Co-defendant takes stand in West Adams beating trial

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- One of two defendants on trial in the West Adams beating of a woman who was feeding stray cats took the stand on Friday.

Los Angeles firefighter Ian Eulian is on trial, accused of battery causing serious bodily injury, and his mother, Lonieta Fontaine, is accused of accessory after the fact for lying about the incident.

Eulian and Fontaine are seen on surveillance video in a physical altercation with 47-year-old Rebecca Stafford during a heated argument in September 2013. Eulian is seen repeatedly punching Stafford. The incident occurred in Fontaine's West Adams neighborhood.

Fontaine's testimony Friday was her first day on the witness stand in the six-day-old trial. Fontaine claims Stafford instigated the violence involving her and her son when they asked Stafford to stop feeding the cats.

She told defense attorneys during questioning that her home was being overrun by stray cats making strange noises, leaving feces and more on her property.

"They would do that 'man talk,' that really loud noise that they make -- I don't know if they are mating, I don't what they are doing. It's a horrible noise," said Fontaine.

"How did Miss Stafford respond when you told her about all these problems that the stray cats where causing you and your family?" Fontaine was asked on the stand.

"She said that was my problem, she was just taking care of the cats," said Fontaine.

Fontaine, 71, claims as the confrontation heated up, Stafford kicked her in the stomach, knocking her to the ground. Fontaine says she then began hallucinating, and prior to seeing the video, she did not know her son, Eulian, 37, had repeatedly punched Stafford. She says what she did see at the time was Stafford attacking her son.

"I saw Miss Stafford coming behind him and trying to hit him over the head. I told Ian to watch out, 'Watch out,'" said Fontaine.

The defense then asked Fontaine about the video.

"Until watching the video, Miss Fontaine, did you have any idea that Mr. Eulian had struck Miss Stafford?"

"No," answered Fontaine.

Several days ago Stafford testified that she did not kick or hit Fontaine. She says Eulian pushed his mother to the ground to get close enough to punch her. She said after being knocked unconscious, mother and son helped her up and lied to her about her injuries.

In court Friday Fontaine maintained she told the truth at the time about how Stafford was hurt.

"When you told Miss Stafford that she was injured when she slipped on the ground and hit her head on the Jeep or -- is that your honest, sincere and true belief?" she was asked.

"Yes," answered Fontaine.

Eulian is expected to take the stand early next week. If found guilty, Eulian could go to prison for seven years.