Jennifer Webb Murder Case Links
Kenneth Bluew bows his head for a moment as the jury reads its verdict Thursday
Saginaw News (MI)
Friday, October 12, 2012
Bluew and fellow Buena Vista Police Officer Tim Patterson found the 32-year-old Webb's body hanging by an extension cord from the roof rack of her Pontiac Aztek at North Outer and Hack in Buena Vista Township.
Bluew told Michigan State Police Detective Sgts. Allan Ogg and Jason Teddy, now a lieutenant, that he had arrived at the scene just before Patterson did. Bluew said he found an "obvious suicide note" in Webb's purse and did not recognize Webb until he saw her driver's license.
After two-plus hours of denying he had sex with Webb and was not the father of her child, Bluew admitted to having sex with her.
He acknowledged the possibility he was the father when Teddy and Ogg asked to take a "buccal swab" from his inner cheek to obtain a DNA sample. Webb had planned to name the child Braxton.
Lisa Ramos, a DNA expert from the state police, testified a DNA test showed Bluew was the father of the baby.
Saginaw County Medical Examiner Kanu Virani testified he ruled Webb's death a homicide by carotid neck compression through the use of a chokehold -- and not a suicide by strangulation.
On Thursday, Thomas delivered a 55-minute closing argument, telling the jury there was "overwhelming" evidence Bluew planned to kill Webb that night.
O'Farrell spent 80 minutes arguing the state police investigation was flawed and Webb committed suicide. Thomas followed with a rebuttal argument that lasted about 30 minutes.
Before the closing arguments, Bluew elected against testifying on his own behalf.
'It's been a very long year'
Dawn Webb said Thursday part of her relief stemmed from the fact that "it's been a very long year" and thanked Thomas, Chief Assistant Prosecutor Jeffrey D. Stroud and the state police investigators.
"They were very professional," she said. "We knew that they were in our corner."
Webb and her husband, Donald Webb, were surrounded by family and friends who, along with Bluew's family, packed the courtroom each day throughout the trial.
"She had so many friends," Webb said of her daughter. "We received support from Sweden, Hawaii, Venezuela -- friends that she had that have moved away.
"I don't know how to thank everybody," she said. "The support was overwhelming."
Officer Kenneth Bluew Murder Trial - Day 1
Live Tweets:
Day 1 of trial for Ken Bluew, police officer charged in strangulation of the pregnant Jennifer Webb
MLive
Andy Hoag
September 25, 2012
9:35 - Stroud points out the radio equipment in Bluew's car. Photos of Bluew's duty bag, Winston cigarettes, green latex gloves also admitted
9:36 - Ogg: In duty bag, book on Pressure Point Control Tactics found. Cigarettes important because Winston cigarette butts found ...
9:36 - ... at scene, including where some of Webb's blood and part of her necklace was found.
9:38 - Ogg: An MSP forensic computer analyst came to BVPD to examine department computers.
9:39 - Ogg: Search warrant executed at Bluew's Saginaw Township home on Sept. 2. Nobody home, had to force entry through garage
9:41 - Ogg: Searched work bench in garage. Drawer of work bench had some extension cords, "of that exact same type" found around Webb's neck.
9:43 - O'Farrell examines some of the photos:
9:44 - Ogg: Cords "looped together," tied together with a white "twist tie." Also in drawer, a twist tie alone, not attached to anything.
9:46 - Ogg: Also searched for computers. Two desktop computers located, one in living room. Second in basement, not hooked up to anything.
9:47 - Ogg: Interested in computers because of suicide note, attempting to find computer it was generated on.
9:49 - Ogg points to the twist tie found in the work bench drawer:
9:50 - Ogg: Also seized SD memory cards, USB storage devices.
9:54 - Ogg testifying about 2 diagrams of the scene, depicting where evidence was found. 2nd includes measurements.
9:55 - Ogg: Diagram shows 195 feet between blood spot on driveway and Webb's vehicle, 270 feet by foot from driveway through Hack Road.
9:59 - Ogg: Bluew came back to MSP Bridgeport Post days later for fingerprinting. Right index finger had portion of "tissue," or skin, missing.
10:01 - Ogg: Bluew said he slammed a door on the finger.
10:02 - RT @TrayDei: @SNAndyHoag .. Is the court room packed ?
10:02 - @TrayDei yes, very much so.
10:02 - Tiffany Leiter@flab2fabmom @SNAndyHoag wonder if there are any receipts on credit card statements of ext cord purchases?
10:03 - @flab2fabmom not sure how much more that would add, because the cords were seized from the house. He could have bought them 4 years ago.
10:04 - Ogg testifying re: Bluew's fingerprints. Obvious missing spot from right index finger. On Sept 12, when arrested, Bluew fingerprinted again.
10:06 - Ogg: On copy of Sept. 12 fingerprints, missing spot noticeably smaller, appears to have healed some. First prints taken Sept. 6.
10:08 - Ogg: More fingerprints taken July 6 of this year. Missing spot gone.
10:08 - RT @dianesimpson61: @SNAndyHoag Are Jenny's supporters sporting their maize and blue today?
10:08 - @dianesimpson61 Some are, yes.
10:10 - Ogg: Bluew's cell phone seized on Sept. 6, same day his prints were taken.
10:11 - Photo of Bluew's fingerprints, obvious missing portion:
10:15 - Ogg: Went to the house on Congress that Webb owned. Not much there, as she had moved to parents' home. Were looking for computer equipment.
10:16 - Ogg: Lt. Teddy obtained computer equipment from Webb's parents' home. All computer equipment sent to Lansing for examination.
10:20 - Ogg testifying regarding Bluew's police report regarding Webb's death. A one-page report. Admitted into evidence.
10:22 - Ogg: Examined Webb's purse, found, among other things, a "burp cloth" and receipts for diapers.
10:26 - Ogg showing the jury the two uniforms seized from Bluew's vehicle. "Old" uniform includes tags from crime lab.
10:32 - Ogg examines, shows jury other evidence: Bluew's boots and vest, PPCT manual, buccal swab. Stroud done; before O'Farrell, we take a break.
10:50 - And we're back. O'Farrell on cross.
10:51 - Ogg examines an evidence bag prior to our break:
10:51 - O'Farrell establishing, through Ogg, that Bluew was cooperative throughout investigation that Ogg has described.
10:54 - Ogg: "He was cooperative" in obtaining "the items we've already discussed, yes." That leaves it open that there may have been ...
10:55 - ... time where he eventually was not cooperative, but there's been no testimony to that extent.
10:56 - ... that he wanted to interview Bluew right away, says, "In my mind, he was" a suspect. This is going to O'Farrell's argument that ...
10:57 - ... Ogg and Teddy began their investigation with Bluew as suspect and ignored things that didn't support that.
10:59 - Donald and Dawn Webb, Jennifer Webb's parents, watch testimony:
11:00 - Ogg: Bluew said he received injury to eye when playing w/ his dog. O'Farrell establishing that this injury, plus one to head, didn't bleed.
11:03 - Ogg: Didn't believe, at that time, injury to right index finger had anything to do with incident.
11:05 - O'Farrell asking about evidence storage, some in paper bags, some in plastic.
11:07 - Ogg: Some evidence taken to crime lab after few days. O'Farrell asks about some things being taken after several months, but ...
11:09 - ... Ogg doesn't recall that. After more questions, says some items re-submitted months later. In meantime, stored in Ogg's property locker.
11:16 - O'Farrell asking about other evidence seized. Now onto Bluew's work bench at his home and the extension cords, which Ogg acknowledges ...
11:17 - ... are not unique. O'Farrell asks about cord to power drill, inferring that twist tie could have been for that cord. Ogg says ...
11:18 - ... that cord much thicker than extension cords. Twist tie could go around cord, but not sure "how many layers" of the cord.
11:21 - RT "@nessarae33: @SNAndyHoag Will his ex wife have to tesify anything?" >>she's on the witness list, but it's not a sure thing.
11:22 - Nothing further from O'Farrell. Stroud back on re-direct, asking about Bluew's cooperation. Stroud elicits testimony that ...
11:24 - ... Bluew didn't tell Ogg about the second, "old" uniform. Now asking about linear marks on Bluew's forearm, why they were significant.
11:24 - Stroud asked why they were significant, but before Ogg could answer, O'Farrell objects and asks for bench conference. Assuming that ...
11:25 - ... Ogg would have said that they appear to be fingernail marks. After bench conference, Jackson excuses jury, so attorneys can ...
11:26 - ... hash out the issue outside the presence of the jury. O'Farrell says Ogg's opinion needs a foundation to establish why he can ...
11:27 - ... have that opinion. Stroud says O'Farrell asked numerous questions about this injury but ignored linear nature of it.
11:28 - Jackson asks how O'Farrell's questions about if injuries bled differs from Stroud's question. O'Farrell says it's different ...
11:29 - ... because Ogg is being asked to form opinion on their origin. Stroud says that wasn't question, it was of the significance of ...
11:30 - ... the linear nature. Ogg says significance was that he believed where marks could have came from: fingernails. Bases that on ...
11:32 - ... linear nature, spacing, his experience as a detective. O'Farrell asks where semi arch of fingernail impressions are.
11:33 - Stroud stresses that question was regarding significance that Ogg tied to it. He could be wrong, Stroud says, before adding that ...
11:34 - ... other evidence will show he's right. "Could be wrong" is more prejudicial than probative, O'Farrell argues. Jackson allows question.
11:37 - Ogg gives the same answer in front of the jury. Stroud establishes that reason that Ogg had no interest in finger injury was that ...
11:38 - ... Ogg had yet to hear about crime lab work and other evidence, which includes the portion of the latex glove that was found.
11:41 - Stroud done. Back to O'Farrell, focusing again on forearm injury. Asks about the "crescent"-like marking a fingernail would leave.
11:42 - Ogg says there isn't any such shape to marks. Ogg says band-aid looked like it had been worn for some time, not brand new band-aid.
11:44 - Ogg done. Next witness: Corey Gillespie, a system administrator at PF Markey, where Webb worked. Gave her "entire computer" to MSP.
11:48 - RT"@MsJMunny: Maybe there's no cresent shape due to the fact that Jenny had fake nails." >>interesting point, will see if it's brought up.
11:49 - Gillespie done. Now it's SPD Detective Joe Grigg, who investigated the break-in at Webb's house in which suspects were arrested.
11:53 - Grigg: "If all my victims were that cooperative, my closure rate would be extremely high." Webb not distraught, but concerned.
11:56 - And we're breaking for lunch.
11:57 - RT @darmaelias: @SNAndyHoag I think it's more - if I dig nails into your arm - cresant might show. If I rake my nails down your arm cres ...
11:57 - Andy Hoag@SNAndyHoag .@darmaelias this is true, but the marks don't look like they're from the arm being raked.
12:04 - Denise Ureche Dutoi@dd526 @SNAndyHoag kinda makes you wonder is Bleuw was behind the break-ins... Just a thought
12:05 - @dd526 they certainly haven't tried to establish that he wasn't behind any of them.
12:11 - O'Farrell and Ogg discuss the apparent fingernail marks:
1:17 - RT "@McMullenMegan: was DNA done on anything in his locker/"old" uniform &when will that be discussed?" >>Yes, sometime this week probably
1:31 - Here's a picture of the marks on Bluew's forearm:
1:42 - RT "@darmaelias: ? abt Jen's bridge card. Do u know was it bridge/food stamps or bridge/WIC?" >>it was WIC
1:46 - And we're back. First witness this afternoon is Colleen Auer-Lemke, MSP Computer Crimes Unit. She's a civilian, not an actual trooper
1:48 - Stroud has Auer-Lemke go over her training, to establish her as an expert witness. Basically an overview of her resume/CV
1:50 - Auer-Lemke: Testified as an expert in 10-15 courts. No questions/no comment from O'Farrell, so she'll be recognized as an expert.
1:52 - Auer-Lemke: Makes "mirror image" of a computer's hard drive, to avoid "changing the evidence."
1:54 - Auer-Lemke just had the most in-depth explanation I've ever heard to describe a hard drive's "free space."
1:55 - Auer-Lemke: When computer user deletes an item, doesn't actually go away from computer -- just from user's view
1:55 - Auer-Lemke: Forensic software can find these "deleted" items, bring them back to original form.
1:56 - Not sure what happened with the live feed. Trying to figure that out now.
1:58 - Auer-Lemke: Items brought to her from Ogg &Teddy. Going to list some of them in a moment.
2:04 - We're experiencing some difficulties with the live feed. I'll let you all know when we have it live again.
2:14 - Auer-Lemke: 25 items, including at least 17 computers from Bluew's home, BVPD, BVFD, those belonging to Webb/her family. Also, 3 cellphones.
2:15 - Auer-Lemke: Given suicide note, asked to find its origin from 25 items. Couldn't find it.
2:18 - Auer-Lemke: Extracted info from one of Webb's cellphones. Put data on a CD; it's admitted into evidence. We're going to see the contents.
2:23 - A PDF report of the phone's contents is 156 pages. Includes texts, call logs, contact list, etc. Searched report for Bluew's name.
2:26 - The contact in the report is "Cop Boo Ken." Can't tell if it's in last name/first name format; if so, actual contact would be "Ken Cop Boo."
2:29 - That CD is taken out. Next CD is reports of Webb's second phone. She and her sister had just bought new phones days before her death.
2:32 - We don't get to see anything from that disc. Next is CD of Bluew's phone.
2:35 - And that CD is out. I don't know if we're going to have another witness testify to the results, or if we're going to revisit CDs, or what.
2:39 - Next is a report of Webb's work computer. No suicide note found, nothing related to Bluew.
2:39 - Auer-Lemke testifies:
2:44 - Next CD is Bluew's computer found in living room. Cookies and temporary internet files examined.
2:46 - Auer-Lemke: Through keyword searches, able to find certain search results through cookies and temp. internet files.
2:48 - Auer-Lemke: Bluew's computer accessed WNEM's website in days after incident.
2:51 - Auer-Lemke: Temporary internet files show computer viewing reports about the death.
2:55 - And another CD, which has a second report for the same computer. Has more temp Internet files and an application that cleans hard drives.
3:02 - Auer-Lemke: Another CD of Bluew's computer, this one referring to "suicide methods."
3:03 - Auer-Lemke: In doing search for suicide note, came across Internet searching/URL history involving different ways to commit suicide.
3:05 - Auer-Lemke: Searches for suicide, why people commit suicide, how to commit suicide. Dates looked at May through August.
3:06 - Auer-Lemke: "A lot of this information" accessed starting in July.
3:07 - Auer-Lemke: Queries into suicides in underground railways, how to slit wrists.
3:08 - Auer-Lemke: Can't give time websites were viewed, because in hard drive's free space. Could be because Internet history cleared.
3:09 - Auer-Lemke: Another search for "most painless" ways to commit suicide.
3:14 - Auer-Lemke: Information on methods of committing suicide accessed Aug. 16, 17
3:16 - O'Farrell, asking brief questions to determine whether this CD should be admitted, gets Auer-Lemke to acknowledge that ...
3:18 - ... she can't establish the origin of the files, that they could have come through as attachments beyond user's control.
3:20 - And, with 4 more CDs to be discussed, we'll take a break. Going to be a "longer" break -- no specific time to return.
3:22 - Extra time is to allow O'Farrell to go to his office, which is on Court Street, to grab copies he made of text messages from the phones.
3:23 - O'Farrell said he "didn't put 2 and 2 together" and didn't realize he would need to use Auer-Lemke to admit the text messages into evidence.
3:33 - RT "@veronica_molda: he should have done that on his lunch." >>It was an honest mistake he didn't realize he made until after lunch.
3:47 - RT "@dorymsbs: is ofarrell a court appointed attorney ?" >>no, he's retained. And 1 of the best in this area, why I believe honest mistake.
3:48 - RT @danstarland: @SNAndyHoag If he typed this into his search engine then it didn't come up as an attachment.
3:49 - @danstarland They can't determine what he searched for, what he didn't. Sorry if I'm not making it clear enough, but I'm ...
3:49 - @danstarland getting a little lost, to be honest. And I like to think I'm tech savvy. Can't imagine how jury is doing.
3:55 - RT "@danstarland: @SNAndyHoag Did they talk about checking the printers yet?" >>printers weren't among items examined, to my knowledge.
3:56 - RT "@amandamarie2009: @SNAndyHoag is this from Kens computers?" >>yes, his home computer
3:59 - And we're back. Thankfully, Judge Jackson asked Auer-Lemke to keep her voice up.
4:01 - Another CD, report reflecting search term "strangulation." "Several files" between July and August. When I use the word "search," I mean...
4:01 - ... the term that Auer-Lemke used to search for Internet site visits.
4:04 - Auer-Lemke: Information found was a how-to for strangulation/hanging one's self. Auer-Lemke reading this specific result.
4:05 - Auer-Lemke: Info describes how to hang one's self: jump off a chair with rope tied around neck. Also, results of this action.
4:13 - Another CD from Bluew's computer. Report re: search terms of restraint and carotid. 61 hits, 11 files.
4:15 - Auer-Lemke: One result was a Q&A re: how long it takes for somebody to die carotid artery compression.
4:17 - Auer-Lemke: Document re: carotid artery was deleted, recovered. Other hits with references this subject, too.
4:17 - Auer-Lemke: Date range of some hits re: carotid artery was Aug. 17-19.
4:23 - Another CD, this one a report of Bluew's in-car computer. Auer-Lemke: Looked to determine whether suicide note was written there.
4:24 - Auer-Lemke: Used search terms including Webb's name, email address, "nature of incident." Found some information related to Webb ...
4:25 - ... which included police reports from SPD, BVPD related to Webb. BVPD report was the death, SPD reports were B&E reports.
4:26 - Each of the three B&E incidents were referred to in the suicide note.
4:31 - Auer-Lemke: BVPD report that Bluew viewed on his in-car computer was Patterson's initial "suspicious death" report.
4:32 - Auer-Lemke: Bluew viewed the report at 4:56 a.m. Aug. 31. Patterson testified he hadn't yet put his "red flag" thoughts in a report.
4:35 - Nothing further from Stroud. O'Farrell up now, though he says he knows he won't finish this afternoon. Jackson let's O'Farrell begin.
4:37 - O'Farrell points out that at the scene, Sgt. Waterman had Bluew check on the three Saginaw B&E incidents, which Waterman testified to.
4:38 - O'Farrell reiterates, through Auer-Lemke's testimony, that suicide note not found among 25 items examined.
4:41 - O'Farrell now presenting the copies of text messages from Webb's older phone. But first, some confusion of which phone is whose.
4:43 - After they establish that they're talking about the right phone, we learn it's actually Webb's newer phone. My mistake.
4:43 - O'Farrell mentions two "documents" titled "World's biggest apology" and, I believe he said, "I'm sorry."
4:46 - O'Farrell asks for break for the day, to allow Auer-Lemke to look at his copies, which he wants in evidence, to verify they're the same.
4:47 - And we get that break. Jury is excused. We'll be back at 9 a.m. tomorrow.
Ken Bluew jury sees most of evidence seized in connection with pregnant Jennifer Webb's death
MLive
October 02, 2012 http://www.mlive.com/news/saginaw/index.ssf/2012/10/ken_bluew_jury_sees_most_of_ev.html
SAGINAW, MI —The second week of testimony in the trial for the suspended Buena Vista police officer charged with killing the woman who was eight months pregnant with his son began this morning with one of the lead detectives discussing evidence seized in the investigation.
Michigan State Police Detective Sgt. Allan Ogg resumed the witness stand this morning, continuing his testimony that ended Friday afternoon.
Much of Ogg's testimony this morning centered around evidence that he and state police Lt. Jason Teddy, then a detective sergeant, seized from Kenneth T. Bluew's pickup truck, police department locker, and home.
Bluew, 37, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder in the Aug. 30, 2011, death of Jennifer Webb at North Outer and Hack in Buena Vista Township. Webb, 32, planned to name her son Braxton.
Testimony before a jury of nine women and five men will continue in Saginaw County Circuit Judge Darnell Jackson's courtroom this afternoon. MLive will continue to cover the testimony live on Twitter @SNAndyHoag and on MLive.
While Ogg testified about the evidence seized, he did not testify regarding the tests that the state police crime lab and experts in Lansing conducted on the evidence. Those witnesses will begin testifying at some time this week.
The evidence included the police uniform that Bluew told Ogg and Teddy he wore that night; an additional uniform that Ogg and Teddy found in a storage compartment under the backseat of Bluew's truck including a pair of pants that Bluew said was old and didn't fit, but that Ogg testified was the same size as the other pants; Bluew's tactical vest, tool belt, and boots from his locker; and two computers from Bluew's home.
On questioning from Bluew's attorney, Rod O'Farrell, Ogg said Bluew was cooperative throughout the detectives' investigation. Ogg said, after a question from Saginaw County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Jeffrey D. Stroud, that Bluew did not show the detectives the "old" uniform.
Another focus of this morning's testimony was an injury to Bluew's arm that Ogg noticed and photographed. After an objection from O'Farrell that Jackson overruled, Ogg testified that he believed the injury was an impression left from four fingernails.
Bluew, who lived in Saginaw Township, also is charged with assaulting a pregnant individual intentionally causing miscarriage or stillbirth of a fetus or embryo and two counts of possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony.
If convicted of first-degree murder, he would face a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. The assault charge carries a maximum penalty of life in prison.
Ken Bluew jury hears result of forensic analysis of his, pregnant Jennifer Webb's computers
MLive
October 02, 2012 at 5:54 PM http://www.mlive.com/news/saginaw/index.ssf/2012/10/ken_bluew_jury_hears_result_of.html
SAGINAW, MI —A jury this afternoon heard the results of forensic analysis of computers belonging to the suspended Buena Vista police officer charged with killing the woman who was eight months pregnant with his son.
Colleen Auer-Lemke, who works in the Michigan State Police Computer Crimes Unit, was the only witness this afternoon in Kenneth T. Bluew's trial before Saginaw County Circuit Judge Darnell Jackson.
Bluew, 37, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder in the Aug. 30, 2011, death of Jennifer Webb at North Outer and Hack in Buena Vista Township. Webb, 32, planned to name her son Braxton.
Auer-Lemke testified that she examined 25 items submitted to her by state police Detective Sgts. Allan Ogg and Jason Teddy, now a lieutenant. Among those items were 17 computers from Bluew's house and police cruiser, the Buena Vista Township police and fire departments, and Webb's home and workplace, as well as cellphones belonging to Webb and Bluew.
Auer-Lemke said that of those items, she was unable to find any that were the origin of the suicide note that Bluew said he found on top of Webb's purse shortly after he and fellow Buena Vista Police Officer Tim Patterson found her body.
The examination of Bluew's home computer found that he, or somebody on his family's computer, viewed websites about, among other topics, how to commit suicide, why people commit suicide, the "most painless" ways to commit suicide, and how to strangle one's self. Bluew also researched media reports about Webb's death in the days afterward, Auer-Lemke testified.
When Auer-Lemke performed a search for the term "carotid," as in carotid artery, she got 61 hits in 11 files, she testified. One of those files was a "question and answer" website that included information on how long it takes somebody to die form "carotid artery compression," Auer-Lemke testified.
Many of the items Auer-Lemke reviewed were accessed beginning in July, she testified. Some of the carotid-related items were viewed beginning Aug. 17 and ending Aug. 19, she said.
An examination of Bluew's in-car computer showed that at 4:56 a.m. Aug. 31, or about six hours after Webb's body was found, he viewed the report written by Patterson, his fellow officer, related to the death. Patterson had yet to include observations that he described as "red flags," Patterson testified last week.
Auer-Lemke's testimony finished for the day with Bluew's attorney, Rod O'Farrell, beginning to present copies of the reports related to the examination of Webb's cellphones. O'Farrell will focus part of his attention on Webb's text messages, which he said in his opening argument showed that Webb "was having some conflicts."
Today's other main witness was Ogg, one of the two state police lead investigators, who showed the jury much of the physical evidence seized in the case.
Bluew, who lived in Saginaw Township, also is charged with assaulting a pregnant individual intentionally causing miscarriage or stillbirth of a fetus or embryo and two counts of possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony.
If convicted of first-degree murder, he would face a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. The assault charge carries a maximum penalty of life in prison.
Officer Kenneth Bluew Murder Trial - Day 6
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Day 6 of trial for Ken Bluew, police officer charged in death of pregnant Jennifer Webb
MLive
10:28 - Stroud also shows close-ups of jewelry pendant, cigarette. Now a photo that shows, among grass and weeds, Webb's flip flops.
10:28 - Flip flops were dark silver, Bowman says, and were hard to see from photo.
10:30 - Bowman: Total of 11 items collected. In additon to what already discussed, one blood stain that was not human blood ...
10:32 - ... two more cigarette butts; green disposable exam gloves located along railway, found Sept. 2, "appeared to have been there a while."
10:34 - Bowman: Also, "microfiber cloths" collected on Sept. 2, similar to one seen on floor board of Webb's vehicle.
10:36 - Re: additional cigarette butts found, last week's testimony was that Bluew was smoking while on scene w/ other officers.
10:38 - Bowman: Found "possible presence of blood" on Webb's right flip flop. Tests showed it was human blood.
10:42 - Bowman: Went to autopsy w/ Ogg &Teddy, MSP's Gary Ginther. Thinking they may show the autopsy photos on the TV, as Ogg is talking ...
10:43 - ... to Webb's parents. Guessing he may be giving them a heads up. And now we'll take a break.
10:46 - Bowman displays a testing mechanism used for testing blood:
11:10 - And we're back. Looks like an almost certainty we'll be seeing the autopsy photos, as Webb's father is no longer in the courtroom.
11:10 - Webb's mother and sister have elected to stay.
11:11 - A photo of Bluew from earlier:
11:12 - Bowman identifies a picture of Webb from the autopsy. Not shown yet. Bowman also collected items from the autopsy.
11:15 - Bowman: Items taken at scene included blood sample, samples of other fluids, swabs from Webb's fingernails.
11:19 - Bowman: Items taken also included portion of extension cord, which she took swabs from. Cord was "intertwined" with her necklace, her hair.
11:21 - RT "@tvalentine75: what about Jeff ( her brother) did he stay?" >>to be honest, don't know which one he is.
11:22 - Bowman: Photos, swabs taken of Webb's bruises on inner arms.
11:24 - Bowman: Blood sample collected from fetus. Prior testimony has been that that blood test showed Bluew was father.
11:27 - RT @RebeccaRobelin: @SNAndyHoag @tvalentine75 Jeff and his wife left the room too.
11:29 - @RebeccaRobelin @SNAndyHoag @tvalentine75 That wasn't Jeff's wife.
11:31 - RT "@BRANDIR69722395: He is always in the same row as the parents. ..." >>thanks. thought so, but didn't want to assume.
11:33 - Bowman took clothing to the crime lab. Placed in a drying chamber, for precaution. Among clothing, light green piece of disposable glove.
11:40 - Bowman: Turned t-shirt inside-out to get better view of blood stains, as they weren't as noticeable w/ designs on outside of shirt.
11:45 - Bowman: Blood stains were found in left underarm area and below shoulder blade. Appear to be "drops" of blood as opposed to contact type.
11:49 - Bowman: Three blood stains on front of shirt: just under left side of neck line, center of shirt, and lower left seam. First appears ...
11:49 - ... to be contact-type. Can't determine on second, and third appears to be drop.
11:51 - RT "@CampRachie: @SNAndyHoag is bowman discussing jennys clothes or blews?" >>Webb's clothes.
11:53 - Bowman: Blood stains on left bra cup, under bra cup, and one of the rear straps.
11:55 - Bowman: 1/8"x3/16" stain on Webb's pants. And we're breaking for lunch. Be back at 1:30.
11:57 - RT "@MelanieBierlein: are there a lot of people wearing maize and blue in the courtroom today?" Yes, some
12:11 - Amanda D@mandy5646 @SNAndyHoag maybe I've missed something, but have they said if all the blood stains belong to Webb and/or Bluew?
12:12 - @mandy5646 not yet. They first have to show who found the stains and when before somebody can testify about the results.
1:51 - And we're back, with Valarie Bowman still testifying.
1:52 - RT@MaureenBanning: @SNAndyHoag Is bluew divorced now?" >>yes
1:53 - And instead of showing the autopsy photos on the TV, the jury will view the physical copies individually. Same process as the scene photos.
1:59 - Jury is done with the pictures. Focus now turns to the piece of disposable glove found in Webb's clothing.
2:01 - Bowman: Inside of glove tip had human blood. Tested outside of tip for enzyme which is highly present in saliva. Test was positive, so ...
2:02 - ... saliva was present on outside of glove tip. Both samples sent out for DNA testing.
2:09 - Bowman: Apparent blood stain on exterior rear passenger side door. Just to left and above door handle.
2:10 - Bowman: "Ridge structure" to stain. In other words, could be fingerprint.
2:11 - RT "@nichol0715: did she say Jenny's saliva and bluew's blood on glove" >>no, DNA results will be testified to at later time.
2:13 - Bowman: Stain tested for fingerprinting. Other swabs taken, one to preserve area where ridge structure was.
2:15 - Stroud showing Bowman more photos, mostly of backseat area/rear of vehicle.
2:16 - Bowman: Processing of interior of vehicle began morning of Sept. 1.
2:18 - Bowman: Silver hoop earring found between right side of backseat and door opening. Blood stain found along rubber door gasket.
2:19 - Bowman: Door would have had to been open for that blood stain to get there. Hoop earring had human blood stain.
2:24 - RT "@linzyXOmarie: is this significant like maybe she bit his finger with the glove on?" >>that's the prosecutors' theory.
2:25 - On to rear driver's side door area. Bowman: Human blood on socket portion of extension cord still in vehicle.
2:26 - Bowman: Tannish bed sheet on floor of backseat area. Human blood stain on bed sheet.
2:27 - Just to reiterate, Bowman does not test for DNA. That's done in Lansing. She can test blood stain to determine if it's likely human blood.
2:28 - At some point, a MSP expert from Lansing will testify to the DNA testing.
2:32 - Into frontseat area. Bowman: Samples taken from gear shift knob, steering wheel. Focusing first on gear shift, where human blood was found
2:36 - Now looking at passenger side of rear seat, where human blood stain found. In middle of rear seat, Bowman found ...
2:36 - ... a Smurf figurine, with a stud earring next to it. Blood stain on earring, but not enough of stain to test for human blood possibility.
2:39 - Bowman: "Greasy area" on inside of rear passenger side window. Also, near top of seat belt holder, near headrest, on passenger side ...
2:40 - ... blood stain and blood spatter marks. Didn't subject these stains to human blood testing.
2:42 - Bowman: In rear cargo area, a gray tubular foam noodle-type object had a blood stain on it.
2:44 - Bowman: On lower portion of driver's side "B Pillar," the area on interior of vehicle between front and rear doors, was a human blood stain.
2:49 - Now to the open rear driver's side door area on the rubber door gasket, where seat and seat back come together. Human blood stain.
2:50 - Bowman: Stain would have had to have been left while door was open.
2:52 - Back to the steering wheel. Stains at 3 o'clock position, 11 o'clock position on front of wheel. Stain on side of wheel, at 4 o'clock.
2:54 - Bowman: Human blood on all three steering wheel stains. 11 o'clock stain was more on top of wheel, not front.
2:55 - Bowman points out the blood stain/possible fingerprint on rear passenger door:
3:00 - Now to driver's door. Near bottom of window on interior of door, human blood stain. Exterior of door, near rear edge, human blood stain.
3:01 - Bowman: Human blood stain near middle of top of rear seat back.
3:04 - That appears to be all the pictures from Webb's vehicle. By my count, 19 blood stains found. Most human blood; not all tested for that.
3:07 - Now onto Bluew's police cruiser. Bowman: In trunk, among other items, box of green disposable gloves.
3:10 - Bowman: Seized box of gloves. Tested for any blood stains; there were none.
3:13 - Bowman: Interior driver's door of Bluew's vehicle, near handle was human blood stain.
3:14 - Bowman: Human blood stain found on steering wheel, near 9 o'clock position.
3:16 - RT "@malanie810: there is a lot of blood stains, are they saying how big they are?" >>they vary between fraction of an inch to about 2".
3:16 - Bowman: Human blood stain on handheld mic that connects to police radio. Also had ridge structure on it.
3:18 - Bowman: In rear of vehicle, along wall between front and rear sections, was human blood stain.
3:19 - RT "@InD3p3nd3ntMami: was webb bleeding at all?" >>only thing I recall is a little from her nose.
3:22 - Now onto Bluew's uniform, the one he told Ogg and Teddy he wore that night -- not the "old" one.
3:23 - RT "@MaureenBanning: @SNAndyHoag on what hand was bluew wearing a bandaid" >>right index finger
3:24 - Bowman: No stains on t-shirt. Smelled like detergent/fabric softener. "It did not appear to me as if that t-shirt had recently been worn."
3:27 - Bowman: No indication that pants had been worn. Socks turned in appeared to have recently been worn.
3:29 - Bowman IDs pictures of tactical vest and the "old" uniform items. Bowman mentions at least 1 apparent blood stain. And now, a break.
3:47 - Blood stain on the steering wheel of Webb's vehicle:
3:48 - The uniform pants Bluew said he wore that night:
4:00 - And we're back, Bowman on the stand. Focus is on Bluew's tactical vest. Four stains: 1 on left, 1 in middle, 1 near right breast, 1 on right
4:01 - Bowman: Most obvious was on "POLICE" area of vest. Stain was on "CE" portion. Human blood.
4:03 - Bowman: On bottom right, possible blood stain. Couldn't test for human. On front, midway up just left of center, same result.
4:05 - Bowman: Same with stain on left side of vest. All forwarded on to Lansing for DNA testing.
4:06 - Now to police t-shirt. On white lettering on left sleeve, apparent blood stain. Human blood.
4:08 - Pants - the "old" ones, according to Bluew - 9 areas of apparent blood staining. 2 of 9 were tested for human blood; positive. Others...
4:08 - ... only tested for blood; all positive. All 9 sent to Lansing.
4:11 - Blood on "CE" of "POLICE" lettering on vest:
4:11 - Bowman: Did "very little else" other than work on this case from Aug. 31 to Sept. 18.
4:16 - Stroud has Bowman show the Webb's flip flops to the jury, as well as swab of blood and cigarette from Wastewater Treatment Plant driveway.
4:17 - Swabs remained in heat-sealed plastic package. Bowman also IDs the "silver charm" found in same driveway.
4:20 - All 3 admitted into evidence. Bowman IDs Webb's clothes, contained in a brown paper bag, and portion of ext. cord that came from autopsy.
4:22 - Bowman also IDs sealed box containing blood samples from Webb &fetus and DNA swab from Webb's fingernails.
4:28 - Bowman also IDs extension cord found in Aztek. That goes into evidence, as does sealed box, Webb's clothes, and cord from autopsy.
4:30 - And that's it for the day. Bowman and the rest of us will return at 9 a.m. tomorrow, go until 10:30, break again, and come back at 1:30.
4:31 - I'm going to close the MLive chat window. Feel free to tweet questions to me or post a comment on MLive.
Crime scene investigator testifies in Ken Bluew trial about blood stains, other evidence found at scene, in pregnant Jennifer Webb's clothes
MLive
9:43 - Bowman begins opening an evidence bag:
9:46 - Now discussing the swabs of the blood stains found in and around Webb's vehicle. This is all tedious, but important, admitting of evidence.
9:48 - The swabs, as well as the samples created for DNA testing, all are admitted into evidence. O'Farrell didn't object to any of it.
9:49 - Stroud is done, Jackson says, "Really?" reflecting how long Bowman has been on the stand. O'Farrell up.
9:50 - O'Farrell first asking about the crime response team, basic questions.
9:52 - Bowman wasn't the person who actually found blood and necklace charm in Wastewater Treatment driveway. MSP's Gary Ginther did, she says.
9:53 - Bowman disagrees that she characterized the blood stain in the driveway as a "droplet." Says she just mentioned size of stain.
9:55 - O'Farrell asks if stain was a "transfer" stain. She says she can say it's not a "spatter" stain, starts explaining different types of stains.
9:57 - Bowman: Didn't see any other human blood stains at scene.
9:59 - O'Farrell asking about ditch area, specifically where flip flops found. Bowman didn't inspect that area.
9:59 - Bowman: "Nothing was brought to my attention" regarding any blood found in ditch area.
10:01 - Bowman: All but 1 of stains found in/outside of Aztek were "transfer" stains. The only one not a "transfer" was on the ...
10:01 - ... passenger side "B pillar." Bowman did mention yesterday that one of the stains in that area was a "spatter" stain.
10:03 - Bowman: "Possible" for DNA on exam gloves to be transferred to another object. In other words, if I put exam gloves on ...
10:04 - ... then any DNA I left on the outside of the gloves could be transferred to another object. That's my understanding, at least.
10:04 - O'Farrell focusing on different sizes of stains in vehicle, specifically how faint some were.
10:05 - O'Farrell using hypothetical of mosquitoes, if one is biting forehead, and slap it with gloves on, could get own blood on glove.
10:06 - Officer Sylvester testified last week regarding needing bug spray because of the mosquitoes around the scene.
10:08 - O'Farrell shows Bowman another picture, one not in evidence yet, from the autopsy. Focuses on a "smudge" on the outside of the glove ...
10:09 - ... being worn by a hand seen in the picture.
10:09 - O'Farrell making a point during his cross:
10:10 - Bowman answering one of O'Farrell's questions:
10:14 - O'Farrell shows Bowman two more pictures, focusing on a box with papers and other items in the backseat of the Aztek.
10:15 - O'Farrell focuses on an exam glove seen in a close-up of the box. Appears to be substance on the outside of the glove.
10:16 - Bowman questions whether pictures are from the backseat of the Aztek.
10:18 - Bowman says two photos not taken by MSP lab. "No indication" anybody else took photos before they did.
10:21 - RT "@malanie810: do you know if Bluew's cruiser was equipped with a camera ?" >>I don't know, no
10:22 - A bench conference to discuss the pictures. I think O'Farrell wants to show them on the computer, but needs the prosecution's ...
10:22 - ... help, because they have to figure out which CD the pictures are on.
10:23 - And with that, we break until 1:30.
10:40 - O'Farrell and Bowman at the witness stand:
10:40 - Bluew looks on:
10:49 - RT "@tvalentine75: that was a waste of time #myopinion" >>you mean the hour we were in court? Might as well squeeze it in while they can.
10:55 - RT "@jessacastillo: can you post the live feed link so people can view when court does come back please" >>yes but won't have link til 1:30
1:34 - Back in court here, waiting for the #bluewtrial to resume after a welcomed long recess.
1:38 - I'll post a link to the live video as soon as we get started here.
1:48 - And we're back, with O'Farrell still on cross-examination of Valerie Bowman from the MSP.
1:49 - O'Farrell says he created confusion re: photographs. Bowman says 2 of photos taken by lab ppl, another taken by someone else after search.
1:52 - O'Farrell going through other photos with Bowman. Some of these were taken before Bowman and others started processing/examining the Aztek
1:59 - We're working on the live feed issues, sorry for the inconvenience.
1:59 - 14 photos admitted into evidence at O'Farrell's request. No objection from prosecution.
2:02 - O'Farrell asking about the autopsy, specifically Webb's clothes and when/how they were removed.
2:04 - O'Farrell confirming that tip of exam glove not seen until Bowman pulled clothes from drying chamber on Sept. 14.
2:05 - Bowman: Nobody saw glove tip at autopsy, can't say what article of clothing tip came from.
2:08 - O'Farrell asking about scraping of fingernails. Bowman separated left hand from right hand, but didn't separate finger by finger.
2:12 - O'Farrell asking about the uniform Bluew said he wore and Bowman is saying appeared unworn. Bowman found hairs on ...
2:12 - ... socks, which did appear to be worn, and one on shirt. Because shirt and socks were in same bad, Bowman can't ...
2:13 - ... say which article of clothing each hair came from.
2:14 - Bowman: Can't definitively determine where blood stains that are determined to be "transfer" stains come from.
2:16 - Bowman: After finding glove tip, didn't look through box of gloves seized from Bluew's vehicle.
2:21 - O'Farrell gives the jury 18 photos -- by my count -- to the jury to view. This will take a little while.
2:33 - Jury is done looking at photos, and O'Farrell is done with his cross. Stroud back up for re-direct.
2:35 - Stroud going back to O'Farrell's line of questioning about articles of clothing "co-mingling," and Stroud implies that O'Farrell's ...
2:36 - ... point was that blood on Webb's clothing could be "transfer" stains in similar fashion. Stroud has Bowman reiterate that ...
2:37 - ... the stains on Webb's shirt were "droplet"-type stains, not "transfer" stains.
2:38 - Bowman: Flip flops, the right one of which has a "transfer" stain, never were in contact with Webb's clothing.
2:42 - Stroud asking Bowman to explain her efforts to not contaminate evidence in her lab or at scenes.
2:47 - Stroud asks more clarification follow-ups, and he's done. O'Farrell back up.
2:48 - Bowman acknowledges that clothes from autopsy usually wet, which is why they were put in drying area. But wet clothes ...
2:49 - ... "more conducive" for transferring of blood, Bowman agrees.
2:50 - Bowman agrees that despite her efforts against contamination, can't do anything with already-contaminated evidence.
2:52 - And Bowman is finally done with her testimony. Next witness is Lisa Ramos, DNA expert from the MSP.
2:53 - Ramos has been processing DNA for nearly 8 years. As with other experts, she'll go through her education/professional experience.
2:55 - Ramos: Testified as an expert "at least 20 times."
2:56 - Again, no comment from O'Farrell. Ramos will be recognized as expert.
2:58 - And now Ramos gets to explain what DNA analysis is, and how it is done. Forgive me for not getting too in-depth with my recap here.
2:59 - Ramos: "Don't need a lot of DNA" to conduct tests.
3:01 - Ramos begins her testimony:
3:13 - RT "@jessacastillo: why was court so short today" >>just how it goes sometimes. Not every day is 9-5 straight through.
3:15 - Alright, now we're actually getting to the samples. First talking about blood samples of Webb and the fetus, buccal swab of Bluew
3:18 - Ramos: "Asked to conduct paternity analysis." First establishes whether there's possible inheritance from father, then ...
3:19 - ... does statistical analysis. Thankfully, we'll get a chart with her results.
3:20 - Not so thankfully, the chart is so small we can't read it.
3:25 - Ramos: Statistical finding: 1.2 million times more likely that Bluew is father than random person from Caucasian population.
3:26 - Ramos: 7.2 million for African Americans; 381.4 for Hispanic. These three groups used because they are Michigan's three largest groups.
3:28 - The big picture: Ramos says "it was consistent that he was the father."
3:28 - And now, we're taking a break.
3:29 - Ramos explains the paternity chart:
3:52 - And we're back. We'll get to the other evidence now.
3:53 - Ramos asked to explain "single source," which is only one DNA donor in a sample. "Mixed source" is more than 1 source.
3:54 - Ramos: A mixed source can have "major" donors and "minor" donors. Also could have equal donors. In that situation, the term used is ...
3:55 - ... "cannot exclude," in that they know there are multiple donors but can't determine who is "major" and thus can't exclude donors as such.
3:56 - Ramos: "A number of samples" that had Bluew as single source of sample.
3:58 - Ramos: For these samples, odds that donor could have same DNA profile as Bluew are 1 in 93.4 quadrillion for Caucasian population
3:59 - Focusing now on blood stains on Wastewater driveway, flip flop, and rear car door.
4:01 - Ramos: Flip flop stain matched Bluew's DNA profile. Driveway stain matched Webb's DNA profile. Car door stain matched Bluew
4:01 - Ramos: All three stains are single source.
4:03 - Ramos: Probability of donor in driveway stain having same DNA profile as Webb is 1 in 22.6 quadrillion for Caucasian population.
4:04 - Now onto swabs from under Webb's fingernails, stains on Webb's shirt, pants, bra, inside portion of piece of glove.
4:08 - Ramos: Left fingernails: Mixed sample, analyzing only male donor, as other donor matched Webb. Male donor matches Bluew.
4:08 - Ramos: Shirt: Single source, matches Bluew; Pants: Single source, matches Bluew; Bra: Single source, matches Bluew; and ...
4:09 - ... Glove: Single source, matches Bluew
4:12 - RT "@TrayDei: How's the reaction in the court room?" >>silence, mostly, almost in a "this is important, we have to hear this" way.
4:13 - Ramos showing a PowerPoint presentation she prepared in regards to the results I just tweeted about.
4:14 - This also includes the Winston cigarette butt on the Wastewater driveway. Matches Bluew.
4:17 - Stay with me here, going to try to list stains that matched Bluew, but trying to get them all.
4:20 - From vehicle matching Bluew: Both "B pillars, foam tube in rear cargo area, 4 o'clock position of steering wheel ...
4:20 - ... rear passenger seat back near center, rear passenger door opening, rear passenger seat. May have missed a couple.
4:21 - Others matching Bluew: "CE" on tactical vest, all nine stains on duty pants, lettering on t-shirt, interior door of his vehicle ...
4:22 - ... police vehicle steering wheel, radio mic.
4:22 - Matching Webb: driveway, neckline of her shit, the hoop earring and stud earring from her car, and "driver rear door molding."
4:23 - All of those I just listed are "single source," so there are not other donors on these stains, Ramos says
4:28 - Stains that had mixture of donors: Outside of disposable glove, neither Webb nor Bluew can be excluded ...
4:29 - ... swabs from Webb's right fingernails match Webb and a male donor, from which Bluew cannot be excluded ...
4:30 - ... swabs from extension cord around Webb's neck - neither Webb nor Bluew can be excluded. This stain not as ...
4:30 - strong quality-wise, so probabilities of another donor other than Webb/Bluew are much more likely
4:30 - And we've broke for the day. Whew. That was a lot of information I just took in.
4:31 - We'll return at 9 a.m. tomorrow.
4:31 - Closing the MLive chat. As always, post questions on Twitter or MLive comment stream.
KENNETH BLUEW TRIAL -
Expert: Blood found in, outside Webb's vehicle
Saginaw News (MI)
Thursday, October 4, 2012
SAGINAW --At least 19 bloodstains were found inside and outside Jennifer Webb's vehicle after she was discovered hanging from it in an apparent suicide last year, a state police biologist testified Wednesday.
Valerie Bowman, who also investigates crime scenes for the Michigan State Police's Bridgeport crime lab, testified during Kenneth T. Bluew's trial regarding bloodstains she found as she inspected Webb's Pontiac Aztek.
By MLive's count, Bowman found 19 such stains inside Webb's vehicle and on its exterior doors.
Bowman testified that through testing at the crime lab, she determined a majority of the stains were human blood.
Swabs of the stains then were sent to Lansing for other state police experts to test for DNA purposes, Bowman said. A jury of nine women and five men has yet to hear testimony regarding the test results.
Bluew, 37, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder in the Aug. 30, 2011, death of Webb at North Outer and Hack in Buena Vista Township. Webb, 32, was pregnant with his son.
Bowman began testifying Wednesday morning and testified all afternoon. She is to continue her testimony this morning, the seventh day of testimony in Bluew's trial before Saginaw County Circuit Judge Darnell Jackson.
Bowman testified she found a bloodstain, with a "ridge structure" that made it a possible fingerprint, on the exterior of the rear door on the Aztek's passenger side. Saginaw County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Jeffrey D. Stroud said during his opening argument that the bloody fingerprint, determined to be a right index finger, had a "piece" missing, just as Bluew's right index fingerprint had in the days after the death.
Bowman testified bloodstains were found on the "rubber door gasket" of both rear doors; a silver hoop earring found between the right side of the rear seat and the passenger-side rear door; the socket end of the extension cord once tied to the vehicle's roof rack; a bed sheet on the floor of the vehicle; the gear shift knob; the passenger side of the rear seat; the middle of the top of the rear seat back; a stud earring found in the rear seat; both of the vehicle's "B pillars," the area on the interior of the vehicle between the front and rear doors; a gray tubular foam object in the rear cargo area; the interior and exterior of the driver's-side door; and the steering wheel, where three stains were found.
Bowman also found four bloodstains in Bluew's police cruiser: on the interior of the driver's side door, near the handle; on the steering wheel; on the handheld microphone attached to Bluew's police radio, including a possible fingerprint; and on the rear side of the partition dividing the front and rear of the interior of the vehicle.
Blood on clothing
State police Detective Sgt. Allan Ogg testified Friday that Bluew showed him and Lt. Jason Teddy, then a detective sergeant, as well, a uniform bag with a uniform inside Bluew said he wore that night. The detectives found a second pair of uniform pants and a T-shirt, which Bluew said were "old," in a storage compartment under Bluew's truck's rear seat.
Bowman testified she examined the uniform Bluew said he wore, and the pants and T-shirt did not appear to be worn. Specifically, Bowman said, the pants still had creases in them, some of which would have been "obliterated" if worn for an entire 12-hour police shift, and the T-shirt smelled like laundry detergent and/or fabric softener.
Ogg testified that after he learned of this, he brought the second uniform to Bowman. That pair of pants, Bowman testified, had nine bloodstains; she was able to test only two of the stains to determine whether they were human blood, and they were. The "old" T-shirt, Bowman testified, had a human bloodstain on the white lettering on the left sleeve.
Finally, Bowman said Bluew's tactical vest had four bloodstains: one on the "CE" of the "POLICE" lettering on the right breast, one midway up the vest just left of center and one on each side. Bowman was able to test only the stain on the "CE" lettering, and it was human blood, she testified.
Bowman's afternoon testimony followed her morning testimony regarding what she and other members of the state police's crime scene response team found, including blood, a charm from a necklace and a "fresh" Winston cigarette butt about 270 feet away, by foot, from where Webb's body was found hanging by an extension cord from the roof rack of her Pontiac Aztek.
Ogg testified Tuesday that a pack of Winston cigarettes was found in Bluew's duty bag.
In searching Webb's clothing after the autopsy, Bowman found a piece of a green disposable glove, she testified. Testing conducted on the piece of glove, which resembled the tip of one of the glove's fingers, showed human blood on the inside portion and saliva on the outside portion, Bowman testified.
Searches on Bluew's computer
Colleen Auer-Lemke, who works in the Michigan State Police Computer Crimes Unit, testified Tuesday and Wednesday about searches discovered on Bluew's computer during a forensic analysis.
Auer-Lemke testified she examined 25 items submitted to her by detective Ogg and state police Lt. Jason Teddy, then a detective sergeant.
Among those items were 17 computers from Bluew's house and police cruiser, the Buena Vista Township police and fire departments, and Webb's home and workplace, as well as cellphones belonging to Webb and Bluew.
Auer-Lemke said that of those items, she was unable to find any that were the origin of the suicide note that Bluew said he found on top of Webb's purse shortly after he and fellow Buena Vista Police Officer Tim Patterson found her body.
The examination of Bluew's home computer found that he, or somebody using his family's computer, viewed websites about how to commit suicide, why people commit suicide, the "most painless" ways to commit suicide and how to strangle one's self. Bluew also researched media reports about Webb's death in the days afterward, Auer-Lemke testified.
When Auer-Lemke searched in Bluew's computer history for the term "carotid," as in "carotid artery," she got 61 hits in 11 files, she testified. One of those files was a "question and answer" website that included information on how long it takes someone to die from "carotid artery compression," Auer-Lemke testified.
Many of the items Auer-Lemke reviewed were accessed beginning in July, she testified. Some of the carotid-related items were viewed beginning Aug. 17 and ending Aug. 19, she said.
An examination of Bluew's in-car computer showed that at 4:56 a.m. Aug. 31, or about six hours after Webb's body was found, he viewed the report written by Patterson, his fellow officer, related to the death. Patterson testified last week that at that point in the investigation, Patterson had yet to include observations that he described as "red flags."
Bluew, who lived in Saginaw Township, also is charged with assaulting a pregnant individual intentionally causing miscarriage or stillbirth of a fetus or embryo and two counts of possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony.
If convicted of first-degree murder, he would face a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. The assault charge carries a maximum penalty of life in prison.
Testimony before a jury of nine women and five men is scheduled to continue today.
Ken Bluew trial:
Forensic testimony regarding the pregnant Jennifer Webb's death briefly continues, to resume in afternoon
MLive
October 04, 2012 http://www.mlive.com/news/saginaw/index.ssf/2012/10/ken_bluew_trial_forensic_testi.html
SAGINAW, MI —A jury this morning briefly heard more forensic testimony in the trial for the suspended Buena Vista police officer charged with killing the woman who was eight months pregnant with his son.
Valerie Bowman, the Michigan State Police biologist who examined the vehicles and clothes belonging to Kenneth T. Bluew and Jennifer Webb, resumed her testimony in Bluew's trial.
Bowman took the stand just before 9:30 a.m. and testified until about 10:20 a.m., when Saginaw County Circuit Judge Darnell Jackson recessed the trial until the afternoon.
Bluew, 37, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder in the Aug. 30, 2011, death of Webb at North Outer and Hack in Buena Vista Township. Webb, 32, planned to name her son Braxton.
Bowman spent about half of her testimony this morning identifying physical evidence that the prosecution intended to admit into evidence. With no objections from Bluew's attorney, Rod O'Farrell, Jackson admitted two of Bluew's uniforms — the one that he said he wore that night but that Bowman said appeared unworn and an "old" one that had nine blood stains on the pants — as well as Bluew's tactical vest, which had four blood stains; his duty boots, which had no stains; a box of disposable exam gloves and a handheld microphone for a police radio from Bluew's police cruiser; and swabs of blood stains found in and outside of Webb's vehicle and Bluew's police vehicle.
O'Farrell questioned Bowman for about 30 minutes, focusing part of his cross-examination on the different types of blood stains and which type the stain found in the driveway of the Buena Vista Township Wastewater Treatment Plant, about 270 feet by foot from Webb's vehicle, was and which types the at least 19 stains found in and outside of Webb's vehicle were.
Bowman testified that the driveway stain was not a "spatter" stain but could not say definitively what type of stain it was. She said that all but one of the vehicle stains were "transfer" stains.
Bowman said it was "possible" for DNA — blood or otherwise — on the outside of examination gloves to leave "transfer" stains on another surface. O'Farrell used a hypothetical example of somebody wearing gloves and slapping at a mosquito on his or her forehead, and Bowman agreed it was possible that the person's blood then could be on the outside of the glove. Buena Vista Police Officer Sara Sylvester, one of two other officers at the scene with Bluew, testified last week that she needed to apply insect repellant because of the mosquitoes in the area.
Jackson recessed the trial about the time O'Farrell was asking Bowman about pictures of Webb's vehicle, not admitted into evidence by the prosecution. Bowman testified that she didn't recognize the pictures, one of which shows an examination glove with some type of substance on the outside.
In conferring with Saginaw County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Jeffrey D. Stroud and then having a bench conference, it appeared O'Farrell intended to show the pictures on a television screen, connected to a laptop, to the jury. It appeared Jackson recessed the trial about five minutes prior than planned because finding the pictures on a specific CD would take longer than five minutes.
Bluew, who lived in Saginaw Township, also is charged with assaulting a pregnant individual intentionally causing miscarriage or stillbirth of a fetus or embryo and two counts of possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony.
If convicted of first-degree murder, he would face a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. The assault charge carries a maximum penalty of life in prison.
DNA expert:
Ken Bluew the 'single source' of blood found on pregnant Jennifer Webb's clothes, vehicle
MLive
October 04, 2012
9:53 - Next, 11 o'clock position of steering wheel: matches Bluew. Webb could not be excluded as minor donor.
9:55 - Now to Bluew's clothes. Tactical vest: on lower right side, probability that it is somebody other than Bluew is 1 in 15.4 quadrillion.
9:58 - Ramos: Stain on left side of vest matches Bluew. Same with stain in middle of vest, except it was a mixture and minor donor too small.
9:59 - And ... whew. That's all of the test results. Except one that wasn't part of PowerPoint presentation: stain on Bluew's vehicle partition.
9:59 - Ramos: Was able to exclude both Bluew and Webb from being donor from that stain.
10:01 - And Stroud is done. O'Farrell is up, focusing first on the tactical vest. Ramos' report excludes Webb from any stain on body armor.
10:04 - O'Farrell pointing out that Ramos cannot independently determine sources of stains. That was done by Bowman.
10:05 - O'Farrell and Ramos review Ramos' report:
10:06 - O'Farrell again brings up "touch DNA," basically same concept/notion he was talking about with yesterday's mosquito hypothetical.
10:07 - Instead of the mosquito hypothetical, O'Farrell this time uses "inadvertently" wiping one's forehead.
10:08 - Dawn Webb, Jennifer Webb's mother, watches on:
10:09 - O'Farrell points out that Ramos cannot determine how old blood stains are.
10:13 - O'Farrell is confirming that Webb was excluded as being donor from vest, shirt, pants.
10:13 - The theory there could be that Bluew bleeding on his own clothes proves nothing.
10:15 - As he did with Bowman, O'Farrell confirming that if samples/stains already contaminated before they got to Ramos, cant do anything about it.
10:17 - Nothing further from O'Farrell or Stroud. Next witness is MSP's Gary Ginther, fingerprint expert.
10:19 - A "In Memory" bracelet:
10:20 - Ginther is a "latent print examiner." Has to go through the education/professional background to establish himself as expert.
10:21 - RT @book_worm82: @SNAndyHoag that may be the case, but how can he explain his DNA being in the blood stains in her vehicle?
10:21 - @book_worm82 O'Farrell said in his opening argument that those stains could have been left during Bluew's investigation of the death.
10:23 - Ginther estimates he's examined upward of a million fingerprints. Has testified as expert between 225-300 times.
10:24 - Ginther will be considered an expert. Now begins to testify about how to analyze fingerprints. I won't recap this too much.
10:32 - Fingerprint analysis can be complex, but Ginther did a solid job of explaining it in the simplest of terms. Now onto the investigation.
10:33 - Ginther explains fingerprints:
10:33 - Ginther testifies, with Bluew's fingerprint card in the forefront:
10:34 - Ginther was the one who found the silver charm, which appeared to come from Webb's necklace, on the Wastewater Treatment Plant driveway.
10:39 - Ginther explains the location of the silver charm and blood stain:
10:39 - Now onto the bloody fingerprint on the rear door of the passenger side of Webb's vehicle.
10:41 - Ginther: The fingerprint was left just above and slightly to the left of the door handle.
10:49 - Ginther shows a blown-up image of the fingerprint lifted from the vehicle door:
10:50 - Ginther identified Bluew's prints from September 2011 - in a funny moment, he accidentally said "1911" - as well as prints from this year.
10:52 - Ginther: On Sept. 6, identified print as being Bluew's. The print from the car has an area that appears to be injured to the point ...
10:54 - ... that there is no ridge structure there. Now comparing that missing part to Bluew's print, "shows same injured area."
10:57 - Ginther holds up Bluew's fingerprint card:
10:58 - Ginther: "That latent print was made by the right index finger of Kenneth Bluew."
