Witness Statement: Enrico Puzo

Puzo made his preliminary statement by phone to Orange County authorities upon the insistence of Johnson's mother. Puzo trains horses for racing and lives in Los Lunas, New Mexico. He states to have known Johnson for "many years".

FILED: 07/16/99 3:00pm

WITNESS: Enrico Puzo

ADDRESS: Los Lunas, New Mexico

STATEMENT:

Si, I've known this boy for many years. His mother, she calls me to ask if I would tell you what a good boy he is. I agree, since he is muy bueno, very good boy. He likes the animals, and this is good.

Freddie, I call him Freddie, and me, we meet in Costa Mesa where I have familia. He was in school, learning the filming. We meet at the farmer's market. Taking pictures, buying oranges. We bump into each other, boom! And I drop the oranges. He did not drop the camera! I was so sorry. So I buy him oranges. We talk and I tell him I raise horses. He becomes so happy!

He loves the animals. He was so mad, he talk about this man who wants to send old cats overseas for food. He talks like this man is crazy. He ask about my horses and I tell him I race the horses. He was not happy about this, but he ask many questions and I invite him to my home.

I pay for him to come to New Mexico. I live in Los Lunas. Near Albuquerque. I take my horses all over to train and race. Two-year olds, four-year olds. I like to race them, train them high-altitude, in the mountains. I take them to Colorado to race.

He comes to my home, mi casa, and he likes it there, I think. He takes many pictures, and he ask to come back to film the horses. He wants to do a film on racing the young horses, and I said that was good. Good idea.

But I hear now he's dead. El es muerto. ¡Esto está tan triste! This is so sad! I will miss my friend. What can I do in helping you with this? His mother, she's so sad. Very sad. She ask me to call to tell you how good he is.

Let me know how I can help. Any way.