Thread by @BobSegallWTHR

13 Things To Know From The Delphi Murders Trial Today - Oct 19 🧵

1. Short day of testimony with Saturday sessions scheduled for 9a-12p. Jurors heard from only 3 witnesses—all asked to tell the jury about the location of the searches, the crime scene and surrounding area. #wthr

2. First witness was Steve Mullin, former Delphi PD chief & current investigator for the Carroll Co prosecutor. He showed the jury where Abby & Libby’s bodies were found on an aerial map shown to jurors. Also walked jury thru drone video of Monon paths used by the girls. #wthr

3. Mullin said searches for Abby & Libby lasted til 2am, before taking a break & resuming on morning of 2-14-17. He told the jury “I still believed at that time they would return home.” Their bodies were found later that afternoon. #wthr

4. Delphi resident Jake Johns was the second witness of Day 2. He explained how he searched along the bank of Deer Creek for 4 hours before spotting a tie dye shirt in the creek that matched the description of the shirt Libby had been wearing. That helped narrow the search. #wthr

5. As I left the courtroom after Johns’ testimony during a brief jury break, I noticed there were a few empty seats in the gallery. Surprising based on the hoards of folks here Friday. I suspect on Monday the courtroom will again be at full capacity. (Court video from Thu) #wthr

6. Final witness today was Pat Brown, a lifelong Delphi resident who said he’s known Mike Patty (Libby’s grandfather) since they were in high school together. Brown is the man who found the girls’ bodies & his testimony was the most powerful/emotional of the day. #wthr

7. Brown described his searches the night the girls went missing and the next day. He showed the jury the areas he searched on a huge map in the courtroom, and the spot where he found the girls in the woods. He said at first, he thought they were mannequins. #wthr

8. That’s when Brown started crying and asked for a moment to compose himself before continuing his testimony. When he resumed a few seconds later, he told jurors “We found ‘em.” Said he stood there, looking away from the bodies, until police arrived 5 minutes later. #wthr

9. On cross examination, defense atty Andy Baldwin asked if officers arriving at the scene had guns. Brown said they did. Baldwin wants to create doubt in jurors, claiming a bullet at the crime scene that investigators link to Richard Allen could have come from the police. #wthr

10. The jury seemed super focused & engaged today. They gave the judge at least 7 questions to ask witnesses (jurors are allowed to do that in IN), showing this jury is curious and paying attention to details. They’ll now have a day and a half off prior to testimony Monday. #wthr

11. Worth noting the state chose NOT to present crime scene photos of the victims to the jury today. The prosecutor already told jurors they’ll see evidence from the scene, which he described as bloody & gruesome. State is setting scene first. That evidence is likely next. #wthr

12. Also worth noting: jurors seem to like the presentation style of prosecutor Nick McLeland & state counsel Stacey Diener. I noticed some jurors nodding their heads during the state’s questioning of witnesses, seeming to suggest they are easily following along. #wthr

13. Before sending the jurors back to their hotel, Judge Gull told them the court has activities planned for them & wished them a safe & restful weekend. I hope you have a safe & restful weekend too. I’ll be inside the courtroom again Monday morning for Day 3 of testimony. 🛑