Chrestman Trial on Hold to Probe Claims

Closing arguments in a Port Hueneme man’s murder trial were delayed for one day on Wednesday to give the defense more time to investigate claims that someone else might have committed the crime.

Timothy Chrestman, 20, is charged with the March 4 shooting death of Andy Lee Anderson of Simi Valley. Anderson, 24, and his dog were shot while on a fishing outing at the Middle Lions Campground above Ojai.

Chrestman, whose wallet was found inside Anderson’s abandoned truck two days after the murder, has testified that he was kidnaped by Anderson’s real killer.

Chrestman’s family also contends that a car parked suspiciously outside their home the day the defendant was arrested might be linked to the real killer.

Superior Court Judge Charles W. Campbell had denied a motion to introduce testimony about the car, but gave the defense until this morning to further investigate its theory. He said closing arguments would begin today.