Jurors in the Santa Barbara County Superior Court trial of a Washington man accused of fatally shooting a stranger outside a Santa Maria bar in 2022 began hearing from witnesses this week.

Ron Dolph Tutay, 29, from the state of Washington was arrested following the July 2, 2022, nighttime fatal shooting of Gerald Williams, 55, outside the Louie B’s bar on East Main Street. 

Williams, a Navy veteran, was shot once in the back and pronounced dead at the hospital despite lifesaving efforts.

Tutay has been charged with murder and a special allegation, or sentencing enhancement, for use of a firearm.

On Wednesday afternoon, with the jurors and alternates seated, Deputy District Attorney Austin Ingalls delivered his opening statement, saying the two men didn’t interact before the shooting. 

However, while being transported by police, Tutay asked questions about whether Williams died, using an offensive term for Williams, who is Black.

“Did that (racist term) die?” Tutay allegedly asked before adding, “That was good (expletive), huh?”

After arresting Tutay, police found a 9mm firearm in Tutay’s suitcase, the same type of weapon used to kill Williams.

An expert will testify about the results of tests to determine if the marks made by gun in Tutay’s possession matched those found at scene.

“He’s going to tell you that they’re identical,” Ingall’s said. 

The defense team, Lori Pedego and Megan Leisz, reserved their opening statement, a tactic sometimes taken so they can see the evidence presented by the prosecution.

Jurors heard from two police officers who were the first to arrive at the shooting scene.

Officer Jake Fell testified about an earlier encounter with Tutay after police received a report that a man had opened a parked car, took a soda out and drank it a couple of blocks away from the shooting scene. 

Two hours later, Fell arrived at the shooting scene and saw Tutay sitting against a wall, with a backpack and a suitcase. As he arrived within minutes of being dispatched, Fell said he did not see anyone fleeing from the area.

Asked if he saw any weapons, Fell replied, “Nothing at all.”

Two bystanders administered aid to Williams on the sidewalk. 

“He advised he found him there and he had been breathing initially,” Fell said.

Under questioning from the defense, Fell said he did not determine whether Tutay was dehydrated or thirsty.

Leisz also asked if police sought medical attention for Tutay. 

“He did not request any,” Fell added.

Now a detective, Officer Erik Hesch said Tutay appeared calm. 

Asked by the prosecuting attorney if Tutay appeared shocked by what happened, Hesch answered, “In my opinion, no.”

Defense attorneys lodged multiple objections as Ingalls presented crime scene photos for Hesch to identify. 

After jurors left the courtroom, Pedego said the officer admitted that he wasn’t at the scene when some of the photos were taken, as she argued he wasn’t the appropriate person to testify so the pictures could be put into evidence. 

But Ingalls contended that he asked the detective about the images to establish whether they properly depicted the scene from the night of the shooting.

Judge Stephen Dunkle disagreed with the defense attorney’s contention that the detective acted as a reader while testifying about the photos.

“He is not a reader because he was there that night,” Dunkle added.

Tutay has remained in the custody of the Santa Barbara County Jail since his arrest with bail set at $3 million. 

The trial is scheduled to continue Wednesdays through Fridays into early October, according to the schedule.