11:02 - Ginther: Latent prints left on Aztek's right quarter panel, right top of hood were made by Bluew's left palm, other fingers.
11:06 - Now onto the suicide note. It was purple coloring on it from a chemical designed to show fingerprints.
11:10 - *has, not was. Sorry. Ginther: Found 14 latent prints on backside of note, all Bluew. On face of note, no prints.
11:11 - Stroud confirms that Ginther found no prints belonging to Webb.
11:12 - Ginther discussed the prints found on the note:
11:13 - Stroud has Ginther point out that one of the prints on the letter is Bluew's right index finger. No injury present.
11:14 - In other words, Bluew touched that piece of paper before his finger was injured.
11:16 - Stroud has Ginther confirm just that.
11:20 - RT "@EwaldSandy: looks like the deal was just sealed! What was Bleew's reaction?" >>just more note taking.
11:22 - Ginther identifies which finger left each of the 14 prints. Now we're taking a break.
11:38 - RT "@BeHemker: What if any was the reaction to new prints developed on the document?" >>no reaction. I believe it's been touched in trial.
11:39 - RT "@t_ntskg5: has he shown any reaction through any of this?" >>no, but again, he's already been aware of what the testimony would be.
11:44 - And we're back. O'Farrell now on cross-examination, pointing out that sometimes only partial prints are found, can't be compared.
11:46 - Ginther: Partial prints on suicide note that weren't suitable for comparison value. Same with vehicle.
11:48 - Ginther: 3 prints on vehicle that didn't match any prints used for comparison. Results inconclusive, but neither Bluew nor Webb excluded.
11:50 - Ginther: Print from Webb's right palm found on exterior passenger side rear door, on metal portion between window and door.
11:54 - Ginther: "Possible" to put finger into a blood spot and leave a print. Depends on volume of blood.
11:55 - O'Farrell talking about success rate of finding print, makes a timely @MiguelCabrera mention w/ rate being less than Cabby's batting avg.
11:57 - Ginther says that low success rate is usually in reference to firearms.
11:58 - O'Farrell points out Ginther can't exclude Webb from touching suicide note paper, can't determine when Bluew touched paper ...
11:58 - ... relative to when the suicide note was typed and printed out.
12:01 - O'Farrell done, now Stroud back up, reiterating no bloody print on suicide note, so it was before injury.
12:02 - Ginther: Bloody print on door was a bloody finger touching the car, not a finger touching a blood spot on car.
12:04 - And Ginther is done, and we're going to lunch.
12:17 - RT "@nichol0715: didn't they say Jenny's print was NOT on the note?" >>they couldn't identify any prints as hers.
12:18 - @nichol0715 all those that were of enough quality were identified as Bluew's. There's partials that couldn't be compared to anything.
12:19 - RT @MelanieBierlein: @SNAndyHoag Where was the suicide note found? Can O'Farrell theorize that prints came from being on the scene the ...
12:19 - @MelanieBierlein Bluew said he found it on top of her purse. That theory wouldn't work because Bluew had a band-aid on by that point.
1:54 - We're back, no jury yet. Mike Thomas is asking Jackson to allow the jury to go visit the scene. O'Farrell is agreeing w/ the request.
1:54 - Jackson will allow the jury visit. Stroud made copies for the jurors of an aerial photograph, already in evidence, of the area.
1:55 - Jackson reading the instruction he will give to the jury. Jurors will be given 30 minutes, can't be talked to, can't talk with each other.
1:56 - They'll be going by bus. Bluew is waiving his right to be at the visit.
1:57 - RT @tvalentine75: @SNAndyHoag will you be going with them?
1:57 - @tvalentine75 I don't know yet :) Judge didn't mention whether we can/can't go. I do know we definitely can't take photos or video.
1:59 - Jackson is reading the instructions to the jury now.
2:00 - And now the jury is walking back out of the courtroom.
2:06 - I will not be going to the scene.
2:07 - As I mentioned before, we took photos of the scene a couple weeks back: photos.mlive.com/4473/gallery/j…
2:08 - We're being told that when the jury returns, they will enter the courtroom, and the trial will be recessed until Tuesday morning.
2:09 - So I will be closing the MLive chat window. As always, anybody with questions can tweet at me or post them on MLive.
DNA expert links Bluew to bloodstains
Defendant called 'single source' of samples on Webb's clothes, vehicle
Saginaw News (MI)
Friday, October 5, 2012
SAGINAW -- Kenneth T. Bluew's DNA matches those from at least 26 bloodstains examined in the apparent suicide of a woman who was eight months pregnant with his son, a DNA expert testified Thursday.
Lisa Ramos, who works for the Michigan State Police, testified during Bluew's trial regarding the results of the tests she conducted on numerous bloodstain samples sent to her from Valerie Bowman at the state police's Bridgeport crime lab.
Bluew, 37, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder in the Aug. 30, 2011, death of Webb at North Outer and Hack in Buena Vista Township. Webb, 32, planned to name her son Braxton. The fetus' DNA showed "it was consistent" that Bluew was the father, Ramos said.
Ramos testified Bluew was the only DNA donor of bloodstains found on Webb's clothing, in and on the outside of Webb's Pontiac Aztek, on his uniform and in his police cruiser.
Among those stains included those from the inside portion of a piece of a disposable examination glove found in Webb's clothes, Ramos said. She also tested the outside of the piece of the glove, and neither Bluew nor Webb could be excluded as being a donor, Ramos testified.
The stains to which Bluew was the only donor, "or single source," also included a swab under the fingernails of Webb's left hand; stains on Webb's shirt, pants and bra; and one of Webb's flip-flops, found in a culvert of the ditch Webb was hanging into. Last week's testimony from Bluew's fellow officers who were on scene showed the flip-flops were not touched until crime lab personnel arrived hours later.
Ramos also testified Bluew was the only donor of a stain on the rear door of the Aztek's passenger side, which Bowman this week testified had a "ridge structure" in it.
Bluew also was the "single source" of at least seven stains found inside the Aztek; all nine stains on Bluew's duty pants, the ones he told state police Detective Sgts. Allan Ogg and Jason Teddy were "old"; a stain on the "CE" portion of the "POLICE" lettering on Bluew's tactical vest; a stain on the sleeve of his T-shirt, found with the "old" duty pants; and the interior of the driver's side door, the steering wheel and the hand-held police radio microphone of his police cruiser.
Ramos testified Webb was the only DNA donor of a bloodstain found on a driveway leading to the Buena Vista Township Wastewater Treatment Plant, about 270 feet by foot from where Webb's vehicle was found and next to a silver charm that appears to have come from Webb's necklace. She also was the only donor of bloodstains on the left neckline of her shirt; a hoop earring and a stud earring found in her vehicle; and the "driver rear door molding" of her vehicle, Ramos testified.
Ramos testified the swabs taken from under Webb's fingernails both contained two donors: Webb and a male source. Ramos testified Bluew's DNA matched the male donor of the left hand and "cannot be excluded" as being the source of the right hand.
Bluew also "cannot be excluded" as the source of a bloodstain found on the portion of the extension cord tied around Webb's neck, Ramos said.
Saginaw County Circuit Judge Darnell Jackson, who is presiding over the trial, recessed the trial at 4:30 p.m. before Ramos could testify to other stains.
Ramos' testimony followed the conclusion of Bowman's testimony, which stretched over Wednesday and Thursday.
Bowman acknowledged Thursday afternoon that no one at Webb's autopsy saw the glove tip, and she didn't notice it until she pulled the clothes from the crime lab's drying chamber about two weeks after the death. She testified she did not examine a seized box of similar gloves from Bluew's police cruiser to possibly find a glove with a missing finger tip.
Upon questioning from Bluew's attorney, Rod O'Farrell, Bowman testified clothes taken from autopsies are normally at least somewhat wet --the reason they are placed in the drying chamber. The clothes' wetness is "more conducive" to any blood on the clothes transferring to other items when they are placed in a bag, as they were after the autopsy, Bowman agreed.
Saginaw County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Jeffrey D. Stroud pointed out, through Bowman's testimony, that the flip-flops -- one of which had such a "transfer" stain -- never touched Webb's clothing after the death.
Bluew, who lived in Saginaw Township, also is charged with assaulting a pregnant individual intentionally causing miscarriage or stillbirth of a fetus or embryo and two counts of possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony.
If convicted of first-degree murder, he would face a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. The assault charge carries a maximum penalty of life in prison.
Ken Bluew touched the pregnant Jennifer Webb's apparent suicide note before a bloody injury to his finger, expert testifies
MLive
October 05, 2012 http://www.mlive.com/news/saginaw/index.ssf/2012/10/ken_bluew_touched_the_pregnant.html
SAGINAW, MI —Kenneth T. Bluew's right index fingerprint was left on Jennifer Webb's apparent suicide note prior to Bluew receiving an injury to the finger that caused him to leave a bloody fingerprint on Webb's vehicle's door, a state police expert testified today.
Former Michigan State Police Sgt. Gary Ginther, who now works as a civilian latent print examiner for the state police, testified this morning that Bluew left 14 fingerprints on the note Bluew said he found in Webb's purse after Webb's body was found hanging from her Pontiac Aztek on Aug. 30, 2011.
Of those 14 prints, at least one was Bluew's right index finger, Ginther testified. That fingerprint did not include a missing piece that Bluew's fingerprint taken several days later did include, Ginther testified.
That missing piece was evident on a bloody fingerprint, left above the handle of the rear passenger-side door of the Aztek, that Ginther identified as being Bluew's, Ginther said.
Bluew, 37, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder in Webb's death at North Outer and Hack in Buena Vista Township. Webb, 32, planned to name her son Braxton.
Ginther took the stand during the eighth day of testimony in Bluew's trial before Saginaw County Circuit Judge Darnell Jackson. Testimony will continue this afternoon.
On questioning from Bluew's attorney, Rod O'Farrell, Ginther testified that numerous partial fingerprints also were found on the suicide note, but that the lack of quality in the prints made them "not suitable for comparison." Ginther also was unable to say when Bluew actually touched the piece of paper that the note was printed on and whether the note already was printed.
O'Farrell also asked Ginther about the possibility of somebody placing their finger into a blood spot and leaving a bloody fingerprint, and while Ginther said such a scenario was "possible," Ginther said after a question from Saginaw County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Jeffrey D. Stroud that the fingerprint left on the Aztek door was from Bluew having a bloody finger and touching the vehicle door.
The other witness this morning was Lisa Ramos, a DNA expert with the state police, who continued her testimony that she began Thursday afternoon, when she said that Bluew's DNA matches those from at least 26 blood stains examined in connection with the death.
Ramos testified that she tested swabs from three bruises on Webb's upper arms. All three were "mixed samples" with Webb's DNA matching one of the donors in all three, Ramos said. One of the bruises had a "minor" male source that did not provide enough of a donation to compare anything to, while the other two had male donors. The probability of the source of those two donations not coming from Bluew were in the billions and trillions, Ramos testified.
Ramos testified that Bluew's DNA matched blood stains on a bed sheet found in the backseat of the Aztek; the vehicle's interior and exterior front driver's side door; and the vehicle's gear selector. Bluew's DNA also matched two stains on the steering wheel, and neither Bluew nor Webb could be excluded from being the source of a "smear" on the interior of the rear passenger-side window, Ramos said.
Most of those stains had a "minor" donor that did not provide enough to make a comparison, Ramos said. Webb could not be excluded as being the source of the minor donation on two of the stains, Ramos testified.
Bluew's DNA also matched three other stains on his tactical vest, Ramos said.
In his cross-examination, O'Farrell had Ramos confirm that she was not the individual who obtained the stains and identified their source — such as coming from the steering wheel — and that while Ramos takes precautions against evidence contamination, she cannot control any possible contamination that occurs prior to her handling the evidence.
Bluew, who lived in Saginaw Township, also is charged with assaulting a pregnant individual intentionally causing miscarriage or stillbirth of a fetus or embryo and two counts of possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony.
If convicted of first-degree murder, he would face a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. The assault charge carries a maximum penalty of life in prison.
Ken Bluew jury visits scene of the pregnant Jennifer Webb's death; trial recessed until Tuesday
MLive
October 05, 2012 http://www.mlive.com/news/saginaw/index.ssf/2012/10/ken_bluew_jury_visits_scene_of.html
SAGINAW, MI — The trial for the suspended Buena Vista police officer charged with killing the woman who was eight months pregnant with his son will conclude this afternoon after a jury visits the scene of the death.
After a morning full of testimony, Saginaw County Circuit Judge Darnell Jackson shortly before 2 p.m. approved the request of county Prosecutor Michael D. Thomas, who asked to have the jury of nine women and five men travel by bus to North Outer and Hack in Buena Vista Township.
The jury traveled to the scene with court staff, including Jackson. Thomas as well as county Chief Assistant Prosecutor Jeffrey D. Stroud and Kenneth T. Bluew's attorney, Rod O'Farrell, also traveled to the scene.
Bluew, 37, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder in the Aug. 31, 2011, death of Jennifer Webb. Webb, 32, planned to name her son Braxton.
Jackson told the jury they would have 30 minutes to survey the scene, which includes the nearby driveway for the Buena Vista Township Wastewater Treatment Plant. The judge instructed the jurors not to speak with anybody else, including their fellow jurors, while at the scene.
Bluew waived his right to be present during the jury visit.
After the jury returned, Jackson was to recess the trial until Tuesday, when Saginaw County Medical Examiner Kanu Virani will testify.
Prior to their visit, the jurors heard testimony from Michigan State Police experts Lisa Ramos and Gary Ginther, who testified, respectively, about Bluew's DNA being present in blood stains found at the scene and his fingerprints being left on an apparent suicide note and Webb's vehicle.
Bluew, who lived in Saginaw Township, also is charged with assaulting a pregnant individual intentionally causing miscarriage or stillbirth of a fetus or embryo and two counts of possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony.
If convicted of first-degree murder, he would face a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. The assault charge carries a maximum penalty of life in prison.
KENNETH BLUEW TRIAL
Expert: Bluew touched note before injuring finger
Saginaw News (MI)
Sunday, October 7, 2012
SAGINAW -- Kenneth T. Bluew's right index fingerprint was left on Jennifer Webb's apparent suicide note before Bluew received an injury to the finger that caused him to leave a bloody fingerprint on her vehicle's door, a state police expert testified Friday.
Former Michigan State Police Sgt. Gary Ginther, who works as a civilian latent-print examiner for the state police, testified Bluew left 14 fingerprints on the note Bluew said he found in Webb's purse after her body was found hanging from her Pontiac Aztek on Aug. 30, 2011.
Of those 14 prints, at least one was Bluew's right index finger, Ginther testified. That fingerprint did not include a missing piece that Bluew's fingerprint, taken several days later, included, Ginther testified.
That missing piece was evident on a bloody fingerprint, left above the handle of the rear passenger-side door of the Aztek, that Ginther identified as being Bluew's, Ginther said.
Bluew, 37, a suspended Buena Vista Township police officer, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder in Webb's death at North Outer and Hack in Buena Vista. Webb, 32, was eight months pregant with Bluew's son and planned to name him Braxton.
Ginther took the stand during the eighth day of testimony in Bluew's trial before Saginaw County Circuit Judge Darnell Jackson.
On questioning from Bluew's attorney, Rod O'Farrell, Ginther said numerous partial fingerprints also were found on the suicide note, but the lack of quality in the prints made them "not suitable for comparison." Ginther also was unable to say when Bluew touched the piece of paper the note was printed on and whether the note already had been printed.
O'Farrell asked Ginther about the possibility of someone placing a finger in a blood spot and leaving a bloody fingerprint. Ginther said such a scenario was "possible," but after a question from Saginaw County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Jeffrey D. Stroud, Ginther said the fingerprint left on the Aztek door was from Bluew having a bloody finger and touching the vehicle door.
The other witness Friday morning was Lisa Ramos, a DNA expert with the state police. She continued testimony she began Thursday afternoon, when she said Bluew's DNA matches those from at least 26 bloodstains examined in the death.
Ramos testified she tested swabs from three bruises on Webb's upper arms. All three were "mixed samples," with Webb's DNA matching one of the donors in all three, Ramos said. One of the bruises had a "minor" male source that did not provide enough of a donation to compare anything to, while the other two had male donors. The probability of the source of those two donations not coming from Bluew was in the billions and trillions, Ramos testified.
Ramos said Bluew's DNA matched bloodstains on a bedsheet found in the backseat of the Aztek, the vehicle's interior and exterior front driver's side door and the vehicle's gear selector. Bluew's DNA also matched two stains on the steering wheel, and neither Bluew nor Webb could be excluded from being the source of a "smear" on the interior of the rear passenger-side window, Ramos said.
Most of those stains had a "minor" donor that did not provide enough to make a comparison, Ramos said. Webb could not be excluded as the source of the minor donation on two of the stains, Ramos testified.
Bluew's DNA also matched three other stains on his tactical vest, Ramos said.
In his cross-examination, O'Farrell had Ramos confirm she was not the person who obtained the stains and identified their source --such as coming from the steering wheel --and that while Ramos takes precautions against evidence contamination, she cannot control any possible contamination that occurs before she handles evidence.
Jury travels to scene
After testimony Friday morning, Jackson approved a request of county Prosecutor Michael D. Thomas, who asked to have the jury of nine women and five men travel by bus to the scene of the death.
The jury traveled with court staff, including Jackson. Thomas, Stroud and O'Farrell also went to the scene.
Jackson told the jury they would have 30 minutes to survey the scene, which includes the nearby driveway for the Buena Vista Township Wastewater Treatment Plant. The judge instructed the jurors not to speak with anybody else, including their fellow jurors, while there.
Bluew waived his right to be present during the jury visit.
After the jury returned, Jackson recessed the trial until Tuesday, when Saginaw County Medical Examiner Kanu Virani is to testify.
Officer Kenneth Bluew Murder Trial - Day 9
Live Tweets:
Day 9 of trial for Ken Bluew, police officer charged in death of pregnant Jennifer Webb
MLive
http://www.mlive.com/news/saginaw/index.ssf/2012/09/live_tweets_day_1_of_ken_bluew.html
Ken Bluew Trial Day 1
Tuesday September 25, 2012
Andy Hoag@SNAndyHoag
9:08 -Hey folks, still awaiting the beginning of opening arguments here in the #bluewtrial.
9:09 - All the parties are here, in a packed courtroom. All parties except Bluew, that is, who hasn't been brought into the courtroom yet.
9:09 - No jury yet, no judge. From the looks of it, Chief Asst Prosecutor Jeff Stroud will be, at the least, beginning the opening argument.
9:10 - I've yet to see Mike Thomas & Stroud work together on a trial, so I don't know if their strategy will be to combine for the opening or what.
9:11 - As I wrote in my MLive post, Bluew's attorney, Rod O'Farrell, has the right to reserve his opening until after prosecution's proofs.
9:13 - Now we're figuring out the logistics of having all the television cameramen set up. All three local TV stations are here.
9:13 - We will have live video of the opening argument, whenever it actually gets started.
9:17 - @nboensch Nancy, I'm live now, waiting for opening arguments to begin. I'll be tweeting throughout the trial.
9:31 - @tvalentine75 Good point, sorry. "Proofs" is another word for evidence/testimony.
9:32 - The prosecutors have returned from speaking with Judge Jackson. O'Farrell isn't in here yet.
9:33 - The court recorder just walked in. That's always a good sign that we're close.
9:34 - Judge Jackson enters. Speaking to the public, noting the attention this trial is getting.
9:35 - Judge Jackson is asking us media members to go into his chambers for a "nice chat."
9:50 - And we're back. More logistics talk with the judge, making sure everything goes smoothly today and in the future.
9:50 - @tvalentine75 Not at all. Just making sure everybody's on the same page for a smooth trial.
9:51 - @TrayDei Very much so. There's a separate room being used for overflow.
9:52 - Still no sign of Bluew, but we're close.
9:56 - @monk1903 It'll be live on MLive as soon as the openings start. We're trying to avoid putting the feed up to watch attorneys sit and wait.
9:56 - When the openings begin, our live video feed will be the main post on our MLive site.
10:17 - They now have set two large flatscreen TVs in the courtroom. That's new. Not sure if that's to accommodate the live feed for the overflow ..
10:18 - .. room and use the other TV to present evidence, or what. That's just a guess.
10:26 - @tvalentine75 What do you mean? We're able to cover any trial, just a matter of resources. Any trial specifically you're referring to?
10:27 - Remember when I said, "We're close?" That was 33 minutes ago. They're still figuring out the TVs.
10:29 - @tvalentine75 That's right. That case was a little different because there were concerns about witnesses following the tweets when ...
10:30 - @tvalentine75... they're supposed to be sequestered. In this case, most of the witnesses are testifying based on their ...
10:31 - @tvalentine75... police reports and/or lab reports. In other words, not a lot of room for changing testimony, and if they were to ...
10:32 - @tvalentine75... ... change their testimony, the defense attorney would jump all over it. Just a unique case all around.
10:33 - @skaren24 Not yet. Nothing to record yet.
10:34 - Bluew is here. He walked in quickly, mouthed a "hi" to his family.
10:35 - Quick matter before the jury comes in, as O'Farrell puts on the record that Bluew waived his right to be present for our meeting w/ judge.
10:37 - Jury coming in now. Again, nine women & five men.
10:38 - You now can go to MLive for our live feed. Should be up in seconds.
10:39 - Stroud is giving the opening argument
10:39 - Stroud: "Jenny Webb was happy, she was healthy, she was having a baby."
10:40 - Stroud: Somebody wasn't happy about it, didn't want to pay child support.
10:40 - Stroud: Bluew killed Webb and "made it look like something else."
10:42 - Stroud: Webb met Bluew "years ago."
10:42 - Stroud: Webb saw Bluew "fairly regularly."
10:43 - Stroud: Roughly January 2011, "they conceived a child."
10:43 - Stroud: Webb filled a room in her parents' house with things for the baby.
10:43 - Stroud: Webb "felt safe" at parents' home after her home was broken into.
10:44 - Stroud: "All there was to do was to wait. Wait for that day" of birth.
10:45 - Stroud: Webb "had some concerns about being a single mom, taking time off of work."
10:45 - Stroud: She worked at P.F. Markey, who allowed her to bank OT hours to continue getting paychecks while on maternity leave.
10:46 - Stroud: Webb visiting friend Andrea King, told her she had to leave to go meet Bluew.
10:46 - Stroud: "Andrea King never saw her again."
10:48 - Stroud: Bluew came on duty shortly after 6 p.m. Only other patrol officer on duty at time, Sara Sylvester. T. Patterson starts at 10 p.m.
10:48 - Stroud: Bluew and Sylvester shared dinner.
10:49 - Stroud: Bluew "looks normal" during dinner. No scratches, etc. "That's going to change."
10:50 - Stroud: Sylvester goes back to PD, Bluew goes back on patrol.
10:51 - Stroud: Truck driver David Sian pulls into business near N. Outer & Hack. Video camera there, motion sensitive.
10:51 - Stroud: On video, can see vehicle heading north on Outer. Minutes later, another car comes into view, turns in front of Sian's truck.
10:52 - Stroud: It is a BV police car, which goes around building. Sian will say car goes north on Outer, toward Hack.
10:53 - Stroud: With Sylvester at PD and Patterson not in yet, can only be Bluew. Bluew answers his 9 p.m. "radio check."
10:54 - Stroud: But for next 1 hr, 35 m, no radio contact with Bluew. For 7 minutes, starting after 10:20 p.m., Dispatch sends out alert to get attn
10:55 - Stroud: Sylvester contacted to call Bluew on his cell. No answer. Told to get him on another channel. "No luck."
10:55 - Stroud: Patterson also has no luck. Until 10:35, Bluew comes on radio, responds, says, "I was on the admin channel."
10:56 - Stroud: The "admin channel" was on the one Sylvester used. Patterson upset, going to find Bluew and talk to him.
10:57 - Stroud: Patterson goes to Outer & Hack, where Bluew sometimes would go to kill time or sleep.
10:58 - Stroud: Patterson sees a car, not a police car. "Evidence is going to show you" that Bluew and Webb met there.
10:59 - Stroud: They had an "interaction" in a driveway that leads to BV Wastewater Treatment Plant, NW of Outer & Hack intersection.
10:59 - Stroud: On driveway, her blood, piece of her necklace, a Winston cigarette butt -- "the kind Ken smokes."
11:00 - Stroud: Webb's vehicle found at NE corner of intersection. Distance roughly 195 feet by air, 270' by foot from driveway where blood found.
11:01 - Stroud: As he pulls up, sees another vehicle on SW side. Headlights out, spotlight on.
11:02 - Stroud: "As Patterson gets out of his car, Ken Bluew gets out of his," "sweating profusely."
11:03 - Stroud: Bluew says to Patterson, "how do you wanna do this?" and "it takes Patterson back a little bit."
11:04 - Stroud: Patterson goes to passenger side, Bluew to driver side. Webb had vehicle for 8 years, with decals on back. Bluew walks by decals.
11:04 - Stroud: Bluew exclaims, "We got a body," and Bluew "backs up. He backs away."
11:05 - Stroud: Patterson sees Webb w/ extension cord around neck, tied to roof rack. "Both of the officers know she's dead."
11:05 -
11:06 - Stroud: Sgt. Sean Waterman called. Patterson taping off scene, Bluew taking pictures.
11:07 - Stroud: Sylvester arrives, MMR comes. Only person who goes into car is Bluew, just enough to grab purse.
11:08 - Stroud: Bluew has told no one he knows her, that he dated her, that this "obviously pregnant woman is bearing his child."
11:08 - Stroud: "He's not going to share that information for a bit."
11:09 - Stroud: "On top of purse" is a folded piece of paper, which he opens. Typewritten note addressed "to my friends and family."
11:10 - Stroud: Typewritten signature from "Jenny." It's a suicide note.
11:11 - Stroud: Sgt. Waterman arrives. In purse there also is a phone. Waterman and Patterson go through contacts -- one is "Ken Cop Boo."
11:12 - Stroud: When Bluew sees Webb's ID, he tells officers he knows her.
11:12 - Stroud: Three phone contacts between Bluew & Webb since 8:30 that night. "And the defendant hasn't mentioned any of them to this point."
11:13 - Stroud: "Officer Patterson is getting uncomfortable. But Officer Patterson is not in charge."
11:14 - Stroud: Sylvester called away for another call, asks Bluew to help respond.
11:15 - Stroud: Scene treated as suicide, Webb's body removed.
11:16 - Stroud: Patterson has to move vehicle, to get in driver's door, has to walk "literally on the edge" of the ditch..
11:18 - Stroud: If Webb actually committed suicide, would have had to get out, move pregnant, 250-pound body along that lip of the ditch, and ...
11:18 - ... successfully hang herself in manner it was found.
11:19 - Stroud: Waterman goes to Webb's parents' house, informs them of suicide. They tell him father is Bluew. Waterman "got sick to his stomach."
11:19 - Stroud: Waterman "knew he had made a mistake." Asks to see room, "full of baby stuff."
11:19 - Stroud: Waterman calls then-Chief Booker, says to get MSP involved to investigate.
11:21 - Stroud: MSP crime lab called out, "process what is left of the scene." Get Webb's vehicle and Bluew's vehicle to crime lab.
11:22 - Stroud: Crime lab there into morning hours, where they find things in driveway that officers didn't see in dark earlier.
11:23 - Stroud: Blood found all over Webb's car.
11:24 - Stroud: "Fingerprint in blood" found on passenger door. Right index fingerprint "had piece of it missing."
11:25 - Stroud: When Bluew was fingerprinted, had piece of right index finger missing. MSP expert will testify that 'print is Bluew's.
11:28 - Stroud: Blood stains on front, back of Webb's clothes. Blood stains found in Bluew's patrol car.
11:28 - Stroud: Blood in car, bloody fingerprint, blood on Webb's clothes "all match the DNA profile of Kenneth Bluew."
11:29 - Bluew just leaned over to O'Farrell, said something briefly. O'Farrell nodded.
11:29 - Stroud: Piece of examination glove found in Webb's clothes. Blood on inside of material matched Bluew.
11:30 - Stroud: Blood found in driveway was Webb's.
11:31 - Stroud: Blood on extension cord portion tied to roof rack was Bluew's.
11:32 - Stroud: Baby -- whom Webb was going to name Braxton -- was "viable," but when "mother dies, baby dies."
11:33 - Stroud: ME will testify that Webb died to "vascular muscle compression," different from typical strangulation.
11:34 - Stroud: "She died on the Wastewater Treatment driveway."
11:34 - Stroud: "She could not, and did not, drive her car there and hang herself."
11:36 - Stroud: Search warrant at Bluew's home. Multiple extension cords there, held together by "twist ties." At home, 1 twist tie found w/o cord.
11:37 - Stroud: Bluew's computer seized, examined. Search results included strangulation, suicide, "how to die from vascular neck compression."
11:37 - I erred earlier in quoting Stroud as saying "vascular muscle compression."
11:37 - Stroud: Evidence will show Bluew knew how to apply choke holds.
11:39 - Stroud: Lot of witnesses. "All I ask is that you absorb all you can."
11:39 - Stroud says Thomas will give closing argument.
11:39 - O'Farrell elects to give his opening argument now.
11:41 - O'Farrell explains to jury that he's seen police reports, other discovery materials.
11:41 - O'Farrell asks jurors to listen closely to evidence, says opening arguments not evidence.
11:41 - O'Farrell: Listen closely to details, don't jump to conclusions because of tragedy of Webb's death.
11:42 - O'Farrell says he won't go over all details he feels contradict Stroud's statements.
11:44 - O'Farrell talking about how Webb was hanging. Cord was taut but Webb didn't move far when cord cut, so assumption is she didn't hang self.
11:46 - Mark Tower: And I've hit my daily tweet limit. Perfect. Hopefully the lunch break will allow me to start tweeting again.
11:47 - Hoping my name shows now instead of Mark's. Sorry for the error.
11:48 - O'Farrell said the conclusion I just tweeted about is "illogical."
11:48 - O'Farrell attacking theory that Webb was killed in driveway 270 feet away.
11:49 - If Bluew transported a deceased Webb to end spot in her vehicle, there would have been blood and other evidence that Webb was in back seat.
11:50 - O'Farrell says if Bluew dragged her 270 feet, would have been evidence.
11:51 - In addition, Webb's flip flops found right below Webb's body.
11:52 - O'Farrell acknowledges that Bluew took "a while" to respond to radio check. Prosecutor is asking jury to make "assumption" that Bluew was busy with a "plot" to kill Webb.
11:53 - O'Farrell: Bluew sounded tired when he finally responded, like he had just woken up.
11:54 - O'Farrell: No way of knowing what was said during three phone interactions between Bluew & Webb. Also could have been no answer.
11:55 - O'Farrell: Webb's text messages give a good picture "of what Jenny was going through." Have "no doubt at all" that family, friends, co-workers liked her, thought highly of her.
11:56 - O'Farrell: In her texts, "the concerns she voiced:" concerns about finances, high blood pressure.
11:57 - O'Farrell: Webb "had communications with Ken for months" about likelihood of him being father. Testimony will show Bluew accepted that, but formal announcement of him being father would "cause problems" because he was married
11:58 - O'Farrell: "This had been going on for months," it wasn't coming to a "crisis" at that point.
11:58 - O'Farrell: "This was a young lady who was having some conflicts."
11:59 - O'Farrell: Bluew a "successful, respected police officer."
11:59 - O'Farrell: Webb was hopeful that Bluew would leave his wife and be with her.
12:01 - O'Farrell: MSP came in on assumption that Bluew was guilty. Anything they came across that didn't support that was treated as irrelevant.
12:01 - O'Farrell: Family and friends don't want to accept that Webb committed suicide.
12:02 - Other alternative is that Bluew "abandoned" successful career, plotted to kill Webb, in his own jurisdiction.
12:04 - O'Farrell: Was Bluew's DNA left during the course of the investigation, or not?
12:04 - O'Farrell: Prosecutors/police performed more investigation, possibly after O'Farrell asked a prior hearing if the work up to that point was all they were going to do.
12:05 - O'Farrell: "I do know that this case was not investigated properly."
12:06 - O'Farrell: If Patterson had to tip toe around ditch to get into car, "what would Bluew have to have done" to "stage" it?
12:06 - "had to have done," sorry.
12:06 - O'Farrell asks jury not to make assumption. Likens case to a jigsaw puzzle.
12:07 - O'Farrell likens prosecutors' theory to O'Farrell's dad to getting impatient, trying to jam puzzle pieces that didn't fit
12:07 - O'Farrell: Reach a conclusion "on your own common sense."
12:09 - And he's done. The jury is escorted out. We'll break for lunch and be back, probably at 1:30.
12:09 - Bluew received some words of encouragement from family members as he waited to be led out of the courtroom by deputies
12:10 - I'm out of Twitter jail! See y'all at 1:30.
1:39 - Alright, we're all back in the courtroom, packed like sardines. Waiting on things to get started here.
1:51- Our first witness, just as it was during the preliminary hearing: Andrea King, Webb's friend.
1:51 - King knew Webb for 12 years: "She was my best friend."
1:53 - King: Webb was "like a sister to me." She gets emotional as Mike Thomas shows her a picture of Webb, wearing the aforementioned necklace.
1:54 - Thomas shows Webb's purse to King. She says she recognizes it "because I liked it." Inside, a camera Webb had just purchased that day.
1:56 - Webb came to King's home that evening, as she did just about every day. Webb "loved" King's newborn twins.
1:58 - King: Webb "couldn't wait to be a mom." They spoke about motherhood. Ate dinner together that night, and Webb didn't appear depressed.
1:58 - King: Webb never spoke about suicide, or that she had let somebody down, or that she was afraid to have the baby.
1:59 - Folks, no live video for testimony. There will be for closing arguments.
2:00 - King: Webb told her that Bluew was the father of the child, that he worked at BVPD. Webb said she was going to put Bluew's name ...
2:00 - ... on birth certificate, that she wanted son to her know her father.
2:04 - King: Webb said she had to "go see Ken" on her way home, said she was going to see him on Outer Drive.
2:06 - King: Webb "loved her job," at PF Markey, had been banking hours there to continue getting paid during maternity leave.
2:08 - King: Webb said Bluew visited her at Webb's old home in the city multiple times. Webb told her that night that Bluew was on duty.
2:12 - King: Webb had an appointment scheduled for the next morning with her doctor.
2:13 - O'Farrell up for cross examination now.
2:15 - King: not aware of Webb having any high blood pressure issues. O'Farrell asks King about her knowledge of 2 other men. King knew 1.
2:18 - King: Webb forwarded to her a text message that Bluew sent to her. O'Farrell asking King about a statement she gave to police.
2:19 - Statement was that she never saw text messages between the two, King clarifies what she meant was not on the phone.
2:23 - King received a text that night from Webb's sister wondering where Webb was. A police report states that she replied that Webb left about 9.
2:25 - Time frame that Webb left could be a key argument for the defense relative to a police car seen in the Outer/Hack area.
2:26 - King says she remembers talking with Webb that night about how it was only 8:15 pm and it was dark already. Says Webb left 10-15 min later.
2:27 - As Thomas points out, the just-mentioned police report was about a statement from Webb's sister, not from King.
2:28 - The text that Webb sent to King was from Bluew asking, "How's my little man today?" That was Braxton's nickname, King says.
2:30 - King: Webb told her that she and Bluew spoke of just exchanging money in lieu of child support, but Webb felt that wasn't a good idea ...
2:30 - ... because if Bluew got a job elsewhere, she wouldn't have an avenue to get child support. Wanted name on birth certificate instead.
2:32 - O'Farrell begins an accusation of sorts that King changed story from her text to Webb's sister to her testimony because she knew Webb died.
2:32 - King acknowledges she knew Webb died when she testified at preliminary hearing and now. O'Farrell doesn't pursue it further.
2:33 - Next witness: James Ahrenberg, manager of a USA Today warehouse on North Outer.
2:34 - Contacted by MSP re: outdoor cameras.
2:37 - Ahrenberg: 2 cameras on south end of property, pointed in north direction. Motion activated, doesn't record when no motion around.
2:39 - We're going to see the camera footage that Stroud eluded to during his opening argument.
2:45 - OK, I guess we're not going to see the footage. Ahrenberg explained what each camera angle shows. One angle shows portion of Outer Drive.
2:48 - O'Farrell on cross-examination. Ahrenberg says timestamp on camera that shows Outer Drive was 8 minutes fast.
2:49 - Ahrenberg not aware of a "pattern" of BVPD patrolling area, but has seen BVPD cars in area.
2:49 - @Triciaann107 Sorry, should have clarified that. I'm assuming we'll see the footage when a different witness testifies, likely ...
2:50 - @Triciaann107 ... the MSP detective that Ahrenberg handed the footage over to
2:52 - O'Farrell done with his questioning, and Mr. Ahrenberg is done. Next up: David Sian, the truck driver who saw a BVPD car in area.
2:54 - Company Sian worked for had terminal on Outer Drive. Gets there about 8 p.m., leaves about 9 p.m. from terminal.
2:56 - @KirstenWhitlock Nothing for sure. I'm expecting more than a week, at least.
2:56 - The terminal is in the same building, or industrial park at least, as the USA Today warehouse.
2:58 - Sian saw BVPD car came from the south, turned into "Freeway Lane," the entrance to the industrial park. Turned into terminal parking lot.
2:59 - Sian: "Too dark" to see into car. It exited lot, "went up the hill" to the "tire center," came back down, turned right (north) onto Outer.
3:01 - Sian left about 5-10 minutes later, didn't see car come back down Outer before leaving.
3:05 - We now are watching a portion of the footage from the camera, and Sian says his truck is visible. It's dark, so not much else visible.
3:05 - Stroud has to rewind the footage, looks like he fast forwarded too far.
3:08 - Stroud gets to the point where Sian pulls up, A vehicle is visible headed north on Outer.
3:13 - About 8:52 (with 8 min advance factored in) police car comes into lot, drives by Sian's truck. Sian points the car out as it turns on Outer.
3:13 - @alyssajoystroud I've seen other prosecutors struggle worse :)
3:14 - Stroud has Sian reiterate that he didn't see BVPD car come back.
3:16 - O'Farrell now questioning Sian.
3:17 - @tvalentine75 haha thanks, I'm keeping a mindful eye on it!
3:19 - Sian: BVPD car coming into lot, turning north onto Outer Drive was a normal procedure.
3:21 - On re-direct from Stroud, Sian admits he doesn't know if it's normal for BVPD, just what he normally saw.
3:23 - Next witness: MSP D/Sgt. Kellee Robinson, who obtained camera footage from Ahrenberg.
3:26 - Robinson: Watched footage from 8 p.m. to midnight.
3:31 - Among things Robinson made note of: Sian pulling up & a vehicle headed north on Outer at 8:57; vehicle pulls onto Freeway Lane at 8:59; ...
3:32 - 9 p.m., vehicle pulls into lot (BVPD car Sian testified to); 9:02, car pulls north onto Outer.
3:33 - Robinson was asked to take computers and phones to MSP computer crimes unit in Lansing.
3:35 - That last bit was likely just for chain of evidence purposes, to show how computers and phones got from Bluew's home and other places ...
3:35 - ... to Lansing for examination
3:36 - O'Farrell now questioning. Robinson says there was other activity other than what I mentioned ...
3:37 - possibly including vehicles heading south on Outer. Robinson can't say if those vehicles went to or came from Wastewater Treatment plant.
3:39 - Nothing further for Robinson. Taking a recess.
4:04 - Patterson and Bluew worked together at the county Juvenile Center. Patterson was a supervisor of Bluew, who was just out of college.
4:05 - Bluew already employed by BVPD when Patterson came in '05. Patterson doesn't mention Bluew's stint as Titt. Twp. police chief.
4:06 - In '05, Bluew was a Pressure Points Control Tactics (PPCT) instructor, way of subduing somebody w/ bare hands.
4:08 - Patterson came in at 10 p.m. on night in question, spoke w/ Sylvester, who was at PD working on reports.
4:09 - Responded to a quick call on North 29th, and Central Dispatch started "radio checks."
4:12 - Patterson heard Dispatch radio for Bluew, who didn't respond. Dispatch checked everyone else, came back to Bluew "shortly after" 10:20 p.m.
4:13 - Patterson: Bluew didn't respond again. Dispatch asked Ofc. Sylvester to try Bluew by cell. To Patterson's knowledge, got no response.
4:14 - Patterson: Either he or Sylvester, or both, tried to reach Bluew on an "admin" channel, private for BVPD.
4:16 - Patterson: No response again. Patterson sent an audible alarm/text msg to Bluew's in-car computer that Dispatch was trying to reach him.
4:17 - Patterson: The alarm won't shut off until somebody touches their computer to shut it off.
4:19 - Patterson: Bluew didn't respond again, Patterson heard Sylvester say she couldn't reach Bluew by cell. Patterson asked Dispatch to ...
4:19 - ... send out a different audible alarm, which goes across the county.
4:22 - Patterson: No response again, and nobody knew where Bluew was.
4:23 - Patterson: Was on Wolf north of E. Washington, ended up on westbound Hack, heard Bluew radio Sylvester on "admin" channel.
4:24 - Patterson: Bluew said he was on "admin" channel and didn't hear alerts. Bluew radioed to Dispatch that he was OK, didn't say where he was.
4:25 - Patterson drove to Washington and Outer, headed north to Freeway Lane, checked area.
4:26 - Thomas shows Bluew's "daily" report, which states that from 9:15-9:45, he was in "north numbered streets."
4:27 - From then until 10:30, at Outer and Washington performing stationary radar, according to Bluew's "daily."
4:29 - From 10:30-10:54, "daily" states that he was north of M-81 in streets off Outer and at Freeway Lane.
4:29 - Patterson did property check on Freeway Lane from 10:48-10:51, he says.
4:30 - Patterson headed north on Outer to Hack, knew Bluew had been sleeping on job before when not responding to radio checks.
4:30 - Patterson: Wanted to talk to Bluew about sleeping on job, "because he's my friend, and it was getting old."
4:32 - Patterson describes intersection of Outer and Hack, where Outer comes to a "T." To the right, entrance to area used by BVPD for gun range.
4:33 - To the left, fenced-off GM property and a driveway to Wastewater Treatment plant.
4:33 - Patterson traveled about 100 yds before seeing reflector lights from vehicle just to right of intersection.
4:34 - Patterson: Vehicle was facing east, close to gateway to gun range. Patterson stopped at southeast corner.
4:36 - Thomas gave Patterson some car-shaped stickers to put on a large-scale map, to show where Webb's vehicle was and where he parked.
4:39 - Patterson: Just before he stopped, looked to left, saw Bluew's vehicle, also facing east, but parked behind some trees.
4:40 - Patterson: No headlights on, but spotlight on driver's side on. Could tell it was Bluew's car, and Bluew pulled up about a car length.
4:41 - Patterson: Bluew had turned headlights on by this point and pulled into middle of intersection. Patterson exits vehicle and ...
4:42 - ... "within seconds" Bluew exited his vehicle, asked, "How do you want to do this," as in, how he wanted to approach the vehicle.
4:42 - Patterson: They approached vehicle, and Bluew was "sweating bullets." Patterson looked in windows, Bluew said, "there's a body."
4:43 - Patterson: Could only see something hanging from vehicle, couldn't tell it was a body. Patterson came around and saw Webb's upper torso ...
4:44 - ... in ditch, and it looked like something was sticking out of her neck, which actually was the extension cord.
4:45 - Thomas shows Patterson the pictures of Webb hanging from vehicle. Patterson called Dispatch with a "possible code 49," or suicide.
4:46 - Patterson: Bluew "looked out of character," nervous and uneasy. They had talked in past about gruesome scenes they had seen.
4:47 - Patterson: Noticed Bluew had a "red spot" in his eye, "which was odd." Patterson called for MMR to confirm she was deceased.
4:48 - Patterson: Called Sgt. Waterman, who said he wanted scene taped off and for photos to be taken. Patterson grabbed the tape.
4:50 - @nancymerrow2 Good question, but they haven't shown the photos yet in court. The family has heard this stuff before, not sure if ...
4:50 - @nancymerrow2... they've seen the photos or not.
4:50 - Patterson: Vehicle was registered to Donald Webb, Jenny Webb's father.
4:51 - Patterson: Observed Bluew taking pictures w/ Sylvester observing. Didn't see him enter vehicle.
4:52 - Patterson: Minutes later, approached vehicle w/ Bluew & Sylvester and Bluew showed him suicide note, placed it on hood of Aztek.
4:55 - Patterson: At some point, Sylvester showed him ID of Webb. Patterson was told that Bluew removed it from her purse.
4:55 - Patterson: "He never told me at the scene who it was."
4:56 - Patterson: First time he heard Bluew mention that he knew her was when Bluew was talking to Waterman.
4:58 - Patterson: Relayed info to Waterman that he got from Sylvester that Bluew might have known Webb.
5:01 - Patterson: He and Waterman discovered Webb's phone, they unlocked phone, Waterman opened recent call log.
5:02 - Patterson: Recent calls were from "Ken Cop Boo." Didn't recognize phone number, but recognized "what I thought it meant," that it was Bluew.
5:03- Patterson: Waterman recognized phone number, asked Bluew why he had called Webb. O'Farrell asks for a bench conference.
5:03 - Thought it might be in relation to the time, and it was. We're breaking for the day.
5:04 - And we'll return at 9 a.m. tomorrow.
5:05 - I'm going to close to MLive chat window. Anybody with questions can either post a comment on that post or tweet at me. Thanks for following.
Prosecutor: Ken Bluew killed his pregnant girlfriend Jennifer Webb and 'made it look like something else'
MLive
Tuesday September 25, 2012
Andy Hoag@SNAndyHoag
9:08 -Hey folks, still awaiting the beginning of opening arguments here in the #bluewtrial.
9:09 - All the parties are here, in a packed courtroom. All parties except Bluew, that is, who hasn't been brought into the courtroom yet.
9:09 - No jury yet, no judge. From the looks of it, Chief Asst Prosecutor Jeff Stroud will be, at the least, beginning the opening argument.
9:10 - I've yet to see Mike Thomas & Stroud work together on a trial, so I don't know if their strategy will be to combine for the opening or what.
9:11 - As I wrote in my MLive post, Bluew's attorney, Rod O'Farrell, has the right to reserve his opening until after prosecution's proofs.
9:13 - Now we're figuring out the logistics of having all the television cameramen set up. All three local TV stations are here.
9:13 - We will have live video of the opening argument, whenever it actually gets started.
9:17 - @nboensch Nancy, I'm live now, waiting for opening arguments to begin. I'll be tweeting throughout the trial.
9:31 - @tvalentine75 Good point, sorry. "Proofs" is another word for evidence/testimony.
9:32 - The prosecutors have returned from speaking with Judge Jackson. O'Farrell isn't in here yet.
9:33 - The court recorder just walked in. That's always a good sign that we're close.
9:34 - Judge Jackson enters. Speaking to the public, noting the attention this trial is getting.
9:35 - Judge Jackson is asking us media members to go into his chambers for a "nice chat."
9:50 - And we're back. More logistics talk with the judge, making sure everything goes smoothly today and in the future.
9:50 - @tvalentine75 Not at all. Just making sure everybody's on the same page for a smooth trial.
9:51 - @TrayDei Very much so. There's a separate room being used for overflow.
9:52 - Still no sign of Bluew, but we're close.
9:56 - @monk1903 It'll be live on MLive as soon as the openings start. We're trying to avoid putting the feed up to watch attorneys sit and wait.
9:56 - When the openings begin, our live video feed will be the main post on our MLive site.
10:17 - They now have set two large flatscreen TVs in the courtroom. That's new. Not sure if that's to accommodate the live feed for the overflow ..
10:18 - .. room and use the other TV to present evidence, or what. That's just a guess.
10:26 - @tvalentine75 What do you mean? We're able to cover any trial, just a matter of resources. Any trial specifically you're referring to?
10:27 - Remember when I said, "We're close?" That was 33 minutes ago. They're still figuring out the TVs.
10:29 - @tvalentine75 That's right. That case was a little different because there were concerns about witnesses following the tweets when ...
10:30 - @tvalentine75... they're supposed to be sequestered. In this case, most of the witnesses are testifying based on their ...
10:31 - @tvalentine75... police reports and/or lab reports. In other words, not a lot of room for changing testimony, and if they were to ...
10:32 - @tvalentine75... ... change their testimony, the defense attorney would jump all over it. Just a unique case all around.
10:33 - @skaren24 Not yet. Nothing to record yet.
10:34 - Bluew is here. He walked in quickly, mouthed a "hi" to his family.
10:35 - Quick matter before the jury comes in, as O'Farrell puts on the record that Bluew waived his right to be present for our meeting w/ judge.
10:37 - Jury coming in now. Again, nine women & five men.
10:38 - You now can go to MLive for our live feed. Should be up in seconds.
10:39 - Stroud is giving the opening argument
10:39 - Stroud: "Jenny Webb was happy, she was healthy, she was having a baby."
10:40 - Stroud: Somebody wasn't happy about it, didn't want to pay child support.
10:40 - Stroud: Bluew killed Webb and "made it look like something else."
10:42 - Stroud: Webb met Bluew "years ago."
10:42 - Stroud: Webb saw Bluew "fairly regularly."
10:43 - Stroud: Roughly January 2011, "they conceived a child."
10:43 - Stroud: Webb filled a room in her parents' house with things for the baby.
10:43 - Stroud: Webb "felt safe" at parents' home after her home was broken into.
10:44 - Stroud: "All there was to do was to wait. Wait for that day" of birth.
10:45 - Stroud: Webb "had some concerns about being a single mom, taking time off of work."
10:45 - Stroud: She worked at P.F. Markey, who allowed her to bank OT hours to continue getting paychecks while on maternity leave.
10:46 - Stroud: Webb visiting friend Andrea King, told her she had to leave to go meet Bluew.
10:46 - Stroud: "Andrea King never saw her again."
10:48 - Stroud: Bluew came on duty shortly after 6 p.m. Only other patrol officer on duty at time, Sara Sylvester. T. Patterson starts at 10 p.m.
10:48 - Stroud: Bluew and Sylvester shared dinner.
10:49 - Stroud: Bluew "looks normal" during dinner. No scratches, etc. "That's going to change."
10:50 - Stroud: Sylvester goes back to PD, Bluew goes back on patrol.
10:51 - Stroud: Truck driver David Sian pulls into business near N. Outer & Hack. Video camera there, motion sensitive.
10:51 - Stroud: On video, can see vehicle heading north on Outer. Minutes later, another car comes into view, turns in front of Sian's truck.
10:52 - Stroud: It is a BV police car, which goes around building. Sian will say car goes north on Outer, toward Hack.
10:53 - Stroud: With Sylvester at PD and Patterson not in yet, can only be Bluew. Bluew answers his 9 p.m. "radio check."
10:54 - Stroud: But for next 1 hr, 35 m, no radio contact with Bluew. For 7 minutes, starting after 10:20 p.m., Dispatch sends out alert to get attn
10:55 - Stroud: Sylvester contacted to call Bluew on his cell. No answer. Told to get him on another channel. "No luck."
10:55 - Stroud: Patterson also has no luck. Until 10:35, Bluew comes on radio, responds, says, "I was on the admin channel."
10:56 - Stroud: The "admin channel" was on the one Sylvester used. Patterson upset, going to find Bluew and talk to him.
10:57 - Stroud: Patterson goes to Outer & Hack, where Bluew sometimes would go to kill time or sleep.
10:58 - Stroud: Patterson sees a car, not a police car. "Evidence is going to show you" that Bluew and Webb met there.
10:59 - Stroud: They had an "interaction" in a driveway that leads to BV Wastewater Treatment Plant, NW of Outer & Hack intersection.
10:59 - Stroud: On driveway, her blood, piece of her necklace, a Winston cigarette butt -- "the kind Ken smokes."
11:00 - Stroud: Webb's vehicle found at NE corner of intersection. Distance roughly 195 feet by air, 270' by foot from driveway where blood found.
11:01 - Stroud: As he pulls up, sees another vehicle on SW side. Headlights out, spotlight on.
11:02 - Stroud: "As Patterson gets out of his car, Ken Bluew gets out of his," "sweating profusely."
11:03 - Stroud: Bluew says to Patterson, "how do you wanna do this?" and "it takes Patterson back a little bit."
11:04 - Stroud: Patterson goes to passenger side, Bluew to driver side. Webb had vehicle for 8 years, with decals on back. Bluew walks by decals.
11:04 - Stroud: Bluew exclaims, "We got a body," and Bluew "backs up. He backs away."
11:05 - Stroud: Patterson sees Webb w/ extension cord around neck, tied to roof rack. "Both of the officers know she's dead."
11:05 -
11:06 - Stroud: Sgt. Sean Waterman called. Patterson taping off scene, Bluew taking pictures.
11:07 - Stroud: Sylvester arrives, MMR comes. Only person who goes into car is Bluew, just enough to grab purse.
11:08 - Stroud: Bluew has told no one he knows her, that he dated her, that this "obviously pregnant woman is bearing his child."
11:08 - Stroud: "He's not going to share that information for a bit."
11:09 - Stroud: "On top of purse" is a folded piece of paper, which he opens. Typewritten note addressed "to my friends and family."
11:10 - Stroud: Typewritten signature from "Jenny." It's a suicide note.
11:11 - Stroud: Sgt. Waterman arrives. In purse there also is a phone. Waterman and Patterson go through contacts -- one is "Ken Cop Boo."
11:12 - Stroud: When Bluew sees Webb's ID, he tells officers he knows her.
11:12 - Stroud: Three phone contacts between Bluew & Webb since 8:30 that night. "And the defendant hasn't mentioned any of them to this point."
11:13 - Stroud: "Officer Patterson is getting uncomfortable. But Officer Patterson is not in charge."
11:14 - Stroud: Sylvester called away for another call, asks Bluew to help respond.
11:15 - Stroud: Scene treated as suicide, Webb's body removed.
11:16 - Stroud: Patterson has to move vehicle, to get in driver's door, has to walk "literally on the edge" of the ditch..
11:18 - Stroud: If Webb actually committed suicide, would have had to get out, move pregnant, 250-pound body along that lip of the ditch, and ...
11:18 - ... successfully hang herself in manner it was found.
11:19 - Stroud: Waterman goes to Webb's parents' house, informs them of suicide. They tell him father is Bluew. Waterman "got sick to his stomach."
11:19 - Stroud: Waterman "knew he had made a mistake." Asks to see room, "full of baby stuff."
11:19 - Stroud: Waterman calls then-Chief Booker, says to get MSP involved to investigate.
11:21 - Stroud: MSP crime lab called out, "process what is left of the scene." Get Webb's vehicle and Bluew's vehicle to crime lab.
11:22 - Stroud: Crime lab there into morning hours, where they find things in driveway that officers didn't see in dark earlier.
11:23 - Stroud: Blood found all over Webb's car.
11:24 - Stroud: "Fingerprint in blood" found on passenger door. Right index fingerprint "had piece of it missing."
11:25 - Stroud: When Bluew was fingerprinted, had piece of right index finger missing. MSP expert will testify that 'print is Bluew's.
11:28 - Stroud: Blood stains on front, back of Webb's clothes. Blood stains found in Bluew's patrol car.
11:28 - Stroud: Blood in car, bloody fingerprint, blood on Webb's clothes "all match the DNA profile of Kenneth Bluew."
11:29 - Bluew just leaned over to O'Farrell, said something briefly. O'Farrell nodded.
11:29 - Stroud: Piece of examination glove found in Webb's clothes. Blood on inside of material matched Bluew.
11:30 - Stroud: Blood found in driveway was Webb's.
11:31 - Stroud: Blood on extension cord portion tied to roof rack was Bluew's.
11:32 - Stroud: Baby -- whom Webb was going to name Braxton -- was "viable," but when "mother dies, baby dies."
11:33 - Stroud: ME will testify that Webb died to "vascular muscle compression," different from typical strangulation.
11:34 - Stroud: "She died on the Wastewater Treatment driveway."
11:34 - Stroud: "She could not, and did not, drive her car there and hang herself."
11:36 - Stroud: Search warrant at Bluew's home. Multiple extension cords there, held together by "twist ties." At home, 1 twist tie found w/o cord.
11:37 - Stroud: Bluew's computer seized, examined. Search results included strangulation, suicide, "how to die from vascular neck compression."
11:37 - I erred earlier in quoting Stroud as saying "vascular muscle compression."
11:37 - Stroud: Evidence will show Bluew knew how to apply choke holds.
11:39 - Stroud: Lot of witnesses. "All I ask is that you absorb all you can."
11:39 - Stroud says Thomas will give closing argument.
11:39 - O'Farrell elects to give his opening argument now.
11:41 - O'Farrell explains to jury that he's seen police reports, other discovery materials.
11:41 - O'Farrell asks jurors to listen closely to evidence, says opening arguments not evidence.
11:41 - O'Farrell: Listen closely to details, don't jump to conclusions because of tragedy of Webb's death.
11:42 - O'Farrell says he won't go over all details he feels contradict Stroud's statements.
11:44 - O'Farrell talking about how Webb was hanging. Cord was taut but Webb didn't move far when cord cut, so assumption is she didn't hang self.
11:46 - Mark Tower: And I've hit my daily tweet limit. Perfect. Hopefully the lunch break will allow me to start tweeting again.
11:47 - Hoping my name shows now instead of Mark's. Sorry for the error.
11:48 - O'Farrell said the conclusion I just tweeted about is "illogical."
11:48 - O'Farrell attacking theory that Webb was killed in driveway 270 feet away.
11:49 - If Bluew transported a deceased Webb to end spot in her vehicle, there would have been blood and other evidence that Webb was in back seat.
11:50 - O'Farrell says if Bluew dragged her 270 feet, would have been evidence.
11:51 - In addition, Webb's flip flops found right below Webb's body.
11:52 - O'Farrell acknowledges that Bluew took "a while" to respond to radio check. Prosecutor is asking jury to make "assumption" that Bluew was busy with a "plot" to kill Webb.
11:53 - O'Farrell: Bluew sounded tired when he finally responded, like he had just woken up.
11:54 - O'Farrell: No way of knowing what was said during three phone interactions between Bluew & Webb. Also could have been no answer.
11:55 - O'Farrell: Webb's text messages give a good picture "of what Jenny was going through." Have "no doubt at all" that family, friends, co-workers liked her, thought highly of her.
11:56 - O'Farrell: In her texts, "the concerns she voiced:" concerns about finances, high blood pressure.
11:57 - O'Farrell: Webb "had communications with Ken for months" about likelihood of him being father. Testimony will show Bluew accepted that, but formal announcement of him being father would "cause problems" because he was married
11:58 - O'Farrell: "This had been going on for months," it wasn't coming to a "crisis" at that point.
11:58 - O'Farrell: "This was a young lady who was having some conflicts."
