In his opening statement, Clymo described Puente as a benevolent soul who selflessly cared for "the dregs of society, people who had no place else to go," according to the Bee. He argued that the money from the tenants barely covered Puente's operating expenses. She stole money to cover her expenses, he suggested, but she was not a killer.

The five month-long trial included 153 witnesses, 3,100 pieces of evidence and a scale model of the Victorian boarding house, which rested on a table

When Prohibition ended, Joes bootlegging career was dealt a temporary setback.  Since he already knew quite a bit about the liquor and beer business, Joe decided to open a saloon.  After purchasing a small parcel of land outside town by what is now Highway 181, Joe built a tavern which he named the Sociable Inn.  In the back were two bedrooms and up front there was a bar, a player piano and a room with tables where men would drink and occasionally enjoy cockfights.