Testimony resumed Tuesday morning in the bench trial of Cassandra Michaels, the alleged getaway driver accused in the April 2025 killing of Caleb Quick, with prosecutors focusing on her actions before and after the fatal shooting outside a Clovis McDonald’s.

GV Wire is naming Michaels as the alleged getaway driver because she is now above the age of 18.

Continuation of Monday’s Testimony

Carlos Navarro, whose testimony began Monday, returned to the stand as prosecutors played additional surveillance footage from inside the McDonald’s.

Navarro testified Michaels left the restaurant after the shooting while he remained inside. He said police later directed patrons to leave through a designated exit before he called Michaels from the parking lot to tell her someone had shot Quick.

Navarro testified he had pointed out a man dressed in black before the shooting, saying he resembled the alleged shooter. He said Michaels responded that it could not have been him because “he does not dress like that” and that she had just dropped him off at his house.

Michaels and the Alleged Shooter Leave McDonald’s

Surveillance footage shown in court depicted Michaels and the alleged shooter arriving at the McDonald’s before leaving together. Navarro testified Michaels said she was taking him home.

Navarro testified Michaels’ demeanor had changed after she returned and that she began discussing sexual assault allegations involving Quick.

Navarro also testified he saw Michaels the following morning at a memorial for Quick, where she was crying. After reviewing a prior statement to Clovis police, Navarro recalled Michaels saying, “This world is so messed up, how could someone take a video.”

During cross-examination, defense attorneys questioned Navarro about inconsistencies between his testimony and prior statements to investigators, his recollection of events from more than a year earlier, and whether he received a Valley Crime Stoppers reward of $40,000. Navarro testified he never received the money and never contacted Valley Crime Stoppers.

More Witnesses Called to the Stand

Camryn Shepherd testified she drove Michaels to school the morning after the shooting because Michaels told her her white Tesla was not working. Shepherd acknowledged previously saying the vehicle needed an oil change, which she said would not make sense due to the car not needing oil.

Shepherd testified Michaels appeared upset and “not normal” following the shooting and became defensive when news reports identified authorities were searching for a white Tesla. She also said Michaels was quieter than usual following the shooting and later missed several days of school.

Under cross-examination, Shepherd described Michaels as normally energetic and talkative, but said she became more reserved after the shooting, particularly when discussing Quick.

Witness Could Not Identify the Accused

Abigail Haas, who testified she had known Quick through church since middle school, said Michaels told her before youth group that she planned to leave early to take the alleged shooter home so he could change. Haas also testified Michaels asked whether Quick would be attending youth group.

Haas said she later saw Michaels and the alleged shooter leave church early before everyone met at the McDonald’s for the weekly gathering known as “Fry Night.”

Haas testified she saw a man dressed in black with a black mask inside the McDonald’s before the shooting and found his clothing unusual. After the shooting, Haas said Michaels bumped into her while trying to leave the restaurant. Haas testified she tried to stop Michaels, but Michaels pulled away, saying she needed to go home.

Surveillance footage shown in court depicted the interaction between Haas and Michaels before Haas returned to her friends in restaurant.

During cross-examination, defense attorneys highlighted Haas’ prior interviews with law enforcement and questioned her about statements describing the alleged shooter’s clothing, noting black jeans and black shoes were typical attire for him since Haas told authorities that was what he was wearing.

The Witness Who Was Offered the Tesla

Henry Newman testified he knew both Michaels and Quick through Clovis Hills Church but was not present the night of the shooting. He said he spent time with Michaels the morning after the shooting at a vigil for quick, then detailed that they went to Dutch Bros and swimming. Newman also said that they went to IHOP with the same group of friends that were at the vigil on a different date.

Newman testified Michaels offered him her white Tesla despite Newman not being licensed to drive. He also said he did not notice any mechanical problems with the vehicle, coming from Shepherd’s testimony.

Defense attorneys played portions of Newman’s recorded interview with police, during which he said he never believed Michaels was involved because she was “absolutely devastated.” Prosecutors later revisited the recording during redirect before portions of Newman’s explanation were stricken from the record.

Newman was also recorded praising Navarro and hoping that he would receive a $40,000 tip from Valley Crime Stoppers. However, in Navarro’s earlier testimony, he said he never gave a tip to Valley Crime Stoppers or received that tip.

Minor Testifies to the Court

A second minor witness testified she met Quick through Clovis Hills Church and considered him like a brother. She testified Michaels frequently attended youth group and often spoke about the alleged shooter, who was her boyfriend.

The witness said Michaels asked whether Quick would be attending youth group before services began, prompting her and Haas to contact Quick.

She later saw Quick at the McDonald’s, was with him for about an hour, and watched him leave. Moments after Quick left, she testified she heard a gunshot.

Defense attorneys questioned the witness about Michaels’ friendship with Quick, suggesting Michaels’ inquiry about whether he would attend youth group was routine because he regularly attended.

Longtime Friend Testifies

Michael Dexter, a longtime friend of Michaels, was the final witness before the noon recess.

Dexter testified he had known Michaels since second grade and saw both her and the alleged shooter together at church before everyone went to the McDonald’s. He said the group regularly gathered there after Wednesday youth group and that leaving church early was not unusual.

Dexter testified Michaels drove herself and the alleged shooter directly to the McDonald’s, where they joined Navarro, Dexter and his then-girlfriend at a table before the shooting.

Court recessed for lunch and is scheduled to resume at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday.

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