11:59 - O'Farrell: Bluew a "successful, respected police officer."
11:59 - O'Farrell: Webb was hopeful that Bluew would leave his wife and be with her.
12:01 - O'Farrell: MSP came in on assumption that Bluew was guilty. Anything they came across that didn't support that was treated as irrelevant.
12:01 - O'Farrell: Family and friends don't want to accept that Webb committed suicide.
12:02 - Other alternative is that Bluew "abandoned" successful career, plotted to kill Webb, in his own jurisdiction.
12:04 - O'Farrell: Was Bluew's DNA left during the course of the investigation, or not?
12:04 - O'Farrell: Prosecutors/police performed more investigation, possibly after O'Farrell asked a prior hearing if the work up to that point was all they were going to do.
12:05 - O'Farrell: "I do know that this case was not investigated properly."
12:06 - O'Farrell: If Patterson had to tip toe around ditch to get into car, "what would Bluew have to have done" to "stage" it?
12:06 - "had to have done," sorry.
12:06 - O'Farrell asks jury not to make assumption. Likens case to a jigsaw puzzle.
12:07 - O'Farrell likens prosecutors' theory to O'Farrell's dad to getting impatient, trying to jam puzzle pieces that didn't fit
12:07 - O'Farrell: Reach a conclusion "on your own common sense."
12:09 - And he's done. The jury is escorted out. We'll break for lunch and be back, probably at 1:30.
12:09 - Bluew received some words of encouragement from family members as he waited to be led out of the courtroom by deputies
12:10 - I'm out of Twitter jail! See y'all at 1:30.
1:39 - Alright, we're all back in the courtroom, packed like sardines. Waiting on things to get started here.
1:51- Our first witness, just as it was during the preliminary hearing: Andrea King, Webb's friend.
1:51 - King knew Webb for 12 years: "She was my best friend."
1:53 - King: Webb was "like a sister to me." She gets emotional as Mike Thomas shows her a picture of Webb, wearing the aforementioned necklace.
1:54 - Thomas shows Webb's purse to King. She says she recognizes it "because I liked it." Inside, a camera Webb had just purchased that day.
1:56 - Webb came to King's home that evening, as she did just about every day. Webb "loved" King's newborn twins.
1:58 - King: Webb "couldn't wait to be a mom." They spoke about motherhood. Ate dinner together that night, and Webb didn't appear depressed.
1:58 - King: Webb never spoke about suicide, or that she had let somebody down, or that she was afraid to have the baby.
1:59 - Folks, no live video for testimony. There will be for closing arguments.
2:00 - King: Webb told her that Bluew was the father of the child, that he worked at BVPD. Webb said she was going to put Bluew's name ...
2:00 - ... on birth certificate, that she wanted son to her know her father.
2:04 - King: Webb said she had to "go see Ken" on her way home, said she was going to see him on Outer Drive.
2:06 - King: Webb "loved her job," at PF Markey, had been banking hours there to continue getting paid during maternity leave.
2:08 - King: Webb said Bluew visited her at Webb's old home in the city multiple times. Webb told her that night that Bluew was on duty.
2:12 - King: Webb had an appointment scheduled for the next morning with her doctor.
2:13 - O'Farrell up for cross examination now.
2:15 - King: not aware of Webb having any high blood pressure issues. O'Farrell asks King about her knowledge of 2 other men. King knew 1.
2:18 - King: Webb forwarded to her a text message that Bluew sent to her. O'Farrell asking King about a statement she gave to police.
2:19 - Statement was that she never saw text messages between the two, King clarifies what she meant was not on the phone.
2:23 - King received a text that night from Webb's sister wondering where Webb was. A police report states that she replied that Webb left about 9.
2:25 - Time frame that Webb left could be a key argument for the defense relative to a police car seen in the Outer/Hack area.
2:26 - King says she remembers talking with Webb that night about how it was only 8:15 pm and it was dark already. Says Webb left 10-15 min later.
2:27 - As Thomas points out, the just-mentioned police report was about a statement from Webb's sister, not from King.
2:28 - The text that Webb sent to King was from Bluew asking, "How's my little man today?" That was Braxton's nickname, King says.
2:30 - King: Webb told her that she and Bluew spoke of just exchanging money in lieu of child support, but Webb felt that wasn't a good idea ...
2:30 - ... because if Bluew got a job elsewhere, she wouldn't have an avenue to get child support. Wanted name on birth certificate instead.
2:32 - O'Farrell begins an accusation of sorts that King changed story from her text to Webb's sister to her testimony because she knew Webb died.
2:32 - King acknowledges she knew Webb died when she testified at preliminary hearing and now. O'Farrell doesn't pursue it further.
2:33 - Next witness: James Ahrenberg, manager of a USA Today warehouse on North Outer.
2:34 - Contacted by MSP re: outdoor cameras.
2:37 - Ahrenberg: 2 cameras on south end of property, pointed in north direction. Motion activated, doesn't record when no motion around.
2:39 - We're going to see the camera footage that Stroud eluded to during his opening argument.
2:45 - OK, I guess we're not going to see the footage. Ahrenberg explained what each camera angle shows. One angle shows portion of Outer Drive.
2:48 - O'Farrell on cross-examination. Ahrenberg says timestamp on camera that shows Outer Drive was 8 minutes fast.
2:49 - Ahrenberg not aware of a "pattern" of BVPD patrolling area, but has seen BVPD cars in area.
2:49 - @Triciaann107 Sorry, should have clarified that. I'm assuming we'll see the footage when a different witness testifies, likely ...
2:50 - @Triciaann107 ... the MSP detective that Ahrenberg handed the footage over to
2:52 - O'Farrell done with his questioning, and Mr. Ahrenberg is done. Next up: David Sian, the truck driver who saw a BVPD car in area.
2:54 - Company Sian worked for had terminal on Outer Drive. Gets there about 8 p.m., leaves about 9 p.m. from terminal.
2:56 - @KirstenWhitlock Nothing for sure. I'm expecting more than a week, at least.
2:56 - The terminal is in the same building, or industrial park at least, as the USA Today warehouse.
2:58 - Sian saw BVPD car came from the south, turned into "Freeway Lane," the entrance to the industrial park. Turned into terminal parking lot.
2:59 - Sian: "Too dark" to see into car. It exited lot, "went up the hill" to the "tire center," came back down, turned right (north) onto Outer.
3:01 - Sian left about 5-10 minutes later, didn't see car come back down Outer before leaving.
3:05 - We now are watching a portion of the footage from the camera, and Sian says his truck is visible. It's dark, so not much else visible.
3:05 - Stroud has to rewind the footage, looks like he fast forwarded too far.
3:08 - Stroud gets to the point where Sian pulls up, A vehicle is visible headed north on Outer.
3:13 - About 8:52 (with 8 min advance factored in) police car comes into lot, drives by Sian's truck. Sian points the car out as it turns on Outer.
3:13 - @alyssajoystroud I've seen other prosecutors struggle worse :)
3:14 - Stroud has Sian reiterate that he didn't see BVPD car come back.
3:16 - O'Farrell now questioning Sian.
3:17 - @tvalentine75 haha thanks, I'm keeping a mindful eye on it!
3:19 - Sian: BVPD car coming into lot, turning north onto Outer Drive was a normal procedure.
3:21 - On re-direct from Stroud, Sian admits he doesn't know if it's normal for BVPD, just what he normally saw.
3:23 - Next witness: MSP D/Sgt. Kellee Robinson, who obtained camera footage from Ahrenberg.
3:26 - Robinson: Watched footage from 8 p.m. to midnight.
3:31 - Among things Robinson made note of: Sian pulling up & a vehicle headed north on Outer at 8:57; vehicle pulls onto Freeway Lane at 8:59; ...
3:32 - 9 p.m., vehicle pulls into lot (BVPD car Sian testified to); 9:02, car pulls north onto Outer.
3:33 - Robinson was asked to take computers and phones to MSP computer crimes unit in Lansing.
3:35 - That last bit was likely just for chain of evidence purposes, to show how computers and phones got from Bluew's home and other places ...
3:35 - ... to Lansing for examination
3:36 - O'Farrell now questioning. Robinson says there was other activity other than what I mentioned ...
3:37 - possibly including vehicles heading south on Outer. Robinson can't say if those vehicles went to or came from Wastewater Treatment plant.
3:39 - Nothing further for Robinson. Taking a recess.
4:04 - Patterson and Bluew worked together at the county Juvenile Center. Patterson was a supervisor of Bluew, who was just out of college.
4:05 - Bluew already employed by BVPD when Patterson came in '05. Patterson doesn't mention Bluew's stint as Titt. Twp. police chief.
4:06 - In '05, Bluew was a Pressure Points Control Tactics (PPCT) instructor, way of subduing somebody w/ bare hands.
4:08 - Patterson came in at 10 p.m. on night in question, spoke w/ Sylvester, who was at PD working on reports.
4:09 - Responded to a quick call on North 29th, and Central Dispatch started "radio checks."
4:12 - Patterson heard Dispatch radio for Bluew, who didn't respond. Dispatch checked everyone else, came back to Bluew "shortly after" 10:20 p.m.
4:13 - Patterson: Bluew didn't respond again. Dispatch asked Ofc. Sylvester to try Bluew by cell. To Patterson's knowledge, got no response.
4:14 - Patterson: Either he or Sylvester, or both, tried to reach Bluew on an "admin" channel, private for BVPD.
4:16 - Patterson: No response again. Patterson sent an audible alarm/text msg to Bluew's in-car computer that Dispatch was trying to reach him.
4:17 - Patterson: The alarm won't shut off until somebody touches their computer to shut it off.
4:19 - Patterson: Bluew didn't respond again, Patterson heard Sylvester say she couldn't reach Bluew by cell. Patterson asked Dispatch to ...
4:19 - ... send out a different audible alarm, which goes across the county.
4:22 - Patterson: No response again, and nobody knew where Bluew was.
4:23 - Patterson: Was on Wolf north of E. Washington, ended up on westbound Hack, heard Bluew radio Sylvester on "admin" channel.
4:24 - Patterson: Bluew said he was on "admin" channel and didn't hear alerts. Bluew radioed to Dispatch that he was OK, didn't say where he was.
4:25 - Patterson drove to Washington and Outer, headed north to Freeway Lane, checked area.
4:26 - Thomas shows Bluew's "daily" report, which states that from 9:15-9:45, he was in "north numbered streets."
4:27 - From then until 10:30, at Outer and Washington performing stationary radar, according to Bluew's "daily."
4:29 - From 10:30-10:54, "daily" states that he was north of M-81 in streets off Outer and at Freeway Lane.
4:29 - Patterson did property check on Freeway Lane from 10:48-10:51, he says.
4:30 - Patterson headed north on Outer to Hack, knew Bluew had been sleeping on job before when not responding to radio checks.
4:30 - Patterson: Wanted to talk to Bluew about sleeping on job, "because he's my friend, and it was getting old."
4:32 - Patterson describes intersection of Outer and Hack, where Outer comes to a "T." To the right, entrance to area used by BVPD for gun range.
4:33 - To the left, fenced-off GM property and a driveway to Wastewater Treatment plant.
4:33 - Patterson traveled about 100 yds before seeing reflector lights from vehicle just to right of intersection.
4:34 - Patterson: Vehicle was facing east, close to gateway to gun range. Patterson stopped at southeast corner.
4:36 - Thomas gave Patterson some car-shaped stickers to put on a large-scale map, to show where Webb's vehicle was and where he parked.
4:39 - Patterson: Just before he stopped, looked to left, saw Bluew's vehicle, also facing east, but parked behind some trees.
4:40 - Patterson: No headlights on, but spotlight on driver's side on. Could tell it was Bluew's car, and Bluew pulled up about a car length.
4:41 - Patterson: Bluew had turned headlights on by this point and pulled into middle of intersection. Patterson exits vehicle and ...
4:42 - ... "within seconds" Bluew exited his vehicle, asked, "How do you want to do this," as in, how he wanted to approach the vehicle.
4:42 - Patterson: They approached vehicle, and Bluew was "sweating bullets." Patterson looked in windows, Bluew said, "there's a body."
4:43 - Patterson: Could only see something hanging from vehicle, couldn't tell it was a body. Patterson came around and saw Webb's upper torso ...
4:44 - ... in ditch, and it looked like something was sticking out of her neck, which actually was the extension cord.
4:45 - Thomas shows Patterson the pictures of Webb hanging from vehicle. Patterson called Dispatch with a "possible code 49," or suicide.
4:46 - Patterson: Bluew "looked out of character," nervous and uneasy. They had talked in past about gruesome scenes they had seen.
4:47 - Patterson: Noticed Bluew had a "red spot" in his eye, "which was odd." Patterson called for MMR to confirm she was deceased.
4:48 - Patterson: Called Sgt. Waterman, who said he wanted scene taped off and for photos to be taken. Patterson grabbed the tape.
4:50 - @nancymerrow2 Good question, but they haven't shown the photos yet in court. The family has heard this stuff before, not sure if ...
4:50 - @nancymerrow2... they've seen the photos or not.
4:50 - Patterson: Vehicle was registered to Donald Webb, Jenny Webb's father.
4:51 - Patterson: Observed Bluew taking pictures w/ Sylvester observing. Didn't see him enter vehicle.
4:52 - Patterson: Minutes later, approached vehicle w/ Bluew & Sylvester and Bluew showed him suicide note, placed it on hood of Aztek.
4:55 - Patterson: At some point, Sylvester showed him ID of Webb. Patterson was told that Bluew removed it from her purse.
4:55 - Patterson: "He never told me at the scene who it was."
4:56 - Patterson: First time he heard Bluew mention that he knew her was when Bluew was talking to Waterman.
4:58 - Patterson: Relayed info to Waterman that he got from Sylvester that Bluew might have known Webb.
5:01 - Patterson: He and Waterman discovered Webb's phone, they unlocked phone, Waterman opened recent call log.
5:02 - Patterson: Recent calls were from "Ken Cop Boo." Didn't recognize phone number, but recognized "what I thought it meant," that it was Bluew.
5:03- Patterson: Waterman recognized phone number, asked Bluew why he had called Webb. O'Farrell asks for a bench conference.
5:03 - Thought it might be in relation to the time, and it was. We're breaking for the day.
5:04 - And we'll return at 9 a.m. tomorrow.
5:05 - I'm going to close to MLive chat window. Anybody with questions can either post a comment on that post or tweet at me. Thanks for following.
Prosecutor: Ken Bluew killed his pregnant girlfriend Jennifer Webb and 'made it look like something else'
MLive
September 25, 2012
http://www.mlive.com/news/saginaw/index.ssf/2012/09/prosecutor_ken_bluew_killed_hi.html
SAGINAW, MI — Jennifer Webb was "happy, she was healthy, she was having a baby" and "did not commit suicide," a prosecutor said today.
Instead, Saginaw County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Jeffrey D. Stroud told a jury of nine women and five men, Kenneth T. Bluew killed the 32-year-old Webb and "made it look like something else."
Stroud addressed the jury during his opening argument in Bluew's trial before Saginaw County Circuit Judge Darnell Jackson in a courtroom packed with family members of Webb and Bluew, media, and others.
Testimony was to begin this afternoon, and MLive will be covering it live on Twitter @SNAndyHoag and here.
Bluew, 37, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder in the Aug. 30, 2011, death of Webb at North Outer and Hack in Buena Vista Township. Webb planned to name her son Braxton, with whom she was eight months pregnant.
Bluew's attorney, Rod O'Farrell, urged the jurors during his opening argument to not make assumptions from the evidence, as O'Farrell said the prosecution is doing, and to "listen carefully" to the details.
Bluew and fellow Buena Vista Police Officer Tim Patterson found Webb's body hanging by an extension cord from the roof rack of her Pontiac Aztek about 10:30 p.m.
Stroud said Patterson went to the intersection looking for Bluew and first saw Webb's vehicle, then soon after saw Bluew's vehicle. Stroud said that when Patterson exited his vehicle, Bluew did the same and, "sweating profusely," asked Patterson, "how do you want to do this?"
Bluew approached the driver side and said, "We got a body" and backed up, Stroud said. The prosecutor said Bluew had known Webb for about eight years but ignored the decals on the back of her vehicle and didn't tell Patterson that he knew her.
It wasn't until Bluew found Webb's driver's license that he acknowledged knowing her, Stroud said, but he still hadn't acknowledged three phone contacts between them since 8:30 p.m. — contacts Patterson and Sgt. Sean Waterman found when they examined Webb's phone and saw the contact listed as "Ken Cop Boo."
Police treated the death as a suicide until Waterman spoke with Webb's parents, who told Waterman that Bluew was the father of Braxton and that Webb was excited to give birth to the baby.
O'Farrell painted a different picture in his opening argument, stating that text messages that Webb had sent to Bluew and others showed that Webb "was a young lady who was having some conflicts." O'Farrell said Webb was hopeful that Bluew would leave his wife, Lisa, and be with Webb instead.
O'Farrell said that Bluew was a "successful, respected police officer," and the alternative to the notion that Webb committed suicide, which O'Farrell said her family and friends don't want to accept, was that Bluew "abandoned" that career and plotted to kill Webb in his own jurisdiction.
The attorney argued that the case "was not investigated properly" and that the Michigan State Police, who were called into the investigate the death after Waterman talked with Webb's parents, started its investigation with the assumption that Bluew was guilty.
The state police's crime scene investigation team found blood, a piece of a necklace, and a cigarette butt in a driveway that leads to the Buena Vista Wastewater Treatment Plant and is about 270 feet away, in walking distance, from where Webb's body was found, Stroud said. The blood was Webb's, Stroud said, and the cigarette butt was of the brand that Bluew was known to smoke.
Stroud added that Bluew's blood was found in various parts of Webb's vehicle and that a bloody fingerprint on the passenger side door matched Bluew's right index finger. The fingerprint "had a piece of it missing," Stroud said, and when Bluew was taken for fingerprints a couple days after the incident, his fingerprint had the same piece missing.
O'Farrell questioned whether Bluew's blood was left behind as he took pictures inside and outside of the vehicle. Stroud said a piece of an examination glove was found in Webb's clothing and that blood on the inside part of the glove was Bluew's.
Near the end of his argument, Stroud spoke of an aspect of the investigation that wasn't testified to during Bluew's preliminary hearing. Stroud said that an examination of Bluew's computer from his home showed Internet search results of strangulation, suicide, and "how to die from vascular neck compression."
Saginaw County Medical Examiner Kanu Virani will testify that that is exactly how Webb died, Stroud said.
Bluew, who lived in Saginaw Township, also is charged with assaulting a pregnant individual intentionally causing miscarriage or stillbirth of a fetus or embryo and two counts of possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony.
If convicted of first-degree murder, he would face a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. The assault charge carries a maximum penalty of life in prison.
Prosecutors call 5 witnesses to stand in Ken Bluew trial; testimony to continue Wednesday morning
MLive
September 25, 2012
http://www.mlive.com/news/saginaw/index.ssf/2012/09/prosecutors_call_5_witness_to.html
SAGINAW, MI —Prosecutors this afternoon elicited testimony from about a fifth of the witnesses they intend to call to testify in the trial for the suspended Buena Vista police officer charged with killing the woman who was eight months pregnant with his son.
After this morning's opening arguments, Saginaw County Prosecutor Michael D. Thomas and Chief Assistant Prosecutor Jeffrey D. Stroud called five witnesses to the stand this afternoon in Kenneth T. Bluew's trial.
Four finished with their testimony while the fifth, Buena Vista Police Officer Tim Patterson, will resume his testimony Wednesday morning.
MLive will continue to cover the trial live on Twitter @SNAndyHoag and on MLive.
Bluew, 37, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder in the Aug. 30, 2011, death of Webb at North Outer and Hack in Buena Vista Township. Webb, 32, planned to name her son Braxton.
The five witnesses that were called to testify this afternoon are among the 21 listed by prosecutors as those who they intend to produce at trial. This afternoon's testimony was similar to the beginning of Bluew's preliminary hearing last year.
Andrea King, who said Webb was her "best friend," testified that Webb was with her the evening she died when she told King that she was going to meet Bluew on Outer Drive. Webb testified that that Webb "couldn't wait to be a mom," that she never spoke of suicide, and that she told King that she and Bluew spoke about possibly simply exchanging money in lieu of child support but that Webb ultimately decided doing so wasn't in her or Braxton's best interests.
Testimony from three more witnesses showed that a car was seen, on a security camera outside a business on North Outer, traveling north on the road. Three minutes later, a Buena Vista police cruiser was seen entering the industrial park area where the camera was, performing a property check on some of the businesses, and then exiting the area and heading north on Outer.
Trucker David Sian, who was parked in one of the parking lots, testified that he saw the police car but could not see who was driving.
Patterson was the last person to testify today, saying that Bluew did not respond to numerous "radio checks" from Saginaw County Central Dispatch, from Patterson, and from their fellow officer, Sara Sylvester.
Stroud, the chief assistant prosecutor, said during his opening argument that Bluew did not respond to the checks for 95 minutes. Patterson began his shift about an hour into that, at 10 p.m., and eventually decided to travel to North Outer and Hack, where, he said, he's know Bluew to go to in the past and sleep while in the job.
As he approached, he saw the reflector lights from Webb's Pontiac Aztek, facing east and parked just before the entrance to the driveway to the police department's gun range.
Outer comes to a "T" at Hack, and Patterson parked at the southeast intersection of the two roads, he said. Just before he stopped, he looked to the left and saw Bluew's police cruiser, also facing east, but parked behind some trees. The car's headlights were off, but its driver's side spotlight was on, Patterson said.
Bluew turned on his headlights and pulled closer to the middle of the intersection, Patterson testified. Patterson exited his vehicle and "within seconds," Bluew did the same and asked, "How do you want to do this?"
The two officers approached the vehicle, and Bluew, who approached the vehicle's driver side, said, "We got a body," Patterson testified.
Bluew, whom Patterson considered a friend and was somebody Patterson had talked with regarding gruesome crime scenes, "looked out of character," Patterson said, appearing nervous and uneasy.
Later, after Patterson called Sgt. Sean Waterman and Patterson had placed police tape around the scene and Bluew took photographs of the scene, the two officers, as well as Sylvester, were back near the vehicle when Bluew showed them a suicide note that he said he found in Webb's purse, Patterson testified.
The entire time the officers were out there, Patterson testified, Bluew never mentioned that he knew Webb or was the father of Webb's child. It wasn't until he and Waterman examined Webb's phone and saw three calls that evening with a contact named "Ken Cop Boo" that Patterson heard Bluew confirm to his sergeant that he knew Webb.
Stroud said during his opening argument that Waterman continued to treat the death as a suicide until he told Webb's parents about the death early that morning and the parents told him Bluew was the father of the baby. Waterman "became sick to his stomach" and immediately called then-Police Chief Brian Booker to have the Michigan State Police investigate the death, Stroud said.
O'Farrell said during his opening argument that text messages that Webb had sent to Bluew and others showed that Webb "was a young lady who was having some conflicts." O'Farrell said Webb was hopeful that Bluew would leave his wife, Lisa, and be with Webb instead.
O'Farrell said that Bluew was a "successful, respected police officer," and the alternative to the notion that Webb committed suicide, which O'Farrell said her family and friends don't want to accept, was that Bluew "abandoned" that career and plotted to kill Webb in his own jurisdiction.
O'Farrell also said the case "was not investigated properly" and the state police began their investigation with the assumption that Bluew was guilty.
Bluew, who lived in Saginaw Township, also is charged with assaulting a pregnant individual intentionally causing miscarriage or stillbirth of a fetus or embryo and two counts of possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony.
If convicted of first-degree murder, he would face a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. The assault charge carries a maximum penalty of life in prison.
Officer Kenneth Bluew Murder Trial - Day 2
Live Tweets: Day 2 of trial for Ken Bluew, police officer charged in strangulation of the pregnant Jennifer Webb
MLive
http://www.mlive.com/news/saginaw/index.ssf/2012/09/prosecutor_ken_bluew_killed_hi.html
SAGINAW, MI — Jennifer Webb was "happy, she was healthy, she was having a baby" and "did not commit suicide," a prosecutor said today.
Instead, Saginaw County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Jeffrey D. Stroud told a jury of nine women and five men, Kenneth T. Bluew killed the 32-year-old Webb and "made it look like something else."
Stroud addressed the jury during his opening argument in Bluew's trial before Saginaw County Circuit Judge Darnell Jackson in a courtroom packed with family members of Webb and Bluew, media, and others.
Testimony was to begin this afternoon, and MLive will be covering it live on Twitter @SNAndyHoag and here.
Bluew, 37, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder in the Aug. 30, 2011, death of Webb at North Outer and Hack in Buena Vista Township. Webb planned to name her son Braxton, with whom she was eight months pregnant.
Bluew's attorney, Rod O'Farrell, urged the jurors during his opening argument to not make assumptions from the evidence, as O'Farrell said the prosecution is doing, and to "listen carefully" to the details.
Bluew and fellow Buena Vista Police Officer Tim Patterson found Webb's body hanging by an extension cord from the roof rack of her Pontiac Aztek about 10:30 p.m.
Stroud said Patterson went to the intersection looking for Bluew and first saw Webb's vehicle, then soon after saw Bluew's vehicle. Stroud said that when Patterson exited his vehicle, Bluew did the same and, "sweating profusely," asked Patterson, "how do you want to do this?"
Bluew approached the driver side and said, "We got a body" and backed up, Stroud said. The prosecutor said Bluew had known Webb for about eight years but ignored the decals on the back of her vehicle and didn't tell Patterson that he knew her.
It wasn't until Bluew found Webb's driver's license that he acknowledged knowing her, Stroud said, but he still hadn't acknowledged three phone contacts between them since 8:30 p.m. — contacts Patterson and Sgt. Sean Waterman found when they examined Webb's phone and saw the contact listed as "Ken Cop Boo."
Police treated the death as a suicide until Waterman spoke with Webb's parents, who told Waterman that Bluew was the father of Braxton and that Webb was excited to give birth to the baby.
O'Farrell painted a different picture in his opening argument, stating that text messages that Webb had sent to Bluew and others showed that Webb "was a young lady who was having some conflicts." O'Farrell said Webb was hopeful that Bluew would leave his wife, Lisa, and be with Webb instead.
O'Farrell said that Bluew was a "successful, respected police officer," and the alternative to the notion that Webb committed suicide, which O'Farrell said her family and friends don't want to accept, was that Bluew "abandoned" that career and plotted to kill Webb in his own jurisdiction.
The attorney argued that the case "was not investigated properly" and that the Michigan State Police, who were called into the investigate the death after Waterman talked with Webb's parents, started its investigation with the assumption that Bluew was guilty.
The state police's crime scene investigation team found blood, a piece of a necklace, and a cigarette butt in a driveway that leads to the Buena Vista Wastewater Treatment Plant and is about 270 feet away, in walking distance, from where Webb's body was found, Stroud said. The blood was Webb's, Stroud said, and the cigarette butt was of the brand that Bluew was known to smoke.
Stroud added that Bluew's blood was found in various parts of Webb's vehicle and that a bloody fingerprint on the passenger side door matched Bluew's right index finger. The fingerprint "had a piece of it missing," Stroud said, and when Bluew was taken for fingerprints a couple days after the incident, his fingerprint had the same piece missing.
O'Farrell questioned whether Bluew's blood was left behind as he took pictures inside and outside of the vehicle. Stroud said a piece of an examination glove was found in Webb's clothing and that blood on the inside part of the glove was Bluew's.
Near the end of his argument, Stroud spoke of an aspect of the investigation that wasn't testified to during Bluew's preliminary hearing. Stroud said that an examination of Bluew's computer from his home showed Internet search results of strangulation, suicide, and "how to die from vascular neck compression."
Saginaw County Medical Examiner Kanu Virani will testify that that is exactly how Webb died, Stroud said.
Bluew, who lived in Saginaw Township, also is charged with assaulting a pregnant individual intentionally causing miscarriage or stillbirth of a fetus or embryo and two counts of possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony.
If convicted of first-degree murder, he would face a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. The assault charge carries a maximum penalty of life in prison.
Prosecutors call 5 witnesses to stand in Ken Bluew trial; testimony to continue Wednesday morning
MLive
September 25, 2012
http://www.mlive.com/news/saginaw/index.ssf/2012/09/prosecutors_call_5_witness_to.html
SAGINAW, MI —Prosecutors this afternoon elicited testimony from about a fifth of the witnesses they intend to call to testify in the trial for the suspended Buena Vista police officer charged with killing the woman who was eight months pregnant with his son.
After this morning's opening arguments, Saginaw County Prosecutor Michael D. Thomas and Chief Assistant Prosecutor Jeffrey D. Stroud called five witnesses to the stand this afternoon in Kenneth T. Bluew's trial.
Four finished with their testimony while the fifth, Buena Vista Police Officer Tim Patterson, will resume his testimony Wednesday morning.
MLive will continue to cover the trial live on Twitter @SNAndyHoag and on MLive.
Bluew, 37, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder in the Aug. 30, 2011, death of Webb at North Outer and Hack in Buena Vista Township. Webb, 32, planned to name her son Braxton.
The five witnesses that were called to testify this afternoon are among the 21 listed by prosecutors as those who they intend to produce at trial. This afternoon's testimony was similar to the beginning of Bluew's preliminary hearing last year.
Andrea King, who said Webb was her "best friend," testified that Webb was with her the evening she died when she told King that she was going to meet Bluew on Outer Drive. Webb testified that that Webb "couldn't wait to be a mom," that she never spoke of suicide, and that she told King that she and Bluew spoke about possibly simply exchanging money in lieu of child support but that Webb ultimately decided doing so wasn't in her or Braxton's best interests.
Testimony from three more witnesses showed that a car was seen, on a security camera outside a business on North Outer, traveling north on the road. Three minutes later, a Buena Vista police cruiser was seen entering the industrial park area where the camera was, performing a property check on some of the businesses, and then exiting the area and heading north on Outer.
Trucker David Sian, who was parked in one of the parking lots, testified that he saw the police car but could not see who was driving.
Patterson was the last person to testify today, saying that Bluew did not respond to numerous "radio checks" from Saginaw County Central Dispatch, from Patterson, and from their fellow officer, Sara Sylvester.
Stroud, the chief assistant prosecutor, said during his opening argument that Bluew did not respond to the checks for 95 minutes. Patterson began his shift about an hour into that, at 10 p.m., and eventually decided to travel to North Outer and Hack, where, he said, he's know Bluew to go to in the past and sleep while in the job.
As he approached, he saw the reflector lights from Webb's Pontiac Aztek, facing east and parked just before the entrance to the driveway to the police department's gun range.
Outer comes to a "T" at Hack, and Patterson parked at the southeast intersection of the two roads, he said. Just before he stopped, he looked to the left and saw Bluew's police cruiser, also facing east, but parked behind some trees. The car's headlights were off, but its driver's side spotlight was on, Patterson said.
Bluew turned on his headlights and pulled closer to the middle of the intersection, Patterson testified. Patterson exited his vehicle and "within seconds," Bluew did the same and asked, "How do you want to do this?"
The two officers approached the vehicle, and Bluew, who approached the vehicle's driver side, said, "We got a body," Patterson testified.
Bluew, whom Patterson considered a friend and was somebody Patterson had talked with regarding gruesome crime scenes, "looked out of character," Patterson said, appearing nervous and uneasy.
Later, after Patterson called Sgt. Sean Waterman and Patterson had placed police tape around the scene and Bluew took photographs of the scene, the two officers, as well as Sylvester, were back near the vehicle when Bluew showed them a suicide note that he said he found in Webb's purse, Patterson testified.
The entire time the officers were out there, Patterson testified, Bluew never mentioned that he knew Webb or was the father of Webb's child. It wasn't until he and Waterman examined Webb's phone and saw three calls that evening with a contact named "Ken Cop Boo" that Patterson heard Bluew confirm to his sergeant that he knew Webb.
Stroud said during his opening argument that Waterman continued to treat the death as a suicide until he told Webb's parents about the death early that morning and the parents told him Bluew was the father of the baby. Waterman "became sick to his stomach" and immediately called then-Police Chief Brian Booker to have the Michigan State Police investigate the death, Stroud said.
O'Farrell said during his opening argument that text messages that Webb had sent to Bluew and others showed that Webb "was a young lady who was having some conflicts." O'Farrell said Webb was hopeful that Bluew would leave his wife, Lisa, and be with Webb instead.
O'Farrell said that Bluew was a "successful, respected police officer," and the alternative to the notion that Webb committed suicide, which O'Farrell said her family and friends don't want to accept, was that Bluew "abandoned" that career and plotted to kill Webb in his own jurisdiction.
O'Farrell also said the case "was not investigated properly" and the state police began their investigation with the assumption that Bluew was guilty.
Bluew, who lived in Saginaw Township, also is charged with assaulting a pregnant individual intentionally causing miscarriage or stillbirth of a fetus or embryo and two counts of possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony.
If convicted of first-degree murder, he would face a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. The assault charge carries a maximum penalty of life in prison.
Officer Kenneth Bluew Murder Trial - Day 2
Live Tweets: Day 2 of trial for Ken Bluew, police officer charged in strangulation of the pregnant Jennifer Webb
MLive
Andy Hoag
September 26, 2012
September 26, 2012
http://www.mlive.com/news/saginaw/index.ssf/2012/09/live_tweets_day_2_of_trial_for.html
Ken Bluew Trial Day 2
Wednesday September 26, 2012
Andy Hoag@SNAndyHoag
9:17 - Hi folks, patiently waiting here for things to get started in the #bluewtrial. Attorneys in the courtroom, waiting as well.
9:20 - BVPD Officer Tim Patterson will continue his testimony when we get started. He ended yesterday testifying about Webb's cellphone and ...
9:22 - .. Bluew's name, or "Ken Cop Boo," being listed as three calls since 8:30 p.m. that night. Patterson said Bluew never told him he knew Webb.
9:24 - And now the attorneys are heading into chambers to speak with Judge Jackson.
9:32 - Attorneys have returned from chambers. I'd say we're getting close, but I learned that lesson yesterday.
9:35 - Bluew has entered the courtroom, wearing the same suit as yesterday.
9:39 - Judge Jackson is in, and O'Farrell wishes to address something before jury comes in. This is regarding testimony about Webb's intentions ...
9:40 - Which I wrote about in July. O'Farrell raises his continuing objection, and now says he thinks Mike Thomas went beyond the scope of ...
9:40 - ... what Judge Jackson approved earlier. O'Farrell concerned w/ at least 3 more family members of Webb set to testify.
9:42 - Thomas is saying that his questioning of Andrea King, Webb's friend, was in line w/ Jackson's order. Thomas says some of King's answers ...
9:43 - ... were "unresponsive" and may have addressed things that Jackson didn't allow, but points out that O'Farrell didn't object at the time.
9:44 - O'Farrell said that as the testimony was ongoing, he was trying to determine if it was outside the scope of Jackson's orders.
9:44 - Jackson notes that witness responses sometimes do not specifically answer the question and tells O'Farrell he can object when ...
9:46 - ... there is something specific that he feels is objectionable. The jury now is in, and Patterson comes back to the stand.
9:48 - Patterson: Bluew said he spoke w/ Webb "from time to time," knew her for about 10 yrs, met her at a bar in BV. Bluew didn't go further.
9:48 - Patterson: Bluew "seemed to be a little evasive in answering."
9:49 - Patterson: Walked away, called Sylvester by cell to have her come back to scene, "because I was uneasy about what I had just learned."
9:50 - Patterson: When Bluew's name was seen on phone, Patterson unsnapped his gun holster. "I wasn't sure what was going to happen next."
9:56 - Thomas is showing Patterson a series of photos that Bluew took at the scene. We nor jury can see photos at this time.
10:01 - Patterson: When Bluew showed him suicide note, held it down on hood with left index finger. Thomas makes sure to have Patterson reiterate...
10:02 - ... that it was his left index finger, not right -- which is what Stroud said during his opening that Bluew injured during the incident.
10:09 - Patterson: Saw a red dot in Bluew's eye at scene. Later, while they were typing reports, Bluew's eye started to turn "black and blue"
10:10 - Patterson: Sylvester responded to a possible B&E, radioed for backup. Patterson asked Bluew to assist her to get him away from scene ...
10:11 - ... because of the "red flags" that came up at the scene: being there already, sweating profusely, way body was hanging, name in phone.
10:13 - Thomas asks Patterson about how, as an officer, he felt about an explanation from Bluew that when he saw Webb's vehicle, he pulled into ...
10:13 - ... Wastewater Treatment driveway and turned around. O'Farrell objects cuz it's not a fact in evidence; sustained.
10:14 - Thomas asks question a different way: Patterson says he's never seen car parked where Bluew was parked, that he wouldn't have taken ...
10:16 - ... hypothetical route Thomas mentioned because he wouldn't have turned back on vehicle.
10:16 - Now Thomas elicits testimony that Bluew told Patterson that he arrived just prior, did "U turn" and parked where Patterson saw him.
10:19 - Patterson: Still being treated as a suicide, he was told to cut extension cord. He did, and only Webb's head &neck moved.
10:20 - Patterson: Couldn't move body without moving vehicle. Basically had to tip toe to even get in vehicle.
10:21 - Patterson: When body pulled up, bruises on upper arms observed. Photos taken of bruises, then she was removed from scene.
10:26 - Bluew enters the courtroom:
10:27 - Thomas and Patterson discuss the route Bluew said he took to take "U turn" at scene:
10:29 - Thomas asking Patterson again about Bluew's "daily" report. Does not state that he was on Freeway Lane at 9:02 p.m. Stroud said in opening..
10:29 - ... that only possible BVPD officer who could have been there was Bluew, as Sylvester was in office writing reports.
10:30 - FYI: Those photos I just posted were taken by Jeff Schrier.
10:32 - @skaren24 Stroud's point during his opening was that it would have been very difficult for Webb to hang herself in that manner with ...
10:32 - @skaren24... the vehicle so close to the ditch.
10:32 - @skaren24... that's my understanding of their argument, at least.
10:34 - Patterson: wrote 2 police reports - one generic one, one with his "red flag" concerns. Did this because he knew ...
10:34 - ... Bluew would have been able to see the first report w/ the red flag observations.
10:34 - Patterson: Second report filed "a few days later."
10:36 - Patterson: Bluew walked out at end of shift w/ laundry bag. Not what officers would do if they had uniforms laundered thru BVPD, which...
10:36 - ... is what Patterson said Bluew usually did.
10:51 - Patterson: Spoke with Waterman behind closed doors at BVPD to more fully express his "red flag" concerns, tell Sgt. about the bruising ...
10:53 - ... around Bluew's eye. Patterson returned to squad room, Bluew asked him "what that was all about." Patterson lied, told him he ...
10:53 - ... got "chewed out" for a late report on another case. Didn't want Bluew to know what they discussed.
10:54 - Thomas done with questioning. O'Farrell says his cross will take "a while," so Jackson calls for a recess. Be back in about 15 min.
11:07 - Not back yet, but I'm anticipating O'Farrell's cross of Patterson will take us to lunch time. Thomas' direct examination took about 2 hours.
11:12 - @ dorymsbs He wasn't the officer in charge -- that'd be Sgt. Waterman, at least until Waterman called MSP.
11:14 - And we're back. Thomas asks to admit some scene photos into evidence, as well as suicide note, Patterson's and Bluew's "daily" reports.
11:16 - No objections from O'Farrell.
11:18 - Thomas asks to show the jury the photos, but after a quick bench conference, they decide to wait until after cross-examination.
11:20 - @dorymsbs It's a tough position to be in, to suspect your friend of having something to do w/ the death. I understand your thoughts, though.
11:22 - O'Farrell asking about "radio checks." No response "happens from time to time for various reasons."
11:25 - O'Farrell brings the transcript of Patterson's preliminary hearing testimony, asks Patterson about exact time of "radio checks."
11:26 - Testified then that there was a 7 minute gap between first call out to Bluew and Bluew's response. Patterson doesn't dispute that now.
11:26 - Patterson: When he responded, Bluew sounded tired. Sleepy? "Possibly."
11:27 - Patterson: Caught Bluew sleeping on two occasions that he can recall, had never seen him sleeping in this location.
11:32 - O'Farrell asking Patterson some basic questions, about patrolling and such. Nothing new right now.
11:37 - O'Farrell now asking about when Patterson arrived. He moves the car-like magnet, placed yesterday, more to the east ...
11:39 - ... closer to the gates for the gun range. Bluew's car's spotlight was shining in direction of Webb's car.
11:40 - O'Farrell asks Patterson why he didn't just radio Bluew to meet him at a location. Patterson: "Because I didn't."
11:42 - More patrolling questions, as O'Farrell reviews Bluew's "daily."
11:47 - Now discussing how they approached the vehicle.
11:51 - Still nothing new. O'Farrell asking a lot of detail-based questions that mostly have been discussed already.
11:54 - And we break for lunch. Look on MLive soon for a noon recap.
1:50 - And we're just about to be back, as Bluew has entered the courtroom. Waiting on Judge Jackson and the jury.
1:51 - They're here. Patterson back on the stand.
1:53 - O'Farrell now asking Patterson about Bluew leaving BVPD to go to be chief in Tittabawassee Township. Patterson says Bluew gone 1.5-2 years.
1:53 - When Bluew resigned from Titt. Twp. and went back to BVPD, said he preferred urban policing.
1:57 - O'Farrell asking more detail questions, now about when purse was taken from vehicle and when suicide note taken from purse. Nothing new.
2:00 - Patterson: some of the "red flag" discussion he had w/ Waterman did occur at the scene, some was at the office.
2:01 - O'Farrell's question to Patterson implied that Patterson didn't have these "red flags" until after they left scene.
2:02 - Patterson acknowledges that while he unsnapped gun holster cuz he didn't know what Bluew would do, Bluew didn't do anything.
2:03 - Patterson: Bluew went along with the rest of his night, did as he was instructed.
2:03 - Patterson: Extension cord was so taut that when he cut it, it snapped like a rubber band.
2:04 - @EwaldSandy Not really sure. I know it wasn't mentioned on direct examination and wondered if it was intentionally not brought up.
2:08 - Patterson: Saw a band-aid on Bluew's right index finger while at scene. This is the finger that Stroud said during his opening ...
2:09 - ... was the one that left a bloody fingerprint on the passenger side door of Webb's vehicle.
2:09 - O'Farrell now questioning Patterson about his separate reports. Figured O'Farrell might focus on this.
2:10 - Patterson: interviewed by MSP D/Sgt. Ogg on Sept. 6, filed his supplemental, more-detailed report on Sept. 8.
2:11 - RT @greg_bryce: @SNAndyHoag I would assume to show he was competent enough to be rehired.
2:12 - @greg_bryce good idea. My thought was that it might be precluded from being mentioned because the jury might wonder why was no longer chief.
2:14 - O'Farrell questions Patterson about his prior testimony:
2:14 - Nothing further from O'Farrell. Thomas back on re-direct.
2:17 - @greg_bryce my thoughts exactly.
2:21 - Nothing new from the re-direct, other than to confirm that Bluew had his BVPD-issued 40-caliber Glock pistol on his person.
2:22 - And Patterson is done, after more than three hours of testimony. Jury now will see the photos taken by Bluew.
2:28 - @morjules51 No. He's mostly talking with O'Farrell.
2:41 - @EwaldSandy @morjules51 nothing out of the ordinary. They're taking their time looking through each picture.
2:42 - @KirstenWhitlock @morjules51 Not in response to any testimony, no. He's nodded his head in agreement to some things, and that's about it.
2:42 - @KirstenWhitlock @morjules51 he's smiled when talking with his family, joked a little with O'Farrell.
2:45 - Bluew and O'Farrell are continuing to discuss different things. Bluew's taken very detailed notes through the trial.
2:46 - @snshager55 @KirstenWhitlock @morjules51 Not during the trial, during breaks. Sorry :)
2:47 - This is not the most efficient way for 14 jurors to see about 15 pictures and other items. Curious as to why Thomas decided to ...
2:47 - ... go this route as opposed to showing the photos on electronically on a TV, which most prosecutors have begun doing here in Saginaw.
2:49 - It certainly allows the jurors to take in each picture as much as they feel necessary -- just not efficient.
2:49 - At least it's allowing the court reporter time to catch up and go through the recent testimony.
2:49 - RT @KellyZoellner1: @SNAndyHoag Maybe to spare Jenny's family?
2:50 - @KellyZoellner1 that was my thought. could be.
2:51 - @dd526 We wouldn't take pictures of the pictures of Webb's body and put them in the paper.
2:51 - @dd526 I can't speak for the TV stations, but I'd imagine they wouldn't, either.
2:51 - Denise Ureche Dutoi@dd526 @SNAndyHoag perhaps it is to avoid members o the gallery seeing them and to avoid them being shown via media outlets
2:53 - What's happened in most trials of late has been that the prosecutor or detective will tell the family when the pics will be shown ...
2:54 - ... so that the family can either cover their eyes or leave the courtroom temporarily. If this is why Thomas wanted the pics seen ...
2:54 - ... individually, then he obviously didn't think what's been done lately is beneficial for the family.
2:54 - Could be a judge's order, too. Who knows.
2:55 - Either way, I'm just curious of the reasoning because it's a different way of handling it. I've never seen Thomas in trial, so this ...
2:55 - ... may be the way he does it every time.
2:57 - Sandra Paetz@sspaetz @SNAndyHoag Most likely they won the jury to see the pictures up close and take the time look at them.
2:58 - @sspaetz the TV is large enough that it wouldn't be an issue. Time with each picture, though, is a different story as I mentioned.
2:59 - @dorymsbs By "what's been done lately" I meant the practice of telling them to close their eyes or leave.
2:59 - RT @nichol0715: @SNAndyHoag the pictures are horrible and this way they don't leak out into the Internet world I would think
2:59 - @nichol0715 again, we would not be taking photographs of the pictures themselves, and I doubt TV would. There would be no other way ...
3:00 - @nichol0715... for them to leak other than via the prosecutor's office or O'Farrell.
3:00 - RT @MiaKuli: @SNAndyHoag do you know if the evidence in. this case will be viewable to the public via the internet like other popular cases?
3:00 - @MiaKuli no, it is not. I'm not sure if that's just for federal cases, or what, but that's never been the case in Saginaw County.
3:01 - I don't want to get in Twitter jail here, so I'm going to chill until they're done w/ the pictures. Love interacting with everybody, thanks!
3:08 - And now we take a break.
3:30 - And we're back. Next witness is BVPD Officer Sara Sylvester.
3:31 - Thomas focusing on pre-incident details.
3:35 - Sylvester &Bluew ate dinner together, and she did not see the injury to Bluew's eye.
3:37 - Sylvester does not recall if Bluew had band-aid on right index finger.
3:40 - After dinner, Sylvester stayed at BVPD to finish writing reports.
3:41 - Sylvester: Bluew didn't respond to multiple radio checks and audio alerts.
3:42 - Sylvester: Bluew finally responded, said he had been on "admin" channel -- a channel that was used to try to contact him.
3:44 - Sylvester: When arrived on scene, Bluew taking pictures of scene.
3:46 - @kizziem34 They ate dinner that evening, a little while after Bluew's shift started.
3:47 - Sylvester: Saw Bluew take purse out of car, but didn't physically get in car.
3:48 - This is key, because part of O'Farrell's opening was that Bluew's blood could have been left on/in vehicle during investigation.
3:50 - Sylvester: Bluew pulled out suicide note, Webb's driver's license, then places hands on knees and says, "I know this girl," in a manner ...
3:51 - ... like he was going to throw up. Thomas focuses on that Bluew didn't do this when he saw/read suicide note, only after ID was pulled out.
3:52 - @kizziem34 that's what the prosecution is going for, yes :)
3:57 - After Waterman arrived, Sylvester dispatched to B&E call in numbered streets. While en route, Patterson called, asked her to come back.
3:58 - Sylvester: Patterson told her they had found Webb's phone and that Bluew's number was in it. She returned, said, "Something looks ...
3:59 - ... strange about this whole situation." Bluew was acting "strange," sweating profusely despite it being somewhat cool out.
4:00 - Sylvester: Bluew normally would be one to "lead" at scenes, but this time, followed Patterson and Sylvester's lead.
4:01 - Wow. Sylvester was just talking about how Bluew sometimes would criticize other officers, sometimes would point out how he would ...
4:02 - ... do things differently. Thomas asked her about how Bluew felt about his abilities as a cop. O'Farrell objected, questioning ...
4:02 - ... the relevance. Jackson asked Thomas how it was relevant, Thomas said, basically, that he was getting at whether Bluew thought ...
4:03 - ... he could get away with it. O'Farrell reacted in disbelief that Thomas said that in front of the jury, Bluew smiled and shook his head...
4:03 - ... in the same manner. Jackson sustained the objection, not allowing the question.
4:04 - Sylvester went to B&E scene. Called in that there could be someone in home, but she knew there wasn't. Did it to get Bluew away from scene.
4:04 - While there, Sylvester saw Bluew rubbing his right hand, like in pain or that it was bothering him.
4:06 - Sylvester didn't write her report regarding Webb's death until Sept. 13, she believes.
4:09 - O'Farrell now up for cross-exam. O'Farrell asks her to show on the diagram where she saw the three cars at the scene.
4:10 - Sylvester moves Patterson's car a little south, just south of intersection, and Bluew's car to the west, out of the intersection.
4:17 - Sylvester: Doesn't know how Bluew took photos of ditch area, inside vehicle.
4:19 - O'Farrell asks Sylvester to review her police report re: Bluew grabbing the purse, and the suicide note.
4:20 - O'Farrell getting at whether Bluew had gloves on when he opened note on hood of Aztek. Her report states he had gloves on.
4:20 - Sylvester: "Almost certain" Bluew had gloves on entire time before she first left to go to B&E.
4:21 - I believe O'Farrell is bringing this up because Patterson said he didn't have glove on when Patterson read note. Not sure if it's ...
4:22 - ... it's the same moment Patterson saw the note. Sylvester says Patterson was near his car when she saw the note.
4:27 - O'Farrell tries to get at the fact that upon seeing Webb's ID and saying he knew her, that was when Bluew started acting strange.
4:27 - Sylvester: Bluew already was following them around. Seemed every time she went to talk to Patterson, Bluew would follow and join.
4:32 - Sylvester: Didn't convey her concerns to Waterman. As soon as she told Waterman that Bluew knew Webb, Bluew came over just as she said it.
4:33 - Sylvester: Even if she had something specific, as far as evidence/concerns, she wouldn't have mentioned it in Bluew's presence.
4:34 - O'Farrell gets Sylvester to admit she didn't actually have evidence that Bluew should be a suspect.
4:35 - O'Farrell gets heated when he gets Sylvester to admit that Bluew came to her B&E call as instructed, that he offered to take ...
4:35 - ... her next call so she could go home. He didn't, as O'Farrell loudly pointed out, try to go back to the scene of Webb's death.
4:36 - O'Farrell focusing on Sylvester's report, which O'Farrell points out again was written Sept. 13. She was interviewed by Ogg on Sept. 6.
4:37 - Sylvester: Had written notes on the incident before the interview with D/Sgt. Ogg on the 6th.
4:37 - Sylvester: Kept written notes until she was given password to enter a report on the Bluew case. She then shredded written notes.
4:38 - Sylvester: Bluew arrested/charged before she typed report.
4:40 - Thomas now on re-direct. Asks her if she drove her BVPD car to Freeway Lane about 9 p.m., when David Sian testified he saw car at that time.
4:41 - Sylvester: Didn't leave BVPD after they had dinner at 7:30 p.m. Also, her car didn't have lights about roof of car, as Sian said car did.
4:43 - Thomas now getting at that protocol in suicide investigation is to ID person. Instead, Thomas gets her to point out, Bluew showed her ...
4:44 - ... the suicide note first, not her driver's license.
4:49 - Thomas went through Webb's wallet, which included Bridge Card. Now, O'Farrell jumps on that to confirm it is a Bridge Card.
4:50 - Guessing O'Farrell will use this to show Webb was having financial issues, that this was a problem she was encountering.
4:50 - And O'Farrell is done, and now we are in recess.
4:51 - I'm going to close the MLive chat window, but again, anybody with any questions can post a comment in the Live Tweets post or tweet at me.
4:51 - Thanks again for following along. We'll resume at 9 a.m. tomorrow.
Ken Bluew's fellow police officer continues testimony about finding the pregnant Jennifer Webb's body
MLive
September 26, 2012 http://www.mlive.com/news/saginaw/index.ssf/2012/09/ken_bluews_fellow_police_offic.html
SAGINAW, MI — The trial for the suspended Buena Vista police officer charged with killing the woman who was eight months pregnant with his son recessed for lunch today in the same exact position it was when it began this morning.
With Buena Vista Police Officer Tim Patterson on the witness stand.
After testifying for about an hour Tuesday, Patterson resumed testifying about 9:45 a.m. regarding the Aug. 30, 2011, death of Jennifer Webb at North Outer and Hack in Buena Vista Township.
Patterson's fellow officer, Kenneth T. Bluew, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder in the death of Webb, who was going to name her son Braxton.
Bluew's trial before Saginaw County Circuit Judge Darnell Jackson began last week with jury selection that lasted four days. A jury of nine women and five men heard opening arguments Tuesday.
MLive covered today's testimony live on Twitter @SNAndyHoag and will continue to do so this afternoon.
Patterson continued answering questions from Saginaw County Prosecutor Michael D. Thomas until about 10:45 a.m. After a recess, Bluew's attorney, Rod O'Farrell, began his cross-examination.
O'Farrell did not conclude the questioning before Jackson called for a lunch break.
Patterson arrived at North Outer and Hack shortly before 11 p.m. and saw Webb's vehicle facing east and parked on the edge of a ditch at the "T" intersection. Just before he stopped his vehicle, Patterson looked left and saw Bluew's police cruiser, mostly concealed by trees and parked without its headlights on but with a spotlight shining in the direction of Webb's vehicle.
After Bluew moved his vehicle closer to the middle of the intersection and turned the headlights on, Bluew and Patterson approached the vehicle. Bluew, who approached the driver side, said, "We got a body."
The officers treated the death as a suicide and continued to do so under the instruction of Sgt. Sean Waterman, who eventually arrived at the scene.
Today's testimony picked up there, as Waterman looked through Webb's phone and saw three calls since 8:30 p.m. with a contact named "Cop Ken Boo." At that point, Bluew had yet to tell Patterson that he knew who Webb was, Patterson said.
Bluew told Waterman that he spoke with Webb "from time to time" and had known her for about 10 years, Patterson said. Bluew "seemed to be a little evasive in answering," Patterson testified.
When he saw Bluew watch Waterman look through Webb's phone and see the calls, Patterson unsnapped his gun holster, he said.
"I wasn't sure what was going to happen next," Patterson said.
Patterson walked away from the scene and called their fellow officer, Sara Sylvester, by cellphone to have her come back to the scene because, he said, "I was uneasy about what I had just learned."
Sylvester soon responded to a possible breaking and entering incident and sent a radio message seeking backup, Patterson said. Patterson asked Bluew to assist her, he said, to get him away from the scene because of the "red flags" Patterson said he was noticing: that Bluew already was at the scene when Patterson arrived; that Bluew was "sweating profusely" when they approached the vehicle; the manner in which Webb's body was hanging; and the recent phone calls between Bluew and Webb.
Patterson testified that he wrote two police reports regarding Webb's death. The first, written while he and Bluew still were on duty that night, was generic because he knew Bluew would have the ability to read it, he said. The second, filed "a few days later," detailed the "red flags," he said.
That night, Patterson had a closed-door meeting with Waterman, expressing his concerns over the "red flags" and the fact that Bluew was beginning to develop bruising in one of his eyes. When Patterson returned from the meeting, Bluew asked him what the nature of the meeting was, Patterson said. The officer lied, telling Bluew he got "chewed out" about a report from a different case.
Waterman, now the department's acting chief, and Sylvester have been waiting outside of the courtroom since Tuesday afternoon, as they are among the next in line to testify.
Bluew, who lived in Saginaw Township, also is charged with assaulting a pregnant individual intentionally causing miscarriage or stillbirth of a fetus or embryo and two counts of possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony.
If convicted of first-degree murder, he would face a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. The assault charge carries a maximum penalty of life in prison.
Ken Bluew Trial Day 2
Wednesday September 26, 2012
Andy Hoag@SNAndyHoag
9:17 - Hi folks, patiently waiting here for things to get started in the #bluewtrial. Attorneys in the courtroom, waiting as well.
9:20 - BVPD Officer Tim Patterson will continue his testimony when we get started. He ended yesterday testifying about Webb's cellphone and ...
9:22 - .. Bluew's name, or "Ken Cop Boo," being listed as three calls since 8:30 p.m. that night. Patterson said Bluew never told him he knew Webb.
9:24 - And now the attorneys are heading into chambers to speak with Judge Jackson.
9:32 - Attorneys have returned from chambers. I'd say we're getting close, but I learned that lesson yesterday.
9:35 - Bluew has entered the courtroom, wearing the same suit as yesterday.
9:39 - Judge Jackson is in, and O'Farrell wishes to address something before jury comes in. This is regarding testimony about Webb's intentions ...
9:40 - Which I wrote about in July. O'Farrell raises his continuing objection, and now says he thinks Mike Thomas went beyond the scope of ...
9:40 - ... what Judge Jackson approved earlier. O'Farrell concerned w/ at least 3 more family members of Webb set to testify.
9:42 - Thomas is saying that his questioning of Andrea King, Webb's friend, was in line w/ Jackson's order. Thomas says some of King's answers ...
9:43 - ... were "unresponsive" and may have addressed things that Jackson didn't allow, but points out that O'Farrell didn't object at the time.
9:44 - O'Farrell said that as the testimony was ongoing, he was trying to determine if it was outside the scope of Jackson's orders.
9:44 - Jackson notes that witness responses sometimes do not specifically answer the question and tells O'Farrell he can object when ...
9:46 - ... there is something specific that he feels is objectionable. The jury now is in, and Patterson comes back to the stand.
9:48 - Patterson: Bluew said he spoke w/ Webb "from time to time," knew her for about 10 yrs, met her at a bar in BV. Bluew didn't go further.
9:48 - Patterson: Bluew "seemed to be a little evasive in answering."
9:49 - Patterson: Walked away, called Sylvester by cell to have her come back to scene, "because I was uneasy about what I had just learned."
9:50 - Patterson: When Bluew's name was seen on phone, Patterson unsnapped his gun holster. "I wasn't sure what was going to happen next."
9:56 - Thomas is showing Patterson a series of photos that Bluew took at the scene. We nor jury can see photos at this time.
10:01 - Patterson: When Bluew showed him suicide note, held it down on hood with left index finger. Thomas makes sure to have Patterson reiterate...
10:02 - ... that it was his left index finger, not right -- which is what Stroud said during his opening that Bluew injured during the incident.
