ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Of the 22 witnesses who have thus far testified in the University of Rochester kidnapping trial, the most compelling testimony has come from one of the victims and on Monday, one of the nine people initially charged.
Leah Gigliotti, one of five suspects to accept plea deals, told the jury her version of the events of Dec. 4 - 6, 2015.
Gigliotti, now convicted of kidnapping 2nd, testified that she and Samantha Hughes, who's also already pleaded guilty, met up with the two victims on Exchange Boulevard and took them to a house on Harvest Street.
Gigliotti admitted to knowing the young men were being taken there to get beat up. Once at the house, she says things happened quickly.
Gigliotti says although those who attacked the victims were masked, she knew who some of them were. Gigiliotti testified going with one of the masked men, who she identified as Lydell Strickland, and withdrawing money from one of the victim's accounts, then returning to Exchange Boulevard to take the victim's car.
She also testified to lying to police to cover for friends and a romantic interest, Jesus Castro-Ubilies.
Gigliotti said Strickland told her he'd kill her if she told anyone what happened at 22 Harvest Street.
Strickland, David Alcaraz-Ubiles, Ruth Lora and Inalia Rolldan are being tried on a number of counts ranging from kidnapping to weapons possession to assault.
Court is closed for Election Day. Testimony resumes Wednesday morning.