It's been almost two years since 15-year-old Timicca Nauta was found lifeless on her bed by her guardian, Grandmother Solomae Nauta. Today Solomae relives that morning as she is the first witness to testify in Brandon Acosta's jury trial.

It was around 6 a.m. when Solomae Nauta called for her granddaughter to come help her with chores. After she didn't receive a response, Solomae Nauta walked over to her granddaughter's shack on the family compound in Dededo. 

"I went to her door and opened her door, I was still shouting her name," the grandmother testified. "Then when I got in I noticed it was dark and its usually not like that. So I went a little bit closer to her and she wasn't answering me when I was calling her. And so when she didn't answer me I went over there and I shook her and she felt kind of wet and cold."


It was in June 2018, when 15-year-old Timicca Nauta was found lying in her blood, face down with her legs off the bed, part of her body covered with a blanket and stab wounds to her head, neck and body.

The man accused for the slaying of Timicca, Brandon Acosta, is before a jury, facing charges of Aggravated Murder with use of deadly weapon, Criminal Sexual Conduct, Burglary and Home Invasion.

During opening statements this morning, Assistant Attorney General Leonardo Rapadas asked the jury to consider what is reasonable, beyond all doubt and to use common sense when evaluating all the evidence the government will bring forward as exhibits.

Representing Acosta, defense counsel William Poole tells the jury there is no question that a young women was killed, arguing "we have somebody who was a victim but not as the evidence will show, beyond a reasonable doubt of Brandon Acosta."

Further Attorney Poole, asked the jurors, "When you look at the government's evidence, I ask you to also look at what it doesn't show, it's not going to show time, it's not going to show reason, it's not going to show purpose, it's going to lead you to reasonable doubt," he said. 

Following opening statements, Solomae Nauta began her testimony. She testified that when Timicca remained unresponsive, her she immediately called for her son and Timicca's uncle Rick Nauta.

"And I said to him, Rick, there is some blood splatter on the wall, and I also said Rick there is a cut on her shoulder blade," she said. "And that is what I remember."