10:09 - Patterson: Saw a red dot in Bluew's eye at scene. Later, while they were typing reports, Bluew's eye started to turn "black and blue"
10:10 - Patterson: Sylvester responded to a possible B&E, radioed for backup. Patterson asked Bluew to assist her to get him away from scene ...
10:11 - ... because of the "red flags" that came up at the scene: being there already, sweating profusely, way body was hanging, name in phone.
10:13 - Thomas asks Patterson about how, as an officer, he felt about an explanation from Bluew that when he saw Webb's vehicle, he pulled into ...
10:13 - ... Wastewater Treatment driveway and turned around. O'Farrell objects cuz it's not a fact in evidence; sustained.
10:14 - Thomas asks question a different way: Patterson says he's never seen car parked where Bluew was parked, that he wouldn't have taken ...
10:16 - ... hypothetical route Thomas mentioned because he wouldn't have turned back on vehicle.
10:16 - Now Thomas elicits testimony that Bluew told Patterson that he arrived just prior, did "U turn" and parked where Patterson saw him.
10:19 - Patterson: Still being treated as a suicide, he was told to cut extension cord. He did, and only Webb's head &neck moved.
10:20 - Patterson: Couldn't move body without moving vehicle. Basically had to tip toe to even get in vehicle.
10:21 - Patterson: When body pulled up, bruises on upper arms observed. Photos taken of bruises, then she was removed from scene.
10:26 - Bluew enters the courtroom:
10:27 - Thomas and Patterson discuss the route Bluew said he took to take "U turn" at scene:
10:29 - Thomas asking Patterson again about Bluew's "daily" report. Does not state that he was on Freeway Lane at 9:02 p.m. Stroud said in opening..
10:29 - ... that only possible BVPD officer who could have been there was Bluew, as Sylvester was in office writing reports.
10:30 - FYI: Those photos I just posted were taken by Jeff Schrier.
10:32 - @skaren24 Stroud's point during his opening was that it would have been very difficult for Webb to hang herself in that manner with ...
10:32 - @skaren24... the vehicle so close to the ditch.
10:32 - @skaren24... that's my understanding of their argument, at least.
10:34 - Patterson: wrote 2 police reports - one generic one, one with his "red flag" concerns. Did this because he knew ...
10:34 - ... Bluew would have been able to see the first report w/ the red flag observations.
10:34 - Patterson: Second report filed "a few days later."
10:36 - Patterson: Bluew walked out at end of shift w/ laundry bag. Not what officers would do if they had uniforms laundered thru BVPD, which...
10:36 - ... is what Patterson said Bluew usually did.
10:51 - Patterson: Spoke with Waterman behind closed doors at BVPD to more fully express his "red flag" concerns, tell Sgt. about the bruising ...
10:53 - ... around Bluew's eye. Patterson returned to squad room, Bluew asked him "what that was all about." Patterson lied, told him he ...
10:53 - ... got "chewed out" for a late report on another case. Didn't want Bluew to know what they discussed.
10:54 - Thomas done with questioning. O'Farrell says his cross will take "a while," so Jackson calls for a recess. Be back in about 15 min.
11:07 - Not back yet, but I'm anticipating O'Farrell's cross of Patterson will take us to lunch time. Thomas' direct examination took about 2 hours.
11:12 - @ dorymsbs He wasn't the officer in charge -- that'd be Sgt. Waterman, at least until Waterman called MSP.
11:14 - And we're back. Thomas asks to admit some scene photos into evidence, as well as suicide note, Patterson's and Bluew's "daily" reports.
11:16 - No objections from O'Farrell.
11:18 - Thomas asks to show the jury the photos, but after a quick bench conference, they decide to wait until after cross-examination.
11:20 - @dorymsbs It's a tough position to be in, to suspect your friend of having something to do w/ the death. I understand your thoughts, though.
11:22 - O'Farrell asking about "radio checks." No response "happens from time to time for various reasons."
11:25 - O'Farrell brings the transcript of Patterson's preliminary hearing testimony, asks Patterson about exact time of "radio checks."
11:26 - Testified then that there was a 7 minute gap between first call out to Bluew and Bluew's response. Patterson doesn't dispute that now.
11:26 - Patterson: When he responded, Bluew sounded tired. Sleepy? "Possibly."
11:27 - Patterson: Caught Bluew sleeping on two occasions that he can recall, had never seen him sleeping in this location.
11:32 - O'Farrell asking Patterson some basic questions, about patrolling and such. Nothing new right now.
11:37 - O'Farrell now asking about when Patterson arrived. He moves the car-like magnet, placed yesterday, more to the east ...
11:39 - ... closer to the gates for the gun range. Bluew's car's spotlight was shining in direction of Webb's car.
11:40 - O'Farrell asks Patterson why he didn't just radio Bluew to meet him at a location. Patterson: "Because I didn't."
11:42 - More patrolling questions, as O'Farrell reviews Bluew's "daily."
11:47 - Now discussing how they approached the vehicle.
11:51 - Still nothing new. O'Farrell asking a lot of detail-based questions that mostly have been discussed already.
11:54 - And we break for lunch. Look on MLive soon for a noon recap.
1:50 - And we're just about to be back, as Bluew has entered the courtroom. Waiting on Judge Jackson and the jury.
1:51 - They're here. Patterson back on the stand.
1:53 - O'Farrell now asking Patterson about Bluew leaving BVPD to go to be chief in Tittabawassee Township. Patterson says Bluew gone 1.5-2 years.
1:53 - When Bluew resigned from Titt. Twp. and went back to BVPD, said he preferred urban policing.
1:57 - O'Farrell asking more detail questions, now about when purse was taken from vehicle and when suicide note taken from purse. Nothing new.
2:00 - Patterson: some of the "red flag" discussion he had w/ Waterman did occur at the scene, some was at the office.
2:01 - O'Farrell's question to Patterson implied that Patterson didn't have these "red flags" until after they left scene.
2:02 - Patterson acknowledges that while he unsnapped gun holster cuz he didn't know what Bluew would do, Bluew didn't do anything.
2:03 - Patterson: Bluew went along with the rest of his night, did as he was instructed.
2:03 - Patterson: Extension cord was so taut that when he cut it, it snapped like a rubber band.
2:04 - @EwaldSandy Not really sure. I know it wasn't mentioned on direct examination and wondered if it was intentionally not brought up.
2:08 - Patterson: Saw a band-aid on Bluew's right index finger while at scene. This is the finger that Stroud said during his opening ...
2:09 - ... was the one that left a bloody fingerprint on the passenger side door of Webb's vehicle.
2:09 - O'Farrell now questioning Patterson about his separate reports. Figured O'Farrell might focus on this.
2:10 - Patterson: interviewed by MSP D/Sgt. Ogg on Sept. 6, filed his supplemental, more-detailed report on Sept. 8.
2:11 - RT @greg_bryce: @SNAndyHoag I would assume to show he was competent enough to be rehired.
2:12 - @greg_bryce good idea. My thought was that it might be precluded from being mentioned because the jury might wonder why was no longer chief.
2:14 - O'Farrell questions Patterson about his prior testimony:
2:14 - Nothing further from O'Farrell. Thomas back on re-direct.
2:17 - @greg_bryce my thoughts exactly.
2:21 - Nothing new from the re-direct, other than to confirm that Bluew had his BVPD-issued 40-caliber Glock pistol on his person.
2:22 - And Patterson is done, after more than three hours of testimony. Jury now will see the photos taken by Bluew.
2:28 - @morjules51 No. He's mostly talking with O'Farrell.
2:41 - @EwaldSandy @morjules51 nothing out of the ordinary. They're taking their time looking through each picture.
2:42 - @KirstenWhitlock @morjules51 Not in response to any testimony, no. He's nodded his head in agreement to some things, and that's about it.
2:42 - @KirstenWhitlock @morjules51 he's smiled when talking with his family, joked a little with O'Farrell.
2:45 - Bluew and O'Farrell are continuing to discuss different things. Bluew's taken very detailed notes through the trial.
2:46 - @snshager55 @KirstenWhitlock @morjules51 Not during the trial, during breaks. Sorry :)
2:47 - This is not the most efficient way for 14 jurors to see about 15 pictures and other items. Curious as to why Thomas decided to ...
2:47 - ... go this route as opposed to showing the photos on electronically on a TV, which most prosecutors have begun doing here in Saginaw.
2:49 - It certainly allows the jurors to take in each picture as much as they feel necessary -- just not efficient.
2:49 - At least it's allowing the court reporter time to catch up and go through the recent testimony.
2:49 - RT @KellyZoellner1: @SNAndyHoag Maybe to spare Jenny's family?
2:50 - @KellyZoellner1 that was my thought. could be.
2:51 - @dd526 We wouldn't take pictures of the pictures of Webb's body and put them in the paper.
2:51 - @dd526 I can't speak for the TV stations, but I'd imagine they wouldn't, either.
2:51 - Denise Ureche Dutoi@dd526 @SNAndyHoag perhaps it is to avoid members o the gallery seeing them and to avoid them being shown via media outlets
2:53 - What's happened in most trials of late has been that the prosecutor or detective will tell the family when the pics will be shown ...
2:54 - ... so that the family can either cover their eyes or leave the courtroom temporarily. If this is why Thomas wanted the pics seen ...
2:54 - ... individually, then he obviously didn't think what's been done lately is beneficial for the family.
2:54 - Could be a judge's order, too. Who knows.
2:55 - Either way, I'm just curious of the reasoning because it's a different way of handling it. I've never seen Thomas in trial, so this ...
2:55 - ... may be the way he does it every time.
2:57 - Sandra Paetz@sspaetz @SNAndyHoag Most likely they won the jury to see the pictures up close and take the time look at them.
2:58 - @sspaetz the TV is large enough that it wouldn't be an issue. Time with each picture, though, is a different story as I mentioned.
2:59 - @dorymsbs By "what's been done lately" I meant the practice of telling them to close their eyes or leave.
2:59 - RT @nichol0715: @SNAndyHoag the pictures are horrible and this way they don't leak out into the Internet world I would think
2:59 - @nichol0715 again, we would not be taking photographs of the pictures themselves, and I doubt TV would. There would be no other way ...
3:00 - @nichol0715... for them to leak other than via the prosecutor's office or O'Farrell.
3:00 - RT @MiaKuli: @SNAndyHoag do you know if the evidence in. this case will be viewable to the public via the internet like other popular cases?
3:00 - @MiaKuli no, it is not. I'm not sure if that's just for federal cases, or what, but that's never been the case in Saginaw County.
3:01 - I don't want to get in Twitter jail here, so I'm going to chill until they're done w/ the pictures. Love interacting with everybody, thanks!
3:08 - And now we take a break.
3:30 - And we're back. Next witness is BVPD Officer Sara Sylvester.
3:31 - Thomas focusing on pre-incident details.
3:35 - Sylvester &Bluew ate dinner together, and she did not see the injury to Bluew's eye.
3:37 - Sylvester does not recall if Bluew had band-aid on right index finger.
3:40 - After dinner, Sylvester stayed at BVPD to finish writing reports.
3:41 - Sylvester: Bluew didn't respond to multiple radio checks and audio alerts.
3:42 - Sylvester: Bluew finally responded, said he had been on "admin" channel -- a channel that was used to try to contact him.
3:44 - Sylvester: When arrived on scene, Bluew taking pictures of scene.
3:46 - @kizziem34 They ate dinner that evening, a little while after Bluew's shift started.
3:47 - Sylvester: Saw Bluew take purse out of car, but didn't physically get in car.
3:48 - This is key, because part of O'Farrell's opening was that Bluew's blood could have been left on/in vehicle during investigation.
3:50 - Sylvester: Bluew pulled out suicide note, Webb's driver's license, then places hands on knees and says, "I know this girl," in a manner ...
3:51 - ... like he was going to throw up. Thomas focuses on that Bluew didn't do this when he saw/read suicide note, only after ID was pulled out.
3:52 - @kizziem34 that's what the prosecution is going for, yes :)
3:57 - After Waterman arrived, Sylvester dispatched to B&E call in numbered streets. While en route, Patterson called, asked her to come back.
3:58 - Sylvester: Patterson told her they had found Webb's phone and that Bluew's number was in it. She returned, said, "Something looks ...
3:59 - ... strange about this whole situation." Bluew was acting "strange," sweating profusely despite it being somewhat cool out.
4:00 - Sylvester: Bluew normally would be one to "lead" at scenes, but this time, followed Patterson and Sylvester's lead.
4:01 - Wow. Sylvester was just talking about how Bluew sometimes would criticize other officers, sometimes would point out how he would ...
4:02 - ... do things differently. Thomas asked her about how Bluew felt about his abilities as a cop. O'Farrell objected, questioning ...
4:02 - ... the relevance. Jackson asked Thomas how it was relevant, Thomas said, basically, that he was getting at whether Bluew thought ...
4:03 - ... he could get away with it. O'Farrell reacted in disbelief that Thomas said that in front of the jury, Bluew smiled and shook his head...
4:03 - ... in the same manner. Jackson sustained the objection, not allowing the question.
4:04 - Sylvester went to B&E scene. Called in that there could be someone in home, but she knew there wasn't. Did it to get Bluew away from scene.
4:04 - While there, Sylvester saw Bluew rubbing his right hand, like in pain or that it was bothering him.
4:06 - Sylvester didn't write her report regarding Webb's death until Sept. 13, she believes.
4:09 - O'Farrell now up for cross-exam. O'Farrell asks her to show on the diagram where she saw the three cars at the scene.
4:10 - Sylvester moves Patterson's car a little south, just south of intersection, and Bluew's car to the west, out of the intersection.
4:17 - Sylvester: Doesn't know how Bluew took photos of ditch area, inside vehicle.
4:19 - O'Farrell asks Sylvester to review her police report re: Bluew grabbing the purse, and the suicide note.
4:20 - O'Farrell getting at whether Bluew had gloves on when he opened note on hood of Aztek. Her report states he had gloves on.
4:20 - Sylvester: "Almost certain" Bluew had gloves on entire time before she first left to go to B&E.
4:21 - I believe O'Farrell is bringing this up because Patterson said he didn't have glove on when Patterson read note. Not sure if it's ...
4:22 - ... it's the same moment Patterson saw the note. Sylvester says Patterson was near his car when she saw the note.
4:27 - O'Farrell tries to get at the fact that upon seeing Webb's ID and saying he knew her, that was when Bluew started acting strange.
4:27 - Sylvester: Bluew already was following them around. Seemed every time she went to talk to Patterson, Bluew would follow and join.
4:32 - Sylvester: Didn't convey her concerns to Waterman. As soon as she told Waterman that Bluew knew Webb, Bluew came over just as she said it.
4:33 - Sylvester: Even if she had something specific, as far as evidence/concerns, she wouldn't have mentioned it in Bluew's presence.
4:34 - O'Farrell gets Sylvester to admit she didn't actually have evidence that Bluew should be a suspect.
4:35 - O'Farrell gets heated when he gets Sylvester to admit that Bluew came to her B&E call as instructed, that he offered to take ...
4:35 - ... her next call so she could go home. He didn't, as O'Farrell loudly pointed out, try to go back to the scene of Webb's death.
4:36 - O'Farrell focusing on Sylvester's report, which O'Farrell points out again was written Sept. 13. She was interviewed by Ogg on Sept. 6.
4:37 - Sylvester: Had written notes on the incident before the interview with D/Sgt. Ogg on the 6th.
4:37 - Sylvester: Kept written notes until she was given password to enter a report on the Bluew case. She then shredded written notes.
4:38 - Sylvester: Bluew arrested/charged before she typed report.
4:40 - Thomas now on re-direct. Asks her if she drove her BVPD car to Freeway Lane about 9 p.m., when David Sian testified he saw car at that time.
4:41 - Sylvester: Didn't leave BVPD after they had dinner at 7:30 p.m. Also, her car didn't have lights about roof of car, as Sian said car did.
4:43 - Thomas now getting at that protocol in suicide investigation is to ID person. Instead, Thomas gets her to point out, Bluew showed her ...
4:44 - ... the suicide note first, not her driver's license.
4:49 - Thomas went through Webb's wallet, which included Bridge Card. Now, O'Farrell jumps on that to confirm it is a Bridge Card.
4:50 - Guessing O'Farrell will use this to show Webb was having financial issues, that this was a problem she was encountering.
4:50 - And O'Farrell is done, and now we are in recess.
4:51 - I'm going to close the MLive chat window, but again, anybody with any questions can post a comment in the Live Tweets post or tweet at me.
4:51 - Thanks again for following along. We'll resume at 9 a.m. tomorrow.
Ken Bluew's fellow police officer continues testimony about finding the pregnant Jennifer Webb's body
MLive
September 26, 2012 http://www.mlive.com/news/saginaw/index.ssf/2012/09/ken_bluews_fellow_police_offic.html
SAGINAW, MI — The trial for the suspended Buena Vista police officer charged with killing the woman who was eight months pregnant with his son recessed for lunch today in the same exact position it was when it began this morning.
With Buena Vista Police Officer Tim Patterson on the witness stand.
After testifying for about an hour Tuesday, Patterson resumed testifying about 9:45 a.m. regarding the Aug. 30, 2011, death of Jennifer Webb at North Outer and Hack in Buena Vista Township.
Patterson's fellow officer, Kenneth T. Bluew, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder in the death of Webb, who was going to name her son Braxton.
Bluew's trial before Saginaw County Circuit Judge Darnell Jackson began last week with jury selection that lasted four days. A jury of nine women and five men heard opening arguments Tuesday.
MLive covered today's testimony live on Twitter @SNAndyHoag and will continue to do so this afternoon.
Patterson continued answering questions from Saginaw County Prosecutor Michael D. Thomas until about 10:45 a.m. After a recess, Bluew's attorney, Rod O'Farrell, began his cross-examination.
O'Farrell did not conclude the questioning before Jackson called for a lunch break.
Patterson arrived at North Outer and Hack shortly before 11 p.m. and saw Webb's vehicle facing east and parked on the edge of a ditch at the "T" intersection. Just before he stopped his vehicle, Patterson looked left and saw Bluew's police cruiser, mostly concealed by trees and parked without its headlights on but with a spotlight shining in the direction of Webb's vehicle.
After Bluew moved his vehicle closer to the middle of the intersection and turned the headlights on, Bluew and Patterson approached the vehicle. Bluew, who approached the driver side, said, "We got a body."
The officers treated the death as a suicide and continued to do so under the instruction of Sgt. Sean Waterman, who eventually arrived at the scene.
Today's testimony picked up there, as Waterman looked through Webb's phone and saw three calls since 8:30 p.m. with a contact named "Cop Ken Boo." At that point, Bluew had yet to tell Patterson that he knew who Webb was, Patterson said.
Bluew told Waterman that he spoke with Webb "from time to time" and had known her for about 10 years, Patterson said. Bluew "seemed to be a little evasive in answering," Patterson testified.
When he saw Bluew watch Waterman look through Webb's phone and see the calls, Patterson unsnapped his gun holster, he said.
"I wasn't sure what was going to happen next," Patterson said.
Patterson walked away from the scene and called their fellow officer, Sara Sylvester, by cellphone to have her come back to the scene because, he said, "I was uneasy about what I had just learned."
Sylvester soon responded to a possible breaking and entering incident and sent a radio message seeking backup, Patterson said. Patterson asked Bluew to assist her, he said, to get him away from the scene because of the "red flags" Patterson said he was noticing: that Bluew already was at the scene when Patterson arrived; that Bluew was "sweating profusely" when they approached the vehicle; the manner in which Webb's body was hanging; and the recent phone calls between Bluew and Webb.
Patterson testified that he wrote two police reports regarding Webb's death. The first, written while he and Bluew still were on duty that night, was generic because he knew Bluew would have the ability to read it, he said. The second, filed "a few days later," detailed the "red flags," he said.
That night, Patterson had a closed-door meeting with Waterman, expressing his concerns over the "red flags" and the fact that Bluew was beginning to develop bruising in one of his eyes. When Patterson returned from the meeting, Bluew asked him what the nature of the meeting was, Patterson said. The officer lied, telling Bluew he got "chewed out" about a report from a different case.
Waterman, now the department's acting chief, and Sylvester have been waiting outside of the courtroom since Tuesday afternoon, as they are among the next in line to testify.
Bluew, who lived in Saginaw Township, also is charged with assaulting a pregnant individual intentionally causing miscarriage or stillbirth of a fetus or embryo and two counts of possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony.
If convicted of first-degree murder, he would face a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. The assault charge carries a maximum penalty of life in prison.
Ken Bluew trial continues with fellow officers testifying about his actions after the pregnant Jennifer Webb's death
MLive
September 26, 2012
MLive
September 26, 2012
http://www.mlive.com/news/saginaw/index.ssf/2012/09/ken_bluew_day_2.html
SAGINAW, MI — The second day of testimony in the trial for the suspended Buena Vista police officer charged with killing the woman who was eight months pregnant with his son featured just two witnesses — the two officers working with him when the woman died.
Tim Patterson and Sara Sylvester testified today before a jury of nine women and five men about interacting with Kenneth T. Bluew both before and after Jennifer Webb's body was found Aug. 30, 2011, at North Outer and Hack in Buena Vista Township.
Their testimony ranged from when Bluew was not responding to numerous "radio checks" and signals from Saginaw County Central Dispatch to the events that took place after Bluew and Patterson found Webb's body that led the officers to their suspicion of Bluew's involvement.
Bluew, 37, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder in the death of the 32-year-old Webb, who was going to name her son Braxton. If convicted of first-degree murder, Bluew would face a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.
His trial before Saginaw County Circuit Judge Darnell Jackson began last week with jury selection that lasted four days and continued Tuesday with opening arguments and testimony from four witnesses, as well as a portion of Patterson's testimony.
Testimony will continue 9 a.m. Thursday. MLive will continue its live coverage of the testimony on Twitter @SNAndyHoag. The tweets also will be available on MLive.
Counting the hour Patterson spent on the stand Tuesday, his testimony lasted more than three hours and concluded early this afternoon. After his testimony concluded, the jurors were given about 15 pictures, as well as other exhibits, and viewed them individually.
The process took about 50 minutes, and after a recess, Sylvester took the stand.
She testified that she and Bluew ate dinner about 7:30 p.m. and that she did not notice any injury to Bluew's eye, which both she and Patterson said they saw after Webb's body was found, or to his right index finger, which Patterson said he saw.
Sylvester stayed at the police department to write reports while Bluew went on patrol duty, she said. Later, she responded to the scene after Patterson informed Central Dispatch of a possible suicide.
As Patterson was in his police cruiser working to determine to whom Webb's car was registered, Sylvester was with Bluew when Bluew grabbed Webb's purse from the vehicle.
Bluew first showed her an apparent suicide note, and they read it. He then grabbed Webb's driver's license from her purse, and it wasn't until then that he said, "I know this girl," Sylvester said. As he said it, he placed his hands on his knees and bent over as if he were going to vomit, Sylvester testified.
Sylvester was called to respond to a possible breaking and entering incident, but while she was on her way there, Patterson called her via cellphone, told her that he and Sgt. Sean Waterman found Webb's phone and saw that Webb and Bluew had three phone calls since 8:30 p.m., and asked her to return to the scene.
When she returned, Sylvester walked up to Patterson's car and said, "Something looks strange about this whole situation," she testified. Sylvester testified that she found it "strange" that Bluew was sweating heavily when the temperature was not hot and that Bluew, normally one to lead an investigation, was following Patterson and Sylvester this time.
Sylvester eventually responded to the breaking and entering call and when she arrived, she sent a message to Central Dispatch and lied that she needed backup, in an attempt to get Bluew to leave the scene of Webb's death, she testified. Bluew responded to the area as instructed.
On questioning from Bluew's attorney, Rod O'Farrell, Sylvester testified that she was "almost certain" that Bluew had latex gloves on the entire time she was there before she first left for the breaking and entering call. That would contradict Patterson's testimony that Bluew held down the suicide note on the hood of Webb's vehicle without a glove on and that he saw a band-aid on Bluew's right index finger.
Sylvester also acknowledged that she didn't voice her concerns about Bluew's "strange" behavior to Waterman. She testified that as she was telling Waterman that Bluew said he knew Webb, Bluew walked up to them.
She also admitted that she didn't have any specific evidence against Bluew to suspect him of an involvement but said that if she did, she would not have brought it to Waterman's attention in Bluew's presence.
O'Farrell also focused a portion of his cross-examination of both witnesses on their police reports.
Patterson testified that he wrote two police reports regarding Webb's death. The first, written while he and Bluew were still on duty that night, was generic because he knew Bluew would have the ability to read it, he said. The second, filed "a few days later," detailed what he labeled as "red flags" that he noticed during his and Bluew's investigation of the death.
The second report, Patterson acknowledged on O'Farrell's questioning, was filed two days after he was interviewed by Michigan State Police Detective Sgt. Allan Ogg, one of two lead investigators.
Sylvester, meanwhile, didn't file a report until Sept. 13, though she testified that she wrote handwritten notes after the incident during a day off from work. She also was interviewed on Sept. 6, she acknowledged, and filed the report a week later. Sylvester testified that she filed the report once she was given a password to access the Area Records Management System file on Bluew.
Bluew, who lived in Saginaw Township, also is charged with assaulting a pregnant individual intentionally causing miscarriage or stillbirth of a fetus or embryo and two counts of possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony.
The assault charge carries a maximum penalty of life in prison.
Officer Kenneth Bluew Murder Trial - Day 3
Live Tweets: Day 3 of trial for Ken Bluew, police officer charged in strangulation of the pregnant Jennifer Webb
MLive
Tim Patterson and Sara Sylvester testified today before a jury of nine women and five men about interacting with Kenneth T. Bluew both before and after Jennifer Webb's body was found Aug. 30, 2011, at North Outer and Hack in Buena Vista Township.
Their testimony ranged from when Bluew was not responding to numerous "radio checks" and signals from Saginaw County Central Dispatch to the events that took place after Bluew and Patterson found Webb's body that led the officers to their suspicion of Bluew's involvement.
Bluew, 37, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder in the death of the 32-year-old Webb, who was going to name her son Braxton. If convicted of first-degree murder, Bluew would face a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.
His trial before Saginaw County Circuit Judge Darnell Jackson began last week with jury selection that lasted four days and continued Tuesday with opening arguments and testimony from four witnesses, as well as a portion of Patterson's testimony.
Testimony will continue 9 a.m. Thursday. MLive will continue its live coverage of the testimony on Twitter @SNAndyHoag. The tweets also will be available on MLive.
Counting the hour Patterson spent on the stand Tuesday, his testimony lasted more than three hours and concluded early this afternoon. After his testimony concluded, the jurors were given about 15 pictures, as well as other exhibits, and viewed them individually.
The process took about 50 minutes, and after a recess, Sylvester took the stand.
She testified that she and Bluew ate dinner about 7:30 p.m. and that she did not notice any injury to Bluew's eye, which both she and Patterson said they saw after Webb's body was found, or to his right index finger, which Patterson said he saw.
Sylvester stayed at the police department to write reports while Bluew went on patrol duty, she said. Later, she responded to the scene after Patterson informed Central Dispatch of a possible suicide.
As Patterson was in his police cruiser working to determine to whom Webb's car was registered, Sylvester was with Bluew when Bluew grabbed Webb's purse from the vehicle.
Bluew first showed her an apparent suicide note, and they read it. He then grabbed Webb's driver's license from her purse, and it wasn't until then that he said, "I know this girl," Sylvester said. As he said it, he placed his hands on his knees and bent over as if he were going to vomit, Sylvester testified.
Sylvester was called to respond to a possible breaking and entering incident, but while she was on her way there, Patterson called her via cellphone, told her that he and Sgt. Sean Waterman found Webb's phone and saw that Webb and Bluew had three phone calls since 8:30 p.m., and asked her to return to the scene.
When she returned, Sylvester walked up to Patterson's car and said, "Something looks strange about this whole situation," she testified. Sylvester testified that she found it "strange" that Bluew was sweating heavily when the temperature was not hot and that Bluew, normally one to lead an investigation, was following Patterson and Sylvester this time.
Sylvester eventually responded to the breaking and entering call and when she arrived, she sent a message to Central Dispatch and lied that she needed backup, in an attempt to get Bluew to leave the scene of Webb's death, she testified. Bluew responded to the area as instructed.
On questioning from Bluew's attorney, Rod O'Farrell, Sylvester testified that she was "almost certain" that Bluew had latex gloves on the entire time she was there before she first left for the breaking and entering call. That would contradict Patterson's testimony that Bluew held down the suicide note on the hood of Webb's vehicle without a glove on and that he saw a band-aid on Bluew's right index finger.
Sylvester also acknowledged that she didn't voice her concerns about Bluew's "strange" behavior to Waterman. She testified that as she was telling Waterman that Bluew said he knew Webb, Bluew walked up to them.
She also admitted that she didn't have any specific evidence against Bluew to suspect him of an involvement but said that if she did, she would not have brought it to Waterman's attention in Bluew's presence.
O'Farrell also focused a portion of his cross-examination of both witnesses on their police reports.
Patterson testified that he wrote two police reports regarding Webb's death. The first, written while he and Bluew were still on duty that night, was generic because he knew Bluew would have the ability to read it, he said. The second, filed "a few days later," detailed what he labeled as "red flags" that he noticed during his and Bluew's investigation of the death.
The second report, Patterson acknowledged on O'Farrell's questioning, was filed two days after he was interviewed by Michigan State Police Detective Sgt. Allan Ogg, one of two lead investigators.
Sylvester, meanwhile, didn't file a report until Sept. 13, though she testified that she wrote handwritten notes after the incident during a day off from work. She also was interviewed on Sept. 6, she acknowledged, and filed the report a week later. Sylvester testified that she filed the report once she was given a password to access the Area Records Management System file on Bluew.
Bluew, who lived in Saginaw Township, also is charged with assaulting a pregnant individual intentionally causing miscarriage or stillbirth of a fetus or embryo and two counts of possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony.
The assault charge carries a maximum penalty of life in prison.
Officer Kenneth Bluew Murder Trial - Day 3
Live Tweets: Day 3 of trial for Ken Bluew, police officer charged in strangulation of the pregnant Jennifer Webb
MLive
Andy Hoag
September 27, 2012 http://www.mlive.com/news/saginaw/index.ssf/2012/09/live_tweets_day_3_of_trial_for.html
Ken Bluew Trial Day 3
Thursday September 27, 2012
Andy Hoag@SNAndyHoag
9:15 - The jury is in the courtroom, and here we go.
9:16 - First witness is Barry Nelson, who is the deputy director of Saginaw County 911.
9:17 - Nelson almost always is the person from county 911 who testifies when the prosecution needs to introduce 911 calls or radio traffic.
9:20 - Nelson is explaining how Central Dispatch monitors officers on the road.
9:21 - Nelson's testimony should get us to the point where we hear the radio checks and other alarms seeking Bluew's response.
9:24 - Nelson: Asked to review radio traffic for Bluew, Sylvester, Patterson.
9:29 - Nelson: Radio checks for Bluew, Sylvester done at 8 p.m., both responded. Next at 9:02 p.m., both responded.
9:30 - Nelson: Next radio check at 10:28 p.m. Sylvester answered, Bluew did not.
9:31 - Nelson: Between 9:02 and 10:28, no communication w/ Bluew.
9:33 - Nelson: Sylvester tried to contact Bluew by phone, Patterson advises Dispatch at 10:33 p.m. that Sylvester couldn't reach Bluew.
9:33 - Nelson: At 10:35 p.m., Bluew answers radio.
9:33 - Nelson holds up a CD of the radio traffic from that night:
9:38 - Nelson: Bluew did not call in a "premises check" around 9 p.m., time David Sian saw BVPD car on Freeway Lane.
9:38 - Bluew enters the courtroom:
9:43 - Nelson: At 12:29 a.m., Sylvester radioed possible suspect in B&E on S. 25th. Patterson radios that Bluew would respond to assist.
9:44 - A close up of a "In Memory" bracelet worn by somebody in the gallery:
9:47 - CD of radio traffic admitted into evidence. Has certain relevant radio traffic. Luckily, it's not of nearly 3 hours of continuous traffic.
9:47 - And we're going to hear the audio of the radio checks.
9:54 - And that actually was the radio checks plus all the traffic around the time of finding Webb's body and the rest of the shift.
9:54 - RT @KatieLyn14: @SNAndyHoag Assuming Bluew is "604"
9:54 - @KatieLyn14 That's correct.
9:56 - RT @nichol0715: @SNAndyHoag can you hear bluew do his call at 10 something does his voice sound different: windy panting etc?
9:57 - @nichol0715 He did sound like he was out of breath, but it's impossible to tell if it was just because his mouth was close to his mic.
9:57 - O'Farrell on cross now, asking about Dispatch operating procedures.
9:58 - Nelson: If officer out of car or sound turned down, could miss radio check. Audio alarm also dependent on sound of radio
9:59 - Devil's advocate here would be to say, well, he said he was on the "admin" channel, so the volume level is irrelevant. But ...
10:01 - O'Farrell could counter that by saying Bluew lied about being on "admin" and was just sleeping. Guilty of a lie but not murder, basically.
10:03 - Karen@skaren24 @skaren24 @SNAndyHoag but weren't they able to triangulate his position at the time? He was in the area
10:04 - @skaren24 That I'm not sure of. If it's been mentioned in the past, I don't remember it.
10:06 - @skaren24 If it is mentioned later in the trial, I'll be sure to give you props :)
10:07 - Nelson: Lack of response to radio checks not a daily occurrence, "but it does happen."
10:09 - Nelson: Automatic vehicle locators added after June 10.
10:12 - Nelson's summary of that day's activities admitted into evidence, at O'Farrell's request. Stroud "stipulated" to its admission, or ...
10:13 - ... agreed without question to admitting it into evidence.
10:13 - RT @nichol0715: @SNAndyHoag thinking out loud on why any cop would do that if the purpose is for checking their safety
10:14 - @nichol0715 If the officer wanted to sleep, as Patterson testified Bluew had done in the past, then there's one reason.
10:16 - Nelson answering questions from O'Farrell:
10:17 - No further questions. Next witness: BVPD's Sean Waterman, now acting chief, was sergeant at time.
10:17 - Waterman's been hanging around the courthouse since Tuesday afternoon waiting to testify.
10:19 - Waterman: Called by Patterson reference possible suicide. Told him to tape off scene, take pictures.
10:20 - Waterman: When arrived on scene, Patterson, Bluew, Sylvester already there.
10:25 - Thomas and Waterman going through the pictures of the scene, which Bluew took.
10:27 - Waterman testifies about the scene:
10:29 - Waterman: Looked at pictures on the camera, then walked around the scene himself, including checking on Webb.
10:31 - Waterman: Read the suicide note. Bluew had not told him he knew Webb.
10:33 - Waterman: With Patterson's help, examined Webb's phone. Saw three calls, 2 from Webb to Bluew, 1 from Bluew to Webb.
10:33 - Waterman: Recognized Bluew's phone number, and the phone listed contact as "Ken Cop Boo"
10:35 - Waterman: Time of calls: 8:28 p, Webb to Bluew, 57 seconds; 8:43 p, Webb to Bluew, 37 seconds; 8:48 p, Bluew to Webb, 58 seconds.
10:36 - Waterman: Asked Bluew why there was phone calls between them. Said he's known her for number of years, met her at a bar in BV.
10:37 - Waterman: Bluew said he had talked to her, called her that night to "check on her."
10:38 - Waterman: Suicide note mentioned recent burglaries at Webb's home in Saginaw. Had Bluew check police reports for those.
10:42 - RT @Micah92269051: @SNAndyHoag I wondering why bluew isn't in handcuffs and the regular orange suite ?
10:43 - @Micah92269051 During a trial, in front of a jury, they aren't in their orange jumpsuits to avoid the appearance of being a criminal.
10:43 - Waterman: After Sylvester and Bluew left for B&E, Patterson told Waterman he felt Bluew was acting nervous about situation.
10:44 - RT @malanie810: @SNAndyHoag silly question but did they ever say why he was there in the first place? Did someone call in a suspicious v ...
10:45 - @malanie810 Patterson said yesterday that Bluew told him he had just got there moments before Patterson did.
10:45 - Waterman: "light colored" bruises on Webb's inner upper arms.
10:47 - Waterman: Didn't know at time if bruises were significant. Too dark to determine freshness of bruises.
10:48 - Waterman and Thomas discuss a picture from the scene:
10:49 - Waterman: Suicide note states she was "depressed" about the pregnancy, that she was "unsure" of who the father was.
10:51 - @ Micah92269051 There's a very capable deputy to his right, and two more deputies in the back. Generally, when the verdict is read ...
10:51 - @Micah92269051 ... there are more deputies present. Have been some verdicts in recent months where upwards of 10+ deputies present.
10:53 - Waterman discussing some events that took place as they continued to treat death as a suicide.
10:54 - Waterman: Went to Webb's parents' home in Bridgeport Township.
10:55 - Thomas asks Waterman what he did what he got there. Waterman takes a moment to compose himself before answering.
10:56 - Waterman: It was about 1 a.m., Donald Webb answered door, got his wife. "I had to tell them we found their daughter at Hack and Outer..."
10:56 - ... and that she was deceased and that it appeared she had hung herself."
10:56 - darma elias@darmaelias @SNAndyHoag They said the note was "typed". I'm wondering was it actually typed on a typewriter or "printed" from a computer.
10:57 - Waterman: "Mr. Webb just looked at me and said, 'No way ... it wasn't possible.' "
10:57 - @darmaelias It was typed from a computer.
10:57 - Waterman: Asked them if they knew who father of baby was. They said Ken Bluew. He asked if they know who he was.
10:58 - Waterman: They said, "Yes, he's one of your officers." Thomas asks what he did next.
10:58 - Waterman: "I had to sit down because I became sick to my stomach."
10:58 - Waterman: Parents said they learned that Webb was going to meet Bluew that night to discuss Friend of the Court matters.
11:00 - Waterman: Wanted to see what her bedroom looked like.
11:00 - Waterman: Asked parents if she was depressed about pregnancy. Told she was "excited," only concern was being single mother.
11:01 - Waterman: They went to her bedroom: crib, baby clothes, baby supplies, "how to" books.
11:01 - Waterman: "To me, looking at this, this was somebody who was ready and prepared to mother a child."
11:06 - Waterman: "I realized at that point that there was more to this scene than I initially assumed."
11:07 - Waterman: "I believed Officer Bluew had something more to do with" the death, told parents they next would be talking w/ MSP.
11:07 - Waterman: Left house, "Got in my car, sat there, and tried to put it all together." Drove way, called then-Chief Booker.
11:08 - Waterman: Told Booker about going to scene, that he now suspected it could be a homicide. "Things were not looking good ...
11:09 - ... they were looking very, very suspicious." Recommended to call MSP to investigate.
11:11 - Waterman emotional on the witness stand:
11:11 - One more picture:
11:12 - Waterman: Eventually went back to scene to secure it, make sure that Wastewater Treatment employees didn't drive through.
11:16- RT @Micah92269051: @SNAndyHoag Jennifer's printer was broken at that time and there not mentioning it !
11:17 - @Micah92269051 I don't think that's something Sgt. Waterman can testify to. He did say that the parents said she didn't have a computer
11:18 - RT @nichol0715: @SNAndyHoag is Jenny's dr coming in as a witness wouldn't she have more input saying Jenny was happy and excited NOT dep ...
11:18 - @nichol0715 Doesn't look like Webb's doctor is listed as one of the 21 witnesses prosecutors intend to call, but ...
11:19 - @nichol0715 ... that is something that her parents are to testify about.
11:21 - Waterman: Bluew showed back up at scene, in civilian clothes after his shift was done, in the morning while the crime lab was out there.
11:21 - Waterman: Bluew talked with Booker.
11:24 - Waterman confirms talking with Patterson in Waterman's office, doors closed. Told Patterson what he learned at Webb's parents' home.
11:29 - Waterman: Saw Bluew come out of locker room, in civilian clothes, carrying laundry bag. Saw him walk toward back door w/ bag.
11:31 - After about 70 minutes, Thomas is done questioning Waterman. Before O'Farrell has a chance to start cross, Jackson calls for a recess.
11:32 - Jackson asked to see the attorneys in his chambers. Wondering if he'll call for an early lunch and have O'Farrell begin his cross at 1:30.
11:41 - @Micah92269051 @SNAndyHoag did they even check her computer to see if there was a note created on it? What about Bluew's?
11:42 - @MiaKuli @Micah92269051 I'm not sure if a computer belonging to Webb was examined. Her parents told Waterman she didn't have one.
11:42 - @MiaKuli @Micah92269051 As for Bluew, they did examine his computer at home. Stroud mentioned some evidence that came from it but didn't ...
11:43 - RT @flab2fabmom: @SNAndyHoag what percentage of suicide notes are really typed &printed? Seems strange.
11:43 - @flab2fabmom This is a point to prosecutor will be making, I'd think.
11:47 - RT @jpstone_: @SNAndyHoag just curious, has Kennys ex-wife been in the courtroom at all?
11:48 - @jpstone_ To be honest, I don't know what she looks like. Bluew has had about 10 family members here through the trial.
11:48 - RT @skaren24: @MiaKuli @Micah92269051 @SNAndyHoag didn't MSP take computers from BVPD? Could he have written it there?
11:49 - @skaren24 @MiaKuli @Micah92269051 I'm not aware if they did take any computers from there.
11:49 - And we're back. O'Farrell will do 15 minutes worth of cross.
11:50 - @jpstone_ @SNAndyHoag I think her name is on the roster of potential people to testify
11:52 - Andy Hoag: They put me in Twitter jail again. Luckily it'll only be for about 10 minutes
11:53 - Andy Hoag: Waterman says he would have had no reason to tell Patterson not to write his report.
11:54 - Andy Hoag: O'Farrell asking about crime scene investigation tactics.
11:55 - Andy Hoag: Waterman: Probably would have taken one more picture to get the best "360" degree view of the scene, but says he was satisfied with pictures.
11:56 - Andy Hoag: And now we'll break for lunch.
12:22 - Sorry folks, got put in #twitterjail for the last 10 minutes. Y'all didn't miss anything. Waterman to come back at 1:30.
1:42 - @dorymsbs We're using the same post as this morning. Will be live once jury is seated. Hopefully soon, as Bluew just entered the courtroom.
1:45 - Jury is in, judge is here, and here comes Waterman to resume his testimony. O'Farrell on cross-exam.
1:47 - Waterman: After viewing pictures, inspected area where Webb's body was himself. As others have said, cord was taut.
1:48 - Waterman: Made observation to try to figure out time of death. At extremity level, rigor mortis had not set in. Feet starting to purple.
1:50 - Waterman: His police report states she was cold to the touch.
1:51 - Waterman: Blood coming from her nose, little bit of blood from nose to lip. Blood not flowing.
1:52 - O'Farrell asking about Webb's body position, clothes position. Waterman: "possibly" consistent with her sliding down ditch.
1:52 - Waterman: These factors had contributed to him, at that point, treating it as suicide.
1:54 - Waterman: Didn't notice the nervousness that Patterson/Sylvester spoke of, did notice that every time he went to talk with someone ...
1:55 - ... that Bluew would be right there. Didn't think anything of it at that time.
1:55 - Megan McMullen@McMullenMegan @SNAndyHoag these calls were made the same day the body was found remind me what time was the car found?
1:55 - @McMullenMegan Just before 11 p.m., about two hours after they exchanged those three calls.
1:57 - Waterman: Marks on her neck consistent with ligature, the cord being tight around her neck.
1:58 - Ligature marks are common in strangulation deaths, whether they be homicide or suicide.
1:58 - RT @McMullenMegan: @SNAndyHoag were the calls made during the time bluew was unreachable by dispatch?
2:00 - @McMullenMegan Good question. The last call was 14 minutes before Bluew responded to a 9:02 p.m. radio check.
2:01 - O'Farrell focusing on difference between how police treat homicide scenes vs. suicide scenes.
2:03 - O'Farrell: Preservation of this scene less strenuous than homicide scenes? Waterman: "Probably."
2:05 - Waterman's report states bruises did not look fresh. He says today that was based on poor lighting at the scene.
2:07 - Waterman answers a question from O'Farrell:
2:11 - O'Farrell asking Waterman about when the Aztek was towed away. Waterman doesn't remember telling driver not to touch anything.
2:13 - Waterman: At time of tow, didn't see reason for MSP crime lab to inspect vehicle. Otherwise, would have had it towed to MSP garage.
2:15 - Towing company is Gobeyn's in Bridgeport. Waterman doesn't know when Aztek would have been taken to MSP garage.
2:19 - O'Farrell with detail-based questions about officers' daily reports. Now asking about Webb's phone.
2:20 - Waterman: No way to know what, if anything, was said during three calls. Didn't see any text messages, but no familiar with phone.
2:21 - O'Farrell is done. Re-direct from Thomas.
2:22 - Waterman: BVPD policy would have been for Bluew to log "property check" that Sian saw BVPD car perform at 9 p.m. on Freeway Lane.
2:24 - Waterman: "Most definitely" would have called Booker to have MSP come if he knew at scene about Bluew fathering baby.
2:24 - RT @taralynn1030: @SNAndyHoag who is expected to testify next?
2:25 - @taralynn1030 Good question. No word. I'm expecting Webb's parents to be testifying soon.
2:25 - RT @jencielma: @SNAndyHoag If he was calling "to check on her" seems one call would have been sufficient. And it probably would've been ...
2:26 - @jencielma Also, according to Waterman, Webb placed the first two calls, then Bluew called back.
2:26 - RT @nichol0715: @SNAndyHoag what is bluew's plea ...i know there are tons of things ppl can plea is he standing by that is is innocent
2:27 - @nichol0715 He has pleaded not guilty since the beginning, which is standard here in Saginaw County felony cases until there's a plea deal.
2:27 - Waterman: Didn't notice anything physically unusual about Bluew.
2:30 - Waterman: Told by MSP D/Sgt. Ogg to password protect the Webb case on ARMS.
2:31 - Waterman is done testifying. Attorneys approach the bench.
2:32 - Jackson has about 6-7 sentencings he has to handle at 2:30, so we are taking a break. Probably for a half-hour or so.
2:43 - Lisa Menchaca@lisam52582 @SNAndyHoag so what your saying is in Saginaw county you have to pled not guilty in all felony cases unless there's a plea deal?
2:43 - @lisam52582 Not exactly. I was trying to keep my response brief. In Saginaw County, and could be Michigan and the U.S. for all I know...
2:44 - @lisam52582 Defendants charged with felonies usually have not guilty pleas entered for them at their arraignment. This is usually because...
2:44 - @lisam52582... they don't have an attorney yet, and if they enter a guilty plea and then realize they shouldn't have, they ...
2:45 - @lisam52582...could appeal based on the fact that they didn't have an attorney. So, until a plea deal is reached or ...
2:45 - @lisam52582...the defendant pleads as charged or there is a trial, the not guilty plea stays.
2:47 - RT @SusanneMackley: @SNAndyHoag I've heard that Jenny's boss is scheduled to testify, along with a computer from her workplace
2:48 - @SusanneMackley Is her boss Brandi Richards? That's the only name from the 21 "expected" witnesses I don't know.
2:53 - Angela Moore@dorymsbs @SNAndyHoag. Brandi Richards works at PF Markey is what I meant.
2:54 - @dorymsbs well, there we go. I feel like I Googled her name last week when I wrote the article but didn't know Webb worked there, too
3:03 - Tara C@taralynn1030 @SNAndyHoag @dorymsbs can you refer to her as Jenny? Webb sounds so impersonal!
3:05 - @taralynn1030 I understand your point, but doing so also is objective. If I called her Jenny, that would give off a sympathetic tone.
3:09 - RT @mschian1: @SNAndyHoag Do we know if there was DNA testing on the fetus? Or has Bluew openly admitted to being the father?
3:10 - @mschian1 This is a quote from my former co-worker Gus Burns, who live tweeted from part of Bluew's preliminary hearing:
3:10 - @mschian1 "Results of DNA testing of fetus and Bluew were 'consistent that he was the father.' "
3:34 - RT @TrayDei: @SNAndyHoag can the ppl please refrain from asking so many questions .! He keeps going over his tweet limit
3:34 - @TrayDei lol! it's only happened twice now, come on! And once was only for 10 minutes. I'll be good.
3:40 - And we're back. Next witness is Dr. Jaclyn Robinson, Webb's OB doctor.
3:40 - RT @nancymerrow2: @SNAndyHoag Andy, was Waterman emotional over his testimony because it was such a horrible death or because it was a ...
3:41 - @nancymerrow2 more the experience of telling the Webbs about the death of their daughter and finding out about Bluew fathering the baby.
3:42 - Robinson: When Webb first came to her, roughly 18-20 weeks along and "very healthy."
3:45 - Robinson: Nothing out of the ordinary w/ Webb's attitude/demeanor. No suicidal or depression tendencies.
3:47 - Robinson: At last visit, Webb weighed 246 lbs. Hate to put a woman's weight out there, but it's important to both sides' theories.
3:50 - O'Farrell up. Before she was pregnant, diagnosed with high blood pressure. Could take meds while pregnant.
3:51 - Robinson: Webb didn't complain about having to miss work due to high blood pressure or any other reasons.
3:54 - O'Farrell shows Robinson a report from July 14 in which Webb's blood pressure was higher than usual. Stress from house broken into blamed.
3:56 - Robinson: In May initial visit, said father was Ken, that he was aware of it, but his involvement had yet to be determined.
3:57 - Robinson: "Jennifer was not anxious. She was easy going and excited about the pregnancy."
4:02 - Robinson is done. Next witness is Brandi Richards, "manager and good friend" of Webb. Worked at PF Markey together.
4:03 - Richards: "Fabulous employee," customers loved her, made co-workers laugh.
4:03 - Richards: Webb had been there about a year. "Very satisfied" with Webb's work.
4:04 - Richards: Webb said she "never dreaded" waking up for work in the morning. O'Farrell objects as hearsay, Jackson sustains objection.
4:05 - Thomas thought statement was in line with those Jackson decided to allow in July, but that was more for Waterman and parents' testimony.
4:07 - Richards: Saw "just the opposite" of Webb being depressed or suicidal. Was "very happy to be a mother," talked about pregnancy w/ her.
4:08 - Richards describes her as a "strong" person. Not in physical sense, obviously.
4:10 - Richards: Webb told her Bluew was father. She knew beforehand that it was a BVPD officer, cuz Webb told her she was having ...
4:11 - ...a relationship with a BVPD officer. O'Farrell again objects on hearsay, Jackson sustains. O'Farrell asks it be stricken and Jackson ...
4:12 - ... tells jury to disregard. Thomas asks another hearsay question, O'Farrell objects, Thomas thinks it is within scope of Jackson's ruling.
4:12 - Before Thomas can argue why it is within scope, O'Farrell asks that the matter be handled outside the jury's presence before Thomas ...
4:14 - ... gives a "speech." Now, outside of jury, Thomas says this is about Webb's intents and statements and not about whether Bluew knew.
4:14 - The second hearsay question was about whether Webb intended to seek child support, and Jackson says that is within scope.
4:16 - O'Farrell is concerned about the witness' response, but judge says question was proper and narrow enough for witness to respond w/in scope.
4:19 - Richards: Webb showed her two text messages conversations regarding child support.
4:19 - Richards: Initial plan was off the record payments, but that changed, and she decided to go through Friend of the Court, name him as father.
4:20 - Jeanette Apsey@Apsey2006 @SNAndyHoag I am really sorry for using 1 of your tweets but is the jury sequestered like Jenny's parents have been?
4:20 - @Apsey2006 Not sure what you mean. Do you mean while that recent argument was going on?
4:21 - Richards: Webb used PF Markey computer for personal use, as all employees were allowed to do on lunch and/or breaks.
4:24 - Richards: Involved in allowing Webb to "bank" hours for later payments.
4:24 - Jeanette Apsey@Apsey2006 @SNAndyHoag if all this on the internet and twitter in jury has been sequestered to prevent them from going home and reading it?
4:24 - @Apsey2006 Ah. The judge's order to the jury always is to not read or watch media reports
4:25 - O'Farrell up now.
4:26 - Richards: "Banking hours" system was because there was no maternity leave.
4:30 - And we're breaking for the day. I'll chat with y'all at 9 a.m tomorrow.
4:31 - Richards finished her testimony prior to breaking.
4:32 - As usual, I'll be closing the MLive chat window now. Any questions/comments, please post them in comments on MLive or tweet at me.
Buena Vista sergeant testifies in Ken Bluew trial about telling pregnant Jennifer Webb's parents about her death
MLive
September 27, 2012 http://www.mlive.com/news/saginaw/index.ssf/2012/09/buena_vista_sergeant_testifies.html
SAGINAW, MI — Buena Vista Police Sgt. Sean Waterman paused for a second to fight back tears and compose himself.
Then, he told a jury about the early morning that he told Donald and Dawn Webb that their daughter, eight months pregnant, was found dead about two hours prior.
As if that wasn't enough for Waterman, he then told the nine women and five men what he learned next: that the father of the child was the officer already on scene when a second officer arrived.
Waterman, now the acting chief of the Buena Vista Police Department, took the witness stand during the third day of testimony in Kenneth T. Bluew's trial before Saginaw County Circuit Judge Darnell Jackson.
Bluew, 37, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder in Webb's death at North Outer and Hack in Buena Vista Township. Webb, 32, planned to name her son Braxton.
Testimony will continue this afternoon, beginning with Waterman resuming the stand. MLive will continue to cover it live on Twitter @SNAndyHoag and with live video.
Based on the fact that Bluew and Officer Tim Patterson found Webb hanging by an extension cord from the roof rack of her Pontiac Aztek and that Bluew had found an apparent suicide note in Webb's purse, the death was treated as a suicide, Waterman testified.
After the scene was cleared, Waterman traveled to the Webb family home in Bridgeport, he said. Saginaw County Prosecutor Michael D. Thomas asked him what he did next, and Waterman became emotional, paused, and composed himself before answering.
"I had to tell them we found their daughter at Hack and Outer and that she was deceased and that it appeared she had hung herself," Waterman said. "Mr. Webb just looked at me and said, 'No way … it wasn't possible.' "
Waterman testified that he then asked the parents if they knew who the father of the baby was. "They said it was Ken Bluew," Waterman said, and the sergeant asked them if they knew who he was.
"They said, 'Yes, he's one of your officers,' " Waterman said. "I had to sit down, because I became sick to my stomach."
Waterman, noting that the suicide note stated that Webb was depressed about her pregnancy, asked her parents if that was the case. They said she was "excited" about the pregnancy and that her only concern was being a single mother, Waterman said.
The sergeant asked Webb's parents show him her bedroom, and what was inside, he said, was a crib, baby clothes, baby supplies, and "how to" books.
"To me, looking at this, this was somebody who was ready and prepared to mother a child," he said.
He then told Webb's parents that the next police contact they would have would be with the Michigan State Police.
"I realized at that point that there was more to this scene than I initially assumed," Waterman said. "I believed Officer Bluew had something more to do with" the death, and he called then-Chief Brian Booker to recommend that the state police handle the investigation.
"Things were not looking good," Waterman said. "They were looking very, very suspicious."
Waterman said he returned to the scene to, essentially, re-secure it until the state police arrived. When that happened, he went back to the department. Sometime after 6 a.m., he returned to the scene again, and while he was there, Bluew showed up in civilian clothing, Waterman said, and spoke with Booker.
Waterman answered questions from the prosecutor for about 70 minutes. After a 15-minute recess, Waterman briefly answered questions from Bluew's attorney, Rod O'Farrell, before Jackson called for a lunch break.
The only other witness to testify this morning was Barry Nelson, the deputy director of Saginaw County 911. His testimony was in regards to Bluew not answering "radio checks" for seven minutes from 10:28 p.m. to 10:35 p.m. Bluew also had not made radio contact with Central Dispatch since 9:02 p.m., Nelson said.
Bluew, who lived in Saginaw Township, also is charged with assaulting a pregnant individual intentionally causing miscarriage or stillbirth of a fetus or embryo and two counts of possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony.
If convicted of first-degree murder, he would face a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. The assault charge carries a maximum penalty of life in prison.
Third day of Ken Bluew trial wraps with testimony of the pregnant Jennifer Webb's boss, OB-GYN
MLive
Ken Bluew Trial Day 3
Thursday September 27, 2012
Andy Hoag@SNAndyHoag
9:15 - The jury is in the courtroom, and here we go.
9:16 - First witness is Barry Nelson, who is the deputy director of Saginaw County 911.
9:17 - Nelson almost always is the person from county 911 who testifies when the prosecution needs to introduce 911 calls or radio traffic.
9:20 - Nelson is explaining how Central Dispatch monitors officers on the road.
9:21 - Nelson's testimony should get us to the point where we hear the radio checks and other alarms seeking Bluew's response.
9:24 - Nelson: Asked to review radio traffic for Bluew, Sylvester, Patterson.
9:29 - Nelson: Radio checks for Bluew, Sylvester done at 8 p.m., both responded. Next at 9:02 p.m., both responded.
9:30 - Nelson: Next radio check at 10:28 p.m. Sylvester answered, Bluew did not.
9:31 - Nelson: Between 9:02 and 10:28, no communication w/ Bluew.
9:33 - Nelson: Sylvester tried to contact Bluew by phone, Patterson advises Dispatch at 10:33 p.m. that Sylvester couldn't reach Bluew.
9:33 - Nelson: At 10:35 p.m., Bluew answers radio.
9:33 - Nelson holds up a CD of the radio traffic from that night:
9:38 - Nelson: Bluew did not call in a "premises check" around 9 p.m., time David Sian saw BVPD car on Freeway Lane.
9:38 - Bluew enters the courtroom:
9:43 - Nelson: At 12:29 a.m., Sylvester radioed possible suspect in B&E on S. 25th. Patterson radios that Bluew would respond to assist.
9:44 - A close up of a "In Memory" bracelet worn by somebody in the gallery:
9:47 - CD of radio traffic admitted into evidence. Has certain relevant radio traffic. Luckily, it's not of nearly 3 hours of continuous traffic.
9:47 - And we're going to hear the audio of the radio checks.
9:54 - And that actually was the radio checks plus all the traffic around the time of finding Webb's body and the rest of the shift.
9:54 - RT @KatieLyn14: @SNAndyHoag Assuming Bluew is "604"
9:54 - @KatieLyn14 That's correct.
9:56 - RT @nichol0715: @SNAndyHoag can you hear bluew do his call at 10 something does his voice sound different: windy panting etc?
9:57 - @nichol0715 He did sound like he was out of breath, but it's impossible to tell if it was just because his mouth was close to his mic.
9:57 - O'Farrell on cross now, asking about Dispatch operating procedures.
9:58 - Nelson: If officer out of car or sound turned down, could miss radio check. Audio alarm also dependent on sound of radio
9:59 - Devil's advocate here would be to say, well, he said he was on the "admin" channel, so the volume level is irrelevant. But ...
