nice guy.”
At this point I ask Keisha Martin if she will sign a Declaration attesting to her statements. She tells me no. She is now aggressive and defensive. I ask Martin if she will take the witness stand. “I don’t want to be involved with her shit.” Martin tells me “My name she not be involved at all.” She says “I’m telling a truthful story. He is a nice man.” “I have known Hopeton Brown … I ask when she met Hopeton Brown. She tells me “Ten years ago.”
I ask if she knows Pay Harrison. She says “He told me that story.” I ask if she ever goes to Echo Park (where Hopeton Brown works): “I go there for certain shows.” She informs me that she doesn’t hang out at clubs. I told her I do not either. She informs me “I do music.” I ask what she does and she says she is a “vocalist.”
I explain that Sergeant Sanders told me, this morning, that based upon their investigation and Amara Wilson’s statements he and Detective Horning have concluded that Hopeton Brown is a liar, con artist, and a “soft kidnapping” was raised as an issue. I explain that there was an investigation and it is possible that they will learn of Keisha Martin and her statements. She tells me not to trust the Sheriff’s Department. And tells me something like “You know what they’re up to” or “You know what they’re doing.” I have no idea. From my perspective, Sergeant Sanders is honest, professional, and has spent a great deal of time on this matter. He did not seem to be up to anything.
Keisha Martin tells me “Hopeton Brown has been a genius.” “He did invent ‘the dub.’” “He is amazing.” She tells me he was “never violent towards” her. She had dinner with him 3-4 times. He never “displayed any violence.” I ask if he’s ever been mean. Martin tells me “He has never been mean.”
We discuss the “soft kidnapping” issue. Keisha Martin tells me “Amara brought that up.” I am unclear but she said, initially, that Amara Wilson raised this as an issue at the hearing. I inform her that I do not have a transcript of the hearing. She tells me if she is dragged into this “We will be stumped.” I ask who “we” is and she tells me “Our other friends.” She then tells me “This is my first time hearing this.” This conflicts with what she just told me. Martin tells me “She knows that to involve us.” Martin is outright hostile at this point. “She doesn’t want us to get involved in her drama.” “She’s smart.” “Why would she want us to know if she is doing something wrong to Hopeton Brown?”
I point out that Keisha Martin if aggressive and defensive with me. Martin tells me “I am defensive. Hopeton Brown is a nice guy.” I ask her why she’s defensive and remind her that she called me.
The conversation ends at this point.
Addi Somekh (Witness #2)then calls to see if Keisha Martin called. I explain what happens and he sounds puzzled. I explain that I’m on another call and will call him back. He’ll call me if I miss him.
