Ex-Wife Of May Millete Affair Partner Testifies In Larry Millete's Trial

CHULA VISTA, CA — The ex-wife of a man who had an extramarital affair with a missing Chula Vista woman testified Thursday that the woman's husband repeatedly called her from a variety of phone numbers regarding her husband's infidelity, leading her to block him from contacting her.

The testimony came in the murder trial of Larry Millete, who is accused of killing his wife because she sought a divorce. May Millete has not been seen or heard from since Jan. 7, 2021.

Patricia Laird testified that in 2020, Larry Millete began calling her with regularity regarding their respective spouses, with the last call coming two days before May disappeared.

Laird said that when the affair allegations first surfaced regarding her now-ex-husband, James "Jamey" Laird, she kicked him out of the house. However, later that year and amid her pregnancy, the couple attempted to work things out, she testified.

Phone calls from Larry persisted throughout that year, prompting her to block several phone numbers that Larry used to contact her, she said. In court, some of the numbers were identified as Larry's personal cell phone, Larry's work number, May's personal number, one of the Millete daughters' phone numbers, Larry's aunt's number and the work phone number for Larry's supervisor.

Laird testified that at some point she began blocking Larry because she "didn't want to be part of the drama" and wanted to focus on herself and her pregnancy.

But on Jan. 5, 2021, she accepted a call from Larry in which he said the affair was still ongoing, she testified. Larry allegedly provided Laird with May's phone number and the two women spoke over the phone.

Laird said she asked May, "Mom to mom, tell me the truth," but May denied cheating and instead said Larry was "crazy," she said.

Laird, who is also a sheriff's deputy, said the comment raised red flags and so she offered May assistance with obtaining a restraining order and advised she might want to contact police. However, May declined the offers.

Laird testified that she went into labor shortly thereafter and was in the hospital from Jan. 7 until Jan. 10. She testified that her husband was present with her during that entire time period.

Earlier this week, James Laird similarly testified that he was at the hospital on those dates, which has been a subject of debate between the prosecution and defense.

Larry's defense attorneys have been barred from mounting a defense that points to James Laird as a potential suspect in May's death and have argued that investigators were inadequate in their attempts to corroborate his alibi on the day May disappeared.

Previously in the trial, defense attorney Liann Sabatini questioned Investigator Mathew Grindley of the San Diego County District Attorney's Office about his follow-up efforts to confirm James Laird's story. Grindley testified that he did not personally go to the hospital for follow-up investigation.

Judge Enrique Camarena later said outside of the jury's presence that the line of questioning was a violation of his ruling regarding James Laird's alleged culpability, and reiterated that he'd found no direct or circumstantial evidence linking James Laird to May's killing.

Thursday afternoon also featured testimony from Dr. Jeffrey Palitz, a licensed marriage and family therapist who treated May in late 2020 and early 2021.

Palitz testified that the primary topic of discussion during their sessions was May's unhappiness with her marriage.

He testified that May expressed feeling "manipulated, controlled, and mistreated in a variety of ways."

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all seven of their sessions were conducted remotely.

Palitz said in most of the sessions, May appeared to be in her bedroom, but in the last session on Jan. 4, May was in a closet.

May explained that she was "concerned her husband might be eavesdropping," Palitz testified.

In that final session, May described her determination to divorce Larry, though one of her concerns was the potential effects on her children.

Palitz testified that May described being hesitant to initiate divorce proceedings because she thought Larry might harm the children in retaliation.

"She was very concerned that he was going to react with anger and possibly violence," Palitz testified.

Prosecutors have alleged Larry Millete was controlling and possessive of his wife and went to extreme lengths to monitor her whereabouts and communications, as well as control her finances and purchase "spells" he believed could influence her behavior.

District Attorney's Investigator James Rhoades testified Thursday afternoon that per his review of the couple's financial records, Larry's bank accounts had significantly more funds flowing through them in 2020 than May's.

Rhoades also testified that after Larry's arrest, investigators searched his office at his workplace and discovered two word documents on his work computer.

The documents, titled "Vices" and "I always value my husband, Larry," were last modified in late 2020 and appeared to be a list of statements written from May's perspective.

The "Vices" document listed four categories of topics: drinking, tattoos, phone addiction, and happy staying home with kids, then featured statements indicating behaviors the writer appeared to want to adopt or correct.

One statement under the "phone addiction" category read, "I will stop constantly using my phone to check on social media," while another under the "happy staying home with kids" category read, "I enjoy staying home with Larry and the kids."

The "I always value my husband, Larry" document similarly featured a list of first-person statements reflecting the writer's perspective.

Some statements included in the document were, "My husband Larry has my best interest in mind," "I will be a better wife to my husband Larry," "I will obey my husband Larry," and "I feel comfortable with submitting to and obeying my husband Larry."

The prosecution is expected to wrap up its case early next week.

By JASON KUROSU / City News Service