10:01 - O'Farrell could counter that by saying Bluew lied about being on "admin" and was just sleeping. Guilty of a lie but not murder, basically.
10:03 - Karen@skaren24 @skaren24 @SNAndyHoag but weren't they able to triangulate his position at the time? He was in the area
10:04 - @skaren24 That I'm not sure of. If it's been mentioned in the past, I don't remember it.
10:06 - @skaren24 If it is mentioned later in the trial, I'll be sure to give you props :)
10:07 - Nelson: Lack of response to radio checks not a daily occurrence, "but it does happen."
10:09 - Nelson: Automatic vehicle locators added after June 10.
10:12 - Nelson's summary of that day's activities admitted into evidence, at O'Farrell's request. Stroud "stipulated" to its admission, or ...
10:13 - ... agreed without question to admitting it into evidence.
10:13 - RT @nichol0715: @SNAndyHoag thinking out loud on why any cop would do that if the purpose is for checking their safety
10:14 - @nichol0715 If the officer wanted to sleep, as Patterson testified Bluew had done in the past, then there's one reason.
10:16 - Nelson answering questions from O'Farrell:
10:17 - No further questions. Next witness: BVPD's Sean Waterman, now acting chief, was sergeant at time.
10:17 - Waterman's been hanging around the courthouse since Tuesday afternoon waiting to testify.
10:19 - Waterman: Called by Patterson reference possible suicide. Told him to tape off scene, take pictures.
10:20 - Waterman: When arrived on scene, Patterson, Bluew, Sylvester already there.
10:25 - Thomas and Waterman going through the pictures of the scene, which Bluew took.
10:27 - Waterman testifies about the scene:
10:29 - Waterman: Looked at pictures on the camera, then walked around the scene himself, including checking on Webb.
10:31 - Waterman: Read the suicide note. Bluew had not told him he knew Webb.
10:33 - Waterman: With Patterson's help, examined Webb's phone. Saw three calls, 2 from Webb to Bluew, 1 from Bluew to Webb.
10:33 - Waterman: Recognized Bluew's phone number, and the phone listed contact as "Ken Cop Boo"
10:35 - Waterman: Time of calls: 8:28 p, Webb to Bluew, 57 seconds; 8:43 p, Webb to Bluew, 37 seconds; 8:48 p, Bluew to Webb, 58 seconds.
10:36 - Waterman: Asked Bluew why there was phone calls between them. Said he's known her for number of years, met her at a bar in BV.
10:37 - Waterman: Bluew said he had talked to her, called her that night to "check on her."
10:38 - Waterman: Suicide note mentioned recent burglaries at Webb's home in Saginaw. Had Bluew check police reports for those.
10:42 - RT @Micah92269051: @SNAndyHoag I wondering why bluew isn't in handcuffs and the regular orange suite ?
10:43 - @Micah92269051 During a trial, in front of a jury, they aren't in their orange jumpsuits to avoid the appearance of being a criminal.
10:43 - Waterman: After Sylvester and Bluew left for B&E, Patterson told Waterman he felt Bluew was acting nervous about situation.
10:44 - RT @malanie810: @SNAndyHoag silly question but did they ever say why he was there in the first place? Did someone call in a suspicious v ...
10:45 - @malanie810 Patterson said yesterday that Bluew told him he had just got there moments before Patterson did.
10:45 - Waterman: "light colored" bruises on Webb's inner upper arms.
10:47 - Waterman: Didn't know at time if bruises were significant. Too dark to determine freshness of bruises.
10:48 - Waterman and Thomas discuss a picture from the scene:
10:49 - Waterman: Suicide note states she was "depressed" about the pregnancy, that she was "unsure" of who the father was.
10:51 - @ Micah92269051 There's a very capable deputy to his right, and two more deputies in the back. Generally, when the verdict is read ...
10:51 - @Micah92269051 ... there are more deputies present. Have been some verdicts in recent months where upwards of 10+ deputies present.
10:53 - Waterman discussing some events that took place as they continued to treat death as a suicide.
10:54 - Waterman: Went to Webb's parents' home in Bridgeport Township.
10:55 - Thomas asks Waterman what he did what he got there. Waterman takes a moment to compose himself before answering.
10:56 - Waterman: It was about 1 a.m., Donald Webb answered door, got his wife. "I had to tell them we found their daughter at Hack and Outer..."
10:56 - ... and that she was deceased and that it appeared she had hung herself."
10:56 - darma elias@darmaelias @SNAndyHoag They said the note was "typed". I'm wondering was it actually typed on a typewriter or "printed" from a computer.
10:57 - Waterman: "Mr. Webb just looked at me and said, 'No way ... it wasn't possible.' "
10:57 - @darmaelias It was typed from a computer.
10:57 - Waterman: Asked them if they knew who father of baby was. They said Ken Bluew. He asked if they know who he was.
10:58 - Waterman: They said, "Yes, he's one of your officers." Thomas asks what he did next.
10:58 - Waterman: "I had to sit down because I became sick to my stomach."
10:58 - Waterman: Parents said they learned that Webb was going to meet Bluew that night to discuss Friend of the Court matters.
11:00 - Waterman: Wanted to see what her bedroom looked like.
11:00 - Waterman: Asked parents if she was depressed about pregnancy. Told she was "excited," only concern was being single mother.
11:01 - Waterman: They went to her bedroom: crib, baby clothes, baby supplies, "how to" books.
11:01 - Waterman: "To me, looking at this, this was somebody who was ready and prepared to mother a child."
11:06 - Waterman: "I realized at that point that there was more to this scene than I initially assumed."
11:07 - Waterman: "I believed Officer Bluew had something more to do with" the death, told parents they next would be talking w/ MSP.
11:07 - Waterman: Left house, "Got in my car, sat there, and tried to put it all together." Drove way, called then-Chief Booker.
11:08 - Waterman: Told Booker about going to scene, that he now suspected it could be a homicide. "Things were not looking good ...
11:09 - ... they were looking very, very suspicious." Recommended to call MSP to investigate.
11:11 - Waterman emotional on the witness stand:
11:11 - One more picture:
11:12 - Waterman: Eventually went back to scene to secure it, make sure that Wastewater Treatment employees didn't drive through.
11:16- RT @Micah92269051: @SNAndyHoag Jennifer's printer was broken at that time and there not mentioning it !
11:17 - @Micah92269051 I don't think that's something Sgt. Waterman can testify to. He did say that the parents said she didn't have a computer
11:18 - RT @nichol0715: @SNAndyHoag is Jenny's dr coming in as a witness wouldn't she have more input saying Jenny was happy and excited NOT dep ...
11:18 - @nichol0715 Doesn't look like Webb's doctor is listed as one of the 21 witnesses prosecutors intend to call, but ...
11:19 - @nichol0715 ... that is something that her parents are to testify about.
11:21 - Waterman: Bluew showed back up at scene, in civilian clothes after his shift was done, in the morning while the crime lab was out there.
11:21 - Waterman: Bluew talked with Booker.
11:24 - Waterman confirms talking with Patterson in Waterman's office, doors closed. Told Patterson what he learned at Webb's parents' home.
11:29 - Waterman: Saw Bluew come out of locker room, in civilian clothes, carrying laundry bag. Saw him walk toward back door w/ bag.
11:31 - After about 70 minutes, Thomas is done questioning Waterman. Before O'Farrell has a chance to start cross, Jackson calls for a recess.
11:32 - Jackson asked to see the attorneys in his chambers. Wondering if he'll call for an early lunch and have O'Farrell begin his cross at 1:30.
11:41 - @Micah92269051 @SNAndyHoag did they even check her computer to see if there was a note created on it? What about Bluew's?
11:42 - @MiaKuli @Micah92269051 I'm not sure if a computer belonging to Webb was examined. Her parents told Waterman she didn't have one.
11:42 - @MiaKuli @Micah92269051 As for Bluew, they did examine his computer at home. Stroud mentioned some evidence that came from it but didn't ...
11:43 - RT @flab2fabmom: @SNAndyHoag what percentage of suicide notes are really typed &printed? Seems strange.
11:43 - @flab2fabmom This is a point to prosecutor will be making, I'd think.
11:47 - RT @jpstone_: @SNAndyHoag just curious, has Kennys ex-wife been in the courtroom at all?
11:48 - @jpstone_ To be honest, I don't know what she looks like. Bluew has had about 10 family members here through the trial.
11:48 - RT @skaren24: @MiaKuli @Micah92269051 @SNAndyHoag didn't MSP take computers from BVPD? Could he have written it there?
11:49 - @skaren24 @MiaKuli @Micah92269051 I'm not aware if they did take any computers from there.
11:49 - And we're back. O'Farrell will do 15 minutes worth of cross.
11:50 - @jpstone_ @SNAndyHoag I think her name is on the roster of potential people to testify
11:52 - Andy Hoag: They put me in Twitter jail again. Luckily it'll only be for about 10 minutes
11:53 - Andy Hoag: Waterman says he would have had no reason to tell Patterson not to write his report.
11:54 - Andy Hoag: O'Farrell asking about crime scene investigation tactics.
11:55 - Andy Hoag: Waterman: Probably would have taken one more picture to get the best "360" degree view of the scene, but says he was satisfied with pictures.
11:56 - Andy Hoag: And now we'll break for lunch.
12:22 - Sorry folks, got put in #twitterjail for the last 10 minutes. Y'all didn't miss anything. Waterman to come back at 1:30.
1:42 - @dorymsbs We're using the same post as this morning. Will be live once jury is seated. Hopefully soon, as Bluew just entered the courtroom.
1:45 - Jury is in, judge is here, and here comes Waterman to resume his testimony. O'Farrell on cross-exam.
1:47 - Waterman: After viewing pictures, inspected area where Webb's body was himself. As others have said, cord was taut.
1:48 - Waterman: Made observation to try to figure out time of death. At extremity level, rigor mortis had not set in. Feet starting to purple.
1:50 - Waterman: His police report states she was cold to the touch.
1:51 - Waterman: Blood coming from her nose, little bit of blood from nose to lip. Blood not flowing.
1:52 - O'Farrell asking about Webb's body position, clothes position. Waterman: "possibly" consistent with her sliding down ditch.
1:52 - Waterman: These factors had contributed to him, at that point, treating it as suicide.
1:54 - Waterman: Didn't notice the nervousness that Patterson/Sylvester spoke of, did notice that every time he went to talk with someone ...
1:55 - ... that Bluew would be right there. Didn't think anything of it at that time.
1:55 - Megan McMullen@McMullenMegan @SNAndyHoag these calls were made the same day the body was found remind me what time was the car found?
1:55 - @McMullenMegan Just before 11 p.m., about two hours after they exchanged those three calls.
1:57 - Waterman: Marks on her neck consistent with ligature, the cord being tight around her neck.
1:58 - Ligature marks are common in strangulation deaths, whether they be homicide or suicide.
1:58 - RT @McMullenMegan: @SNAndyHoag were the calls made during the time bluew was unreachable by dispatch?
2:00 - @McMullenMegan Good question. The last call was 14 minutes before Bluew responded to a 9:02 p.m. radio check.
2:01 - O'Farrell focusing on difference between how police treat homicide scenes vs. suicide scenes.
2:03 - O'Farrell: Preservation of this scene less strenuous than homicide scenes? Waterman: "Probably."
2:05 - Waterman's report states bruises did not look fresh. He says today that was based on poor lighting at the scene.
2:07 - Waterman answers a question from O'Farrell:
2:11 - O'Farrell asking Waterman about when the Aztek was towed away. Waterman doesn't remember telling driver not to touch anything.
2:13 - Waterman: At time of tow, didn't see reason for MSP crime lab to inspect vehicle. Otherwise, would have had it towed to MSP garage.
2:15 - Towing company is Gobeyn's in Bridgeport. Waterman doesn't know when Aztek would have been taken to MSP garage.
2:19 - O'Farrell with detail-based questions about officers' daily reports. Now asking about Webb's phone.
2:20 - Waterman: No way to know what, if anything, was said during three calls. Didn't see any text messages, but no familiar with phone.
2:21 - O'Farrell is done. Re-direct from Thomas.
2:22 - Waterman: BVPD policy would have been for Bluew to log "property check" that Sian saw BVPD car perform at 9 p.m. on Freeway Lane.
2:24 - Waterman: "Most definitely" would have called Booker to have MSP come if he knew at scene about Bluew fathering baby.
2:24 - RT @taralynn1030: @SNAndyHoag who is expected to testify next?
2:25 - @taralynn1030 Good question. No word. I'm expecting Webb's parents to be testifying soon.
2:25 - RT @jencielma: @SNAndyHoag If he was calling "to check on her" seems one call would have been sufficient. And it probably would've been ...
2:26 - @jencielma Also, according to Waterman, Webb placed the first two calls, then Bluew called back.
2:26 - RT @nichol0715: @SNAndyHoag what is bluew's plea ...i know there are tons of things ppl can plea is he standing by that is is innocent
2:27 - @nichol0715 He has pleaded not guilty since the beginning, which is standard here in Saginaw County felony cases until there's a plea deal.
2:27 - Waterman: Didn't notice anything physically unusual about Bluew.
2:30 - Waterman: Told by MSP D/Sgt. Ogg to password protect the Webb case on ARMS.
2:31 - Waterman is done testifying. Attorneys approach the bench.
2:32 - Jackson has about 6-7 sentencings he has to handle at 2:30, so we are taking a break. Probably for a half-hour or so.
2:43 - Lisa Menchaca@lisam52582 @SNAndyHoag so what your saying is in Saginaw county you have to pled not guilty in all felony cases unless there's a plea deal?
2:43 - @lisam52582 Not exactly. I was trying to keep my response brief. In Saginaw County, and could be Michigan and the U.S. for all I know...
2:44 - @lisam52582 Defendants charged with felonies usually have not guilty pleas entered for them at their arraignment. This is usually because...
2:44 - @lisam52582... they don't have an attorney yet, and if they enter a guilty plea and then realize they shouldn't have, they ...
2:45 - @lisam52582...could appeal based on the fact that they didn't have an attorney. So, until a plea deal is reached or ...
2:45 - @lisam52582...the defendant pleads as charged or there is a trial, the not guilty plea stays.
2:47 - RT @SusanneMackley: @SNAndyHoag I've heard that Jenny's boss is scheduled to testify, along with a computer from her workplace
2:48 - @SusanneMackley Is her boss Brandi Richards? That's the only name from the 21 "expected" witnesses I don't know.
2:53 - Angela Moore@dorymsbs @SNAndyHoag. Brandi Richards works at PF Markey is what I meant.
2:54 - @dorymsbs well, there we go. I feel like I Googled her name last week when I wrote the article but didn't know Webb worked there, too
3:03 - Tara C@taralynn1030 @SNAndyHoag @dorymsbs can you refer to her as Jenny? Webb sounds so impersonal!
3:05 - @taralynn1030 I understand your point, but doing so also is objective. If I called her Jenny, that would give off a sympathetic tone.
3:09 - RT @mschian1: @SNAndyHoag Do we know if there was DNA testing on the fetus? Or has Bluew openly admitted to being the father?
3:10 - @mschian1 This is a quote from my former co-worker Gus Burns, who live tweeted from part of Bluew's preliminary hearing:
3:10 - @mschian1 "Results of DNA testing of fetus and Bluew were 'consistent that he was the father.' "
3:34 - RT @TrayDei: @SNAndyHoag can the ppl please refrain from asking so many questions .! He keeps going over his tweet limit
3:34 - @TrayDei lol! it's only happened twice now, come on! And once was only for 10 minutes. I'll be good.
3:40 - And we're back. Next witness is Dr. Jaclyn Robinson, Webb's OB doctor.
3:40 - RT @nancymerrow2: @SNAndyHoag Andy, was Waterman emotional over his testimony because it was such a horrible death or because it was a ...
3:41 - @nancymerrow2 more the experience of telling the Webbs about the death of their daughter and finding out about Bluew fathering the baby.
3:42 - Robinson: When Webb first came to her, roughly 18-20 weeks along and "very healthy."
3:45 - Robinson: Nothing out of the ordinary w/ Webb's attitude/demeanor. No suicidal or depression tendencies.
3:47 - Robinson: At last visit, Webb weighed 246 lbs. Hate to put a woman's weight out there, but it's important to both sides' theories.
3:50 - O'Farrell up. Before she was pregnant, diagnosed with high blood pressure. Could take meds while pregnant.
3:51 - Robinson: Webb didn't complain about having to miss work due to high blood pressure or any other reasons.
3:54 - O'Farrell shows Robinson a report from July 14 in which Webb's blood pressure was higher than usual. Stress from house broken into blamed.
3:56 - Robinson: In May initial visit, said father was Ken, that he was aware of it, but his involvement had yet to be determined.
3:57 - Robinson: "Jennifer was not anxious. She was easy going and excited about the pregnancy."
4:02 - Robinson is done. Next witness is Brandi Richards, "manager and good friend" of Webb. Worked at PF Markey together.
4:03 - Richards: "Fabulous employee," customers loved her, made co-workers laugh.
4:03 - Richards: Webb had been there about a year. "Very satisfied" with Webb's work.
4:04 - Richards: Webb said she "never dreaded" waking up for work in the morning. O'Farrell objects as hearsay, Jackson sustains objection.
4:05 - Thomas thought statement was in line with those Jackson decided to allow in July, but that was more for Waterman and parents' testimony.
4:07 - Richards: Saw "just the opposite" of Webb being depressed or suicidal. Was "very happy to be a mother," talked about pregnancy w/ her.
4:08 - Richards describes her as a "strong" person. Not in physical sense, obviously.
4:10 - Richards: Webb told her Bluew was father. She knew beforehand that it was a BVPD officer, cuz Webb told her she was having ...
4:11 - ...a relationship with a BVPD officer. O'Farrell again objects on hearsay, Jackson sustains. O'Farrell asks it be stricken and Jackson ...
4:12 - ... tells jury to disregard. Thomas asks another hearsay question, O'Farrell objects, Thomas thinks it is within scope of Jackson's ruling.
4:12 - Before Thomas can argue why it is within scope, O'Farrell asks that the matter be handled outside the jury's presence before Thomas ...
4:14 - ... gives a "speech." Now, outside of jury, Thomas says this is about Webb's intents and statements and not about whether Bluew knew.
4:14 - The second hearsay question was about whether Webb intended to seek child support, and Jackson says that is within scope.
4:16 - O'Farrell is concerned about the witness' response, but judge says question was proper and narrow enough for witness to respond w/in scope.
4:19 - Richards: Webb showed her two text messages conversations regarding child support.
4:19 - Richards: Initial plan was off the record payments, but that changed, and she decided to go through Friend of the Court, name him as father.
4:20 - Jeanette Apsey@Apsey2006 @SNAndyHoag I am really sorry for using 1 of your tweets but is the jury sequestered like Jenny's parents have been?
4:20 - @Apsey2006 Not sure what you mean. Do you mean while that recent argument was going on?
4:21 - Richards: Webb used PF Markey computer for personal use, as all employees were allowed to do on lunch and/or breaks.
4:24 - Richards: Involved in allowing Webb to "bank" hours for later payments.
4:24 - Jeanette Apsey@Apsey2006 @SNAndyHoag if all this on the internet and twitter in jury has been sequestered to prevent them from going home and reading it?
4:24 - @Apsey2006 Ah. The judge's order to the jury always is to not read or watch media reports
4:25 - O'Farrell up now.
4:26 - Richards: "Banking hours" system was because there was no maternity leave.
4:30 - And we're breaking for the day. I'll chat with y'all at 9 a.m tomorrow.
4:31 - Richards finished her testimony prior to breaking.
4:32 - As usual, I'll be closing the MLive chat window now. Any questions/comments, please post them in comments on MLive or tweet at me.
Buena Vista sergeant testifies in Ken Bluew trial about telling pregnant Jennifer Webb's parents about her death
MLive
September 27, 2012 http://www.mlive.com/news/saginaw/index.ssf/2012/09/buena_vista_sergeant_testifies.html
SAGINAW, MI — Buena Vista Police Sgt. Sean Waterman paused for a second to fight back tears and compose himself.
Then, he told a jury about the early morning that he told Donald and Dawn Webb that their daughter, eight months pregnant, was found dead about two hours prior.
As if that wasn't enough for Waterman, he then told the nine women and five men what he learned next: that the father of the child was the officer already on scene when a second officer arrived.
Waterman, now the acting chief of the Buena Vista Police Department, took the witness stand during the third day of testimony in Kenneth T. Bluew's trial before Saginaw County Circuit Judge Darnell Jackson.
Bluew, 37, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder in Webb's death at North Outer and Hack in Buena Vista Township. Webb, 32, planned to name her son Braxton.
Testimony will continue this afternoon, beginning with Waterman resuming the stand. MLive will continue to cover it live on Twitter @SNAndyHoag and with live video.
Based on the fact that Bluew and Officer Tim Patterson found Webb hanging by an extension cord from the roof rack of her Pontiac Aztek and that Bluew had found an apparent suicide note in Webb's purse, the death was treated as a suicide, Waterman testified.
After the scene was cleared, Waterman traveled to the Webb family home in Bridgeport, he said. Saginaw County Prosecutor Michael D. Thomas asked him what he did next, and Waterman became emotional, paused, and composed himself before answering.
"I had to tell them we found their daughter at Hack and Outer and that she was deceased and that it appeared she had hung herself," Waterman said. "Mr. Webb just looked at me and said, 'No way … it wasn't possible.' "
Waterman testified that he then asked the parents if they knew who the father of the baby was. "They said it was Ken Bluew," Waterman said, and the sergeant asked them if they knew who he was.
"They said, 'Yes, he's one of your officers,' " Waterman said. "I had to sit down, because I became sick to my stomach."
Waterman, noting that the suicide note stated that Webb was depressed about her pregnancy, asked her parents if that was the case. They said she was "excited" about the pregnancy and that her only concern was being a single mother, Waterman said.
The sergeant asked Webb's parents show him her bedroom, and what was inside, he said, was a crib, baby clothes, baby supplies, and "how to" books.
"To me, looking at this, this was somebody who was ready and prepared to mother a child," he said.
He then told Webb's parents that the next police contact they would have would be with the Michigan State Police.
"I realized at that point that there was more to this scene than I initially assumed," Waterman said. "I believed Officer Bluew had something more to do with" the death, and he called then-Chief Brian Booker to recommend that the state police handle the investigation.
"Things were not looking good," Waterman said. "They were looking very, very suspicious."
Waterman said he returned to the scene to, essentially, re-secure it until the state police arrived. When that happened, he went back to the department. Sometime after 6 a.m., he returned to the scene again, and while he was there, Bluew showed up in civilian clothing, Waterman said, and spoke with Booker.
Waterman answered questions from the prosecutor for about 70 minutes. After a 15-minute recess, Waterman briefly answered questions from Bluew's attorney, Rod O'Farrell, before Jackson called for a lunch break.
The only other witness to testify this morning was Barry Nelson, the deputy director of Saginaw County 911. His testimony was in regards to Bluew not answering "radio checks" for seven minutes from 10:28 p.m. to 10:35 p.m. Bluew also had not made radio contact with Central Dispatch since 9:02 p.m., Nelson said.
Bluew, who lived in Saginaw Township, also is charged with assaulting a pregnant individual intentionally causing miscarriage or stillbirth of a fetus or embryo and two counts of possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony.
If convicted of first-degree murder, he would face a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. The assault charge carries a maximum penalty of life in prison.
Third day of Ken Bluew trial wraps with testimony of the pregnant Jennifer Webb's boss, OB-GYN
MLive
September 27, 2012 at 6:54 PM
http://www.mlive.com/news/saginaw/index.ssf/2012/09/third_day_of_ken_bluew_trial_w.html
SAGINAW, MI — The first week of testimony in the trial for the suspended Buena Vista police officer charged with killing the woman who was eight months pregnant with his son will wrap up Friday.
Today's testimony in Kenneth T. Bluew's trial before Saginaw County Circuit Judge Darnell Jackson featured the testimony of Buena Vista Sgt. Sean Waterman, the man who treated Jennifer Webb's Aug. 30, 2011, death as a suicide until he realized Kenneth T. Bluew was the father of the baby.
Waterman had several emotional moments in the morning as he described telling Webb's parents that her body had been found at North Outer and Hack and that it appeared she has committed suicide, learning from them that Bluew was the father, and that Webb was excited to give birth to their son, whom she named Braxton.
He testified for a total of about two hours over the course of the morning and early afternoon, also more specifically describing how Webb's body was found hanging from the roof rack of her Pontiac Aztek.
Bluew, 37, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder in the 32-year-old Webb's death. Testimony began Tuesday and has continued through the week.
This afternoon's other two witnesses were Dr. Jacquelyn Robinson, Webb's OB-GYN, and Brandi Richards, Webb's supervisor at P.F. Markey. Both women testified that Webb was excited to give birth and was not depressed or suicidal.
Robinson testified that Webb was healthy and "not anxious" about the pregnancy.
"She was easy going and excited about the pregnancy," Robinson said.
Richards described herself both as Webb's supervisor and friend and said that she was "very happy to be a mother" and talked with Robinson about the pregnancy.
Richards testified that Webb told her that Bluew was the father of the baby and knew that Bluew was a Buena Vista police officer because Webb had told her previously that she was having a relationship with such an officer. After an objection from O'Farrell, Jackson struck the statement from the record.
She also testified that Webb told her she intended to secure child support through the county Friend of the Court after the initial plan of having Bluew provide off-the-record payments fell through. Richards added that Webb showed her two text message conversations she had with Bluew regarding child support, but because of a previous ruling from Jackson, she could not be more specific.
Bluew, who lived in Saginaw Township, also is charged with assaulting a pregnant individual intentionally causing miscarriage or stillbirth of a fetus or embryo and two counts of possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony.
If convicted of first-degree murder, he would face a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. The assault charge carries a maximum penalty of life in prison.
Officers testify on Bluew's actions
Policeman tells about 'red flags' when pregnant woman's body found
Bay City Times, The (MI)
Thursday, September 27, 2012
SAGINAW -- Buena Vista Police officers testified Wednesday against one of their own, explaining their suspicions that now-suspended officer Kenneth T. Bluew was involved in the slaying of his pregnant mistress, whose body was found last August near the driveway to the police department's gun range.
Bluew, 37, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder in the death of Jennifer Webb, who was eight months pregnant with Bluew's son, whom she was going to name Braxton.
During testimony before Saginaw County Circuit Judge Darnell Jackson, police officers described Bluew's actions and demeanor when his girlfriend's body was discovered Aug. 30, 2011, at North Outer and Hack in Buena Vista Township.
Buena Vista Police Officer Tim Patterson testified he arrived at the scene shortly before 11 p.m. and saw Webb's vehicle facing east and parked on the edge of a ditch at the "T" intersection. Just before he stopped his vehicle, Patterson looked left and saw Bluew's police cruiser, mostly concealed by trees and parked without its headlights on but with a spotlight shining in the direction of Webb's vehicle.
Bluew and Patterson approached Webb's vehicle, with Bluew announcing as he did so, "We got a body."
The officers treated the death as a homicide and continued to do so under the instruction of Sgt. Sean Waterman, who also arrived at the scene.
Waterman looked through Webb's cellphone and saw three calls since 8:30 p.m. with a contact named "Ken Cop Boo." At that point, Bluew hadn't told Patterson he knew who Webb was, Patterson said.
Bluew told Waterman he spoke with Webb "from time to time" and had known her for about 10 years, Patterson said. Bluew "seemed to be a little evasive in answering," Patterson testified.
When he saw Bluew watch Waterman look through Webb's phone and see the calls, Patterson unsnapped his gun holster, he said.
"I wasn't sure what was going to happen next," Patterson said.
Patterson walked away from the scene and called a fellow officer, Sara Sylvester, by cellphone to have her come back to the scene because, he said, "I was uneasy about what I had just learned."
Sylvester soon responded to a possible breaking-and-entering incident and sent a radio message seeking backup, Patterson said. Patterson asked Bluew to assist her, he said, to get him away from the scene because of the "red flags" Patterson said he was noticing: that Bluew already was at the scene when Patterson arrived, that Bluew was "sweating profusely" when they approached the vehicle, the manner in which Webb's body was situated and the recent phone calls between Bluew and Webb.
Patterson testified he wrote two police reports regarding Webb's death. The first, written while he and Bluew still were on duty that night, was generic because he knew Bluew would have the ability to read it, he said. The second, filed "a few days later," detailed the "red flags," he said.
That night, Patterson had a closed-door meeting with Waterman, expressing his concerns over the "red flags" and the fact that Bluew was beginning to develop bruising in one of his eyes. When Patterson returned from the meeting, Bluew asked him what the nature of the meeting was, Patterson said. The officer lied, telling Bluew he got "chewed out" about a report from a different case.
'Something looks strange'
After a recess, Sylvester took the stand.
She testified she and Bluew ate dinner about 7:30 p.m. and that she did not notice any injury to Bluew's eye, which both she and Patterson said they saw after Webb's body was found, or to his right index finger, which Patterson said he saw.
Sylvester stayed at the police department to write reports while Bluew went on patrol duty, she said. Later, she responded to the scene after Patterson informed Central Dispatch of a possible suicide.
As Patterson was in his police cruiser working to determine to whom Webb's car was registered, Sylvester was with Bluew when Bluew grabbed Webb's purse from the vehicle.
Bluew first showed her an apparent suicide note, and they read it. He then grabbed Webb's driver's license from her purse, and it wasn't until then that he said, "I know this girl," Sylvester said. As he said it, he placed his hands on his knees and bent over as if he were going to vomit, Sylvester testified.
While Sylvester was called to respond to a possible break-in, Patterson called her via cellphone, told her he and Waterman found Webb's phone, saw Webb and Bluew had three phone calls since 8:30 p.m., and asked her to return to the scene.
When she returned, Sylvester walked up to Patterson's car and said, "Something looks strange about this whole situation," she testified. Sylvester testified she found it "strange" that Bluew was sweating heavily when the temperature was not hot and that Bluew, normally one to lead an investigation, was following Patterson and Sylvester this time.
On questioning from Bluew's attorney, Rod O'Farrell, Sylvester testified she was "almost certain" Bluew had latex gloves on the entire time she was there before she first left for the breaking-and-entering call. That would contradict Patterson's testimony that Bluew held down the suicide note on the hood of Webb's vehicle without a glove on and that he saw a band-aid on Bluew's right index finger.
Sylvester also acknowledged she didn't voice her concerns about Bluew's "strange" behavior to Waterman. She testified that as she was telling Waterman that Bluew said he knew Webb, Bluew walked up.
She also admitted she did not have specific evidence against Bluew, but if she did, she would not have brought it to Waterman's attention in Bluew's presence.
Opening arguments Tuesday
Bluew's trial began last week with jury selection that lasted four days. A jury of nine women and five men heard opening arguments Tuesday.
Saginaw County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Jeffrey D. Stroud told he jury Bluew killed the 32-year-old Webb and "made it look like something else."
He said she was happy and healthy and "did not commit suicide."
O'Farrell painted a different picture in his opening argument, stating text messages that Webb had sent to Bluew and others showed Webb "was a young lady who was having some conflicts."
O'Farrell said Webb hoped Bluew would leave his wife.
Also Tuesday, Andrea King, who said Webb was her best friend, testified she was with Webb the evening Webb died. King said Webb told her she was going to meet Bluew on Outer Drive. King testified Webb "couldn't wait to be a mom" and never spoke of suicide.
King said Webb spoke about a plan to simply exchange money with Bluew in lieu of child support, but King said Webb decided doing so wasn't in her or Braxton's best interests.
Officer Kenneth Bluew Murder Trial - Day 4
Live Tweets:
SAGINAW, MI — The first week of testimony in the trial for the suspended Buena Vista police officer charged with killing the woman who was eight months pregnant with his son will wrap up Friday.
Today's testimony in Kenneth T. Bluew's trial before Saginaw County Circuit Judge Darnell Jackson featured the testimony of Buena Vista Sgt. Sean Waterman, the man who treated Jennifer Webb's Aug. 30, 2011, death as a suicide until he realized Kenneth T. Bluew was the father of the baby.
Waterman had several emotional moments in the morning as he described telling Webb's parents that her body had been found at North Outer and Hack and that it appeared she has committed suicide, learning from them that Bluew was the father, and that Webb was excited to give birth to their son, whom she named Braxton.
He testified for a total of about two hours over the course of the morning and early afternoon, also more specifically describing how Webb's body was found hanging from the roof rack of her Pontiac Aztek.
Bluew, 37, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder in the 32-year-old Webb's death. Testimony began Tuesday and has continued through the week.
This afternoon's other two witnesses were Dr. Jacquelyn Robinson, Webb's OB-GYN, and Brandi Richards, Webb's supervisor at P.F. Markey. Both women testified that Webb was excited to give birth and was not depressed or suicidal.
Robinson testified that Webb was healthy and "not anxious" about the pregnancy.
"She was easy going and excited about the pregnancy," Robinson said.
Richards described herself both as Webb's supervisor and friend and said that she was "very happy to be a mother" and talked with Robinson about the pregnancy.
Richards testified that Webb told her that Bluew was the father of the baby and knew that Bluew was a Buena Vista police officer because Webb had told her previously that she was having a relationship with such an officer. After an objection from O'Farrell, Jackson struck the statement from the record.
She also testified that Webb told her she intended to secure child support through the county Friend of the Court after the initial plan of having Bluew provide off-the-record payments fell through. Richards added that Webb showed her two text message conversations she had with Bluew regarding child support, but because of a previous ruling from Jackson, she could not be more specific.
Bluew, who lived in Saginaw Township, also is charged with assaulting a pregnant individual intentionally causing miscarriage or stillbirth of a fetus or embryo and two counts of possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony.
If convicted of first-degree murder, he would face a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. The assault charge carries a maximum penalty of life in prison.
Officers testify on Bluew's actions
Policeman tells about 'red flags' when pregnant woman's body found
Bay City Times, The (MI)
Thursday, September 27, 2012
SAGINAW -- Buena Vista Police officers testified Wednesday against one of their own, explaining their suspicions that now-suspended officer Kenneth T. Bluew was involved in the slaying of his pregnant mistress, whose body was found last August near the driveway to the police department's gun range.
Bluew, 37, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder in the death of Jennifer Webb, who was eight months pregnant with Bluew's son, whom she was going to name Braxton.
During testimony before Saginaw County Circuit Judge Darnell Jackson, police officers described Bluew's actions and demeanor when his girlfriend's body was discovered Aug. 30, 2011, at North Outer and Hack in Buena Vista Township.
Buena Vista Police Officer Tim Patterson testified he arrived at the scene shortly before 11 p.m. and saw Webb's vehicle facing east and parked on the edge of a ditch at the "T" intersection. Just before he stopped his vehicle, Patterson looked left and saw Bluew's police cruiser, mostly concealed by trees and parked without its headlights on but with a spotlight shining in the direction of Webb's vehicle.
Bluew and Patterson approached Webb's vehicle, with Bluew announcing as he did so, "We got a body."
The officers treated the death as a homicide and continued to do so under the instruction of Sgt. Sean Waterman, who also arrived at the scene.
Waterman looked through Webb's cellphone and saw three calls since 8:30 p.m. with a contact named "Ken Cop Boo." At that point, Bluew hadn't told Patterson he knew who Webb was, Patterson said.
Bluew told Waterman he spoke with Webb "from time to time" and had known her for about 10 years, Patterson said. Bluew "seemed to be a little evasive in answering," Patterson testified.
When he saw Bluew watch Waterman look through Webb's phone and see the calls, Patterson unsnapped his gun holster, he said.
"I wasn't sure what was going to happen next," Patterson said.
Patterson walked away from the scene and called a fellow officer, Sara Sylvester, by cellphone to have her come back to the scene because, he said, "I was uneasy about what I had just learned."
Sylvester soon responded to a possible breaking-and-entering incident and sent a radio message seeking backup, Patterson said. Patterson asked Bluew to assist her, he said, to get him away from the scene because of the "red flags" Patterson said he was noticing: that Bluew already was at the scene when Patterson arrived, that Bluew was "sweating profusely" when they approached the vehicle, the manner in which Webb's body was situated and the recent phone calls between Bluew and Webb.
Patterson testified he wrote two police reports regarding Webb's death. The first, written while he and Bluew still were on duty that night, was generic because he knew Bluew would have the ability to read it, he said. The second, filed "a few days later," detailed the "red flags," he said.
That night, Patterson had a closed-door meeting with Waterman, expressing his concerns over the "red flags" and the fact that Bluew was beginning to develop bruising in one of his eyes. When Patterson returned from the meeting, Bluew asked him what the nature of the meeting was, Patterson said. The officer lied, telling Bluew he got "chewed out" about a report from a different case.
'Something looks strange'
After a recess, Sylvester took the stand.
She testified she and Bluew ate dinner about 7:30 p.m. and that she did not notice any injury to Bluew's eye, which both she and Patterson said they saw after Webb's body was found, or to his right index finger, which Patterson said he saw.
Sylvester stayed at the police department to write reports while Bluew went on patrol duty, she said. Later, she responded to the scene after Patterson informed Central Dispatch of a possible suicide.
As Patterson was in his police cruiser working to determine to whom Webb's car was registered, Sylvester was with Bluew when Bluew grabbed Webb's purse from the vehicle.
Bluew first showed her an apparent suicide note, and they read it. He then grabbed Webb's driver's license from her purse, and it wasn't until then that he said, "I know this girl," Sylvester said. As he said it, he placed his hands on his knees and bent over as if he were going to vomit, Sylvester testified.
While Sylvester was called to respond to a possible break-in, Patterson called her via cellphone, told her he and Waterman found Webb's phone, saw Webb and Bluew had three phone calls since 8:30 p.m., and asked her to return to the scene.
When she returned, Sylvester walked up to Patterson's car and said, "Something looks strange about this whole situation," she testified. Sylvester testified she found it "strange" that Bluew was sweating heavily when the temperature was not hot and that Bluew, normally one to lead an investigation, was following Patterson and Sylvester this time.
On questioning from Bluew's attorney, Rod O'Farrell, Sylvester testified she was "almost certain" Bluew had latex gloves on the entire time she was there before she first left for the breaking-and-entering call. That would contradict Patterson's testimony that Bluew held down the suicide note on the hood of Webb's vehicle without a glove on and that he saw a band-aid on Bluew's right index finger.
Sylvester also acknowledged she didn't voice her concerns about Bluew's "strange" behavior to Waterman. She testified that as she was telling Waterman that Bluew said he knew Webb, Bluew walked up.
She also admitted she did not have specific evidence against Bluew, but if she did, she would not have brought it to Waterman's attention in Bluew's presence.
Opening arguments Tuesday
Bluew's trial began last week with jury selection that lasted four days. A jury of nine women and five men heard opening arguments Tuesday.
Saginaw County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Jeffrey D. Stroud told he jury Bluew killed the 32-year-old Webb and "made it look like something else."
He said she was happy and healthy and "did not commit suicide."
O'Farrell painted a different picture in his opening argument, stating text messages that Webb had sent to Bluew and others showed Webb "was a young lady who was having some conflicts."
O'Farrell said Webb hoped Bluew would leave his wife.
Also Tuesday, Andrea King, who said Webb was her best friend, testified she was with Webb the evening Webb died. King said Webb told her she was going to meet Bluew on Outer Drive. King testified Webb "couldn't wait to be a mom" and never spoke of suicide.
King said Webb spoke about a plan to simply exchange money with Bluew in lieu of child support, but King said Webb decided doing so wasn't in her or Braxton's best interests.
Officer Kenneth Bluew Murder Trial - Day 4
Live Tweets:
Day 4 of trial for Ken Bluew, police officer charged in strangulation of the pregnant Jennifer Webb
MLive
MLive
By Andy Hoag
September 28, 2012 http://www.mlive.com/news/saginaw/index.ssf/2012/09/live_tweets_day_4_of_trial_for.html
Ken Bluew Trial Day 4
Friday September 28, 2012
Andy Hoag@SNAndyHoag
9:18 - Let me try that one more time for the MLive followers: Bluew has arrived in court; should be getting started soon.
9:21 - Judge here, and O'Farrell has something he wants to place on record w/o jury present. It's about the hearsay statements discussed yesterday.
9:22 - O'Farrell wants ruling in advance to avoid having to object to inadmissible hearsay. Doesn't want to look like he's withholding information.
9:23 - Thomas says he will attempt to guide witnesses along in order to stay in compliance w/ order regarding statements.
9:24 - Judge will allow leeway for Thomas asking leading questions to assure appropriate answers.
9:25 - Jury being brought in.
9:27 - Next witness: James Terry, who owns PF Markey, where Webb worked.
9:29 - Terry: Next day, heard about her death and that it was a suicide. He said, "Absolutely not. Not Jenny Webb, not here not now."
9:32 - Judge Jackson listens to O'Farrell's argument from earlier:
9:32 - Thomas asks question regarding Terry offering to help pay for some of Webb's family's expenses.
9:33 - O'Farrell objects on relevancy, Jackson sustains.
9:35 - Terry done. Next witness: Kelly Guilbaux, who went to Delta College w/ Webb in 1997. Remained friends.
9:37 - Guilbaux: Webb told her she was pregnant, that the father was "Ken."
9:38 - Guilbaux: Saw Webb week before her death, had dinner together. Webb told her that she was going to put Bluew's name on birth certificate.
9:38 - Guilbaux: Webb also said she was going to go through Friend of the Court.
9:39 - Guilbaux: "She was ready to have this baby. She was ready to be a mom. ... She was ready to bring him into this world."
9:40 - Guilbaux: Webb did not appear depressed or despondent, didn't say she was having trouble at work.
9:44 - Guilbaux: Sent a text message to Webb the night she died. Sent it about 9 p.m. regarding meeting for maternity photos next day.
9:44 - Guilbaux: Webb replied and said yes. She told Webb to get some rest, she said everybody had been telling her that.
9:46 - Guilbaux done. Next witness is Lisa Martin, who works at Dow Kokam.
9:47 - Martin: Friends with Webb about 10 years. They worked together at a different company.
9:48 - Martin: "Very close friends." Saw her once every two weeks or so, spoke on phone weekly. Also texted each other.
9:49 - Martin: Found out in May that Webb was pregnant. She told her "Ken" was the father.
9:49 - Martin: "She was excited ... doing a lot of planning." Buying books, shopping. "Excited about doctor's appointments," seeing pictures.
9:50 - Martin: Webb would share ultrasound pictures with friends. Was "getting her life in order" cuz she "knew it was going to be a transition."
9:51 - Martin: Webb initially was not going to go for child support, "wanted to see how things panned out." She encouraged Webb to go to ...
9:51 - ... Friend of the Court. Felt it was "irresponsible" for father not to be involved. Last couple weeks of her life, Webb decided ...
9:52 - ... to name him on birth certificate, seek child support.
9:53 - Martin: Spoke with her two days before her death. Asked how things were going, cuz heard her house was broken into again.
9:54 - Martin: House broken into that Saturday. Would have been third time. Webb already was living at parents' home.
9:54 - O'Farrell now up. Funny moment as Martin thought she was all done and tried to get up and leave.
9:57 - Dawn and her husband Donald have not been able to watch the trial, as they have been sequestered.
9:59 - Thomas establishing that Dawn Webb was employed, Donald Webb retired, Jennifer Webb's brother &sister both employed.
10:00 - Now Dawn Webb talking about when Waterman came to home. Said Waterman called, said he was at front door. They let him in.
10:01 - Webb: Waterman told them she was dead. "My daughter may be dead, but she did not commit suicide."
10:01 - As Webb recounts talking with Waterman, numerous family members in gallery can be heard crying.
10:02 - Webb: Both she and husband adamant that their daughter wouldn't have committed suicide. "She was happy."
10:03 - Webb: She told Waterman that Bluew was father, Waterman got "kind of white," said they needed to sit down and talk.
10:05 - Webb: "She had it all ready. She was cramped in that (bed)room, but she had it all ready."
10:06 - Webb: She and husband told their daughter in July it'd be best if she moved to their home.
10:07 - Webb: "She was just very excited about it all."
10:09 - Webb smiles as she recounts discussions with her daughter about naming her son.
10:13 - Webb recognizes her daughter's purse, and identifies from a photo the back of her daughter's Aztek.
10:14 - Webb: Daughter owned a motorcycle, but knew being a single mother would need more money, so she sold it.
10:16 - Thomas pulls the purse out of an evidence bag:
10:17 - Webb: Got home that night about 9:15 p.m., daughter not home yet. Checked with Angie, other daughter, who said she'd call Andrea King.
10:17 - Webb: King told Angie that Jennifer went to go see "the baby daddy."
10:19 - MSP's Ogg and Teddy showed her the suicide note. Read it outloud to Don, Angie. Didn't finish it because it wasn't something ...
10:19 - ... she would write, and there were things that weren't true. "She would have handwritten it."
10:21 - Dawn Webb testifies about her daughter:
10:23 - O'Farrell now questioning. Webb says daughter commonly referred to Braxton as "Little Man," or "Lil Man"
10:24 - Webb: Reviewed police reports yesterday to refresh her memory, but she remembered everything in there.
10:27 - Webb: Daughter told her that Bluew was separated from his wife. Wanted baby to know his father.
10:31 - And with that, Webb is done testifying, and we're taking a break.
10:43 - RT @Micah92269051: @SNAndyHoag Anyone else notice bluew is not looking most of the time at dawn Webb ?
10:44 - @Micah92269051 he hasn't been looking at most of the witnesses. He's occupied taking notes, for the most part.
10:44 - Katie Horupa@KatieLyn14 @SNAndyHoag What were the names that O'Farrell asked about and the relevance?
10:45 - @KatieLyn14 I'm not 100% sure. I don't know if they were mentioned in the suicide note or in text messages, or what.
10:48 - RT @smh10srh: @SNAndyHoag Katie I think one was Jeremy Morris &? Coupon.
10:49 - @smh10srh The other one is Ken Coupons.
10:50 - And we're back. Next witness is Angie Webb, Jennifer Webb's daughter.
10:55 - Thomas asking Webb about her sister, but we're not learning anything new. They bought the same phone the Thursday before her death.
10:56 - Thomas has Webb take her sister's phone out of an evidence package. Wondering if they'll use this as opportunity to show ...
10:57 - ... recent calls, contact of "Ken Cop Boo."
10:57 - Oh my, sorry folks. Obviously Angie is Jenny's sister.
10:58 - I was wondering why I had like 8 new mentions all of a sudden. Sorry again.
10:59 - Now that I have that embarrassing moment out of the way, Webb testifying about one of the break-ins at her sister's home.
11:00 - Webb: At least 2 of the 3 suspects in that incident were caught. Jenny Webb testified against them, Angie says.
11:02 - Webb: Visited parents one day and sister told her she was pregnant, that Ken Bluew was father. Knew Bluew from when ...
11:03 - ... she went with her sister to the Backstreet bar on Holland in BV. Bluew would come by on patrol, they became friends.
11:04 - Angie Webb testifies about her sister:
11:06 - Webb: Last time saw sister alive was Aug. 29, night before her death.
11:07 - Webb: "She was ecstatic. She was so looking forward to having that baby."
11:09 - Thomas going through the suicide note, asking Webb if she ever heard her sister say any of the things in the note. Each time, "No."
11:10 - Webb: On night of death, mom called and said they hadn't seen Jenny yet. She called sister's phone, no answer, tried to text her.
11:11 - Webb: No response, which was "unusual." Texted Andrea King, who said "she went to go see baby daddy."
11:13 - Webb: Spoke with mother on phone about 2:15 a.m., mother said that Waterman came and said Jenny committed suicide.
11:14 - Webb: Responded by saying, "That's bull----" and they cried on the phone. She went over to parents' house.
11:17 - O'Farrell now on cross. Webb told police that King said Jenny left to see Bluew about 9 p.m.
11:18 - O'Farrell brought this up during King's testimony, too, and King said she remembered Webb leaving about 8:30 or just before then.
11:19 - Webb: Sister spoke with her about going to Friend of the Court. Jenny told Angie that Bluew was "receptive" to this and ...
11:20 - ... that he was surprised it took her that long to get to that point. They had talked about him making off-the-record payments but ...
11:20 - ... he told her he may have to leave the state at some point due to the job market. She felt that wasn't the best for her.
11:21 - O'Farrell again asks about Jeremy Morris and Ken Coupons. Webb says she knows Jeremy and Jenny were friends, doesn't know Coupons
11:23 - Thomas back for re-direct. Webb: Didn't know her sister's relationship with Bluew was "more than friends."
11:23 - Apparently this Jeremy Morris went to Bridgeport HS at same time the Webb sisters went there.
11:23 - RT @nessarae33: @SNAndyHoag Has Ken been on the stand yet since this began I satrted following yesturday
11:24 - @nessarae33 No, that won't happen, if it even does, until the prosecution is done presenting their evidence.
11:25 - Webb: Sister never would have typed out a suicide letter. Would have been in pen, and would have wrote individual letters for family.
11:25 - And Webb is done. Next witness is Ivan Phillips from the morgue.
11:27 - Phillips is owner of Paradise Funeral Chapel, which transports bodies for Saginaw County to Covenant HealthCare.
11:28 - When he got to scene, knew Waterman and Bluew, and there was another officer there he didn't know.
11:34 - Phillips says the Aztek wasn't moved and that the cord wasn't cut until they moved Webb's body up to the road. This completely ...
11:34 - ... contradicts everything Patterson and Waterman said.
11:36 - Phillips: He and Patterson drove separately to Covenant. Body was placed in the morgue. Says he didn't open body bag at all.
11:36 - RT @nichol0715: @SNAndyHoag is that a good thing or a bad thing?
11:37 - @nichol0715 I suppose it depends on your perspective, but I'd imagine the prosecution will say Phillips just isn't remembering correctly.
11:38 - Phillips: Doesn't write reports in regards to transports, didn't review any reports prior to testifying.
11:41 - Phillips says he grabbed Webb by her pants and pulled her up to a flat surface.
11:42 - Patterson testified that Waterman and Phillips grabbed her by her wrists.
11:43 - Phillips doesn't recall any photos being taken. Says again that cord still was around neck when she was pulled up.
11:45 - And Phillips is done now. Bench conference, likely to talk about breaking for lunch.
11:46 - Thomas and Stroud must have a brief witness coming up, because we aren't breaking yet. Witness is David Taylor from MMR.
11:47 - Taylor is a paramedic supervisor, and went to Outer &Hack.
11:50 - Taylor: Knew Bluew, who was on scene. Bluew was at the passenger side of the vehicle when Taylor arrived.
11:50 - nichol@nichol0715 @SNAndyHoag last I knew he wasn't working at MMR anymore
11:51 - @nichol0715 I'm not aware either way of his current employment. It wasn't actually mentioned that way, I suppose.
11:52 - Taylor: Spoke with Bluew near the trunk of Bluew's vehicle. Bluew was "sweating profusely." Asked if he was OK.
11:53 - Andy Hoag: Back in Twitter jail. Taylor said he didn't see Bluew do anything physically strenuous enough to be sweating that much.
11:54 - Andy Hoag: At least I'm getting put in jail just before lunch.
11:55 - Andy Hoag: Taylor: Didn't go inside police tape, but could see from vantage point could see she was deceased.
11:57 - Andy Hoag: O'Farrell now on cross. Taylor can only remember three officers -- Bluew, Patterson, Sylvester.
11:58 - Andy Hoag: When Taylor asked Bluew if he was OK, Bluew said, "I have all this stuff on plus I know her."
11:58 - Andy Hoag: And Taylor is done. Breaking for lunch.
12:15 - Sorry folks, got put in #twitterjail again. We've broke for lunch.
12:27 - RT @McMullenMegan: @SNAndyHoag Andy am I correct in hearing that he said bluew told him he was sweating bc he has a lot of clothes on an ...
12:28 - @McMullenMegan That's correct. That's one of the tweets I was only able to put on MLive.
12:53 - Beth Teneyuque@teneyuque20 @SNAndyHoag Has anyone mentioned why Bluew was bleeding in the first place?
12:54 - @teneyuque20 The assertion in Stroud's opening argument was that Webb bit his finger when he had gloves on.
1:41 - RT @jessacastillo: @SNAndyHoag is court done with for today
1:41 - @jessacastillo Nope, still haven't come back from lunch break.
1:53 - And we're back. First witness is Nate Gobeyn from Gobeyn's towing in Bridgeport. He towed Webb's vehicle from the scene.
1:55 - Gobeyn says only Waterman was there when he arrived.
1:56 - To tow vehicle, had to position it different to gain access to front of vehicle. To do so, had to get in driver's seat.
1:57 - Gobeyn: Waterman told him there was no "holds" on vehicle, so no need for gloves. Doesn't believe he put gloves on.
1:59 - Gobeyn: Only got in front seat at time. When he got vehicle to lot, saw cord still hanging, and w/o "holds" on the vehicle ...
1:59 - ... decided to remove cord so family didn't have to see it. Had gloves on but couldn't loosen knot, so took gloves off to take it down.
2:01 - Gobeyn: Placed cord in backseat. Next morning, Gary Ginther from MSP crime lab called between 6:30-7 a.m.
2:01 - Gobeyn: Ginther told him to have it towed to MSP garage, not to touch vehicle.
2:03 - Stroud is done with questioning. O'Farrell up now.
2:05 - Gobeyn: Didn't have to move vehicle once he unhooked it at lot.
2:09 - Nothing further from Gobeyn. Next witness is James Popp, who towed the Aztek to the MSP garage.
2:11 - Popp: Had no reason to enter or touch vehicle and didn't enter or touch vehicle.
2:11 - Kelly Schmidt@KellySchmidt18 @SNAndyHoag what does Jeremy or the other guy coupon have to do with the case
2:12 - @KellySchmidt18 Still trying to figure that out. O'Farrell's questions about them have been brief.
2:12 - Kizzie @kizziem34 @SNAndyHoag wow no questions from o Farrel to the tow company! ?
2:13 - @kizziem34 He had a couple, but nothing new and/or of significance
2:13 - Popp: Also towed Bluew's police cruiser to MSP crime lab.
2:15 - Stroud is done, now O'Farrell, who asks when he was contacted by the police and given subpoena, which he got couple weeks ago.
2:16 - I think O'Farrell's point with that question will be to show that this part of the investigation wasn't done until just recently.
2:18 - Popp is done, and the next witness is former BV Police Chief Brian Booker.
2:19 - Booker: When hired as chief, Bluew was "one-man detective unit"
2:20 - Booker: Bluew returned to third shift patrol after his stint as Tittabawassee Township police chief .
2:20 - Booker: Received phone call from Waterman, who had just left Webbs' house and "figured he had more than just a suicide."
2:22 - Booker: Told Waterman to go back to scene, "re-establish" scene. He contacted MSP Lt. Jenkins, Thomas, Stroud. Got to scene at approx. 2:45.
2:23 - Booker: When he got there, Waterman had re-established scene. Patterson there too, Booker says. Patterson hadn't mentioned being there then.
2:24 - Booker: Patterson told him about his role. He waited until D/Sgts. Ogg and Teddy arrived, left about 6 a.m.
2:25 - Booker says he saw physically printed photographs, but Waterman didn't testify that happened yet. They were on digital camera.
2:26 - Booker testifies:
2:27 - Booker: When he left, crime lab not there. Came back at 7 a.m.
2:28 - Booker: About 5:30 a.m., Bluew showed up in patrol car. Booker walked to him instead of letting Bluew getting out.
2:28 - Booker: Bluew said, "What's up chief?" Booker said, "I don't know Ken, you tell me." Booker asked if he knew Webb and ...
2:29 - ... Bluew said he knew her but wasn't the father of the baby. Booker says he hadn't asked who the father was.
2:30 - Booker: Bluew said he had "nothing to hide," and Booker said that was "good," because the investigators had questions. Bluew said, "OK."
2:30 - Booker: Bluew said he knew Webb for about 10 years but wouldn't jeopardize his marriage by "dealing with her."
2:32 - Booker: Returned to BVPD, saw Bluew in lunch room, out of uniform.
2:33 - Booker: Walked scene with MSP crime lab personnel, who showed him certain evidence.
2:33 - Booker: Spoke with Bluew on Sept. 1. Bluew called him via cellphone, said, "you always been straight with me, and I know this ...
2:34 - ... against protocol, but I need to know what they know." He repeated the question to Bluew, because "I couldn't believe ...
2:36 - Stroud asks Booker about PPCT, or Pressure Point Control Tactics, used to subdue suspects.
2:37 - Booker: Bluew was being trained to be a PPCT instructor for BVPD.
2:37 - Stroud is done, now O'Farrell.
2:39 - O'Farrell points out that all officers go through similar PPCT training
2:40 - Booker: Believes Bluew was already certified in PPCT in years past but needed to be re-certified to be a trainer.
2:42 - Booker: Bluew was an "excellent detective." Recommended him for the Titt. Twp. chief job. Wanted to come back to BV cuz of slower pace.
2:46 - O'Farrell getting more ammo to attack the investigation, as Booker agrees that having suspect on scene would contaminate it.
2:47 - Booker: When Bluew asked about what the investigators knew, he also asked whether he would be suspended. Booker said yes.
2:47 - Booker: Bluew suspended indefinitely Sept. 2, remains on that status.
2:48 - And Booker is done. Next witness is MSP D/Sgt. Allan Ogg, one of the two lead investigators.
2:58 - Ogg going over some basics. He and Teddy went to the BVPD "to conduct further investigation there" and contact Bluew.
3:00 - Ogg: Spoke with Bluew, interviewed him between 6:30-7. He was no longer in police uniform.
3:02 - Ogg: Questioning primarily done by Teddy. Interview lasted "in excess of 2 hours."
3:06 - Ogg: Bluew had an abrasion of sorts under eye. Eye itself was bloodshot, appeared to be watering slightly. "Most obvious thing" noticed.
3:06 - Ogg testifies:
3:07 - Ogg: Bluew had injury on top of head, had four red marks on forearm. Band aid on top of right index finger.
3:13 - Ogg: Retrieved a "buccal swab" from Bluew, to obtain a "known DNA sample top of right index finger.
3:13 - Ogg: Retrieved a "buccal swab" from Bluew, to obtain a "known DNA sample."
3:13 - Sabrina Cabello@SabrinaCabello @SNAndyHoag are those the pictures being showed. of the marks
3:13 - @SabrinaCabello yes, sorry. Should have mentioned that.
3:15 - The forearm injury appears to be as if someone were to dig four fingernails into the arm.
3:15 - Megan McMullen@McMullenMegan @SNAndyHoag where did bluew say he received these injuries from ?
3:17 - Ogg: Bluew consented to have his uniform taken for examination.
3:19 - Ogg describes the injury to the top of Bluew's head:
3:20 - The injury to Bluew's right eye:
3:21 - Ogg: Bluew gave them gym bag w/ uniform he said he had on that night. Further inspection of his truck showed a uniform he said was old.
