# Sheng Thao corruption trial: Defense questions witness credibility

> Defense challenges witness credibility in Sheng Thao corruption trial.
- Title: Sheng Thao corruption trial: Defense questions witness…
- Summary: Defense challenges witness credibility in Sheng Thao corruption trial. Defense attorneys are questioning the credibility of businessman Mario Juarez, the…
- Keywords: sheng thao, oakland mayor, corruption trial, mario juarez, witness credibility, federal corruption trial, andrew duong, david duong, andre jones, NBC Bay Area
- Source: NBC Bay Area — https://nbcbayarea.com/news/local/sheng-thao-corruption-trial-witness-credibility/4175220
- Published: 2026-11-13T01:23:32+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: sheng thao, oakland mayor, corruption trial, mario juarez, witness credibility, federal corruption trial, andrew duong, david duong, andre jones, news, local
## Sheng Thao corruption trial resumes
Defense attorneys are trying to erase the credibility of the government's star witness in Sheng Thao's federal corruption trial.
## Witness credibility focus
Questioning on businessman Mario Juarez focused on an alleged assault, a gun and arguments over what Sheng Thao knew about a conspiracy.
## Witness claims
Juarez previously claimed 10 Duong associates beat him unconscious, stole his watch and his father's gold chain.
## Defense challenges
Defense painted Juarez as the aggressor, claiming he showed up at a Duong family business with a gun.
## Witness testimony
Juarez denied carrying a gun but admitted it was in his car, saying if he had a gun that day he would have used it.
## Defense strategy
Defense questioned Juarez's claim that Sheng Thao was to be paid $300,000 as part of the conspiracy, calling it 'wishful thinking'.

> wishful thinking
## Key takeaway

Defense attorneys are questioning the credibility of businessman Mario Juarez, the government's star witness in Sheng Thao's corruption trial.