3:24 - Ogg: That following Sunday, went to MSP crime lab, examined Bluew's uniform. Pants were pressed as if not worn.
3:24 - Ogg: Smelled underarm of t-shirt, smelled like detergent or fabric softener.
3:26 - And we're going to break for the day. Trial will resume at 9 a.m. Tuesday.
3:27 - vanessa northrup@nessarae33 @SNAndyHoag im sorry, i misunderstood this..the uniform he gave ended up NOT being the one he wore the nigh before? Sorry to use up tweets
3:28 - @nessarae33 It certainly doesn't appear that way.
3:28 - @Sean_L_Fitz Glad I could help
3:28 - RT @Sean_L_Fitz: @SNAndyHoag is the clean smelling uniform the one in the yellow bag or the one that Bluew claimed was old and too small?
3:28 - @Sean_L_Fitz the one in the yellow bag, the one he said he wore that night.
3:30 - As usual, going to close the MLive chat. Feel free to tweet questions/comments on me or post them on MLive.
Jennifer Webb's mother, sister testify in Ken Bluew trial about learning of her death
MLive
September 28, 2012 http://www.mlive.com/news/saginaw/index.ssf/2012/09/jennifer_webbs_mother_sister_t.html
SAGINAW, MI —Angela Webb spoke with her mother just after 2 a.m. Aug. 31, 2011, and learned that police found her sister dead in an apparent suicide.
Webb knew that her sister, Jennifer Webb, was "ecstatic" about soon giving birth to a son she named Braxton, and refused to believe that her sister would kill herself.
"I said, 'That's bull----,' " Webb testified this morning.
Webb and her mother, Dawn Webb, cried together on the phone, and then Webb went to her parents' Bridgeport Township home, where Jennifer Webb recently had moved and prepared her bedroom for her soon-to-be newborn.
The Webbs' home also was where, about an hour earlier than mother and daughter's phone conversation, Dawn Webb told Buena Vista Police Sgt. Sean Waterman that Kenneth T. Bluew, a Buena Vista police officer, was the father of the baby.
Bluew already was at North Outer and Hack in Buena Vista Township about 11 p.m. Aug. 30 when fellow Officer Tim Patterson drove to the area. Minutes later, the two officers approached Webb's Pontiac Aztek, and Bluew found Webb's body, hanging by an extension cord from the vehicle's roof rack.
Waterman was called to the scene and treated the death as a suicide — until he learned of who the father of the baby was.
Waterman "got kind of white," Dawn Webb testified this morning, and said they needed to sit down and continue their conversation.
Dawn and Angela Webb testified before a jury of nine women and five men in the fourth day of testimony in Bluew's trial before Saginaw County Circuit Judge Darnell Jackson.
Bluew, 37, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder in the 32-year-old Webb's death. If convicted of first-degree murder, Bluew would face a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Dawn Webb testified that Waterman called their home and told her that he was standing outside their home. When he entered the home, Waterman told her and her husband, Don, that their daughter's body was found.
"I said, 'My daughter may be dead, but she did not commit suicide,' " Webb testified.
Webb said that her daughter was "just very excited about it all."
"She had it all ready," Webb said of her daughter's bedroom. "She was cramped in that room, but she had it all ready."
Angela Webb testified that her sister told her that Bluew was the father of the baby. Jennifer Webb eventually decided to name Bluew on Braxton's birth certificate and planned to go to the county Friend of the Court to secure child support, Angela Webb said, and Bluew was "receptive" to the idea and was "surprised that it took her that long to get to that point."
Both Dawn and Angela Webb testified that while they refused to believe Jennifer Webb would commit suicide, she would not have typed a suicide note on a computer and instead would have written it by hand.
This morning's other witnesses were James Terry, the owner of P.F. Markey, where Webb worked; Kelly Gilbeaux, Webb's friend; and Lisa Martin, a former co-worker and Webb's friend — all three of whom testified that Webb was excited about the baby. Ivan Phillips, the owner of Paradise Funeral Chapel, and David Taylor, who was a paramedic supervisor at Mobile Medical Response, also testified.
Bluew, who lived in Saginaw Township, also is charged with assaulting a pregnant individual intentionally causing miscarriage or stillbirth of a fetus or embryo and two counts of possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony.
If convicted of first-degree murder, he would face a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. The assault charge carries a maximum penalty of life in prison.
Former Buena Vista Police Chief Brian Booker testifies that Ken Bluew asked him 'what they know' about the pregnant Jennifer Webb's death
MLive
September 28, 2012 http://www.mlive.com/news/saginaw/index.ssf/2012/09/live_tweets_day_4_of_trial_for.html
Ken Bluew Trial Day 4
Friday September 28, 2012
Andy Hoag@SNAndyHoag
9:18 - Let me try that one more time for the MLive followers: Bluew has arrived in court; should be getting started soon.
9:21 - Judge here, and O'Farrell has something he wants to place on record w/o jury present. It's about the hearsay statements discussed yesterday.
9:22 - O'Farrell wants ruling in advance to avoid having to object to inadmissible hearsay. Doesn't want to look like he's withholding information.
9:23 - Thomas says he will attempt to guide witnesses along in order to stay in compliance w/ order regarding statements.
9:24 - Judge will allow leeway for Thomas asking leading questions to assure appropriate answers.
9:25 - Jury being brought in.
9:27 - Next witness: James Terry, who owns PF Markey, where Webb worked.
9:29 - Terry: Next day, heard about her death and that it was a suicide. He said, "Absolutely not. Not Jenny Webb, not here not now."
9:32 - Judge Jackson listens to O'Farrell's argument from earlier:
9:32 - Thomas asks question regarding Terry offering to help pay for some of Webb's family's expenses.
9:33 - O'Farrell objects on relevancy, Jackson sustains.
9:35 - Terry done. Next witness: Kelly Guilbaux, who went to Delta College w/ Webb in 1997. Remained friends.
9:37 - Guilbaux: Webb told her she was pregnant, that the father was "Ken."
9:38 - Guilbaux: Saw Webb week before her death, had dinner together. Webb told her that she was going to put Bluew's name on birth certificate.
9:38 - Guilbaux: Webb also said she was going to go through Friend of the Court.
9:39 - Guilbaux: "She was ready to have this baby. She was ready to be a mom. ... She was ready to bring him into this world."
9:40 - Guilbaux: Webb did not appear depressed or despondent, didn't say she was having trouble at work.
9:44 - Guilbaux: Sent a text message to Webb the night she died. Sent it about 9 p.m. regarding meeting for maternity photos next day.
9:44 - Guilbaux: Webb replied and said yes. She told Webb to get some rest, she said everybody had been telling her that.
9:46 - Guilbaux done. Next witness is Lisa Martin, who works at Dow Kokam.
9:47 - Martin: Friends with Webb about 10 years. They worked together at a different company.
9:48 - Martin: "Very close friends." Saw her once every two weeks or so, spoke on phone weekly. Also texted each other.
9:49 - Martin: Found out in May that Webb was pregnant. She told her "Ken" was the father.
9:49 - Martin: "She was excited ... doing a lot of planning." Buying books, shopping. "Excited about doctor's appointments," seeing pictures.
9:50 - Martin: Webb would share ultrasound pictures with friends. Was "getting her life in order" cuz she "knew it was going to be a transition."
9:51 - Martin: Webb initially was not going to go for child support, "wanted to see how things panned out." She encouraged Webb to go to ...
9:51 - ... Friend of the Court. Felt it was "irresponsible" for father not to be involved. Last couple weeks of her life, Webb decided ...
9:52 - ... to name him on birth certificate, seek child support.
9:53 - Martin: Spoke with her two days before her death. Asked how things were going, cuz heard her house was broken into again.
9:54 - Martin: House broken into that Saturday. Would have been third time. Webb already was living at parents' home.
9:54 - O'Farrell now up. Funny moment as Martin thought she was all done and tried to get up and leave.
9:57 - Dawn and her husband Donald have not been able to watch the trial, as they have been sequestered.
9:59 - Thomas establishing that Dawn Webb was employed, Donald Webb retired, Jennifer Webb's brother &sister both employed.
10:00 - Now Dawn Webb talking about when Waterman came to home. Said Waterman called, said he was at front door. They let him in.
10:01 - Webb: Waterman told them she was dead. "My daughter may be dead, but she did not commit suicide."
10:01 - As Webb recounts talking with Waterman, numerous family members in gallery can be heard crying.
10:02 - Webb: Both she and husband adamant that their daughter wouldn't have committed suicide. "She was happy."
10:03 - Webb: She told Waterman that Bluew was father, Waterman got "kind of white," said they needed to sit down and talk.
10:05 - Webb: "She had it all ready. She was cramped in that (bed)room, but she had it all ready."
10:06 - Webb: She and husband told their daughter in July it'd be best if she moved to their home.
10:07 - Webb: "She was just very excited about it all."
10:09 - Webb smiles as she recounts discussions with her daughter about naming her son.
10:13 - Webb recognizes her daughter's purse, and identifies from a photo the back of her daughter's Aztek.
10:14 - Webb: Daughter owned a motorcycle, but knew being a single mother would need more money, so she sold it.
10:16 - Thomas pulls the purse out of an evidence bag:
10:17 - Webb: Got home that night about 9:15 p.m., daughter not home yet. Checked with Angie, other daughter, who said she'd call Andrea King.
10:17 - Webb: King told Angie that Jennifer went to go see "the baby daddy."
10:19 - MSP's Ogg and Teddy showed her the suicide note. Read it outloud to Don, Angie. Didn't finish it because it wasn't something ...
10:19 - ... she would write, and there were things that weren't true. "She would have handwritten it."
10:21 - Dawn Webb testifies about her daughter:
10:23 - O'Farrell now questioning. Webb says daughter commonly referred to Braxton as "Little Man," or "Lil Man"
10:24 - Webb: Reviewed police reports yesterday to refresh her memory, but she remembered everything in there.
10:27 - Webb: Daughter told her that Bluew was separated from his wife. Wanted baby to know his father.
10:31 - And with that, Webb is done testifying, and we're taking a break.
10:43 - RT @Micah92269051: @SNAndyHoag Anyone else notice bluew is not looking most of the time at dawn Webb ?
10:44 - @Micah92269051 he hasn't been looking at most of the witnesses. He's occupied taking notes, for the most part.
10:44 - Katie Horupa@KatieLyn14 @SNAndyHoag What were the names that O'Farrell asked about and the relevance?
10:45 - @KatieLyn14 I'm not 100% sure. I don't know if they were mentioned in the suicide note or in text messages, or what.
10:48 - RT @smh10srh: @SNAndyHoag Katie I think one was Jeremy Morris &? Coupon.
10:49 - @smh10srh The other one is Ken Coupons.
10:50 - And we're back. Next witness is Angie Webb, Jennifer Webb's daughter.
10:55 - Thomas asking Webb about her sister, but we're not learning anything new. They bought the same phone the Thursday before her death.
10:56 - Thomas has Webb take her sister's phone out of an evidence package. Wondering if they'll use this as opportunity to show ...
10:57 - ... recent calls, contact of "Ken Cop Boo."
10:57 - Oh my, sorry folks. Obviously Angie is Jenny's sister.
10:58 - I was wondering why I had like 8 new mentions all of a sudden. Sorry again.
10:59 - Now that I have that embarrassing moment out of the way, Webb testifying about one of the break-ins at her sister's home.
11:00 - Webb: At least 2 of the 3 suspects in that incident were caught. Jenny Webb testified against them, Angie says.
11:02 - Webb: Visited parents one day and sister told her she was pregnant, that Ken Bluew was father. Knew Bluew from when ...
11:03 - ... she went with her sister to the Backstreet bar on Holland in BV. Bluew would come by on patrol, they became friends.
11:04 - Angie Webb testifies about her sister:
11:06 - Webb: Last time saw sister alive was Aug. 29, night before her death.
11:07 - Webb: "She was ecstatic. She was so looking forward to having that baby."
11:09 - Thomas going through the suicide note, asking Webb if she ever heard her sister say any of the things in the note. Each time, "No."
11:10 - Webb: On night of death, mom called and said they hadn't seen Jenny yet. She called sister's phone, no answer, tried to text her.
11:11 - Webb: No response, which was "unusual." Texted Andrea King, who said "she went to go see baby daddy."
11:13 - Webb: Spoke with mother on phone about 2:15 a.m., mother said that Waterman came and said Jenny committed suicide.
11:14 - Webb: Responded by saying, "That's bull----" and they cried on the phone. She went over to parents' house.
11:17 - O'Farrell now on cross. Webb told police that King said Jenny left to see Bluew about 9 p.m.
11:18 - O'Farrell brought this up during King's testimony, too, and King said she remembered Webb leaving about 8:30 or just before then.
11:19 - Webb: Sister spoke with her about going to Friend of the Court. Jenny told Angie that Bluew was "receptive" to this and ...
11:20 - ... that he was surprised it took her that long to get to that point. They had talked about him making off-the-record payments but ...
11:20 - ... he told her he may have to leave the state at some point due to the job market. She felt that wasn't the best for her.
11:21 - O'Farrell again asks about Jeremy Morris and Ken Coupons. Webb says she knows Jeremy and Jenny were friends, doesn't know Coupons
11:23 - Thomas back for re-direct. Webb: Didn't know her sister's relationship with Bluew was "more than friends."
11:23 - Apparently this Jeremy Morris went to Bridgeport HS at same time the Webb sisters went there.
11:23 - RT @nessarae33: @SNAndyHoag Has Ken been on the stand yet since this began I satrted following yesturday
11:24 - @nessarae33 No, that won't happen, if it even does, until the prosecution is done presenting their evidence.
11:25 - Webb: Sister never would have typed out a suicide letter. Would have been in pen, and would have wrote individual letters for family.
11:25 - And Webb is done. Next witness is Ivan Phillips from the morgue.
11:27 - Phillips is owner of Paradise Funeral Chapel, which transports bodies for Saginaw County to Covenant HealthCare.
11:28 - When he got to scene, knew Waterman and Bluew, and there was another officer there he didn't know.
11:34 - Phillips says the Aztek wasn't moved and that the cord wasn't cut until they moved Webb's body up to the road. This completely ...
11:34 - ... contradicts everything Patterson and Waterman said.
11:36 - Phillips: He and Patterson drove separately to Covenant. Body was placed in the morgue. Says he didn't open body bag at all.
11:36 - RT @nichol0715: @SNAndyHoag is that a good thing or a bad thing?
11:37 - @nichol0715 I suppose it depends on your perspective, but I'd imagine the prosecution will say Phillips just isn't remembering correctly.
11:38 - Phillips: Doesn't write reports in regards to transports, didn't review any reports prior to testifying.
11:41 - Phillips says he grabbed Webb by her pants and pulled her up to a flat surface.
11:42 - Patterson testified that Waterman and Phillips grabbed her by her wrists.
11:43 - Phillips doesn't recall any photos being taken. Says again that cord still was around neck when she was pulled up.
11:45 - And Phillips is done now. Bench conference, likely to talk about breaking for lunch.
11:46 - Thomas and Stroud must have a brief witness coming up, because we aren't breaking yet. Witness is David Taylor from MMR.
11:47 - Taylor is a paramedic supervisor, and went to Outer &Hack.
11:50 - Taylor: Knew Bluew, who was on scene. Bluew was at the passenger side of the vehicle when Taylor arrived.
11:50 - nichol@nichol0715 @SNAndyHoag last I knew he wasn't working at MMR anymore
11:51 - @nichol0715 I'm not aware either way of his current employment. It wasn't actually mentioned that way, I suppose.
11:52 - Taylor: Spoke with Bluew near the trunk of Bluew's vehicle. Bluew was "sweating profusely." Asked if he was OK.
11:53 - Andy Hoag: Back in Twitter jail. Taylor said he didn't see Bluew do anything physically strenuous enough to be sweating that much.
11:54 - Andy Hoag: At least I'm getting put in jail just before lunch.
11:55 - Andy Hoag: Taylor: Didn't go inside police tape, but could see from vantage point could see she was deceased.
11:57 - Andy Hoag: O'Farrell now on cross. Taylor can only remember three officers -- Bluew, Patterson, Sylvester.
11:58 - Andy Hoag: When Taylor asked Bluew if he was OK, Bluew said, "I have all this stuff on plus I know her."
11:58 - Andy Hoag: And Taylor is done. Breaking for lunch.
12:15 - Sorry folks, got put in #twitterjail again. We've broke for lunch.
12:27 - RT @McMullenMegan: @SNAndyHoag Andy am I correct in hearing that he said bluew told him he was sweating bc he has a lot of clothes on an ...
12:28 - @McMullenMegan That's correct. That's one of the tweets I was only able to put on MLive.
12:53 - Beth Teneyuque@teneyuque20 @SNAndyHoag Has anyone mentioned why Bluew was bleeding in the first place?
12:54 - @teneyuque20 The assertion in Stroud's opening argument was that Webb bit his finger when he had gloves on.
1:41 - RT @jessacastillo: @SNAndyHoag is court done with for today
1:41 - @jessacastillo Nope, still haven't come back from lunch break.
1:53 - And we're back. First witness is Nate Gobeyn from Gobeyn's towing in Bridgeport. He towed Webb's vehicle from the scene.
1:55 - Gobeyn says only Waterman was there when he arrived.
1:56 - To tow vehicle, had to position it different to gain access to front of vehicle. To do so, had to get in driver's seat.
1:57 - Gobeyn: Waterman told him there was no "holds" on vehicle, so no need for gloves. Doesn't believe he put gloves on.
1:59 - Gobeyn: Only got in front seat at time. When he got vehicle to lot, saw cord still hanging, and w/o "holds" on the vehicle ...
1:59 - ... decided to remove cord so family didn't have to see it. Had gloves on but couldn't loosen knot, so took gloves off to take it down.
2:01 - Gobeyn: Placed cord in backseat. Next morning, Gary Ginther from MSP crime lab called between 6:30-7 a.m.
2:01 - Gobeyn: Ginther told him to have it towed to MSP garage, not to touch vehicle.
2:03 - Stroud is done with questioning. O'Farrell up now.
2:05 - Gobeyn: Didn't have to move vehicle once he unhooked it at lot.
2:09 - Nothing further from Gobeyn. Next witness is James Popp, who towed the Aztek to the MSP garage.
2:11 - Popp: Had no reason to enter or touch vehicle and didn't enter or touch vehicle.
2:11 - Kelly Schmidt@KellySchmidt18 @SNAndyHoag what does Jeremy or the other guy coupon have to do with the case
2:12 - @KellySchmidt18 Still trying to figure that out. O'Farrell's questions about them have been brief.
2:12 - Kizzie @kizziem34 @SNAndyHoag wow no questions from o Farrel to the tow company! ?
2:13 - @kizziem34 He had a couple, but nothing new and/or of significance
2:13 - Popp: Also towed Bluew's police cruiser to MSP crime lab.
2:15 - Stroud is done, now O'Farrell, who asks when he was contacted by the police and given subpoena, which he got couple weeks ago.
2:16 - I think O'Farrell's point with that question will be to show that this part of the investigation wasn't done until just recently.
2:18 - Popp is done, and the next witness is former BV Police Chief Brian Booker.
2:19 - Booker: When hired as chief, Bluew was "one-man detective unit"
2:20 - Booker: Bluew returned to third shift patrol after his stint as Tittabawassee Township police chief .
2:20 - Booker: Received phone call from Waterman, who had just left Webbs' house and "figured he had more than just a suicide."
2:22 - Booker: Told Waterman to go back to scene, "re-establish" scene. He contacted MSP Lt. Jenkins, Thomas, Stroud. Got to scene at approx. 2:45.
2:23 - Booker: When he got there, Waterman had re-established scene. Patterson there too, Booker says. Patterson hadn't mentioned being there then.
2:24 - Booker: Patterson told him about his role. He waited until D/Sgts. Ogg and Teddy arrived, left about 6 a.m.
2:25 - Booker says he saw physically printed photographs, but Waterman didn't testify that happened yet. They were on digital camera.
2:26 - Booker testifies:
2:27 - Booker: When he left, crime lab not there. Came back at 7 a.m.
2:28 - Booker: About 5:30 a.m., Bluew showed up in patrol car. Booker walked to him instead of letting Bluew getting out.
2:28 - Booker: Bluew said, "What's up chief?" Booker said, "I don't know Ken, you tell me." Booker asked if he knew Webb and ...
2:29 - ... Bluew said he knew her but wasn't the father of the baby. Booker says he hadn't asked who the father was.
2:30 - Booker: Bluew said he had "nothing to hide," and Booker said that was "good," because the investigators had questions. Bluew said, "OK."
2:30 - Booker: Bluew said he knew Webb for about 10 years but wouldn't jeopardize his marriage by "dealing with her."
2:32 - Booker: Returned to BVPD, saw Bluew in lunch room, out of uniform.
2:33 - Booker: Walked scene with MSP crime lab personnel, who showed him certain evidence.
2:33 - Booker: Spoke with Bluew on Sept. 1. Bluew called him via cellphone, said, "you always been straight with me, and I know this ...
2:34 - ... against protocol, but I need to know what they know." He repeated the question to Bluew, because "I couldn't believe ...
2:36 - Stroud asks Booker about PPCT, or Pressure Point Control Tactics, used to subdue suspects.
2:37 - Booker: Bluew was being trained to be a PPCT instructor for BVPD.
2:37 - Stroud is done, now O'Farrell.
2:39 - O'Farrell points out that all officers go through similar PPCT training
2:40 - Booker: Believes Bluew was already certified in PPCT in years past but needed to be re-certified to be a trainer.
2:42 - Booker: Bluew was an "excellent detective." Recommended him for the Titt. Twp. chief job. Wanted to come back to BV cuz of slower pace.
2:46 - O'Farrell getting more ammo to attack the investigation, as Booker agrees that having suspect on scene would contaminate it.
2:47 - Booker: When Bluew asked about what the investigators knew, he also asked whether he would be suspended. Booker said yes.
2:47 - Booker: Bluew suspended indefinitely Sept. 2, remains on that status.
2:48 - And Booker is done. Next witness is MSP D/Sgt. Allan Ogg, one of the two lead investigators.
2:58 - Ogg going over some basics. He and Teddy went to the BVPD "to conduct further investigation there" and contact Bluew.
3:00 - Ogg: Spoke with Bluew, interviewed him between 6:30-7. He was no longer in police uniform.
3:02 - Ogg: Questioning primarily done by Teddy. Interview lasted "in excess of 2 hours."
3:06 - Ogg: Bluew had an abrasion of sorts under eye. Eye itself was bloodshot, appeared to be watering slightly. "Most obvious thing" noticed.
3:06 - Ogg testifies:
3:07 - Ogg: Bluew had injury on top of head, had four red marks on forearm. Band aid on top of right index finger.
3:13 - Ogg: Retrieved a "buccal swab" from Bluew, to obtain a "known DNA sample top of right index finger.
3:13 - Ogg: Retrieved a "buccal swab" from Bluew, to obtain a "known DNA sample."
3:13 - Sabrina Cabello@SabrinaCabello @SNAndyHoag are those the pictures being showed. of the marks
3:13 - @SabrinaCabello yes, sorry. Should have mentioned that.
3:15 - The forearm injury appears to be as if someone were to dig four fingernails into the arm.
3:15 - Megan McMullen@McMullenMegan @SNAndyHoag where did bluew say he received these injuries from ?
3:17 - Ogg: Bluew consented to have his uniform taken for examination.
3:19 - Ogg describes the injury to the top of Bluew's head:
3:20 - The injury to Bluew's right eye:
3:21 - Ogg: Bluew gave them gym bag w/ uniform he said he had on that night. Further inspection of his truck showed a uniform he said was old.
3:24 - Ogg: That following Sunday, went to MSP crime lab, examined Bluew's uniform. Pants were pressed as if not worn.
3:24 - Ogg: Smelled underarm of t-shirt, smelled like detergent or fabric softener.
3:26 - And we're going to break for the day. Trial will resume at 9 a.m. Tuesday.
3:27 - vanessa northrup@nessarae33 @SNAndyHoag im sorry, i misunderstood this..the uniform he gave ended up NOT being the one he wore the nigh before? Sorry to use up tweets
3:28 - @nessarae33 It certainly doesn't appear that way.
3:28 - @Sean_L_Fitz Glad I could help
3:28 - RT @Sean_L_Fitz: @SNAndyHoag is the clean smelling uniform the one in the yellow bag or the one that Bluew claimed was old and too small?
3:28 - @Sean_L_Fitz the one in the yellow bag, the one he said he wore that night.
3:30 - As usual, going to close the MLive chat. Feel free to tweet questions/comments on me or post them on MLive.
Jennifer Webb's mother, sister testify in Ken Bluew trial about learning of her death
MLive
September 28, 2012 http://www.mlive.com/news/saginaw/index.ssf/2012/09/jennifer_webbs_mother_sister_t.html
SAGINAW, MI —Angela Webb spoke with her mother just after 2 a.m. Aug. 31, 2011, and learned that police found her sister dead in an apparent suicide.
Webb knew that her sister, Jennifer Webb, was "ecstatic" about soon giving birth to a son she named Braxton, and refused to believe that her sister would kill herself.
"I said, 'That's bull----,' " Webb testified this morning.
Webb and her mother, Dawn Webb, cried together on the phone, and then Webb went to her parents' Bridgeport Township home, where Jennifer Webb recently had moved and prepared her bedroom for her soon-to-be newborn.
The Webbs' home also was where, about an hour earlier than mother and daughter's phone conversation, Dawn Webb told Buena Vista Police Sgt. Sean Waterman that Kenneth T. Bluew, a Buena Vista police officer, was the father of the baby.
Bluew already was at North Outer and Hack in Buena Vista Township about 11 p.m. Aug. 30 when fellow Officer Tim Patterson drove to the area. Minutes later, the two officers approached Webb's Pontiac Aztek, and Bluew found Webb's body, hanging by an extension cord from the vehicle's roof rack.
Waterman was called to the scene and treated the death as a suicide — until he learned of who the father of the baby was.
Waterman "got kind of white," Dawn Webb testified this morning, and said they needed to sit down and continue their conversation.
Dawn and Angela Webb testified before a jury of nine women and five men in the fourth day of testimony in Bluew's trial before Saginaw County Circuit Judge Darnell Jackson.
Bluew, 37, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder in the 32-year-old Webb's death. If convicted of first-degree murder, Bluew would face a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Dawn Webb testified that Waterman called their home and told her that he was standing outside their home. When he entered the home, Waterman told her and her husband, Don, that their daughter's body was found.
"I said, 'My daughter may be dead, but she did not commit suicide,' " Webb testified.
Webb said that her daughter was "just very excited about it all."
"She had it all ready," Webb said of her daughter's bedroom. "She was cramped in that room, but she had it all ready."
Angela Webb testified that her sister told her that Bluew was the father of the baby. Jennifer Webb eventually decided to name Bluew on Braxton's birth certificate and planned to go to the county Friend of the Court to secure child support, Angela Webb said, and Bluew was "receptive" to the idea and was "surprised that it took her that long to get to that point."
Both Dawn and Angela Webb testified that while they refused to believe Jennifer Webb would commit suicide, she would not have typed a suicide note on a computer and instead would have written it by hand.
This morning's other witnesses were James Terry, the owner of P.F. Markey, where Webb worked; Kelly Gilbeaux, Webb's friend; and Lisa Martin, a former co-worker and Webb's friend — all three of whom testified that Webb was excited about the baby. Ivan Phillips, the owner of Paradise Funeral Chapel, and David Taylor, who was a paramedic supervisor at Mobile Medical Response, also testified.
Bluew, who lived in Saginaw Township, also is charged with assaulting a pregnant individual intentionally causing miscarriage or stillbirth of a fetus or embryo and two counts of possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony.
If convicted of first-degree murder, he would face a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. The assault charge carries a maximum penalty of life in prison.
Former Buena Vista Police Chief Brian Booker testifies that Ken Bluew asked him 'what they know' about the pregnant Jennifer Webb's death
MLive
September 28, 2012 http://www.mlive.com/news/saginaw/index.ssf/2012/09/former_buena_vista_police_chie_2.html
SAGINAW, MI — About 36 hours after the mother of his unborn child was found dead in an apparent suicide, Kenneth T. Bluew called his police chief and asked "what they know," the then-chief testified this afternoon.
Former Buena Vista Police Chief Brian Booker testified that Bluew, a police officer, called him Sept. 1, about a day and a half after Jennifer Webb's body was found hanging from the roof rack of her Pontiac Aztek.
"He said, 'You've always been straight with me, and I know this is against protocol, but I need to know what they know,' " Booker said.
Booker, who was fired from his position in February, told a jury of nine women and five men in Bluew's trial that he repeated the question back to Bluew, whom he had known since 2005.
"I couldn't believe he was asking me that question," Booker said.
Bluew, 37, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder in the 32-year-old Webb's death. If convicted of first-degree murder, Bluew would face a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.
His trial before Saginaw County Circuit Judge Darnell Jackson began last week with jury selection that lasted four days and continued this week with testimony. The trial will resume Tuesday morning.
Bluew already was at North Outer and Hack in Buena Vista Township about 11 p.m. Aug. 30 when fellow Officer Tim Patterson drove to the area. Minutes later, the two officers approached Webb's vehicle, and Bluew said he found Webb's body.
Buena Vista Sgt. Sean Waterman, now the acting chief, was called to the scene and treated the death as a suicide — until he spoke with Webb's parents about 1 a.m. He learned that Bluew was the father of the baby, whom Webb was going to name Braxton, and that Webb was excited about impending birth.
Waterman then called Booker, who then called the Michigan State Police to investigate.
Booker arrived at the scene about 2:45 a.m., he testified. About 5:30 a.m., Bluew appeared again, still on duty, Booker testified.
Booker, who was speaking with Patterson at the time, walked to Bluew's car instead of having Bluew approach the scene on foot, he testified.
Booker testified that Bluew said, "What's up, chief?" Booker replied, "I don't know Ken, you tell me," he said. The then-chief then asked Bluew if he knew Webb, and Bluew confirmed that he did and, without provocation, said that he was not the father of Webb's child.
Bluew said he "nothing to hide," Booker said, and Booker replied that that was "good," because the state police investigators wanted to question him. Bluew said, "OK," and continued by saying that he had known Webb for about 10 years and that he would not jeopardize his marriage by "dealing with her," Booker said.
State Police Detective Sgts. Allan Ogg and Jason Teddy, who now is a lieutenant, began interviewing Bluew at the Buena Vista Police Department sometime before 7 a.m., Ogg testified today.
Ogg testified that Bluew had an abrasion of sorts under his right eye, had a scratch on the top of his head, had an injury to his right forearm consistent with somebody digging four fingernails into his skin, and had a bandage on his right index finger.
Bluew gave Ogg and Teddy consent to search his vehicle, Ogg testified. Bluew pointed them to his uniform bag and told the detectives that inside the bag was the uniform he wore that night, Ogg testified. In searching his truck further, the detectives found an additional pair of pants and a T-shirt in a storage compartment under the truck's backseat, Ogg said. Bluew said the pants were old and no longer fit him, Ogg said.
Ogg said that on the following Sunday, he went to the state police crime lab in Bridgeport Township, where state police forensic scientist Valarie Bowman showed him the uniform Bluew said was the one he wore that night. Ogg testified that the pants appeared to be "pressed" and not worn since being pressed. The detective said he smelled the underarm area of the T-shirt — testimony showed Bluew was sweating profusely at the scene — and that the shirt smelled like either detergent or fabric softener.
At that point, the judge called for a break. Ogg's testimony will continue Tuesday.
Bluew, who lived in Saginaw Township, also is charged with assaulting a pregnant individual intentionally causing miscarriage or stillbirth of a fetus or embryo and two counts of possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony.
The assault charge carries a maximum penalty of life in prison.
'Looking very, very suspicious'
Saginaw News (MI)
Friday, September 28, 2012
SAGINAW -- Buena Vista Police Sgt. Sean Waterman paused for a second to fight back tears and compose himself.
Then, he informed a jury Thursday about the early morning he told Donald and Dawn Webb their daughter, eight months pregnant, was found dead about two hours before.
Waterman told the nine women and five men on the jury what he learned next: The father of the child was the officer already on scene when a second officer arrived.
Waterman, now the acting chief of the Buena Vista Police Department, took the witness stand during the third day of testimony in Kenneth T. Bluew's trial before Saginaw County Circuit Judge Darnell Jackson.
Bluew, 37, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder in Webb's Aug. 30, 2011, death at North Outer and Hack in Buena Vista Township. Webb, 32, planned to name her son Braxton.
The first week of testimony wraps up today.
Because Bluew and Officer Tim Patterson found Webb hanging by an extension cord from the roof rack of her Pontiac Aztek and that Bluew had found an apparent suicide note in Webb's purse, the death was treated as a suicide, Waterman testified.
After the scene was cleared, Waterman traveled to the Webb family home in Bridgeport, he said. Saginaw County Prosecutor Michael D. Thomas asked him what he did next, and Waterman became emotional, paused and composed himself before answering.
"I had to tell them we found their daughter at Hack and Outer and that she was deceased and that it appeared she had hung herself," Waterman said. "Mr. Webb just looked at me and said, 'No way ... it wasn't possible.' "
Waterman testified he asked the parents if they knew who the father of the baby was.
"They said it was Ken Bluew," Waterman said, and the sergeant asked them if they knew who he was.
"They said, 'Yes, he's one of your officers,'" Waterman said. "I had to sit down, because I became sick to my stomach."
Waterman, noting the suicide note said Webb was depressed about her pregnancy, asked her parents if that was the case. They said she was "excited" about the pregnancy, and her only concern was being a single mother, Waterman said.
The sergeant asked Webb's parents show him her bedroom, where he found a crib, baby clothes, baby supplies and "how to" books.
"To me, looking at this, this was somebody who was ready and prepared to mother a child," he said.
He told Webb's parents the next law enforcement contact they would have would be with the Michigan State Police.
"I realized at that point that there was more to this scene than I initially assumed," Waterman said. "I believed Officer Bluew had something more to do with" the death, and he called then-Chief Brian Booker to recommend that the state police handle the investigation.
"Things were not looking good," Waterman said. "They were looking very, very suspicious."
Waterman said he returned to the scene to, essentially, resecure it until the state police arrived. When that happened, he went back to the department. Sometime after 6 a.m., he returned to the scene again, and while he was there, Bluew showed up in civilian clothing, Waterman said, and spoke with Booker.
Other witnesses
Another witness Thursday, Barry Nelson, deputy director of Saginaw County 911, testified about Bluew not answering "radio checks" for seven minutes from 10:28 p.m. to 10:35 p.m. Bluew also had not made radio contact with Central Dispatch since 9:02 p.m., Nelson said.
Also Thursday, Dr. Jacquelyn Robinson, Webb's gynecologist, and Brandi Richards, Webb's supervisor at P.F. Markey, testified Webb was excited to give birth and was not depressed or suicidal.
Robinson said Webb was healthy and "not anxious" about the baby.
"She was easygoing and excited about the pregnancy," Robinson said.
Richards described herself as Webb's supervisor and friend and said Webb was "very happy to be a mother" and talked with Robinson about the pregnancy.
Richards testified Webb told her Bluew was the father of the baby. Richards said she knew Bluew was a Buena Vista police officer because Webb had told her she was having a relationship with such an officer. After an objection from O'Farrell, Jackson struck the statement from the record.
She also testified Webb told her she intended to secure child support through the county Friend of the Court after the initial plan of having Bluew provide off-the-record payments fell through. Richards said Webb showed her two text-message conversations she had with Bluew about child support, but because of a previous ruling from Jackson, she could not be more specific.
Bluew, who lived in Saginaw Township, also is charged with assaulting a pregnant individual intentionally causing miscarriage or stillbirth of a fetus or embryo and two counts of possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony.
If convicted of first-degree murder, he would face a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. The assault charge carries a maximum penalty of life in prison.
Bluew Sergeant: baby items in Webb's room showed someone ready to be a mom
Saginaw News (MI)
Friday, September 28, 2012
Brandi Richards, who was Jennifer Webb's supervisor at P.F. Markey, testifies during the third day of Kenneth Bluew 's trial in front of Saginaw County Circuit Judge Darnell Jackson in Saginaw. Bluew is accused of first-degree premeditated murder in the Aug. 30, 2011, slaying of Webb.
Jacquelyn Robinson Waterman traveled to the Webb family home in Bridgeport, he said. Saginaw County Prosecutor Michael D. Thomas asked him what he did next, and Waterman became emotional, paused and composed himself before answering.
"I had to tell them we found their daughter at Hack and Outer and that she was deceased and that it appeared she had hung herself," Waterman said. "Mr. Webb just looked at me and said, 'No way ... it wasn't possible.'"
Waterman testified he asked the parents if they knew who the father of the baby was.
"They said it was Ken Bluew," Waterman said, and the sergeant asked them if they knew who he was.
"They said, 'Yes, he's one of your officers,'" Waterman said. "I had to sit down, because I became sick to my stomach."
Waterman, noting the suicide note said Webb was depressed about her pregnancy, asked her parents if that was the case. They said she was "excited" about the pregnancy, and her only concern was being a single mother, Waterman said.
The sergeant asked Webb's parents to show him her bedroom, where he found a crib, baby clothes, baby supplies and "how to" books.
"To me, looking at this, this was somebody who was ready and prepared to mother a child," he said.
He told Webb's parents the next law enforcement contact they would have would be with the Michigan State Police.
"I realized at that point that there was more to this scene than I initially assumed," Waterman said. "I believed Officer Bluew had something more to do with" the death, and he called then-Chief Brian Booker to recommend that the state police handle the investigation.
"Things were not looking good," Waterman said. "They were looking very, very suspicious."
Waterman said he returned to the scene to, essentially, resecure it until the state police arrived. When that happened, he went back to the department.
Sometime after 6 a.m., he returned to the scene again, and while he was there, Bluew showed up in civilian clothing, Waterman said, and spoke with Booker.
Other witnesses
Another witness Thursday, Barry Nelson, deputy director of Saginaw County 911, testified about Bluew not answering "radio checks" for seven minutes from 10:28 p.m. to 10:35 p.m. Bluew also had not made radio contact with Central Dispatch since 9:02 p.m., Nelson said.
Also Thursday, Dr. Jacquelyn Robinson, Webb's gynecologist, and Brandi Richards, Webb's supervisor at P.F. Markey, testified Webb was excited to give birth and was not depressed or suicidal.
Robinson said Webb was healthy and "not anxious" about the baby.
"She was easygoing and excited about the pregnancy," Robinson said.
Richards described herself as Webb's supervisor and friend and said Webb was "very happy to be a mother" and talked with Robinson about the pregnancy.
Richards testified Webb told her Bluew was the father of the baby. Richards said she knew Bluew was a Buena Vista police officer because Webb had told her she was having a relationship with such an officer. After an objection from O'Farrell, Jackson struck the statement from the record.
She also testified Webb told her she intended to secure child support through the county Friend of the Court after the initial plan of having Bluew provide off-the-record payments fell through.
Richards said Webb showed her two text-message conversations she had with Bluew about child support, but because of a previous ruling from Jackson, she could not be more specific.
Bluew, who lived in Saginaw Township, also is charged with assaulting a pregnant individual intentionally causing miscarriage or stillbirth of a fetus or embryo and two counts of possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony.
If convicted of first-degree murder, he would face a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. The assault charge carries a maximum penalty of life in prison.
"I became sick to my stomach." -- Sgt. Sean Waterman, on learning Kenneth Bluew was the father of Jennifer Webb's unborn child.
Bluew 'she did not commit suicide,' mom says
Saginaw News (MI)
Sunday, September 30, 2012
State police Detective Sgt. Allan Ogg indicates during testimony Friday where he recorded injuries on Kenneth Bluew 's head while Ogg was investigating the death of Jennifer Webb.
Dawn Webb, Jennifer Webb's mother, pauses while testifying Friday during the fourth day of the Kenneth Bluew trial in front of Saginaw County Circuit Judge Darnell Jackson.
Injuries, clothing
State police Detective Sgts. Allan Ogg and Jason Teddy, who now is a lieutenant, began interviewing Bluew at the Buena Vista Police Department sometime before 7 a.m., Ogg testified Friday.
Ogg testified Bluew had an abrasion under his right eye, a scratch on the top of his head, an injury to his right forearm consistent with someone digging four fingernails into his skin and had a bandage on his right index finger.
Bluew gave Ogg and Teddy consent to search his vehicle, Ogg testified. Bluew pointed them to his uniform bag and told the detectives that inside the bag was the uniform he wore that night, Ogg testified. In searching his truck further, the detectives found an additional pair of pants and a T-shirt in a storage compartment under the truck's back seat, Ogg said. Bluew said the pants were old and no longer fit him, Ogg said.
Ogg said that on the following Sunday, he went to the state police crime lab in Bridgeport Township, where state police forensic scientist Valarie Bowman showed him the uniform Bluew said was the one he wore that night. Ogg testified the pants appeared to be "pressed" and not worn since then.
The detective said he smelled the underarm area of the T-shirt -- testimony showed he was sweating profusely at the scene -- and the shirt smelled like detergent or fabric softener.
At that point, Jackson called for a break. Ogg's testimony is to continue Tuesday.
Sister, mother testify
Earlier Friday, Angela Webb testified she spoke with her mother just after 2 a.m. Aug. 31, 2011, and learned police had found her sister dead in an apparent suicide.
Webb knew her sister, Jennifer Webb, was "ecstatic" about soon giving birth to a son she was going to name Braxton and refused to believe that her sister would kill herself.
"I said, 'That's bull----,' " Webb testified.
Webb and her mother, Dawn Webb, cried together on the phone, and Webb went to her parents' Bridgeport Township home, where Jennifer Webb recently had moved and prepared her bedroom for her soon-to-be newborn.
The Webbs' home also was where, about an hour before the mother-and-daughter phone conversation, Dawn Webb told Waterman that Bluew was the father of the baby.
Waterman "got kind of white," Dawn Webb testified Friday morning and said they needed to sit down and continue their conversation.
Dawn and Angela Webb testified on the fourth day of testimony in Bluew's trial.
Dawn Webb testified Waterman called their home and told her he was standing outside. When he entered the home, Waterman told her and her husband, Don, their daughter's body had been found.
"I said, 'My daughter may be dead, but she did not commit suicide,'" Webb testified.
Webb said her daughter was "just very excited about it all."
"She had it all ready," Webb said of her daughter's bedroom. "She was cramped in that room, but she had it all ready."
Angela Webb testified her sister told her Bluew was the father of the baby. Jennifer Webb eventually decided to name Bluew on Braxton's birth certificate and planned to go to the county Friend of the Court to secure child support, Angela Webb said.
She said Bluew was "receptive" to the idea and was "surprised that it took her that long to get to that point."
Both Dawn and Angela Webb testified that while they refused to believe Jennifer Webb would commit suicide, she would not have typed a suicide note on a computer and instead would have written it by hand.
Friday morning's other witnesses were James Terry, owner of P.F. Markey, where Webb worked; Kelly Gilbeaux, a friend of Webb's; and Lisa Martin, a former co-worker and friend -- all of whom testified Webb was excited about the baby. Ivan Phillips, the owner of Paradise Funeral Chapel, and David Taylor, who was a paramedic supervisor at Mobile Medical Response, also testified.
Bluew, who lived in Saginaw Township, also is charged with assaulting a pregnant individual intentionally causing miscarriage or stillbirth of a fetus or embryo and two counts of possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony.
If convicted of first-degree murder, he would face a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. The assault charge carries a maximum penalty of life in prison.
Ex-chief: Bluew sought to learn - 'what they know'
Saginaw News (MI)
Monday, October 1, 2012
SAGINAW -- About 36 hours after the mother of his unborn child was found dead in an apparent suicide, Buena Vista Township Police Officer Kenneth T. Bluew called his police chief and asked "what they know," the then-chief testified Friday afternoon.
Former Buena Vista Police Chief Brian Booker testified Bluew called him Sept. 1, 2011, about a day and a half after Jennifer Webb's body was found hanging from the roof rack of her Pontiac Aztek.
"He said, 'You've always been straight with me, and I know this is against protocol, but I need to know what they know,'" Booker said.
Booker, who was fired from his position in February, told a jury of nine women and five men at Bluew's trial that he repeated the question back to Bluew, whom he had known since 2005.
"I couldn't believe he was asking me that question," Booker said.
Bluew, 37, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder in the 32-year-old Webb's death.
If convicted of first-degree murder, Bluew would face a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.
His trial before Saginaw County Circuit Judge Darnell Jackson began this month with jury selection that lasted four days and continued this past week with testimony. The trial is to resume Tuesday morning.
Bluew already was at North Outer and Hack in Buena Vista Township about 11 p.m. Aug. 30, 2011, when fellow Officer Tim Patterson drove to the area. Minutes later, the two officers approached Webb's vehicle, and Bluew found Webb's body.
Buena Vista Sgt. Sean Waterman was called to the scene and treated the death as a suicide -- until he spoke with Webb's parents about 1 a.m. and learned Bluew was the father of the baby and that Webb was excited about the impending birth.
Waterman called Booker, who called the Michigan State Police to investigate.
Booker arrived at the scene about 2:45 a.m., he testified. About 5:30 a.m., Bluew appeared again, still on duty, Booker testified.
Booker, who was speaking with Patterson at the time, walked to Bluew's car instead of having Bluew approach the scene on foot, he testified.
Booker testified Bluew said, "What's up, chief?" Booker replied, "I don't know, Ken. You tell me," he said.
He asked Bluew if he knew Webb, and Bluew confirmed he did -- before, without provocation, he said he was not the father of Webb's child.
Bluew said he had "nothing to hide," Booker said, and Booker replied that was "good," because state police investigators wanted to question him.
Bluew said, "OK," and that he had known Webb for about 10 years and he would not jeopardize his marriage by "dealing with her," Booker said.
Injuries, clothing
State police Detective Sgts. Allan Ogg and Jason Teddy, who now is a lieutenant, began interviewing Bluew at the Buena Vista Police Department sometime before 7 a.m., Ogg testified Friday.
Ogg testified Bluew had an abrasion under his right eye, a scratch on the top of his head, an injury to his right forearm consistent with someone digging four fingernails into his skin and had a bandage on his right index finger.
Bluew gave Ogg and Teddy consent to search his vehicle, Ogg testified. Bluew pointed them to his uniform bag and told the detectives that inside the bag was the uniform he wore that night, Ogg testified. In searching his truck further, the detectives found an additional pair of pants and a T-shirt in a storage compartment under the truck's back seat, Ogg said. Bluew said the pants were old and no longer fit him, Ogg said.
Ogg said that on the following Sunday, he went to the state police crime lab in Bridgeport Township, where state police forensic scientist Valarie Bowman showed him the uniform Bluew said was the one he wore that night. Ogg testified the pants appeared to be "pressed" and not worn since since then. The detective said he smelled the underarm area of the T-shirt -- testimony showed he was sweating profusely at the scene -- and the shirt smelled like detergent or fabric softener.
At that point, Jackson called for a break. Ogg's testimony is to continue Tuesday.
Sister, mother testify
Earlier Friday, Angela Webb testified she spoke with her mother just after 2 a.m. Aug. 31, 2011, and learned police had found her sister dead in an apparent suicide.
Webb knew her sister, Jennifer Webb, was "ecstatic" about soon giving birth to a son she was going to name Braxton and refused to believe that her sister would kill herself.
"I said, 'That's bull----,' " Webb testified.
Webb and her mother, Dawn Webb, cried together on the phone, and Webb went to her parents' Bridgeport Township home, where Jennifer Webb recently had moved and prepared her bedroom for her soon-to-be newborn.
The Webbs' home also was where, about an hour before the mother-and-daughter phone conversation, Dawn Webb told Waterman that Bluew was the father of the baby.
Waterman "got kind of white," Dawn Webb testified Friday morning and said they needed to sit down and continue their conversation.
Dawn and Angela Webb testified on the fourth day of testimony in Bluew's trial.
Dawn Webb testified Waterman called their home and told her he was standing outside. When he entered the home, Waterman told her and her husband, Don, their daughter's body had been found.
"I said, 'My daughter may be dead, but she did not commit suicide,'" Webb testified.
Webb said her daughter was "just very excited about it all."
"She had it all ready," Webb said of her daughter's bedroom. "She was cramped in that room, but she had it all ready."
Angela Webb testified her sister told her Bluew was the father of the baby. Jennifer Webb eventually decided to name Bluew on Braxton's birth certificate and planned to go to the county Friend of the Court to secure child support, Angela Webb said.
She said Bluew was "receptive" to the idea and was "surprised that it took her that long to get to that point."
Both Dawn and Angela Webb testified that while they refused to believe Jennifer Webb would commit suicide, she would not have typed a suicide note on a computer and instead would have written it by hand.
Friday morning's other witnesses were James Terry, owner of P.F. Markey, where Webb worked; Kelly Gilbeaux, a friend of Webb's; and Lisa Martin, a former co-worker and friend -- all of whom testified Webb was excited about the baby. Ivan Phillips, the owner of Paradise Funeral Chapel, and David Taylor, who was a paramedic supervisor at Mobile Medical Response, also testified.
Bluew, who lived in Saginaw Township, also is charged with assaulting a pregnant individual intentionally causing miscarriage or stillbirth of a fetus or embryo and two counts of possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony.
If convicted of first-degree murder, he would face a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. The assault charge carries a maximum penalty of life in prison.
Officer Kenneth Bluew Murder Trial - Day 5
Live Tweets:
Day 5 of trial for Ken Bluew, police officer charged in death of pregnant Jennifer Webb
By Andy Hoag
October 02, 2012 at 9:10 AM
Updated October 02, 2012 at 9:40 AM http://www.mlive.com/news/saginaw/index.ssf/2012/10/live_tweets_day_5_of_trial_for.html
Ken Bluew Trial Day 5
Tuesday October 2, 2012
Andy Hoag@SNAndyHoag
9:11 - Well, back at it here for the #bluewtrial. Attorneys have just been called into Judge Jackson's chambers.
9:12 - We will have live video again today. I'll post the link as soon as we get started.
9:18 - And Bluew is here. Smiled and mouthed a hello to his family. Waiting on judge and jury.
9:19 - And here we go. MSP D/Sgt. Allan Ogg will continue his testimony. He left off discussing the uniform Bluew said he wore that night.
9:21 - Ogg: 2nd uniform, in storage compartment under Bluew's truck's backseat, was just "thrown in there" -- not folded. Bluew said it was old.
9:22 - Ogg: Bluew said "old" uniform was too small. Ogg says both uniforms had labels that said they were identical in size.
9:23 - Ogg: After meeting with Bowman on Sunday re: uniform Bluew said he wore, Ogg went to his office Monday and grabbed "old" uniform.
9:26 - Photos of Bluew's tactical vest, tool/gun belt, and gun admitted into evidence. All recovered from Bluew's locker, Ogg says.
9:29 - Stroud was sure to point out that the tool belt included a portable police radio. Important regarding Bluew not answering radio checks.
9:30 - Photos of Bluew's police vehicle admitted, including inside car, showing in-car computer, which was seized.
9:32 - Ogg testifying about one of the pictures:
Former Buena Vista Police Chief Brian Booker testified that Bluew, a police officer, called him Sept. 1, about a day and a half after Jennifer Webb's body was found hanging from the roof rack of her Pontiac Aztek.
"He said, 'You've always been straight with me, and I know this is against protocol, but I need to know what they know,' " Booker said.
Booker, who was fired from his position in February, told a jury of nine women and five men in Bluew's trial that he repeated the question back to Bluew, whom he had known since 2005.
"I couldn't believe he was asking me that question," Booker said.
Bluew, 37, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder in the 32-year-old Webb's death. If convicted of first-degree murder, Bluew would face a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.
His trial before Saginaw County Circuit Judge Darnell Jackson began last week with jury selection that lasted four days and continued this week with testimony. The trial will resume Tuesday morning.
Bluew already was at North Outer and Hack in Buena Vista Township about 11 p.m. Aug. 30 when fellow Officer Tim Patterson drove to the area. Minutes later, the two officers approached Webb's vehicle, and Bluew said he found Webb's body.
Buena Vista Sgt. Sean Waterman, now the acting chief, was called to the scene and treated the death as a suicide — until he spoke with Webb's parents about 1 a.m. He learned that Bluew was the father of the baby, whom Webb was going to name Braxton, and that Webb was excited about impending birth.
Waterman then called Booker, who then called the Michigan State Police to investigate.
Booker arrived at the scene about 2:45 a.m., he testified. About 5:30 a.m., Bluew appeared again, still on duty, Booker testified.
Booker, who was speaking with Patterson at the time, walked to Bluew's car instead of having Bluew approach the scene on foot, he testified.
Booker testified that Bluew said, "What's up, chief?" Booker replied, "I don't know Ken, you tell me," he said. The then-chief then asked Bluew if he knew Webb, and Bluew confirmed that he did and, without provocation, said that he was not the father of Webb's child.
Bluew said he "nothing to hide," Booker said, and Booker replied that that was "good," because the state police investigators wanted to question him. Bluew said, "OK," and continued by saying that he had known Webb for about 10 years and that he would not jeopardize his marriage by "dealing with her," Booker said.
State Police Detective Sgts. Allan Ogg and Jason Teddy, who now is a lieutenant, began interviewing Bluew at the Buena Vista Police Department sometime before 7 a.m., Ogg testified today.
Ogg testified that Bluew had an abrasion of sorts under his right eye, had a scratch on the top of his head, had an injury to his right forearm consistent with somebody digging four fingernails into his skin, and had a bandage on his right index finger.
Bluew gave Ogg and Teddy consent to search his vehicle, Ogg testified. Bluew pointed them to his uniform bag and told the detectives that inside the bag was the uniform he wore that night, Ogg testified. In searching his truck further, the detectives found an additional pair of pants and a T-shirt in a storage compartment under the truck's backseat, Ogg said. Bluew said the pants were old and no longer fit him, Ogg said.
Ogg said that on the following Sunday, he went to the state police crime lab in Bridgeport Township, where state police forensic scientist Valarie Bowman showed him the uniform Bluew said was the one he wore that night. Ogg testified that the pants appeared to be "pressed" and not worn since being pressed. The detective said he smelled the underarm area of the T-shirt — testimony showed Bluew was sweating profusely at the scene — and that the shirt smelled like either detergent or fabric softener.
At that point, the judge called for a break. Ogg's testimony will continue Tuesday.
Bluew, who lived in Saginaw Township, also is charged with assaulting a pregnant individual intentionally causing miscarriage or stillbirth of a fetus or embryo and two counts of possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony.
The assault charge carries a maximum penalty of life in prison.
'Looking very, very suspicious'
Saginaw News (MI)
Friday, September 28, 2012
SAGINAW -- Buena Vista Police Sgt. Sean Waterman paused for a second to fight back tears and compose himself.
Then, he informed a jury Thursday about the early morning he told Donald and Dawn Webb their daughter, eight months pregnant, was found dead about two hours before.
Waterman told the nine women and five men on the jury what he learned next: The father of the child was the officer already on scene when a second officer arrived.
Waterman, now the acting chief of the Buena Vista Police Department, took the witness stand during the third day of testimony in Kenneth T. Bluew's trial before Saginaw County Circuit Judge Darnell Jackson.
Bluew, 37, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder in Webb's Aug. 30, 2011, death at North Outer and Hack in Buena Vista Township. Webb, 32, planned to name her son Braxton.
The first week of testimony wraps up today.
Because Bluew and Officer Tim Patterson found Webb hanging by an extension cord from the roof rack of her Pontiac Aztek and that Bluew had found an apparent suicide note in Webb's purse, the death was treated as a suicide, Waterman testified.
After the scene was cleared, Waterman traveled to the Webb family home in Bridgeport, he said. Saginaw County Prosecutor Michael D. Thomas asked him what he did next, and Waterman became emotional, paused and composed himself before answering.
"I had to tell them we found their daughter at Hack and Outer and that she was deceased and that it appeared she had hung herself," Waterman said. "Mr. Webb just looked at me and said, 'No way ... it wasn't possible.' "
Waterman testified he asked the parents if they knew who the father of the baby was.
"They said it was Ken Bluew," Waterman said, and the sergeant asked them if they knew who he was.
"They said, 'Yes, he's one of your officers,'" Waterman said. "I had to sit down, because I became sick to my stomach."
Waterman, noting the suicide note said Webb was depressed about her pregnancy, asked her parents if that was the case. They said she was "excited" about the pregnancy, and her only concern was being a single mother, Waterman said.
The sergeant asked Webb's parents show him her bedroom, where he found a crib, baby clothes, baby supplies and "how to" books.
"To me, looking at this, this was somebody who was ready and prepared to mother a child," he said.
He told Webb's parents the next law enforcement contact they would have would be with the Michigan State Police.
"I realized at that point that there was more to this scene than I initially assumed," Waterman said. "I believed Officer Bluew had something more to do with" the death, and he called then-Chief Brian Booker to recommend that the state police handle the investigation.
"Things were not looking good," Waterman said. "They were looking very, very suspicious."
Waterman said he returned to the scene to, essentially, resecure it until the state police arrived. When that happened, he went back to the department. Sometime after 6 a.m., he returned to the scene again, and while he was there, Bluew showed up in civilian clothing, Waterman said, and spoke with Booker.
Other witnesses
Another witness Thursday, Barry Nelson, deputy director of Saginaw County 911, testified about Bluew not answering "radio checks" for seven minutes from 10:28 p.m. to 10:35 p.m. Bluew also had not made radio contact with Central Dispatch since 9:02 p.m., Nelson said.
Also Thursday, Dr. Jacquelyn Robinson, Webb's gynecologist, and Brandi Richards, Webb's supervisor at P.F. Markey, testified Webb was excited to give birth and was not depressed or suicidal.
Robinson said Webb was healthy and "not anxious" about the baby.
"She was easygoing and excited about the pregnancy," Robinson said.
Richards described herself as Webb's supervisor and friend and said Webb was "very happy to be a mother" and talked with Robinson about the pregnancy.
Richards testified Webb told her Bluew was the father of the baby. Richards said she knew Bluew was a Buena Vista police officer because Webb had told her she was having a relationship with such an officer. After an objection from O'Farrell, Jackson struck the statement from the record.
She also testified Webb told her she intended to secure child support through the county Friend of the Court after the initial plan of having Bluew provide off-the-record payments fell through. Richards said Webb showed her two text-message conversations she had with Bluew about child support, but because of a previous ruling from Jackson, she could not be more specific.
Bluew, who lived in Saginaw Township, also is charged with assaulting a pregnant individual intentionally causing miscarriage or stillbirth of a fetus or embryo and two counts of possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony.
If convicted of first-degree murder, he would face a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. The assault charge carries a maximum penalty of life in prison.
Bluew Sergeant: baby items in Webb's room showed someone ready to be a mom
Saginaw News (MI)
Friday, September 28, 2012
Brandi Richards, who was Jennifer Webb's supervisor at P.F. Markey, testifies during the third day of Kenneth Bluew 's trial in front of Saginaw County Circuit Judge Darnell Jackson in Saginaw. Bluew is accused of first-degree premeditated murder in the Aug. 30, 2011, slaying of Webb.
Jacquelyn Robinson Waterman traveled to the Webb family home in Bridgeport, he said. Saginaw County Prosecutor Michael D. Thomas asked him what he did next, and Waterman became emotional, paused and composed himself before answering.
"I had to tell them we found their daughter at Hack and Outer and that she was deceased and that it appeared she had hung herself," Waterman said. "Mr. Webb just looked at me and said, 'No way ... it wasn't possible.'"
Waterman testified he asked the parents if they knew who the father of the baby was.
"They said it was Ken Bluew," Waterman said, and the sergeant asked them if they knew who he was.
"They said, 'Yes, he's one of your officers,'" Waterman said. "I had to sit down, because I became sick to my stomach."
Waterman, noting the suicide note said Webb was depressed about her pregnancy, asked her parents if that was the case. They said she was "excited" about the pregnancy, and her only concern was being a single mother, Waterman said.
The sergeant asked Webb's parents to show him her bedroom, where he found a crib, baby clothes, baby supplies and "how to" books.
"To me, looking at this, this was somebody who was ready and prepared to mother a child," he said.
He told Webb's parents the next law enforcement contact they would have would be with the Michigan State Police.
"I realized at that point that there was more to this scene than I initially assumed," Waterman said. "I believed Officer Bluew had something more to do with" the death, and he called then-Chief Brian Booker to recommend that the state police handle the investigation.
"Things were not looking good," Waterman said. "They were looking very, very suspicious."
Waterman said he returned to the scene to, essentially, resecure it until the state police arrived. When that happened, he went back to the department.
Sometime after 6 a.m., he returned to the scene again, and while he was there, Bluew showed up in civilian clothing, Waterman said, and spoke with Booker.
Other witnesses
Another witness Thursday, Barry Nelson, deputy director of Saginaw County 911, testified about Bluew not answering "radio checks" for seven minutes from 10:28 p.m. to 10:35 p.m. Bluew also had not made radio contact with Central Dispatch since 9:02 p.m., Nelson said.
Also Thursday, Dr. Jacquelyn Robinson, Webb's gynecologist, and Brandi Richards, Webb's supervisor at P.F. Markey, testified Webb was excited to give birth and was not depressed or suicidal.
Robinson said Webb was healthy and "not anxious" about the baby.
"She was easygoing and excited about the pregnancy," Robinson said.
Richards described herself as Webb's supervisor and friend and said Webb was "very happy to be a mother" and talked with Robinson about the pregnancy.
Richards testified Webb told her Bluew was the father of the baby. Richards said she knew Bluew was a Buena Vista police officer because Webb had told her she was having a relationship with such an officer. After an objection from O'Farrell, Jackson struck the statement from the record.
She also testified Webb told her she intended to secure child support through the county Friend of the Court after the initial plan of having Bluew provide off-the-record payments fell through.
Richards said Webb showed her two text-message conversations she had with Bluew about child support, but because of a previous ruling from Jackson, she could not be more specific.
Bluew, who lived in Saginaw Township, also is charged with assaulting a pregnant individual intentionally causing miscarriage or stillbirth of a fetus or embryo and two counts of possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony.
If convicted of first-degree murder, he would face a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. The assault charge carries a maximum penalty of life in prison.
"I became sick to my stomach." -- Sgt. Sean Waterman, on learning Kenneth Bluew was the father of Jennifer Webb's unborn child.
Bluew 'she did not commit suicide,' mom says
Saginaw News (MI)
Sunday, September 30, 2012
State police Detective Sgt. Allan Ogg indicates during testimony Friday where he recorded injuries on Kenneth Bluew 's head while Ogg was investigating the death of Jennifer Webb.
Dawn Webb, Jennifer Webb's mother, pauses while testifying Friday during the fourth day of the Kenneth Bluew trial in front of Saginaw County Circuit Judge Darnell Jackson.
Injuries, clothing
State police Detective Sgts. Allan Ogg and Jason Teddy, who now is a lieutenant, began interviewing Bluew at the Buena Vista Police Department sometime before 7 a.m., Ogg testified Friday.
Ogg testified Bluew had an abrasion under his right eye, a scratch on the top of his head, an injury to his right forearm consistent with someone digging four fingernails into his skin and had a bandage on his right index finger.
Bluew gave Ogg and Teddy consent to search his vehicle, Ogg testified. Bluew pointed them to his uniform bag and told the detectives that inside the bag was the uniform he wore that night, Ogg testified. In searching his truck further, the detectives found an additional pair of pants and a T-shirt in a storage compartment under the truck's back seat, Ogg said. Bluew said the pants were old and no longer fit him, Ogg said.
Ogg said that on the following Sunday, he went to the state police crime lab in Bridgeport Township, where state police forensic scientist Valarie Bowman showed him the uniform Bluew said was the one he wore that night. Ogg testified the pants appeared to be "pressed" and not worn since then.
The detective said he smelled the underarm area of the T-shirt -- testimony showed he was sweating profusely at the scene -- and the shirt smelled like detergent or fabric softener.
At that point, Jackson called for a break. Ogg's testimony is to continue Tuesday.
Sister, mother testify
Earlier Friday, Angela Webb testified she spoke with her mother just after 2 a.m. Aug. 31, 2011, and learned police had found her sister dead in an apparent suicide.
Webb knew her sister, Jennifer Webb, was "ecstatic" about soon giving birth to a son she was going to name Braxton and refused to believe that her sister would kill herself.
"I said, 'That's bull----,' " Webb testified.
Webb and her mother, Dawn Webb, cried together on the phone, and Webb went to her parents' Bridgeport Township home, where Jennifer Webb recently had moved and prepared her bedroom for her soon-to-be newborn.
The Webbs' home also was where, about an hour before the mother-and-daughter phone conversation, Dawn Webb told Waterman that Bluew was the father of the baby.
Waterman "got kind of white," Dawn Webb testified Friday morning and said they needed to sit down and continue their conversation.
Dawn and Angela Webb testified on the fourth day of testimony in Bluew's trial.
Dawn Webb testified Waterman called their home and told her he was standing outside. When he entered the home, Waterman told her and her husband, Don, their daughter's body had been found.
"I said, 'My daughter may be dead, but she did not commit suicide,'" Webb testified.
Webb said her daughter was "just very excited about it all."
"She had it all ready," Webb said of her daughter's bedroom. "She was cramped in that room, but she had it all ready."
Angela Webb testified her sister told her Bluew was the father of the baby. Jennifer Webb eventually decided to name Bluew on Braxton's birth certificate and planned to go to the county Friend of the Court to secure child support, Angela Webb said.
She said Bluew was "receptive" to the idea and was "surprised that it took her that long to get to that point."
Both Dawn and Angela Webb testified that while they refused to believe Jennifer Webb would commit suicide, she would not have typed a suicide note on a computer and instead would have written it by hand.
Friday morning's other witnesses were James Terry, owner of P.F. Markey, where Webb worked; Kelly Gilbeaux, a friend of Webb's; and Lisa Martin, a former co-worker and friend -- all of whom testified Webb was excited about the baby. Ivan Phillips, the owner of Paradise Funeral Chapel, and David Taylor, who was a paramedic supervisor at Mobile Medical Response, also testified.
Bluew, who lived in Saginaw Township, also is charged with assaulting a pregnant individual intentionally causing miscarriage or stillbirth of a fetus or embryo and two counts of possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony.
If convicted of first-degree murder, he would face a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. The assault charge carries a maximum penalty of life in prison.
Ex-chief: Bluew sought to learn - 'what they know'
Saginaw News (MI)
Monday, October 1, 2012
SAGINAW -- About 36 hours after the mother of his unborn child was found dead in an apparent suicide, Buena Vista Township Police Officer Kenneth T. Bluew called his police chief and asked "what they know," the then-chief testified Friday afternoon.
Former Buena Vista Police Chief Brian Booker testified Bluew called him Sept. 1, 2011, about a day and a half after Jennifer Webb's body was found hanging from the roof rack of her Pontiac Aztek.
"He said, 'You've always been straight with me, and I know this is against protocol, but I need to know what they know,'" Booker said.
Booker, who was fired from his position in February, told a jury of nine women and five men at Bluew's trial that he repeated the question back to Bluew, whom he had known since 2005.
"I couldn't believe he was asking me that question," Booker said.
Bluew, 37, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder in the 32-year-old Webb's death.
If convicted of first-degree murder, Bluew would face a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.
His trial before Saginaw County Circuit Judge Darnell Jackson began this month with jury selection that lasted four days and continued this past week with testimony. The trial is to resume Tuesday morning.
Bluew already was at North Outer and Hack in Buena Vista Township about 11 p.m. Aug. 30, 2011, when fellow Officer Tim Patterson drove to the area. Minutes later, the two officers approached Webb's vehicle, and Bluew found Webb's body.
Buena Vista Sgt. Sean Waterman was called to the scene and treated the death as a suicide -- until he spoke with Webb's parents about 1 a.m. and learned Bluew was the father of the baby and that Webb was excited about the impending birth.
Waterman called Booker, who called the Michigan State Police to investigate.
Booker arrived at the scene about 2:45 a.m., he testified. About 5:30 a.m., Bluew appeared again, still on duty, Booker testified.
Booker, who was speaking with Patterson at the time, walked to Bluew's car instead of having Bluew approach the scene on foot, he testified.
Booker testified Bluew said, "What's up, chief?" Booker replied, "I don't know, Ken. You tell me," he said.
He asked Bluew if he knew Webb, and Bluew confirmed he did -- before, without provocation, he said he was not the father of Webb's child.
Bluew said he had "nothing to hide," Booker said, and Booker replied that was "good," because state police investigators wanted to question him.
Bluew said, "OK," and that he had known Webb for about 10 years and he would not jeopardize his marriage by "dealing with her," Booker said.
Injuries, clothing
State police Detective Sgts. Allan Ogg and Jason Teddy, who now is a lieutenant, began interviewing Bluew at the Buena Vista Police Department sometime before 7 a.m., Ogg testified Friday.
Ogg testified Bluew had an abrasion under his right eye, a scratch on the top of his head, an injury to his right forearm consistent with someone digging four fingernails into his skin and had a bandage on his right index finger.
Bluew gave Ogg and Teddy consent to search his vehicle, Ogg testified. Bluew pointed them to his uniform bag and told the detectives that inside the bag was the uniform he wore that night, Ogg testified. In searching his truck further, the detectives found an additional pair of pants and a T-shirt in a storage compartment under the truck's back seat, Ogg said. Bluew said the pants were old and no longer fit him, Ogg said.
Ogg said that on the following Sunday, he went to the state police crime lab in Bridgeport Township, where state police forensic scientist Valarie Bowman showed him the uniform Bluew said was the one he wore that night. Ogg testified the pants appeared to be "pressed" and not worn since since then. The detective said he smelled the underarm area of the T-shirt -- testimony showed he was sweating profusely at the scene -- and the shirt smelled like detergent or fabric softener.
At that point, Jackson called for a break. Ogg's testimony is to continue Tuesday.
Sister, mother testify
Earlier Friday, Angela Webb testified she spoke with her mother just after 2 a.m. Aug. 31, 2011, and learned police had found her sister dead in an apparent suicide.
Webb knew her sister, Jennifer Webb, was "ecstatic" about soon giving birth to a son she was going to name Braxton and refused to believe that her sister would kill herself.
"I said, 'That's bull----,' " Webb testified.
Webb and her mother, Dawn Webb, cried together on the phone, and Webb went to her parents' Bridgeport Township home, where Jennifer Webb recently had moved and prepared her bedroom for her soon-to-be newborn.
The Webbs' home also was where, about an hour before the mother-and-daughter phone conversation, Dawn Webb told Waterman that Bluew was the father of the baby.
Waterman "got kind of white," Dawn Webb testified Friday morning and said they needed to sit down and continue their conversation.
Dawn and Angela Webb testified on the fourth day of testimony in Bluew's trial.
Dawn Webb testified Waterman called their home and told her he was standing outside. When he entered the home, Waterman told her and her husband, Don, their daughter's body had been found.
"I said, 'My daughter may be dead, but she did not commit suicide,'" Webb testified.
Webb said her daughter was "just very excited about it all."
"She had it all ready," Webb said of her daughter's bedroom. "She was cramped in that room, but she had it all ready."
Angela Webb testified her sister told her Bluew was the father of the baby. Jennifer Webb eventually decided to name Bluew on Braxton's birth certificate and planned to go to the county Friend of the Court to secure child support, Angela Webb said.
She said Bluew was "receptive" to the idea and was "surprised that it took her that long to get to that point."
Both Dawn and Angela Webb testified that while they refused to believe Jennifer Webb would commit suicide, she would not have typed a suicide note on a computer and instead would have written it by hand.
Friday morning's other witnesses were James Terry, owner of P.F. Markey, where Webb worked; Kelly Gilbeaux, a friend of Webb's; and Lisa Martin, a former co-worker and friend -- all of whom testified Webb was excited about the baby. Ivan Phillips, the owner of Paradise Funeral Chapel, and David Taylor, who was a paramedic supervisor at Mobile Medical Response, also testified.
Bluew, who lived in Saginaw Township, also is charged with assaulting a pregnant individual intentionally causing miscarriage or stillbirth of a fetus or embryo and two counts of possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony.
If convicted of first-degree murder, he would face a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. The assault charge carries a maximum penalty of life in prison.
Officer Kenneth Bluew Murder Trial - Day 5
Live Tweets:
Day 5 of trial for Ken Bluew, police officer charged in death of pregnant Jennifer Webb
By Andy Hoag
October 02, 2012 at 9:10 AM
Updated October 02, 2012 at 9:40 AM http://www.mlive.com/news/saginaw/index.ssf/2012/10/live_tweets_day_5_of_trial_for.html
Tuesday October 2, 2012
Andy Hoag@SNAndyHoag
9:11 - Well, back at it here for the #bluewtrial. Attorneys have just been called into Judge Jackson's chambers.
9:12 - We will have live video again today. I'll post the link as soon as we get started.
9:18 - And Bluew is here. Smiled and mouthed a hello to his family. Waiting on judge and jury.
9:19 - And here we go. MSP D/Sgt. Allan Ogg will continue his testimony. He left off discussing the uniform Bluew said he wore that night.
9:21 - Ogg: 2nd uniform, in storage compartment under Bluew's truck's backseat, was just "thrown in there" -- not folded. Bluew said it was old.
9:22 - Ogg: Bluew said "old" uniform was too small. Ogg says both uniforms had labels that said they were identical in size.
9:23 - Ogg: After meeting with Bowman on Sunday re: uniform Bluew said he wore, Ogg went to his office Monday and grabbed "old" uniform.
9:26 - Photos of Bluew's tactical vest, tool/gun belt, and gun admitted into evidence. All recovered from Bluew's locker, Ogg says.
9:29 - Stroud was sure to point out that the tool belt included a portable police radio. Important regarding Bluew not answering radio checks.
9:30 - Photos of Bluew's police vehicle admitted, including inside car, showing in-car computer, which was seized.
9:32 - Ogg testifying about one of the pictures:
9:35 - Stroud points out the radio equipment in Bluew's car. Photos of Bluew's duty bag, Winston cigarettes, green latex gloves also admitted
9:36 - Ogg: In duty bag, book on Pressure Point Control Tactics found. Cigarettes important because Winston cigarette butts found ...
9:36 - ... at scene, including where some of Webb's blood and part of her necklace was found.
9:38 - Ogg: An MSP forensic computer analyst came to BVPD to examine department computers.
9:39 - Ogg: Search warrant executed at Bluew's Saginaw Township home on Sept. 2. Nobody home, had to force entry through garage
9:41 - Ogg: Searched work bench in garage. Drawer of work bench had some extension cords, "of that exact same type" found around Webb's neck.
9:43 - O'Farrell examines some of the photos:
9:44 - Ogg: Cords "looped together," tied together with a white "twist tie." Also in drawer, a twist tie alone, not attached to anything.
9:46 - Ogg: Also searched for computers. Two desktop computers located, one in living room. Second in basement, not hooked up to anything.
9:47 - Ogg: Interested in computers because of suicide note, attempting to find computer it was generated on.
9:49 - Ogg points to the twist tie found in the work bench drawer:
9:50 - Ogg: Also seized SD memory cards, USB storage devices.
9:54 - Ogg testifying about 2 diagrams of the scene, depicting where evidence was found. 2nd includes measurements.
9:55 - Ogg: Diagram shows 195 feet between blood spot on driveway and Webb's vehicle, 270 feet by foot from driveway through Hack Road.
9:59 - Ogg: Bluew came back to MSP Bridgeport Post days later for fingerprinting. Right index finger had portion of "tissue," or skin, missing.
10:01 - Ogg: Bluew said he slammed a door on the finger.
10:02 - RT @TrayDei: @SNAndyHoag .. Is the court room packed ?
10:02 - @TrayDei yes, very much so.
10:02 - Tiffany Leiter@flab2fabmom @SNAndyHoag wonder if there are any receipts on credit card statements of ext cord purchases?
10:03 - @flab2fabmom not sure how much more that would add, because the cords were seized from the house. He could have bought them 4 years ago.
10:04 - Ogg testifying re: Bluew's fingerprints. Obvious missing spot from right index finger. On Sept 12, when arrested, Bluew fingerprinted again.
10:06 - Ogg: On copy of Sept. 12 fingerprints, missing spot noticeably smaller, appears to have healed some. First prints taken Sept. 6.
10:08 - Ogg: More fingerprints taken July 6 of this year. Missing spot gone.
10:08 - RT @dianesimpson61: @SNAndyHoag Are Jenny's supporters sporting their maize and blue today?
10:08 - @dianesimpson61 Some are, yes.
10:10 - Ogg: Bluew's cell phone seized on Sept. 6, same day his prints were taken.
10:11 - Photo of Bluew's fingerprints, obvious missing portion:
10:15 - Ogg: Went to the house on Congress that Webb owned. Not much there, as she had moved to parents' home. Were looking for computer equipment.
10:16 - Ogg: Lt. Teddy obtained computer equipment from Webb's parents' home. All computer equipment sent to Lansing for examination.
10:20 - Ogg testifying regarding Bluew's police report regarding Webb's death. A one-page report. Admitted into evidence.
10:22 - Ogg: Examined Webb's purse, found, among other things, a "burp cloth" and receipts for diapers.
10:26 - Ogg showing the jury the two uniforms seized from Bluew's vehicle. "Old" uniform includes tags from crime lab.
10:32 - Ogg examines, shows jury other evidence: Bluew's boots and vest, PPCT manual, buccal swab. Stroud done; before O'Farrell, we take a break.
10:50 - And we're back. O'Farrell on cross.
10:51 - Ogg examines an evidence bag prior to our break:
10:51 - O'Farrell establishing, through Ogg, that Bluew was cooperative throughout investigation that Ogg has described.
10:54 - Ogg: "He was cooperative" in obtaining "the items we've already discussed, yes." That leaves it open that there may have been ...
10:55 - ... time where he eventually was not cooperative, but there's been no testimony to that extent.
10:56 - ... that he wanted to interview Bluew right away, says, "In my mind, he was" a suspect. This is going to O'Farrell's argument that ...
10:57 - ... Ogg and Teddy began their investigation with Bluew as suspect and ignored things that didn't support that.
10:59 - Donald and Dawn Webb, Jennifer Webb's parents, watch testimony:
11:00 - Ogg: Bluew said he received injury to eye when playing w/ his dog. O'Farrell establishing that this injury, plus one to head, didn't bleed.
11:03 - Ogg: Didn't believe, at that time, injury to right index finger had anything to do with incident.
11:05 - O'Farrell asking about evidence storage, some in paper bags, some in plastic.
11:07 - Ogg: Some evidence taken to crime lab after few days. O'Farrell asks about some things being taken after several months, but ...
11:09 - ... Ogg doesn't recall that. After more questions, says some items re-submitted months later. In meantime, stored in Ogg's property locker.
11:16 - O'Farrell asking about other evidence seized. Now onto Bluew's work bench at his home and the extension cords, which Ogg acknowledges ...
11:17 - ... are not unique. O'Farrell asks about cord to power drill, inferring that twist tie could have been for that cord. Ogg says ...
11:18 - ... that cord much thicker than extension cords. Twist tie could go around cord, but not sure "how many layers" of the cord.
11:21 - RT "@nessarae33: @SNAndyHoag Will his ex wife have to tesify anything?" >>she's on the witness list, but it's not a sure thing.
11:22 - Nothing further from O'Farrell. Stroud back on re-direct, asking about Bluew's cooperation. Stroud elicits testimony that ...
11:24 - ... Bluew didn't tell Ogg about the second, "old" uniform. Now asking about linear marks on Bluew's forearm, why they were significant.
11:24 - Stroud asked why they were significant, but before Ogg could answer, O'Farrell objects and asks for bench conference. Assuming that ...
11:25 - ... Ogg would have said that they appear to be fingernail marks. After bench conference, Jackson excuses jury, so attorneys can ...
11:26 - ... hash out the issue outside the presence of the jury. O'Farrell says Ogg's opinion needs a foundation to establish why he can ...
11:27 - ... have that opinion. Stroud says O'Farrell asked numerous questions about this injury but ignored linear nature of it.
11:28 - Jackson asks how O'Farrell's questions about if injuries bled differs from Stroud's question. O'Farrell says it's different ...
11:29 - ... because Ogg is being asked to form opinion on their origin. Stroud says that wasn't question, it was of the significance of ...
11:30 - ... the linear nature. Ogg says significance was that he believed where marks could have came from: fingernails. Bases that on ...
11:32 - ... linear nature, spacing, his experience as a detective. O'Farrell asks where semi arch of fingernail impressions are.
11:33 - Stroud stresses that question was regarding significance that Ogg tied to it. He could be wrong, Stroud says, before adding that ...
11:34 - ... other evidence will show he's right. "Could be wrong" is more prejudicial than probative, O'Farrell argues. Jackson allows question.
11:37 - Ogg gives the same answer in front of the jury. Stroud establishes that reason that Ogg had no interest in finger injury was that ...
11:38 - ... Ogg had yet to hear about crime lab work and other evidence, which includes the portion of the latex glove that was found.
11:41 - Stroud done. Back to O'Farrell, focusing again on forearm injury. Asks about the "crescent"-like marking a fingernail would leave.
11:42 - Ogg says there isn't any such shape to marks. Ogg says band-aid looked like it had been worn for some time, not brand new band-aid.
11:44 - Ogg done. Next witness: Corey Gillespie, a system administrator at PF Markey, where Webb worked. Gave her "entire computer" to MSP.
11:48 - RT"@MsJMunny: Maybe there's no cresent shape due to the fact that Jenny had fake nails." >>interesting point, will see if it's brought up.
11:49 - Gillespie done. Now it's SPD Detective Joe Grigg, who investigated the break-in at Webb's house in which suspects were arrested.
11:53 - Grigg: "If all my victims were that cooperative, my closure rate would be extremely high." Webb not distraught, but concerned.
11:56 - And we're breaking for lunch.
11:57 - RT @darmaelias: @SNAndyHoag I think it's more - if I dig nails into your arm - cresant might show. If I rake my nails down your arm cres ...
11:57 - Andy Hoag@SNAndyHoag .@darmaelias this is true, but the marks don't look like they're from the arm being raked.
12:04 - Denise Ureche Dutoi@dd526 @SNAndyHoag kinda makes you wonder is Bleuw was behind the break-ins... Just a thought
12:05 - @dd526 they certainly haven't tried to establish that he wasn't behind any of them.
12:11 - O'Farrell and Ogg discuss the apparent fingernail marks:
1:17 - RT "@McMullenMegan: was DNA done on anything in his locker/"old" uniform &when will that be discussed?" >>Yes, sometime this week probably
1:31 - Here's a picture of the marks on Bluew's forearm:
1:42 - RT "@darmaelias: ? abt Jen's bridge card. Do u know was it bridge/food stamps or bridge/WIC?" >>it was WIC
1:46 - And we're back. First witness this afternoon is Colleen Auer-Lemke, MSP Computer Crimes Unit. She's a civilian, not an actual trooper
1:48 - Stroud has Auer-Lemke go over her training, to establish her as an expert witness. Basically an overview of her resume/CV
1:50 - Auer-Lemke: Testified as an expert in 10-15 courts. No questions/no comment from O'Farrell, so she'll be recognized as an expert.
1:52 - Auer-Lemke: Makes "mirror image" of a computer's hard drive, to avoid "changing the evidence."
1:54 - Auer-Lemke just had the most in-depth explanation I've ever heard to describe a hard drive's "free space."
1:55 - Auer-Lemke: When computer user deletes an item, doesn't actually go away from computer -- just from user's view
1:55 - Auer-Lemke: Forensic software can find these "deleted" items, bring them back to original form.
1:56 - Not sure what happened with the live feed. Trying to figure that out now.
1:58 - Auer-Lemke: Items brought to her from Ogg &Teddy. Going to list some of them in a moment.
2:04 - We're experiencing some difficulties with the live feed. I'll let you all know when we have it live again.
2:14 - Auer-Lemke: 25 items, including at least 17 computers from Bluew's home, BVPD, BVFD, those belonging to Webb/her family. Also, 3 cellphones.
2:15 - Auer-Lemke: Given suicide note, asked to find its origin from 25 items. Couldn't find it.
2:18 - Auer-Lemke: Extracted info from one of Webb's cellphones. Put data on a CD; it's admitted into evidence. We're going to see the contents.
2:23 - A PDF report of the phone's contents is 156 pages. Includes texts, call logs, contact list, etc. Searched report for Bluew's name.
2:26 - The contact in the report is "Cop Boo Ken." Can't tell if it's in last name/first name format; if so, actual contact would be "Ken Cop Boo."
2:29 - That CD is taken out. Next CD is reports of Webb's second phone. She and her sister had just bought new phones days before her death.
2:32 - We don't get to see anything from that disc. Next is CD of Bluew's phone.
2:35 - And that CD is out. I don't know if we're going to have another witness testify to the results, or if we're going to revisit CDs, or what.
2:39 - Next is a report of Webb's work computer. No suicide note found, nothing related to Bluew.
2:39 - Auer-Lemke testifies:
2:44 - Next CD is Bluew's computer found in living room. Cookies and temporary internet files examined.
2:46 - Auer-Lemke: Through keyword searches, able to find certain search results through cookies and temp. internet files.
2:48 - Auer-Lemke: Bluew's computer accessed WNEM's website in days after incident.
2:51 - Auer-Lemke: Temporary internet files show computer viewing reports about the death.
2:55 - And another CD, which has a second report for the same computer. Has more temp Internet files and an application that cleans hard drives.
3:02 - Auer-Lemke: Another CD of Bluew's computer, this one referring to "suicide methods."
3:03 - Auer-Lemke: In doing search for suicide note, came across Internet searching/URL history involving different ways to commit suicide.
3:05 - Auer-Lemke: Searches for suicide, why people commit suicide, how to commit suicide. Dates looked at May through August.
3:06 - Auer-Lemke: "A lot of this information" accessed starting in July.
3:07 - Auer-Lemke: Queries into suicides in underground railways, how to slit wrists.
3:08 - Auer-Lemke: Can't give time websites were viewed, because in hard drive's free space. Could be because Internet history cleared.
3:09 - Auer-Lemke: Another search for "most painless" ways to commit suicide.
3:14 - Auer-Lemke: Information on methods of committing suicide accessed Aug. 16, 17
3:16 - O'Farrell, asking brief questions to determine whether this CD should be admitted, gets Auer-Lemke to acknowledge that ...
3:18 - ... she can't establish the origin of the files, that they could have come through as attachments beyond user's control.
3:20 - And, with 4 more CDs to be discussed, we'll take a break. Going to be a "longer" break -- no specific time to return.
3:22 - Extra time is to allow O'Farrell to go to his office, which is on Court Street, to grab copies he made of text messages from the phones.
3:23 - O'Farrell said he "didn't put 2 and 2 together" and didn't realize he would need to use Auer-Lemke to admit the text messages into evidence.
3:33 - RT "@veronica_molda: he should have done that on his lunch." >>It was an honest mistake he didn't realize he made until after lunch.
3:47 - RT "@dorymsbs: is ofarrell a court appointed attorney ?" >>no, he's retained. And 1 of the best in this area, why I believe honest mistake.
3:48 - RT @danstarland: @SNAndyHoag If he typed this into his search engine then it didn't come up as an attachment.
3:49 - @danstarland They can't determine what he searched for, what he didn't. Sorry if I'm not making it clear enough, but I'm ...
3:49 - @danstarland getting a little lost, to be honest. And I like to think I'm tech savvy. Can't imagine how jury is doing.
3:55 - RT "@danstarland: @SNAndyHoag Did they talk about checking the printers yet?" >>printers weren't among items examined, to my knowledge.
3:56 - RT "@amandamarie2009: @SNAndyHoag is this from Kens computers?" >>yes, his home computer
3:59 - And we're back. Thankfully, Judge Jackson asked Auer-Lemke to keep her voice up.
4:01 - Another CD, report reflecting search term "strangulation." "Several files" between July and August. When I use the word "search," I mean...
4:01 - ... the term that Auer-Lemke used to search for Internet site visits.
4:04 - Auer-Lemke: Information found was a how-to for strangulation/hanging one's self. Auer-Lemke reading this specific result.
4:05 - Auer-Lemke: Info describes how to hang one's self: jump off a chair with rope tied around neck. Also, results of this action.
4:13 - Another CD from Bluew's computer. Report re: search terms of restraint and carotid. 61 hits, 11 files.
4:15 - Auer-Lemke: One result was a Q&A re: how long it takes for somebody to die carotid artery compression.
4:17 - Auer-Lemke: Document re: carotid artery was deleted, recovered. Other hits with references this subject, too.
4:17 - Auer-Lemke: Date range of some hits re: carotid artery was Aug. 17-19.
4:23 - Another CD, this one a report of Bluew's in-car computer. Auer-Lemke: Looked to determine whether suicide note was written there.
4:24 - Auer-Lemke: Used search terms including Webb's name, email address, "nature of incident." Found some information related to Webb ...
4:25 - ... which included police reports from SPD, BVPD related to Webb. BVPD report was the death, SPD reports were B&E reports.
4:26 - Each of the three B&E incidents were referred to in the suicide note.
4:31 - Auer-Lemke: BVPD report that Bluew viewed on his in-car computer was Patterson's initial "suspicious death" report.
4:32 - Auer-Lemke: Bluew viewed the report at 4:56 a.m. Aug. 31. Patterson testified he hadn't yet put his "red flag" thoughts in a report.
4:35 - Nothing further from Stroud. O'Farrell up now, though he says he knows he won't finish this afternoon. Jackson let's O'Farrell begin.
4:37 - O'Farrell points out that at the scene, Sgt. Waterman had Bluew check on the three Saginaw B&E incidents, which Waterman testified to.
4:38 - O'Farrell reiterates, through Auer-Lemke's testimony, that suicide note not found among 25 items examined.
4:41 - O'Farrell now presenting the copies of text messages from Webb's older phone. But first, some confusion of which phone is whose.
4:43 - After they establish that they're talking about the right phone, we learn it's actually Webb's newer phone. My mistake.
4:43 - O'Farrell mentions two "documents" titled "World's biggest apology" and, I believe he said, "I'm sorry."
4:46 - O'Farrell asks for break for the day, to allow Auer-Lemke to look at his copies, which he wants in evidence, to verify they're the same.
4:47 - And we get that break. Jury is excused. We'll be back at 9 a.m. tomorrow.
Ken Bluew jury sees most of evidence seized in connection with pregnant Jennifer Webb's death
MLive
October 02, 2012 http://www.mlive.com/news/saginaw/index.ssf/2012/10/ken_bluew_jury_sees_most_of_ev.html
SAGINAW, MI —The second week of testimony in the trial for the suspended Buena Vista police officer charged with killing the woman who was eight months pregnant with his son began this morning with one of the lead detectives discussing evidence seized in the investigation.
Michigan State Police Detective Sgt. Allan Ogg resumed the witness stand this morning, continuing his testimony that ended Friday afternoon.
Much of Ogg's testimony this morning centered around evidence that he and state police Lt. Jason Teddy, then a detective sergeant, seized from Kenneth T. Bluew's pickup truck, police department locker, and home.
Bluew, 37, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder in the Aug. 30, 2011, death of Jennifer Webb at North Outer and Hack in Buena Vista Township. Webb, 32, planned to name her son Braxton.
Testimony before a jury of nine women and five men will continue in Saginaw County Circuit Judge Darnell Jackson's courtroom this afternoon. MLive will continue to cover the testimony live on Twitter @SNAndyHoag and on MLive.
While Ogg testified about the evidence seized, he did not testify regarding the tests that the state police crime lab and experts in Lansing conducted on the evidence. Those witnesses will begin testifying at some time this week.
The evidence included the police uniform that Bluew told Ogg and Teddy he wore that night; an additional uniform that Ogg and Teddy found in a storage compartment under the backseat of Bluew's truck including a pair of pants that Bluew said was old and didn't fit, but that Ogg testified was the same size as the other pants; Bluew's tactical vest, tool belt, and boots from his locker; and two computers from Bluew's home.
On questioning from Bluew's attorney, Rod O'Farrell, Ogg said Bluew was cooperative throughout the detectives' investigation. Ogg said, after a question from Saginaw County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Jeffrey D. Stroud, that Bluew did not show the detectives the "old" uniform.
Another focus of this morning's testimony was an injury to Bluew's arm that Ogg noticed and photographed. After an objection from O'Farrell that Jackson overruled, Ogg testified that he believed the injury was an impression left from four fingernails.
Bluew, who lived in Saginaw Township, also is charged with assaulting a pregnant individual intentionally causing miscarriage or stillbirth of a fetus or embryo and two counts of possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony.
If convicted of first-degree murder, he would face a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. The assault charge carries a maximum penalty of life in prison.
Ken Bluew jury hears result of forensic analysis of his, pregnant Jennifer Webb's computers
MLive
October 02, 2012 at 5:54 PM http://www.mlive.com/news/saginaw/index.ssf/2012/10/ken_bluew_jury_hears_result_of.html
SAGINAW, MI —A jury this afternoon heard the results of forensic analysis of computers belonging to the suspended Buena Vista police officer charged with killing the woman who was eight months pregnant with his son.
Colleen Auer-Lemke, who works in the Michigan State Police Computer Crimes Unit, was the only witness this afternoon in Kenneth T. Bluew's trial before Saginaw County Circuit Judge Darnell Jackson.
Bluew, 37, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder in the Aug. 30, 2011, death of Jennifer Webb at North Outer and Hack in Buena Vista Township. Webb, 32, planned to name her son Braxton.
Auer-Lemke testified that she examined 25 items submitted to her by state police Detective Sgts. Allan Ogg and Jason Teddy, now a lieutenant. Among those items were 17 computers from Bluew's house and police cruiser, the Buena Vista Township police and fire departments, and Webb's home and workplace, as well as cellphones belonging to Webb and Bluew.
Auer-Lemke said that of those items, she was unable to find any that were the origin of the suicide note that Bluew said he found on top of Webb's purse shortly after he and fellow Buena Vista Police Officer Tim Patterson found her body.
The examination of Bluew's home computer found that he, or somebody on his family's computer, viewed websites about, among other topics, how to commit suicide, why people commit suicide, the "most painless" ways to commit suicide, and how to strangle one's self. Bluew also researched media reports about Webb's death in the days afterward, Auer-Lemke testified.
When Auer-Lemke performed a search for the term "carotid," as in carotid artery, she got 61 hits in 11 files, she testified. One of those files was a "question and answer" website that included information on how long it takes somebody to die form "carotid artery compression," Auer-Lemke testified.
Many of the items Auer-Lemke reviewed were accessed beginning in July, she testified. Some of the carotid-related items were viewed beginning Aug. 17 and ending Aug. 19, she said.
An examination of Bluew's in-car computer showed that at 4:56 a.m. Aug. 31, or about six hours after Webb's body was found, he viewed the report written by Patterson, his fellow officer, related to the death. Patterson had yet to include observations that he described as "red flags," Patterson testified last week.
Auer-Lemke's testimony finished for the day with Bluew's attorney, Rod O'Farrell, beginning to present copies of the reports related to the examination of Webb's cellphones. O'Farrell will focus part of his attention on Webb's text messages, which he said in his opening argument showed that Webb "was having some conflicts."
Today's other main witness was Ogg, one of the two state police lead investigators, who showed the jury much of the physical evidence seized in the case.
Bluew, who lived in Saginaw Township, also is charged with assaulting a pregnant individual intentionally causing miscarriage or stillbirth of a fetus or embryo and two counts of possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony.
If convicted of first-degree murder, he would face a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. The assault charge carries a maximum penalty of life in prison.
Officer Kenneth Bluew Murder Trial - Day 6
Live Tweets:
Day 6 of trial for Ken Bluew, police officer charged in death of pregnant Jennifer Webb
MLive
Andy Hoag
October 03, 2012
October 03, 2012
http://www.mlive.com/news/saginaw/index.ssf/2012/10/live_tweets_day_6_of_trial_for.html
Ken Bluew Trial
Day 6 Wednesday
October 3, 2012
Andy Hoag@SNAndyHoag
9:12 -Alright, back here waiting for the #bluewtrial to begin. Attorneys have met with judge already, and Bluew is in the courtroom.
9:12 - Colleen Auer-Lemke, who works in the MSP Computer Crimes Unit, will continue testifying when we begin.
9:13 - We left off yesterday with O'Farrell talking about two reports regarding what was found on Webb's cellphones. He'll likely focus on texts.
9:20 - Jury is in, judge is in, and we're back to Auer-Lemke, with O'Farrell cross-examining.
9:27 - O'Farrell confirming the printed reports he wants to admit into evidence are the same that Auer-Lemke generated.
9:30 - O'Farrell confirms that Auer-Lemke cannot hear the phone conversations that are listed in the call log.
9:36 - Report of extraction from Webb's older phone admitted into evidence. Same with newer phone. 1 report is 150+ pages, the other just over 100.
9:43 - Auer-Lemke: Bluew's home computer visited MLive, WNEM.com on Aug. 31 &Sept. 1 for reports of the incident.
9:43 - RT "@malanie810: is Bluew in the right of the courtroom?" >>yes
9:45 - Auer-Lemke: Bluew's computer visited sites related to applying fake blood, fake eyebrows. Also visited a site related to ...
9:45 - ... limiting oxygen through strangulation as a way of enhancing sex.
9:48 - Auer-Lemke: In doing searches, Bluew's resume came up as being certified in PPCT. O'Farrell points out that Auer-Lemke not aware that ...
9:49 - ... Bluew was asked by former Chief Booker to get re-certified to train other officers in PPCT. O'Farrell using this as opportunity ...
9:50 - ... to highlight some of Bluew's other accomplishments/attributes listed in the resume.
9:51 - O'Farrell took his notes back to his desk, appearing that he may be close to being done w/ cross. First, bench conference related to resume
9:54 - Bluew's resume is admitted into evidence. Nothing further from O'Farrell. I thought O'Farrell may ask Auer-Lemke about ...
9:56 - ... some of the text messages that Webb sent, but I guess not. And nothing further from prosecution. Next witness: Valarie Bowman from MSP.
9:57 - Bowman works in the Bridgeport crime lab in the biology section, also works on "crime scene response team."
9:58 - As with Auer-Lemke, prosecution will need to establish Bowman's educational/professional background to have her be considered an expert.
9:59 - Bowman: Responded to over 200 crime scenes.
10:01 - O'Farrell has no comment regarding Bowman as an expert, and she'll be recognized as such.
10:02 - Bowman: Suggest to Ogg that they come to the scene at daylight instead of about 4 a.m. They arrived at 9 a.m. instead.
10:06 - Bowman identifying some daylight photos taken at the scene.
10:07 - RT "@megananneobrien: o'farrell asked about documents on Jenny's phone with "I'm sorry" last night but never revisited today?" >>correct
10:08 - Bowman testifies:
10:16 - Some of these photos depict some areas that we photographed a couple weeks ago: photos.mlive.com/4473/gallery/j…
10:17 - Bowman: As crime scene team surveyed area, found "areas of interest," marked them w/ placards.
10:20 - We'll focus first on the driveway to the Wastewater Treatment Plant. Bowman: 1.5"x1" blood stain found, as well as jewelry pendant and ...
10:20 - ... "fresh" Winston cigarette butt. "Fresh" meaning not flattened or weathered.
10:24 - Stroud shows the jury a close-up photo of the blood stain on the driveway. Some testing of stain done at scene, some at crime lab.
10:25 - Bowman: Testing at scene was to confirm it was human blood. "Positive indication" that it was indeed human blood.
10:26 - Bowman points to the blood stain, prior to the close-up pic:
Ken Bluew Trial
Day 6 Wednesday
October 3, 2012
Andy Hoag@SNAndyHoag
9:12 -Alright, back here waiting for the #bluewtrial to begin. Attorneys have met with judge already, and Bluew is in the courtroom.
9:12 - Colleen Auer-Lemke, who works in the MSP Computer Crimes Unit, will continue testifying when we begin.
9:13 - We left off yesterday with O'Farrell talking about two reports regarding what was found on Webb's cellphones. He'll likely focus on texts.
9:20 - Jury is in, judge is in, and we're back to Auer-Lemke, with O'Farrell cross-examining.
9:27 - O'Farrell confirming the printed reports he wants to admit into evidence are the same that Auer-Lemke generated.
9:30 - O'Farrell confirms that Auer-Lemke cannot hear the phone conversations that are listed in the call log.
9:36 - Report of extraction from Webb's older phone admitted into evidence. Same with newer phone. 1 report is 150+ pages, the other just over 100.
9:43 - Auer-Lemke: Bluew's home computer visited MLive, WNEM.com on Aug. 31 &Sept. 1 for reports of the incident.
9:43 - RT "@malanie810: is Bluew in the right of the courtroom?" >>yes
9:45 - Auer-Lemke: Bluew's computer visited sites related to applying fake blood, fake eyebrows. Also visited a site related to ...
9:45 - ... limiting oxygen through strangulation as a way of enhancing sex.
9:48 - Auer-Lemke: In doing searches, Bluew's resume came up as being certified in PPCT. O'Farrell points out that Auer-Lemke not aware that ...
9:49 - ... Bluew was asked by former Chief Booker to get re-certified to train other officers in PPCT. O'Farrell using this as opportunity ...
9:50 - ... to highlight some of Bluew's other accomplishments/attributes listed in the resume.
9:51 - O'Farrell took his notes back to his desk, appearing that he may be close to being done w/ cross. First, bench conference related to resume
9:54 - Bluew's resume is admitted into evidence. Nothing further from O'Farrell. I thought O'Farrell may ask Auer-Lemke about ...
9:56 - ... some of the text messages that Webb sent, but I guess not. And nothing further from prosecution. Next witness: Valarie Bowman from MSP.
9:57 - Bowman works in the Bridgeport crime lab in the biology section, also works on "crime scene response team."
9:58 - As with Auer-Lemke, prosecution will need to establish Bowman's educational/professional background to have her be considered an expert.
9:59 - Bowman: Responded to over 200 crime scenes.
10:01 - O'Farrell has no comment regarding Bowman as an expert, and she'll be recognized as such.
10:02 - Bowman: Suggest to Ogg that they come to the scene at daylight instead of about 4 a.m. They arrived at 9 a.m. instead.
10:06 - Bowman identifying some daylight photos taken at the scene.
10:07 - RT "@megananneobrien: o'farrell asked about documents on Jenny's phone with "I'm sorry" last night but never revisited today?" >>correct
10:08 - Bowman testifies:
10:16 - Some of these photos depict some areas that we photographed a couple weeks ago: photos.mlive.com/4473/gallery/j…
10:17 - Bowman: As crime scene team surveyed area, found "areas of interest," marked them w/ placards.
10:20 - We'll focus first on the driveway to the Wastewater Treatment Plant. Bowman: 1.5"x1" blood stain found, as well as jewelry pendant and ...
10:20 - ... "fresh" Winston cigarette butt. "Fresh" meaning not flattened or weathered.
10:24 - Stroud shows the jury a close-up photo of the blood stain on the driveway. Some testing of stain done at scene, some at crime lab.
10:25 - Bowman: Testing at scene was to confirm it was human blood. "Positive indication" that it was indeed human blood.
10:26 - Bowman points to the blood stain, prior to the close-up pic:
10:28 - Stroud also shows close-ups of jewelry pendant, cigarette. Now a photo that shows, among grass and weeds, Webb's flip flops.
10:28 - Flip flops were dark silver, Bowman says, and were hard to see from photo.
10:30 - Bowman: Total of 11 items collected. In additon to what already discussed, one blood stain that was not human blood ...
10:32 - ... two more cigarette butts; green disposable exam gloves located along railway, found Sept. 2, "appeared to have been there a while."
10:34 - Bowman: Also, "microfiber cloths" collected on Sept. 2, similar to one seen on floor board of Webb's vehicle.
10:36 - Re: additional cigarette butts found, last week's testimony was that Bluew was smoking while on scene w/ other officers.
10:38 - Bowman: Found "possible presence of blood" on Webb's right flip flop. Tests showed it was human blood.
10:42 - Bowman: Went to autopsy w/ Ogg &Teddy, MSP's Gary Ginther. Thinking they may show the autopsy photos on the TV, as Ogg is talking ...
10:43 - ... to Webb's parents. Guessing he may be giving them a heads up. And now we'll take a break.
10:46 - Bowman displays a testing mechanism used for testing blood:
11:10 - And we're back. Looks like an almost certainty we'll be seeing the autopsy photos, as Webb's father is no longer in the courtroom.
11:10 - Webb's mother and sister have elected to stay.
11:11 - A photo of Bluew from earlier:
11:12 - Bowman identifies a picture of Webb from the autopsy. Not shown yet. Bowman also collected items from the autopsy.
11:15 - Bowman: Items taken at scene included blood sample, samples of other fluids, swabs from Webb's fingernails.
11:19 - Bowman: Items taken also included portion of extension cord, which she took swabs from. Cord was "intertwined" with her necklace, her hair.
11:21 - RT "@tvalentine75: what about Jeff ( her brother) did he stay?" >>to be honest, don't know which one he is.
11:22 - Bowman: Photos, swabs taken of Webb's bruises on inner arms.
11:24 - Bowman: Blood sample collected from fetus. Prior testimony has been that that blood test showed Bluew was father.
11:27 - RT @RebeccaRobelin: @SNAndyHoag @tvalentine75 Jeff and his wife left the room too.
11:29 - @RebeccaRobelin @SNAndyHoag @tvalentine75 That wasn't Jeff's wife.
11:31 - RT "@BRANDIR69722395: He is always in the same row as the parents. ..." >>thanks. thought so, but didn't want to assume.
11:33 - Bowman took clothing to the crime lab. Placed in a drying chamber, for precaution. Among clothing, light green piece of disposable glove.
11:40 - Bowman: Turned t-shirt inside-out to get better view of blood stains, as they weren't as noticeable w/ designs on outside of shirt.
11:45 - Bowman: Blood stains were found in left underarm area and below shoulder blade. Appear to be "drops" of blood as opposed to contact type.
11:49 - Bowman: Three blood stains on front of shirt: just under left side of neck line, center of shirt, and lower left seam. First appears ...
11:49 - ... to be contact-type. Can't determine on second, and third appears to be drop.
11:51 - RT "@CampRachie: @SNAndyHoag is bowman discussing jennys clothes or blews?" >>Webb's clothes.
11:53 - Bowman: Blood stains on left bra cup, under bra cup, and one of the rear straps.
11:55 - Bowman: 1/8"x3/16" stain on Webb's pants. And we're breaking for lunch. Be back at 1:30.
11:57 - RT "@MelanieBierlein: are there a lot of people wearing maize and blue in the courtroom today?" Yes, some
12:11 - Amanda D@mandy5646 @SNAndyHoag maybe I've missed something, but have they said if all the blood stains belong to Webb and/or Bluew?
12:12 - @mandy5646 not yet. They first have to show who found the stains and when before somebody can testify about the results.
1:51 - And we're back, with Valarie Bowman still testifying.
1:52 - RT@MaureenBanning: @SNAndyHoag Is bluew divorced now?" >>yes
1:53 - And instead of showing the autopsy photos on the TV, the jury will view the physical copies individually. Same process as the scene photos.
1:59 - Jury is done with the pictures. Focus now turns to the piece of disposable glove found in Webb's clothing.
2:01 - Bowman: Inside of glove tip had human blood. Tested outside of tip for enzyme which is highly present in saliva. Test was positive, so ...
2:02 - ... saliva was present on outside of glove tip. Both samples sent out for DNA testing.
2:09 - Bowman: Apparent blood stain on exterior rear passenger side door. Just to left and above door handle.
2:10 - Bowman: "Ridge structure" to stain. In other words, could be fingerprint.
2:11 - RT "@nichol0715: did she say Jenny's saliva and bluew's blood on glove" >>no, DNA results will be testified to at later time.
2:13 - Bowman: Stain tested for fingerprinting. Other swabs taken, one to preserve area where ridge structure was.
2:15 - Stroud showing Bowman more photos, mostly of backseat area/rear of vehicle.
2:16 - Bowman: Processing of interior of vehicle began morning of Sept. 1.
2:18 - Bowman: Silver hoop earring found between right side of backseat and door opening. Blood stain found along rubber door gasket.
2:19 - Bowman: Door would have had to been open for that blood stain to get there. Hoop earring had human blood stain.
2:24 - RT "@linzyXOmarie: is this significant like maybe she bit his finger with the glove on?" >>that's the prosecutors' theory.
2:25 - On to rear driver's side door area. Bowman: Human blood on socket portion of extension cord still in vehicle.
2:26 - Bowman: Tannish bed sheet on floor of backseat area. Human blood stain on bed sheet.
2:27 - Just to reiterate, Bowman does not test for DNA. That's done in Lansing. She can test blood stain to determine if it's likely human blood.
2:28 - At some point, a MSP expert from Lansing will testify to the DNA testing.
2:32 - Into frontseat area. Bowman: Samples taken from gear shift knob, steering wheel. Focusing first on gear shift, where human blood was found
2:36 - Now looking at passenger side of rear seat, where human blood stain found. In middle of rear seat, Bowman found ...
2:36 - ... a Smurf figurine, with a stud earring next to it. Blood stain on earring, but not enough of stain to test for human blood possibility.
2:39 - Bowman: "Greasy area" on inside of rear passenger side window. Also, near top of seat belt holder, near headrest, on passenger side ...
2:40 - ... blood stain and blood spatter marks. Didn't subject these stains to human blood testing.
2:42 - Bowman: In rear cargo area, a gray tubular foam noodle-type object had a blood stain on it.
2:44 - Bowman: On lower portion of driver's side "B Pillar," the area on interior of vehicle between front and rear doors, was a human blood stain.
2:49 - Now to the open rear driver's side door area on the rubber door gasket, where seat and seat back come together. Human blood stain.
2:50 - Bowman: Stain would have had to have been left while door was open.
2:52 - Back to the steering wheel. Stains at 3 o'clock position, 11 o'clock position on front of wheel. Stain on side of wheel, at 4 o'clock.
2:54 - Bowman: Human blood on all three steering wheel stains. 11 o'clock stain was more on top of wheel, not front.
2:55 - Bowman points out the blood stain/possible fingerprint on rear passenger door:
3:00 - Now to driver's door. Near bottom of window on interior of door, human blood stain. Exterior of door, near rear edge, human blood stain.
3:01 - Bowman: Human blood stain near middle of top of rear seat back.
3:04 - That appears to be all the pictures from Webb's vehicle. By my count, 19 blood stains found. Most human blood; not all tested for that.
3:07 - Now onto Bluew's police cruiser. Bowman: In trunk, among other items, box of green disposable gloves.
3:10 - Bowman: Seized box of gloves. Tested for any blood stains; there were none.
3:13 - Bowman: Interior driver's door of Bluew's vehicle, near handle was human blood stain.
3:14 - Bowman: Human blood stain found on steering wheel, near 9 o'clock position.
3:16 - RT "@malanie810: there is a lot of blood stains, are they saying how big they are?" >>they vary between fraction of an inch to about 2".
3:16 - Bowman: Human blood stain on handheld mic that connects to police radio. Also had ridge structure on it.
3:18 - Bowman: In rear of vehicle, along wall between front and rear sections, was human blood stain.
3:19 - RT "@InD3p3nd3ntMami: was webb bleeding at all?" >>only thing I recall is a little from her nose.
3:22 - Now onto Bluew's uniform, the one he told Ogg and Teddy he wore that night -- not the "old" one.
3:23 - RT "@MaureenBanning: @SNAndyHoag on what hand was bluew wearing a bandaid" >>right index finger
3:24 - Bowman: No stains on t-shirt. Smelled like detergent/fabric softener. "It did not appear to me as if that t-shirt had recently been worn."
3:27 - Bowman: No indication that pants had been worn. Socks turned in appeared to have recently been worn.
3:29 - Bowman IDs pictures of tactical vest and the "old" uniform items. Bowman mentions at least 1 apparent blood stain. And now, a break.
3:47 - Blood stain on the steering wheel of Webb's vehicle:
3:48 - The uniform pants Bluew said he wore that night:
4:00 - And we're back, Bowman on the stand. Focus is on Bluew's tactical vest. Four stains: 1 on left, 1 in middle, 1 near right breast, 1 on right
4:01 - Bowman: Most obvious was on "POLICE" area of vest. Stain was on "CE" portion. Human blood.
4:03 - Bowman: On bottom right, possible blood stain. Couldn't test for human. On front, midway up just left of center, same result.
4:05 - Bowman: Same with stain on left side of vest. All forwarded on to Lansing for DNA testing.
4:06 - Now to police t-shirt. On white lettering on left sleeve, apparent blood stain. Human blood.
4:08 - Pants - the "old" ones, according to Bluew - 9 areas of apparent blood staining. 2 of 9 were tested for human blood; positive. Others...
4:08 - ... only tested for blood; all positive. All 9 sent to Lansing.
4:11 - Blood on "CE" of "POLICE" lettering on vest:
4:11 - Bowman: Did "very little else" other than work on this case from Aug. 31 to Sept. 18.
4:16 - Stroud has Bowman show the Webb's flip flops to the jury, as well as swab of blood and cigarette from Wastewater Treatment Plant driveway.
4:17 - Swabs remained in heat-sealed plastic package. Bowman also IDs the "silver charm" found in same driveway.
4:20 - All 3 admitted into evidence. Bowman IDs Webb's clothes, contained in a brown paper bag, and portion of ext. cord that came from autopsy.
4:22 - Bowman also IDs sealed box containing blood samples from Webb &fetus and DNA swab from Webb's fingernails.
4:28 - Bowman also IDs extension cord found in Aztek. That goes into evidence, as does sealed box, Webb's clothes, and cord from autopsy.
4:30 - And that's it for the day. Bowman and the rest of us will return at 9 a.m. tomorrow, go until 10:30, break again, and come back at 1:30.
4:31 - I'm going to close the MLive chat window. Feel free to tweet questions to me or post a comment on MLive.
Crime scene investigator testifies in Ken Bluew trial about blood stains, other evidence found at scene, in pregnant Jennifer Webb's clothes
MLive
October 03, 2012 http://www.mlive.com/news/saginaw/index.ssf/2012/10/crime_scene_investigator_testi.html
SAGINAW, MI —A Michigan State Police biologist testified this morning regarding evidence found at and near the scene of Jennifer Webb's death last year.
Valarie Bowman, who also investigates crime scenes for the state police's Bridgeport crime lab, was the main witness this morning in the sixth day of testimony in Kenneth T. Bluew's trial.
Bluew, 37, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder in the Aug. 30, 2011, death of Webb at North Outer and Hack in Buena Vista Township. Webb, 32, planned to name her son Braxton.
Bowman, who will resume the witness stand this afternoon, testified that she and her crime lab co-workers found a bloodstain, about 1 inch by 1.5 inches, on a driveway leading to the Buena Vista Township Wastewater Treatment Plant. Near the stain, which Saginaw County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Jeffrey D. Stroud said during his opening argument was Webb's blood, was an apparent jewelry pendant, Bowman testified.
Several more feet away was a "fresh" Winston cigarette butt, Bowman testified, explaining "fresh" as not flattened or weathered. State police Detective Sgt. Allan Ogg, one of the two lead investigators, testified Tuesday that a pack of Winston cigarettes was found in Bluew's duty bag.
Ogg also testified Tuesday that the location of the blood and pendant was 270 feet, by foot, from where Webb's body was found hanging by an extension cord from the roof rack of her Pontiac Aztek.
Bowman testified that she also collected Webb's silver flip flops and two other Winston cigarette butts — prior testimony showed that Bluew was smoking on scene during the initial investigation. Two days later, she collected green disposable exam gloves that "appeared to have been there awhile" and "microfiber cloths" similar to one found in Webb's vehicle.
Bowman also attended the autopsy and testified that she collected a blood sample from Webb and from the fetus; DNA swabs from under Webb's fingernails; the extension cord still tied around Webb's neck; a DNA swab from the cord; Webb's necklace; photos and DNA swabs from bruises on the inside of Webb's biceps region; and Webb's clothing.
She testified that she found five blood stains on Webb's shirt, three of which appeared to be from drops of blood and one that appeared to be a "contact-type" stain. Bowman also found bloodstains on the left bra cup, under the left bra cup, and one one of the rear bra straps, she said, as well as a small stain on Webb's pants.
Bowman's testimony ended there, as court was recessed for lunch. Another state police expert will testify to the results of DNA tests conducted on the stains.
The only other witness this morning was Colleen Auer-Lemke, who works in the Michigan State Police Computer Crimes Unit and began testifying Tuesday afternoon. While O'Farrell had about 250 pages of reports detailing extractions from Webb's two cellphones, he did not have Auer-Lemke detail any text messages or phone calls found.
Bluew, who lived in Saginaw Township, also is charged with assaulting a pregnant individual intentionally causing miscarriage or stillbirth of a fetus or embryo and two counts of possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony.
If convicted of first-degree murder, he would face a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. The assault charge carries a maximum penalty of life in prison.
Ken Bluew trial:
At least 19 blood stains found in, outside of the pregnant Jennifer Webb's vehicle, crime scene investigator testifies
MLive
October 03, 2012 http://www.mlive.com/news/saginaw/index.ssf/2012/10/ken_bluew_trial_at_least_19_bl.html
SAGINAW, MI —At least 19 blood stains were found inside and outside of Jennifer Webb's vehicle after she was found hanging from it in an apparent suicide last year, a state police biologist testified today.
Valarie Bowman, who also investigates crime scenes for the Michigan State Police's Bridgeport crime lab, testified this afternoon during Kenneth T. Bluew's trial regarding the blood stains she found as she inspected Webb's Pontiac Aztek.
By MLive's count, Bowman found 19 such stains inside Webb's vehicle and on its exterior doors.
Bowman testified that through testing at the crime lab, she determined that a majority of the stains were human blood.
Swabs of the stains then were sent to Lansing for other state police experts to test for DNA purposes, Bowman said. A jury of nine women and five men has yet to hear testimony regarding the test results.
Bluew, 37, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder in the Aug. 30, 2011, death of Webb at North Outer and Hack in Buena Vista Township. Webb, 32, planned to name her son Braxton.
Bowman began testifying this morning and testified the entire afternoon. She will return to continue her testimony Thursday morning, the seventh day of testimony in Bluew's trial before Saginaw County Circuit Judge Darnell Jackson.
Bowman testified that she found a blood stain, with a "ridge structure" that made it a possible fingerprint, on the exterior of the rear door on the Aztek's passenger side. Saginaw County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Jeffrey D. Stroud said during his opening argument that the bloody fingerprint, determined to be a right index finger, had a "piece" missing, just as Bluew's right index fingerprint had in the days after the death.
Bowman testified that blood stains were found on the "rubber door gasket" of both rear doors; a silver hoop earring found between the right side of the rear seat and the passenger-side rear door; the socket end of the extension cord once tied to the vehicle's roof rack; a bed sheet on the floor of the vehicle; the gear shift knob; the passenger side of the rear seat; the middle of the top of the rear seat back; a stud earring found in the rear seat; both of the vehicle's "B pillars," the area on the interior of the vehicle between the front and rear doors; a gray tubular foam object in the rear cargo area; the interior and exterior of the driver's-side door; and the steering wheel, where three stains were found.
Bowman also found four blood stains in Bluew's police cruiser: on the interior of the driver's side door, near the handle; on the steering wheel; on the handheld microphone attached to Bluew's police radio, including a possible fingerprint; and on the rear side of the partition dividing the front and rear of the interior of the vehicle.
State police Detective Sgt. Allan Ogg testified Friday that Bluew showed him and Lt. Jason Teddy, then a detective sergeant as well, a uniform bag with a uniform inside that Bluew said he wore that night. The detectives then found a second pair of uniform pants and a t-shirt, which Bluew said were "old," in a storage compartment under Bluew's truck's rear seat.
Bowman testified that she examined the uniform Bluew said he wore and that the pants and t-shirt did not appear to be worn. Specifically, Bowman said, the pants still had creases in them, some of which would have been "obliterated" if worn for an entire 12-hour police shift, and the t-shirt smelled like laundry detergent and/or fabric softener.
Ogg testified that after he learned of this, he brought the second uniform to Bowman. That pair of pants, Bowman testified, had nine blood stains; she only was able to test two of the stains to determine whether they were human blood, and they were. The "old" t-shirt, Bowman testified, had a human blood stain on the white lettering on the left sleeve.
Finally, Bowman said Bluew's tactical vest had four blood stains: one on the "CE" of the "POLICE" lettering on the right breast, one midway up the vest just left of center, and one on each side. Bowman was able to test only the stain on the "CE" lettering for human blood, and it was human blood, she testified.
Bowman's afternoon testimony followed her morning testimony regarding what she and other members of the state police's crime scene response team found, including blood, a charm from a necklace, and a cigarette butt about 270 feet away, by foot, from where Webb's body was found.
In searching Webb's clothing after the autopsy, Bowman found a piece of a green disposable glove, she testified. Testing conducted on the piece of glove, which resembled the tip of one of the glove's fingers, showed human blood on the inside portion and saliva on the outside portion, Bowman testified.
Bluew, who lived in Saginaw Township, also is charged with assaulting a pregnant individual intentionally causing miscarriage or stillbirth of a fetus or embryo and two counts of possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony.
If convicted of first-degree murder, he would face a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. The assault charge carries a maximum penalty of life in prison.
Officer Kenneth Bluew Murder Trial - Day 7
Live Tweets:
Day 7 of trial for Ken Bluew, police officer charged in death of pregnant Jennifer Webb
MLive
SAGINAW, MI —A Michigan State Police biologist testified this morning regarding evidence found at and near the scene of Jennifer Webb's death last year.
Valarie Bowman, who also investigates crime scenes for the state police's Bridgeport crime lab, was the main witness this morning in the sixth day of testimony in Kenneth T. Bluew's trial.
Bluew, 37, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder in the Aug. 30, 2011, death of Webb at North Outer and Hack in Buena Vista Township. Webb, 32, planned to name her son Braxton.
Bowman, who will resume the witness stand this afternoon, testified that she and her crime lab co-workers found a bloodstain, about 1 inch by 1.5 inches, on a driveway leading to the Buena Vista Township Wastewater Treatment Plant. Near the stain, which Saginaw County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Jeffrey D. Stroud said during his opening argument was Webb's blood, was an apparent jewelry pendant, Bowman testified.
Several more feet away was a "fresh" Winston cigarette butt, Bowman testified, explaining "fresh" as not flattened or weathered. State police Detective Sgt. Allan Ogg, one of the two lead investigators, testified Tuesday that a pack of Winston cigarettes was found in Bluew's duty bag.
Ogg also testified Tuesday that the location of the blood and pendant was 270 feet, by foot, from where Webb's body was found hanging by an extension cord from the roof rack of her Pontiac Aztek.
Bowman testified that she also collected Webb's silver flip flops and two other Winston cigarette butts — prior testimony showed that Bluew was smoking on scene during the initial investigation. Two days later, she collected green disposable exam gloves that "appeared to have been there awhile" and "microfiber cloths" similar to one found in Webb's vehicle.
Bowman also attended the autopsy and testified that she collected a blood sample from Webb and from the fetus; DNA swabs from under Webb's fingernails; the extension cord still tied around Webb's neck; a DNA swab from the cord; Webb's necklace; photos and DNA swabs from bruises on the inside of Webb's biceps region; and Webb's clothing.
She testified that she found five blood stains on Webb's shirt, three of which appeared to be from drops of blood and one that appeared to be a "contact-type" stain. Bowman also found bloodstains on the left bra cup, under the left bra cup, and one one of the rear bra straps, she said, as well as a small stain on Webb's pants.
Bowman's testimony ended there, as court was recessed for lunch. Another state police expert will testify to the results of DNA tests conducted on the stains.
The only other witness this morning was Colleen Auer-Lemke, who works in the Michigan State Police Computer Crimes Unit and began testifying Tuesday afternoon. While O'Farrell had about 250 pages of reports detailing extractions from Webb's two cellphones, he did not have Auer-Lemke detail any text messages or phone calls found.
Bluew, who lived in Saginaw Township, also is charged with assaulting a pregnant individual intentionally causing miscarriage or stillbirth of a fetus or embryo and two counts of possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony.
If convicted of first-degree murder, he would face a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. The assault charge carries a maximum penalty of life in prison.
Ken Bluew trial:
At least 19 blood stains found in, outside of the pregnant Jennifer Webb's vehicle, crime scene investigator testifies
MLive
October 03, 2012 http://www.mlive.com/news/saginaw/index.ssf/2012/10/ken_bluew_trial_at_least_19_bl.html
SAGINAW, MI —At least 19 blood stains were found inside and outside of Jennifer Webb's vehicle after she was found hanging from it in an apparent suicide last year, a state police biologist testified today.
Valarie Bowman, who also investigates crime scenes for the Michigan State Police's Bridgeport crime lab, testified this afternoon during Kenneth T. Bluew's trial regarding the blood stains she found as she inspected Webb's Pontiac Aztek.
By MLive's count, Bowman found 19 such stains inside Webb's vehicle and on its exterior doors.
Bowman testified that through testing at the crime lab, she determined that a majority of the stains were human blood.
Swabs of the stains then were sent to Lansing for other state police experts to test for DNA purposes, Bowman said. A jury of nine women and five men has yet to hear testimony regarding the test results.
Bluew, 37, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder in the Aug. 30, 2011, death of Webb at North Outer and Hack in Buena Vista Township. Webb, 32, planned to name her son Braxton.
Bowman began testifying this morning and testified the entire afternoon. She will return to continue her testimony Thursday morning, the seventh day of testimony in Bluew's trial before Saginaw County Circuit Judge Darnell Jackson.
Bowman testified that she found a blood stain, with a "ridge structure" that made it a possible fingerprint, on the exterior of the rear door on the Aztek's passenger side. Saginaw County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Jeffrey D. Stroud said during his opening argument that the bloody fingerprint, determined to be a right index finger, had a "piece" missing, just as Bluew's right index fingerprint had in the days after the death.
Bowman testified that blood stains were found on the "rubber door gasket" of both rear doors; a silver hoop earring found between the right side of the rear seat and the passenger-side rear door; the socket end of the extension cord once tied to the vehicle's roof rack; a bed sheet on the floor of the vehicle; the gear shift knob; the passenger side of the rear seat; the middle of the top of the rear seat back; a stud earring found in the rear seat; both of the vehicle's "B pillars," the area on the interior of the vehicle between the front and rear doors; a gray tubular foam object in the rear cargo area; the interior and exterior of the driver's-side door; and the steering wheel, where three stains were found.
Bowman also found four blood stains in Bluew's police cruiser: on the interior of the driver's side door, near the handle; on the steering wheel; on the handheld microphone attached to Bluew's police radio, including a possible fingerprint; and on the rear side of the partition dividing the front and rear of the interior of the vehicle.
State police Detective Sgt. Allan Ogg testified Friday that Bluew showed him and Lt. Jason Teddy, then a detective sergeant as well, a uniform bag with a uniform inside that Bluew said he wore that night. The detectives then found a second pair of uniform pants and a t-shirt, which Bluew said were "old," in a storage compartment under Bluew's truck's rear seat.
Bowman testified that she examined the uniform Bluew said he wore and that the pants and t-shirt did not appear to be worn. Specifically, Bowman said, the pants still had creases in them, some of which would have been "obliterated" if worn for an entire 12-hour police shift, and the t-shirt smelled like laundry detergent and/or fabric softener.
Ogg testified that after he learned of this, he brought the second uniform to Bowman. That pair of pants, Bowman testified, had nine blood stains; she only was able to test two of the stains to determine whether they were human blood, and they were. The "old" t-shirt, Bowman testified, had a human blood stain on the white lettering on the left sleeve.
Finally, Bowman said Bluew's tactical vest had four blood stains: one on the "CE" of the "POLICE" lettering on the right breast, one midway up the vest just left of center, and one on each side. Bowman was able to test only the stain on the "CE" lettering for human blood, and it was human blood, she testified.
Bowman's afternoon testimony followed her morning testimony regarding what she and other members of the state police's crime scene response team found, including blood, a charm from a necklace, and a cigarette butt about 270 feet away, by foot, from where Webb's body was found.
In searching Webb's clothing after the autopsy, Bowman found a piece of a green disposable glove, she testified. Testing conducted on the piece of glove, which resembled the tip of one of the glove's fingers, showed human blood on the inside portion and saliva on the outside portion, Bowman testified.
Bluew, who lived in Saginaw Township, also is charged with assaulting a pregnant individual intentionally causing miscarriage or stillbirth of a fetus or embryo and two counts of possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony.
If convicted of first-degree murder, he would face a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. The assault charge carries a maximum penalty of life in prison.
Officer Kenneth Bluew Murder Trial - Day 7
Live Tweets:
Day 7 of trial for Ken Bluew, police officer charged in death of pregnant Jennifer Webb
MLive
Andy Hoag
October 04, 2012 http://www.mlive.com/news/saginaw/index.ssf/2012/10/live_tweets_day_7_of_trial_for.html
Ken Bluew Trial Day 7
Thursday October 4, 2012
Andy Hoag@SNAndyHoag
9:07 - We're here waiting for things to get started in the #bluewtrial. Judge about to talk to attorneys in chambers.
9:08 - As I mentioned yesterday, the trial will go until about 10:30 this morning, and then resume at 1:30 p.m. Other matters for Jackson.
9:09 - Because we're only in court for about an hour or hour 1/2, we won't have live video this morning. Live video will start in the afternoon.
9:13 - RT @McMullenMegan: @SNAndyHoag about how many more witnesses are there that can/will be called?
9:14 - @McMullenMegan after Bowman is done, we should have five prosecution witnesses: two more MSP crime scene guys, a MSP DNA expert ...
9:15 - .@McMullenMegan ... the medical examiner, and MSP Lt. Jason Teddy, the other lead investigator. This, of course, isn't counting ...
9:15 - .@McMullenMegan ... any possible defense witnesses and subsequent prosecution rebuttal witnesses.
9:20 - RT "@Jaynie1981: can't imagine who will be a defense witness.." >>for starters, Bluew, if he chooses to testify.
9:21 - There were some trials scheduled in Jackson's courtroom this morning, and they're pleading out a second one now.
9:24 - RT "@melissa_wick: can Bluews ex wife testify?" >>she is on the pros. witness list, which also means O'Farrell could call her, but ...
9:26 - @melissa_wick ... I doubt he would do that.
9:27 - Everybody's here now, and Bowman will resume the stand.
9:28 - We start with Bowman ID'ing the yellow laundry bag belonging to Bluew.
9:29 - @Mandalyn1401 yes. Link for my tweets on MLive: mlive.com/news/saginaw/i…
9:31 - Bag includes t-shirt, with "POLICE" on sleeves, and duty pants. These are the pants/shirt that Bowman said didn't appear to be worn.
9:33 - That clothing is admitted into evidence. Now the second, "old" uniform. Same style t-shirt, duty pants. Both pants are ...
9:33 - ... the same size, according to their tags. The second uniform is admitted into evidence.
9:35 - Now onto the tactical vest and Bluew's boots. Bowman says nothing noteworthy was found on the boots.
9:38 - Vest and boots admitted into evidence. Now onto the items seized from Bluew's police vehicle - exam gloves, blood stain swabs, handheld mic.
9:40 - All those admitted into evidence. Same with the buccal swabs taken from Bluew during interview with Ogg &Teddy.
9:42 - Bowman holds up the tactical vest:
October 04, 2012 http://www.mlive.com/news/saginaw/index.ssf/2012/10/live_tweets_day_7_of_trial_for.html
Thursday October 4, 2012
Andy Hoag@SNAndyHoag
9:07 - We're here waiting for things to get started in the #bluewtrial. Judge about to talk to attorneys in chambers.
9:08 - As I mentioned yesterday, the trial will go until about 10:30 this morning, and then resume at 1:30 p.m. Other matters for Jackson.
9:09 - Because we're only in court for about an hour or hour 1/2, we won't have live video this morning. Live video will start in the afternoon.
9:13 - RT @McMullenMegan: @SNAndyHoag about how many more witnesses are there that can/will be called?
9:14 - @McMullenMegan after Bowman is done, we should have five prosecution witnesses: two more MSP crime scene guys, a MSP DNA expert ...
9:15 - .@McMullenMegan ... the medical examiner, and MSP Lt. Jason Teddy, the other lead investigator. This, of course, isn't counting ...
9:15 - .@McMullenMegan ... any possible defense witnesses and subsequent prosecution rebuttal witnesses.
9:20 - RT "@Jaynie1981: can't imagine who will be a defense witness.." >>for starters, Bluew, if he chooses to testify.
9:21 - There were some trials scheduled in Jackson's courtroom this morning, and they're pleading out a second one now.
9:24 - RT "@melissa_wick: can Bluews ex wife testify?" >>she is on the pros. witness list, which also means O'Farrell could call her, but ...
9:26 - @melissa_wick ... I doubt he would do that.
9:27 - Everybody's here now, and Bowman will resume the stand.
9:28 - We start with Bowman ID'ing the yellow laundry bag belonging to Bluew.
9:29 - @Mandalyn1401 yes. Link for my tweets on MLive: mlive.com/news/saginaw/i…
9:31 - Bag includes t-shirt, with "POLICE" on sleeves, and duty pants. These are the pants/shirt that Bowman said didn't appear to be worn.
9:33 - That clothing is admitted into evidence. Now the second, "old" uniform. Same style t-shirt, duty pants. Both pants are ...
9:33 - ... the same size, according to their tags. The second uniform is admitted into evidence.
9:35 - Now onto the tactical vest and Bluew's boots. Bowman says nothing noteworthy was found on the boots.
9:38 - Vest and boots admitted into evidence. Now onto the items seized from Bluew's police vehicle - exam gloves, blood stain swabs, handheld mic.
9:40 - All those admitted into evidence. Same with the buccal swabs taken from Bluew during interview with Ogg &Teddy.
9:42 - Bowman holds up the tactical vest:
9:43 - Bowman begins opening an evidence bag:
9:46 - Now discussing the swabs of the blood stains found in and around Webb's vehicle. This is all tedious, but important, admitting of evidence.
9:48 - The swabs, as well as the samples created for DNA testing, all are admitted into evidence. O'Farrell didn't object to any of it.
9:49 - Stroud is done, Jackson says, "Really?" reflecting how long Bowman has been on the stand. O'Farrell up.
9:50 - O'Farrell first asking about the crime response team, basic questions.
9:52 - Bowman wasn't the person who actually found blood and necklace charm in Wastewater Treatment driveway. MSP's Gary Ginther did, she says.
9:53 - Bowman disagrees that she characterized the blood stain in the driveway as a "droplet." Says she just mentioned size of stain.
9:55 - O'Farrell asks if stain was a "transfer" stain. She says she can say it's not a "spatter" stain, starts explaining different types of stains.
9:57 - Bowman: Didn't see any other human blood stains at scene.
9:59 - O'Farrell asking about ditch area, specifically where flip flops found. Bowman didn't inspect that area.
9:59 - Bowman: "Nothing was brought to my attention" regarding any blood found in ditch area.
10:01 - Bowman: All but 1 of stains found in/outside of Aztek were "transfer" stains. The only one not a "transfer" was on the ...
10:01 - ... passenger side "B pillar." Bowman did mention yesterday that one of the stains in that area was a "spatter" stain.
10:03 - Bowman: "Possible" for DNA on exam gloves to be transferred to another object. In other words, if I put exam gloves on ...
10:04 - ... then any DNA I left on the outside of the gloves could be transferred to another object. That's my understanding, at least.
10:04 - O'Farrell focusing on different sizes of stains in vehicle, specifically how faint some were.
10:05 - O'Farrell using hypothetical of mosquitoes, if one is biting forehead, and slap it with gloves on, could get own blood on glove.
10:06 - Officer Sylvester testified last week regarding needing bug spray because of the mosquitoes around the scene.
10:08 - O'Farrell shows Bowman another picture, one not in evidence yet, from the autopsy. Focuses on a "smudge" on the outside of the glove ...
10:09 - ... being worn by a hand seen in the picture.
10:09 - O'Farrell making a point during his cross:
10:10 - Bowman answering one of O'Farrell's questions:
10:14 - O'Farrell shows Bowman two more pictures, focusing on a box with papers and other items in the backseat of the Aztek.
10:15 - O'Farrell focuses on an exam glove seen in a close-up of the box. Appears to be substance on the outside of the glove.
10:16 - Bowman questions whether pictures are from the backseat of the Aztek.
10:18 - Bowman says two photos not taken by MSP lab. "No indication" anybody else took photos before they did.
10:21 - RT "@malanie810: do you know if Bluew's cruiser was equipped with a camera ?" >>I don't know, no
10:22 - A bench conference to discuss the pictures. I think O'Farrell wants to show them on the computer, but needs the prosecution's ...
10:22 - ... help, because they have to figure out which CD the pictures are on.
10:23 - And with that, we break until 1:30.
10:40 - O'Farrell and Bowman at the witness stand:
10:40 - Bluew looks on:
10:49 - RT "@tvalentine75: that was a waste of time #myopinion" >>you mean the hour we were in court? Might as well squeeze it in while they can.
10:55 - RT "@jessacastillo: can you post the live feed link so people can view when court does come back please" >>yes but won't have link til 1:30
1:34 - Back in court here, waiting for the #bluewtrial to resume after a welcomed long recess.
1:38 - I'll post a link to the live video as soon as we get started here.
1:48 - And we're back, with O'Farrell still on cross-examination of Valerie Bowman from the MSP.
1:49 - O'Farrell says he created confusion re: photographs. Bowman says 2 of photos taken by lab ppl, another taken by someone else after search.
1:52 - O'Farrell going through other photos with Bowman. Some of these were taken before Bowman and others started processing/examining the Aztek
1:59 - We're working on the live feed issues, sorry for the inconvenience.
1:59 - 14 photos admitted into evidence at O'Farrell's request. No objection from prosecution.
2:02 - O'Farrell asking about the autopsy, specifically Webb's clothes and when/how they were removed.
2:04 - O'Farrell confirming that tip of exam glove not seen until Bowman pulled clothes from drying chamber on Sept. 14.
2:05 - Bowman: Nobody saw glove tip at autopsy, can't say what article of clothing tip came from.
2:08 - O'Farrell asking about scraping of fingernails. Bowman separated left hand from right hand, but didn't separate finger by finger.
2:12 - O'Farrell asking about the uniform Bluew said he wore and Bowman is saying appeared unworn. Bowman found hairs on ...
2:12 - ... socks, which did appear to be worn, and one on shirt. Because shirt and socks were in same bad, Bowman can't ...
2:13 - ... say which article of clothing each hair came from.
2:14 - Bowman: Can't definitively determine where blood stains that are determined to be "transfer" stains come from.
2:16 - Bowman: After finding glove tip, didn't look through box of gloves seized from Bluew's vehicle.
2:21 - O'Farrell gives the jury 18 photos -- by my count -- to the jury to view. This will take a little while.
2:33 - Jury is done looking at photos, and O'Farrell is done with his cross. Stroud back up for re-direct.
2:35 - Stroud going back to O'Farrell's line of questioning about articles of clothing "co-mingling," and Stroud implies that O'Farrell's ...
2:36 - ... point was that blood on Webb's clothing could be "transfer" stains in similar fashion. Stroud has Bowman reiterate that ...
2:37 - ... the stains on Webb's shirt were "droplet"-type stains, not "transfer" stains.
2:38 - Bowman: Flip flops, the right one of which has a "transfer" stain, never were in contact with Webb's clothing.
2:42 - Stroud asking Bowman to explain her efforts to not contaminate evidence in her lab or at scenes.
2:47 - Stroud asks more clarification follow-ups, and he's done. O'Farrell back up.
2:48 - Bowman acknowledges that clothes from autopsy usually wet, which is why they were put in drying area. But wet clothes ...
2:49 - ... "more conducive" for transferring of blood, Bowman agrees.
2:50 - Bowman agrees that despite her efforts against contamination, can't do anything with already-contaminated evidence.
2:52 - And Bowman is finally done with her testimony. Next witness is Lisa Ramos, DNA expert from the MSP.
2:53 - Ramos has been processing DNA for nearly 8 years. As with other experts, she'll go through her education/professional experience.
2:55 - Ramos: Testified as an expert "at least 20 times."
2:56 - Again, no comment from O'Farrell. Ramos will be recognized as expert.
2:58 - And now Ramos gets to explain what DNA analysis is, and how it is done. Forgive me for not getting too in-depth with my recap here.
2:59 - Ramos: "Don't need a lot of DNA" to conduct tests.
3:01 - Ramos begins her testimony:
3:13 - RT "@jessacastillo: why was court so short today" >>just how it goes sometimes. Not every day is 9-5 straight through.
3:15 - Alright, now we're actually getting to the samples. First talking about blood samples of Webb and the fetus, buccal swab of Bluew
3:18 - Ramos: "Asked to conduct paternity analysis." First establishes whether there's possible inheritance from father, then ...
3:19 - ... does statistical analysis. Thankfully, we'll get a chart with her results.
3:20 - Not so thankfully, the chart is so small we can't read it.
3:25 - Ramos: Statistical finding: 1.2 million times more likely that Bluew is father than random person from Caucasian population.
3:26 - Ramos: 7.2 million for African Americans; 381.4 for Hispanic. These three groups used because they are Michigan's three largest groups.
3:28 - The big picture: Ramos says "it was consistent that he was the father."
3:28 - And now, we're taking a break.
3:29 - Ramos explains the paternity chart:
3:52 - And we're back. We'll get to the other evidence now.
3:53 - Ramos asked to explain "single source," which is only one DNA donor in a sample. "Mixed source" is more than 1 source.
3:54 - Ramos: A mixed source can have "major" donors and "minor" donors. Also could have equal donors. In that situation, the term used is ...
3:55 - ... "cannot exclude," in that they know there are multiple donors but can't determine who is "major" and thus can't exclude donors as such.
3:56 - Ramos: "A number of samples" that had Bluew as single source of sample.
3:58 - Ramos: For these samples, odds that donor could have same DNA profile as Bluew are 1 in 93.4 quadrillion for Caucasian population
3:59 - Focusing now on blood stains on Wastewater driveway, flip flop, and rear car door.
4:01 - Ramos: Flip flop stain matched Bluew's DNA profile. Driveway stain matched Webb's DNA profile. Car door stain matched Bluew
4:01 - Ramos: All three stains are single source.
4:03 - Ramos: Probability of donor in driveway stain having same DNA profile as Webb is 1 in 22.6 quadrillion for Caucasian population.
4:04 - Now onto swabs from under Webb's fingernails, stains on Webb's shirt, pants, bra, inside portion of piece of glove.
4:08 - Ramos: Left fingernails: Mixed sample, analyzing only male donor, as other donor matched Webb. Male donor matches Bluew.
4:08 - Ramos: Shirt: Single source, matches Bluew; Pants: Single source, matches Bluew; Bra: Single source, matches Bluew; and ...
4:09 - ... Glove: Single source, matches Bluew
4:12 - RT "@TrayDei: How's the reaction in the court room?" >>silence, mostly, almost in a "this is important, we have to hear this" way.
4:13 - Ramos showing a PowerPoint presentation she prepared in regards to the results I just tweeted about.
4:14 - This also includes the Winston cigarette butt on the Wastewater driveway. Matches Bluew.
4:17 - Stay with me here, going to try to list stains that matched Bluew, but trying to get them all.
4:20 - From vehicle matching Bluew: Both "B pillars, foam tube in rear cargo area, 4 o'clock position of steering wheel ...
4:20 - ... rear passenger seat back near center, rear passenger door opening, rear passenger seat. May have missed a couple.
4:21 - Others matching Bluew: "CE" on tactical vest, all nine stains on duty pants, lettering on t-shirt, interior door of his vehicle ...
4:22 - ... police vehicle steering wheel, radio mic.
4:22 - Matching Webb: driveway, neckline of her shit, the hoop earring and stud earring from her car, and "driver rear door molding."
4:23 - All of those I just listed are "single source," so there are not other donors on these stains, Ramos says
4:28 - Stains that had mixture of donors: Outside of disposable glove, neither Webb nor Bluew can be excluded ...
4:29 - ... swabs from Webb's right fingernails match Webb and a male donor, from which Bluew cannot be excluded ...
4:30 - ... swabs from extension cord around Webb's neck - neither Webb nor Bluew can be excluded. This stain not as ...
4:30 - strong quality-wise, so probabilities of another donor other than Webb/Bluew are much more likely
4:30 - And we've broke for the day. Whew. That was a lot of information I just took in.
4:31 - We'll return at 9 a.m. tomorrow.
4:31 - Closing the MLive chat. As always, post questions on Twitter or MLive comment stream.
KENNETH BLUEW TRIAL -
Expert: Blood found in, outside Webb's vehicle
Saginaw News (MI)
Thursday, October 4, 2012
SAGINAW --At least 19 bloodstains were found inside and outside Jennifer Webb's vehicle after she was discovered hanging from it in an apparent suicide last year, a state police biologist testified Wednesday.
Valerie Bowman, who also investigates crime scenes for the Michigan State Police's Bridgeport crime lab, testified during Kenneth T. Bluew's trial regarding bloodstains she found as she inspected Webb's Pontiac Aztek.
By MLive's count, Bowman found 19 such stains inside Webb's vehicle and on its exterior doors.
Bowman testified that through testing at the crime lab, she determined a majority of the stains were human blood.
Swabs of the stains then were sent to Lansing for other state police experts to test for DNA purposes, Bowman said. A jury of nine women and five men has yet to hear testimony regarding the test results.
Bluew, 37, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder in the Aug. 30, 2011, death of Webb at North Outer and Hack in Buena Vista Township. Webb, 32, was pregnant with his son.
Bowman began testifying Wednesday morning and testified all afternoon. She is to continue her testimony this morning, the seventh day of testimony in Bluew's trial before Saginaw County Circuit Judge Darnell Jackson.
Bowman testified she found a bloodstain, with a "ridge structure" that made it a possible fingerprint, on the exterior of the rear door on the Aztek's passenger side. Saginaw County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Jeffrey D. Stroud said during his opening argument that the bloody fingerprint, determined to be a right index finger, had a "piece" missing, just as Bluew's right index fingerprint had in the days after the death.
Bowman testified bloodstains were found on the "rubber door gasket" of both rear doors; a silver hoop earring found between the right side of the rear seat and the passenger-side rear door; the socket end of the extension cord once tied to the vehicle's roof rack; a bed sheet on the floor of the vehicle; the gear shift knob; the passenger side of the rear seat; the middle of the top of the rear seat back; a stud earring found in the rear seat; both of the vehicle's "B pillars," the area on the interior of the vehicle between the front and rear doors; a gray tubular foam object in the rear cargo area; the interior and exterior of the driver's-side door; and the steering wheel, where three stains were found.
Bowman also found four bloodstains in Bluew's police cruiser: on the interior of the driver's side door, near the handle; on the steering wheel; on the handheld microphone attached to Bluew's police radio, including a possible fingerprint; and on the rear side of the partition dividing the front and rear of the interior of the vehicle.
Blood on clothing
State police Detective Sgt. Allan Ogg testified Friday that Bluew showed him and Lt. Jason Teddy, then a detective sergeant, as well, a uniform bag with a uniform inside Bluew said he wore that night. The detectives found a second pair of uniform pants and a T-shirt, which Bluew said were "old," in a storage compartment under Bluew's truck's rear seat.
Bowman testified she examined the uniform Bluew said he wore, and the pants and T-shirt did not appear to be worn. Specifically, Bowman said, the pants still had creases in them, some of which would have been "obliterated" if worn for an entire 12-hour police shift, and the T-shirt smelled like laundry detergent and/or fabric softener.
Ogg testified that after he learned of this, he brought the second uniform to Bowman. That pair of pants, Bowman testified, had nine bloodstains; she was able to test only two of the stains to determine whether they were human blood, and they were. The "old" T-shirt, Bowman testified, had a human bloodstain on the white lettering on the left sleeve.
Finally, Bowman said Bluew's tactical vest had four bloodstains: one on the "CE" of the "POLICE" lettering on the right breast, one midway up the vest just left of center and one on each side. Bowman was able to test only the stain on the "CE" lettering, and it was human blood, she testified.
Bowman's afternoon testimony followed her morning testimony regarding what she and other members of the state police's crime scene response team found, including blood, a charm from a necklace and a "fresh" Winston cigarette butt about 270 feet away, by foot, from where Webb's body was found hanging by an extension cord from the roof rack of her Pontiac Aztek.
Ogg testified Tuesday that a pack of Winston cigarettes was found in Bluew's duty bag.
In searching Webb's clothing after the autopsy, Bowman found a piece of a green disposable glove, she testified. Testing conducted on the piece of glove, which resembled the tip of one of the glove's fingers, showed human blood on the inside portion and saliva on the outside portion, Bowman testified.
Searches on Bluew's computer
Colleen Auer-Lemke, who works in the Michigan State Police Computer Crimes Unit, testified Tuesday and Wednesday about searches discovered on Bluew's computer during a forensic analysis.
Auer-Lemke testified she examined 25 items submitted to her by detective Ogg and state police Lt. Jason Teddy, then a detective sergeant.
Among those items were 17 computers from Bluew's house and police cruiser, the Buena Vista Township police and fire departments, and Webb's home and workplace, as well as cellphones belonging to Webb and Bluew.
Auer-Lemke said that of those items, she was unable to find any that were the origin of the suicide note that Bluew said he found on top of Webb's purse shortly after he and fellow Buena Vista Police Officer Tim Patterson found her body.
The examination of Bluew's home computer found that he, or somebody using his family's computer, viewed websites about how to commit suicide, why people commit suicide, the "most painless" ways to commit suicide and how to strangle one's self. Bluew also researched media reports about Webb's death in the days afterward, Auer-Lemke testified.
When Auer-Lemke searched in Bluew's computer history for the term "carotid," as in "carotid artery," she got 61 hits in 11 files, she testified. One of those files was a "question and answer" website that included information on how long it takes someone to die from "carotid artery compression," Auer-Lemke testified.
Many of the items Auer-Lemke reviewed were accessed beginning in July, she testified. Some of the carotid-related items were viewed beginning Aug. 17 and ending Aug. 19, she said.
An examination of Bluew's in-car computer showed that at 4:56 a.m. Aug. 31, or about six hours after Webb's body was found, he viewed the report written by Patterson, his fellow officer, related to the death. Patterson testified last week that at that point in the investigation, Patterson had yet to include observations that he described as "red flags."
Bluew, who lived in Saginaw Township, also is charged with assaulting a pregnant individual intentionally causing miscarriage or stillbirth of a fetus or embryo and two counts of possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony.
If convicted of first-degree murder, he would face a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. The assault charge carries a maximum penalty of life in prison.
Testimony before a jury of nine women and five men is scheduled to continue today.
Ken Bluew trial:
Forensic testimony regarding the pregnant Jennifer Webb's death briefly continues, to resume in afternoon
MLive
October 04, 2012 http://www.mlive.com/news/saginaw/index.ssf/2012/10/ken_bluew_trial_forensic_testi.html
SAGINAW, MI —A jury this morning briefly heard more forensic testimony in the trial for the suspended Buena Vista police officer charged with killing the woman who was eight months pregnant with his son.
Valerie Bowman, the Michigan State Police biologist who examined the vehicles and clothes belonging to Kenneth T. Bluew and Jennifer Webb, resumed her testimony in Bluew's trial.
Bowman took the stand just before 9:30 a.m. and testified until about 10:20 a.m., when Saginaw County Circuit Judge Darnell Jackson recessed the trial until the afternoon.
Bluew, 37, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder in the Aug. 30, 2011, death of Webb at North Outer and Hack in Buena Vista Township. Webb, 32, planned to name her son Braxton.
Bowman spent about half of her testimony this morning identifying physical evidence that the prosecution intended to admit into evidence. With no objections from Bluew's attorney, Rod O'Farrell, Jackson admitted two of Bluew's uniforms — the one that he said he wore that night but that Bowman said appeared unworn and an "old" one that had nine blood stains on the pants — as well as Bluew's tactical vest, which had four blood stains; his duty boots, which had no stains; a box of disposable exam gloves and a handheld microphone for a police radio from Bluew's police cruiser; and swabs of blood stains found in and outside of Webb's vehicle and Bluew's police vehicle.
O'Farrell questioned Bowman for about 30 minutes, focusing part of his cross-examination on the different types of blood stains and which type the stain found in the driveway of the Buena Vista Township Wastewater Treatment Plant, about 270 feet by foot from Webb's vehicle, was and which types the at least 19 stains found in and outside of Webb's vehicle were.
Bowman testified that the driveway stain was not a "spatter" stain but could not say definitively what type of stain it was. She said that all but one of the vehicle stains were "transfer" stains.
Bowman said it was "possible" for DNA — blood or otherwise — on the outside of examination gloves to leave "transfer" stains on another surface. O'Farrell used a hypothetical example of somebody wearing gloves and slapping at a mosquito on his or her forehead, and Bowman agreed it was possible that the person's blood then could be on the outside of the glove. Buena Vista Police Officer Sara Sylvester, one of two other officers at the scene with Bluew, testified last week that she needed to apply insect repellant because of the mosquitoes in the area.
Jackson recessed the trial about the time O'Farrell was asking Bowman about pictures of Webb's vehicle, not admitted into evidence by the prosecution. Bowman testified that she didn't recognize the pictures, one of which shows an examination glove with some type of substance on the outside.
In conferring with Saginaw County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Jeffrey D. Stroud and then having a bench conference, it appeared O'Farrell intended to show the pictures on a television screen, connected to a laptop, to the jury. It appeared Jackson recessed the trial about five minutes prior than planned because finding the pictures on a specific CD would take longer than five minutes.
Bluew, who lived in Saginaw Township, also is charged with assaulting a pregnant individual intentionally causing miscarriage or stillbirth of a fetus or embryo and two counts of possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony.
If convicted of first-degree murder, he would face a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. The assault charge carries a maximum penalty of life in prison.
DNA expert:
Ken Bluew the 'single source' of blood found on pregnant Jennifer Webb's clothes, vehicle
MLive
October 04, 2012
http://www.mlive.com/news/saginaw/index.ssf/2012/10/dna_expert_ken_bluew_the_singl.html
SAGINAW, MI —Kenneth T. Bluew's DNA matches the DNA from at least 26 bloodstains examined in connection with the apparent suicide of the woman who was eight months pregnant with his son, an expert testified today.
Lisa Ramos, who works for the Michigan State Police, testified during Bluew's trial today regarding the results of the tests she conducted on numerous bloodstain samples sent to her from Valerie Bowman at the state police's Bridgeport crime lab.
Bluew, 37, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder in the Aug. 30, 2011, death of Webb at North Outer and Hack in Buena Vista Township. Webb, 32, planned to name her son Braxton; the fetus' DNA showed that "it was consistent" that Bluew was the father, Ramos said.
Ramos testified that Bluew was the only DNA donor of bloodstains found on Webb's clothing, in and on the outside of Webb's Pontiac Aztek, on his uniform, and in his police cruiser.
Among those stains included those from the inside portion of a piece of a disposable examination glove found in Webb's clothes, Ramos said. She also tested the outside of the piece of the glove, and neither Bluew nor Webb could be excluded as being a donor, Ramos testified.
The stains to which Bluew was the only donor, "or single source," also included a swab under the fingernails of Webb's left hand; stains on Webb's shirt, pants and bra; and one of Webb's flip flops, found in a culvert of the ditch Webb was hanging into. Last week's testimony from Bluew's fellow officers who were on scene showed that the flip flops were not touched until crime lab personnel arrived hours later.
Ramos also testified that Bluew was the only donor of a stain on the rear door of the Aztek's passenger side, which Bowman this week testified had a "ridge structure" in it like a fingerprint.
Bluew also was the "single source" of at least seven stains found inside the Aztek; all nine stains on Bluew's duty pants, the ones he told state police Detective Sgts. Allan Ogg and Jason Teddy were "old"and not worn that night; a stain on the "CE" portion of the "POLICE" lettering on Bluew's tactical vest; a stain on the sleeve of his T-shirt, found with the "old" duty pants; and the interior of the driver's side door, the steering wheel, and the handheld police radio microphone of his police cruiser.
Ramos testified that Webb was the only DNA donor of a blood stain found on a driveway leading to the Buena Vista Township Wastewater Treatment Plant, about 270 feet by foot from where Webb's vehicle was found and next to a silver charm that appears to have come from Webb's necklace. She also was the only donor of blood stains on the left neckline of her shirt; a hoop earring and a stud earring found in her vehicle; and the "driver rear door molding" of her vehicle, Ramos testified.
Ramos testified that the swabs taken from under Webb's fingernails both contained two donors: Webb and a male source. Ramos testified that Bluew's DNA matched the male donor of the left hand and "cannot be excluded" as being the source of the right hand.
Bluew also "cannot be excluded" as being the source of a bloodstain found on the portion of the extension cord tied around Webb's neck, Ramos said.
Saginaw County Circuit Judge Darnell Jackson, who is presiding over the trial, recessed the trial at 4:30 p.m. before Ramos could testify to other stains.
Ramos' testimony followed the conclusion of Bowman's testimony, which stretched over Wednesday and today.
Bowman this afternoon acknowledged that nobody at Webb's autopsy saw the glove tip and that she didn't notice it until she pulled the clothes from the crime lab's drying chamber about two weeks after the death. She testified that she did not examine a seized box of similar gloves from Bluew's police cruiser to possibly find a glove with a missing finger tip.
Upon questioning from Bluew's attorney, Rod O'Farrell, Bowman testified that clothes taken from autopsies are normally at least somewhat wet — the reason they're placed in the drying chamber. The clothes' wetness is "more conducive" to any blood on the clothes transferring to other items when they are placed in a bag, as they were after the autopsy, Bowman agreed.
Saginaw County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Jeffrey D. Stroud pointed out, through Bowman's testimony, that the flip flops — one of which had such a "transfer" stain — never touched Webb's clothing after the death.
Bluew, who lived in Saginaw Township, also is charged with assaulting a pregnant individual intentionally causing miscarriage or stillbirth of a fetus or embryo and two counts of possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony.
If convicted of first-degree murder, he would face a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. The assault charge carries a maximum penalty of life in prison.
Officer Kenneth Bluew Murder Trial - Day 8
Live Tweets:
Day 8 of trial for Ken Bluew, police officer charged in death of pregnant Jennifer Webb
MLive
SAGINAW, MI —Kenneth T. Bluew's DNA matches the DNA from at least 26 bloodstains examined in connection with the apparent suicide of the woman who was eight months pregnant with his son, an expert testified today.
Lisa Ramos, who works for the Michigan State Police, testified during Bluew's trial today regarding the results of the tests she conducted on numerous bloodstain samples sent to her from Valerie Bowman at the state police's Bridgeport crime lab.
Bluew, 37, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder in the Aug. 30, 2011, death of Webb at North Outer and Hack in Buena Vista Township. Webb, 32, planned to name her son Braxton; the fetus' DNA showed that "it was consistent" that Bluew was the father, Ramos said.
Ramos testified that Bluew was the only DNA donor of bloodstains found on Webb's clothing, in and on the outside of Webb's Pontiac Aztek, on his uniform, and in his police cruiser.
Among those stains included those from the inside portion of a piece of a disposable examination glove found in Webb's clothes, Ramos said. She also tested the outside of the piece of the glove, and neither Bluew nor Webb could be excluded as being a donor, Ramos testified.
The stains to which Bluew was the only donor, "or single source," also included a swab under the fingernails of Webb's left hand; stains on Webb's shirt, pants and bra; and one of Webb's flip flops, found in a culvert of the ditch Webb was hanging into. Last week's testimony from Bluew's fellow officers who were on scene showed that the flip flops were not touched until crime lab personnel arrived hours later.
Ramos also testified that Bluew was the only donor of a stain on the rear door of the Aztek's passenger side, which Bowman this week testified had a "ridge structure" in it like a fingerprint.
Bluew also was the "single source" of at least seven stains found inside the Aztek; all nine stains on Bluew's duty pants, the ones he told state police Detective Sgts. Allan Ogg and Jason Teddy were "old"and not worn that night; a stain on the "CE" portion of the "POLICE" lettering on Bluew's tactical vest; a stain on the sleeve of his T-shirt, found with the "old" duty pants; and the interior of the driver's side door, the steering wheel, and the handheld police radio microphone of his police cruiser.
Ramos testified that Webb was the only DNA donor of a blood stain found on a driveway leading to the Buena Vista Township Wastewater Treatment Plant, about 270 feet by foot from where Webb's vehicle was found and next to a silver charm that appears to have come from Webb's necklace. She also was the only donor of blood stains on the left neckline of her shirt; a hoop earring and a stud earring found in her vehicle; and the "driver rear door molding" of her vehicle, Ramos testified.
Ramos testified that the swabs taken from under Webb's fingernails both contained two donors: Webb and a male source. Ramos testified that Bluew's DNA matched the male donor of the left hand and "cannot be excluded" as being the source of the right hand.
Bluew also "cannot be excluded" as being the source of a bloodstain found on the portion of the extension cord tied around Webb's neck, Ramos said.
Saginaw County Circuit Judge Darnell Jackson, who is presiding over the trial, recessed the trial at 4:30 p.m. before Ramos could testify to other stains.
Ramos' testimony followed the conclusion of Bowman's testimony, which stretched over Wednesday and today.
Bowman this afternoon acknowledged that nobody at Webb's autopsy saw the glove tip and that she didn't notice it until she pulled the clothes from the crime lab's drying chamber about two weeks after the death. She testified that she did not examine a seized box of similar gloves from Bluew's police cruiser to possibly find a glove with a missing finger tip.
Upon questioning from Bluew's attorney, Rod O'Farrell, Bowman testified that clothes taken from autopsies are normally at least somewhat wet — the reason they're placed in the drying chamber. The clothes' wetness is "more conducive" to any blood on the clothes transferring to other items when they are placed in a bag, as they were after the autopsy, Bowman agreed.
Saginaw County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Jeffrey D. Stroud pointed out, through Bowman's testimony, that the flip flops — one of which had such a "transfer" stain — never touched Webb's clothing after the death.
Bluew, who lived in Saginaw Township, also is charged with assaulting a pregnant individual intentionally causing miscarriage or stillbirth of a fetus or embryo and two counts of possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony.
If convicted of first-degree murder, he would face a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. The assault charge carries a maximum penalty of life in prison.
Officer Kenneth Bluew Murder Trial - Day 8
Live Tweets:
Day 8 of trial for Ken Bluew, police officer charged in death of pregnant Jennifer Webb
MLive
Andy Hoag
October 05, 2012 http://www.mlive.com/news/saginaw/index.ssf/2012/10/live_tweets_day_8_of_trial_for.html
Ken Bluew Trial - Day 8
Friday October 5, 2012
Andy Hoag@SNAndyHoag
9:12 - RT "@McMullenMegan: this is important bc he had always denied being the father correct?" He did at first, then finally admitted to ...
9:13 - .@McMullenMegan having sex with her at the very end of his interview. Don't think he ever admitted paternity, though.
9:14 - Is it Friday already? This week has flown by, what with all the complex crime scene and DNA testimony. Waiting to get started.
9:29 - RT "@Jaynie1981: was wondering if they ever looked at Bluew's moms or siblings computers (for the suicide note)." >>those weren't examined.
9:35 - Bluew has arrived. Should be getting started soon.
9:38 - And here we. Lisa Ramos from the MSP still on the stand.
9:40 - Ramos: Three more samples from autopsy with mixed results. First, Webb's bruise on right inner arm. Matches Webb and "minor male donor."
9:43 - ... probability of donor being someone other than Bluew was 1 in 7.1 billion for Caucasian population. Now to left arm bruise.
9:44 - Again matches Webb and probability that other donor isn't Bluew is 1 in 1.2 trillion for Caucasian.
9:45 - Now onto mixed samples from Webb's vehicle. First, socket of extension cord: "major DNA types matched that of Kenneth Bluew."
9:47 - Ramos: Not enough from minor donor on socket of cord to make comparisons. Next, bed sheet in backseat: major donor matched Bluew.
9:48 - Next, interior driver's side door. Ramos: Major DNA types matched Bluew. Not enough from minor donor to compare.
9:48 - Next, 3 o'clock position of steering wheel. Ramos: Major types matched Bluew. Again, not enough from minor donor.
9:50 - Ramos: Exterior driver's side front door, same result - matches Bluew. Next, gear selector. Same result, except Webb could not ...
9:51 - ... be excluded as minor donor. Next, smear on rear passenger side window. Ramos: Neither Bluew nor Webb could be excluded.
9:52 - Ramos testifies to her results:
October 05, 2012 http://www.mlive.com/news/saginaw/index.ssf/2012/10/live_tweets_day_8_of_trial_for.html
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Ken Bluew Trial - Day 8
Friday October 5, 2012
Andy Hoag@SNAndyHoag
9:12 - RT "@McMullenMegan: this is important bc he had always denied being the father correct?" He did at first, then finally admitted to ...
9:13 - .@McMullenMegan having sex with her at the very end of his interview. Don't think he ever admitted paternity, though.
9:14 - Is it Friday already? This week has flown by, what with all the complex crime scene and DNA testimony. Waiting to get started.
9:29 - RT "@Jaynie1981: was wondering if they ever looked at Bluew's moms or siblings computers (for the suicide note)." >>those weren't examined.
9:35 - Bluew has arrived. Should be getting started soon.
9:38 - And here we. Lisa Ramos from the MSP still on the stand.
9:40 - Ramos: Three more samples from autopsy with mixed results. First, Webb's bruise on right inner arm. Matches Webb and "minor male donor."
9:43 - ... probability of donor being someone other than Bluew was 1 in 7.1 billion for Caucasian population. Now to left arm bruise.
9:44 - Again matches Webb and probability that other donor isn't Bluew is 1 in 1.2 trillion for Caucasian.
9:45 - Now onto mixed samples from Webb's vehicle. First, socket of extension cord: "major DNA types matched that of Kenneth Bluew."
9:47 - Ramos: Not enough from minor donor on socket of cord to make comparisons. Next, bed sheet in backseat: major donor matched Bluew.
9:48 - Next, interior driver's side door. Ramos: Major DNA types matched Bluew. Not enough from minor donor to compare.
9:48 - Next, 3 o'clock position of steering wheel. Ramos: Major types matched Bluew. Again, not enough from minor donor.
9:50 - Ramos: Exterior driver's side front door, same result - matches Bluew. Next, gear selector. Same result, except Webb could not ...
9:51 - ... be excluded as minor donor. Next, smear on rear passenger side window. Ramos: Neither Bluew nor Webb could be excluded.
9:52 - Ramos testifies to her results:
9:53 - Next, 11 o'clock position of steering wheel: matches Bluew. Webb could not be excluded as minor donor.
9:55 - Now to Bluew's clothes. Tactical vest: on lower right side, probability that it is somebody other than Bluew is 1 in 15.4 quadrillion.
9:58 - Ramos: Stain on left side of vest matches Bluew. Same with stain in middle of vest, except it was a mixture and minor donor too small.
9:59 - And ... whew. That's all of the test results. Except one that wasn't part of PowerPoint presentation: stain on Bluew's vehicle partition.
9:59 - Ramos: Was able to exclude both Bluew and Webb from being donor from that stain.
10:01 - And Stroud is done. O'Farrell is up, focusing first on the tactical vest. Ramos' report excludes Webb from any stain on body armor.
10:04 - O'Farrell pointing out that Ramos cannot independently determine sources of stains. That was done by Bowman.
10:05 - O'Farrell and Ramos review Ramos' report:
10:06 - O'Farrell again brings up "touch DNA," basically same concept/notion he was talking about with yesterday's mosquito hypothetical.
10:07 - Instead of the mosquito hypothetical, O'Farrell this time uses "inadvertently" wiping one's forehead.
10:08 - Dawn Webb, Jennifer Webb's mother, watches on:
10:09 - O'Farrell points out that Ramos cannot determine how old blood stains are.
10:13 - O'Farrell is confirming that Webb was excluded as being donor from vest, shirt, pants.
10:13 - The theory there could be that Bluew bleeding on his own clothes proves nothing.
10:15 - As he did with Bowman, O'Farrell confirming that if samples/stains already contaminated before they got to Ramos, cant do anything about it.
10:17 - Nothing further from O'Farrell or Stroud. Next witness is MSP's Gary Ginther, fingerprint expert.
10:19 - A "In Memory" bracelet:
10:20 - Ginther is a "latent print examiner." Has to go through the education/professional background to establish himself as expert.
10:21 - RT @book_worm82: @SNAndyHoag that may be the case, but how can he explain his DNA being in the blood stains in her vehicle?
10:21 - @book_worm82 O'Farrell said in his opening argument that those stains could have been left during Bluew's investigation of the death.
10:23 - Ginther estimates he's examined upward of a million fingerprints. Has testified as expert between 225-300 times.
10:24 - Ginther will be considered an expert. Now begins to testify about how to analyze fingerprints. I won't recap this too much.
10:32 - Fingerprint analysis can be complex, but Ginther did a solid job of explaining it in the simplest of terms. Now onto the investigation.
10:33 - Ginther explains fingerprints:
10:33 - Ginther testifies, with Bluew's fingerprint card in the forefront:
10:34 - Ginther was the one who found the silver charm, which appeared to come from Webb's necklace, on the Wastewater Treatment Plant driveway.
10:39 - Ginther explains the location of the silver charm and blood stain:
10:39 - Now onto the bloody fingerprint on the rear door of the passenger side of Webb's vehicle.
10:41 - Ginther: The fingerprint was left just above and slightly to the left of the door handle.
10:49 - Ginther shows a blown-up image of the fingerprint lifted from the vehicle door:
10:50 - Ginther identified Bluew's prints from September 2011 - in a funny moment, he accidentally said "1911" - as well as prints from this year.
10:52 - Ginther: On Sept. 6, identified print as being Bluew's. The print from the car has an area that appears to be injured to the point ...
10:54 - ... that there is no ridge structure there. Now comparing that missing part to Bluew's print, "shows same injured area."
10:57 - Ginther holds up Bluew's fingerprint card:
10:58 - Ginther: "That latent print was made by the right index finger of Kenneth Bluew."
11:02 - Ginther: Latent prints left on Aztek's right quarter panel, right top of hood were made by Bluew's left palm, other fingers.
11:06 - Now onto the suicide note. It was purple coloring on it from a chemical designed to show fingerprints.
11:10 - *has, not was. Sorry. Ginther: Found 14 latent prints on backside of note, all Bluew. On face of note, no prints.
11:11 - Stroud confirms that Ginther found no prints belonging to Webb.
11:12 - Ginther discussed the prints found on the note:
11:13 - Stroud has Ginther point out that one of the prints on the letter is Bluew's right index finger. No injury present.
11:14 - In other words, Bluew touched that piece of paper before his finger was injured.
11:16 - Stroud has Ginther confirm just that.
11:20 - RT "@EwaldSandy: looks like the deal was just sealed! What was Bleew's reaction?" >>just more note taking.
11:22 - Ginther identifies which finger left each of the 14 prints. Now we're taking a break.
11:38 - RT "@BeHemker: What if any was the reaction to new prints developed on the document?" >>no reaction. I believe it's been touched in trial.
11:39 - RT "@t_ntskg5: has he shown any reaction through any of this?" >>no, but again, he's already been aware of what the testimony would be.
11:44 - And we're back. O'Farrell now on cross-examination, pointing out that sometimes only partial prints are found, can't be compared.
11:46 - Ginther: Partial prints on suicide note that weren't suitable for comparison value. Same with vehicle.
11:48 - Ginther: 3 prints on vehicle that didn't match any prints used for comparison. Results inconclusive, but neither Bluew nor Webb excluded.
11:50 - Ginther: Print from Webb's right palm found on exterior passenger side rear door, on metal portion between window and door.
11:54 - Ginther: "Possible" to put finger into a blood spot and leave a print. Depends on volume of blood.
11:55 - O'Farrell talking about success rate of finding print, makes a timely @MiguelCabrera mention w/ rate being less than Cabby's batting avg.
11:57 - Ginther says that low success rate is usually in reference to firearms.
11:58 - O'Farrell points out Ginther can't exclude Webb from touching suicide note paper, can't determine when Bluew touched paper ...
11:58 - ... relative to when the suicide note was typed and printed out.
12:01 - O'Farrell done, now Stroud back up, reiterating no bloody print on suicide note, so it was before injury.
12:02 - Ginther: Bloody print on door was a bloody finger touching the car, not a finger touching a blood spot on car.
12:04 - And Ginther is done, and we're going to lunch.
12:17 - RT "@nichol0715: didn't they say Jenny's print was NOT on the note?" >>they couldn't identify any prints as hers.
12:18 - @nichol0715 all those that were of enough quality were identified as Bluew's. There's partials that couldn't be compared to anything.
12:19 - RT @MelanieBierlein: @SNAndyHoag Where was the suicide note found? Can O'Farrell theorize that prints came from being on the scene the ...
12:19 - @MelanieBierlein Bluew said he found it on top of her purse. That theory wouldn't work because Bluew had a band-aid on by that point.
1:54 - We're back, no jury yet. Mike Thomas is asking Jackson to allow the jury to go visit the scene. O'Farrell is agreeing w/ the request.
1:54 - Jackson will allow the jury visit. Stroud made copies for the jurors of an aerial photograph, already in evidence, of the area.
1:55 - Jackson reading the instruction he will give to the jury. Jurors will be given 30 minutes, can't be talked to, can't talk with each other.
1:56 - They'll be going by bus. Bluew is waiving his right to be at the visit.
1:57 - RT @tvalentine75: @SNAndyHoag will you be going with them?
1:57 - @tvalentine75 I don't know yet :) Judge didn't mention whether we can/can't go. I do know we definitely can't take photos or video.
1:59 - Jackson is reading the instructions to the jury now.
2:00 - And now the jury is walking back out of the courtroom.
2:06 - I will not be going to the scene.
2:07 - As I mentioned before, we took photos of the scene a couple weeks back: photos.mlive.com/4473/gallery/j…
2:08 - We're being told that when the jury returns, they will enter the courtroom, and the trial will be recessed until Tuesday morning.
2:09 - So I will be closing the MLive chat window. As always, anybody with questions can tweet at me or post them on MLive.
DNA expert links Bluew to bloodstains
Defendant called 'single source' of samples on Webb's clothes, vehicle
Saginaw News (MI)
Friday, October 5, 2012
SAGINAW -- Kenneth T. Bluew's DNA matches those from at least 26 bloodstains examined in the apparent suicide of a woman who was eight months pregnant with his son, a DNA expert testified Thursday.
Lisa Ramos, who works for the Michigan State Police, testified during Bluew's trial regarding the results of the tests she conducted on numerous bloodstain samples sent to her from Valerie Bowman at the state police's Bridgeport crime lab.
Bluew, 37, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder in the Aug. 30, 2011, death of Webb at North Outer and Hack in Buena Vista Township. Webb, 32, planned to name her son Braxton. The fetus' DNA showed "it was consistent" that Bluew was the father, Ramos said.
Ramos testified Bluew was the only DNA donor of bloodstains found on Webb's clothing, in and on the outside of Webb's Pontiac Aztek, on his uniform and in his police cruiser.
Among those stains included those from the inside portion of a piece of a disposable examination glove found in Webb's clothes, Ramos said. She also tested the outside of the piece of the glove, and neither Bluew nor Webb could be excluded as being a donor, Ramos testified.
The stains to which Bluew was the only donor, "or single source," also included a swab under the fingernails of Webb's left hand; stains on Webb's shirt, pants and bra; and one of Webb's flip-flops, found in a culvert of the ditch Webb was hanging into. Last week's testimony from Bluew's fellow officers who were on scene showed the flip-flops were not touched until crime lab personnel arrived hours later.
Ramos also testified Bluew was the only donor of a stain on the rear door of the Aztek's passenger side, which Bowman this week testified had a "ridge structure" in it.
Bluew also was the "single source" of at least seven stains found inside the Aztek; all nine stains on Bluew's duty pants, the ones he told state police Detective Sgts. Allan Ogg and Jason Teddy were "old"; a stain on the "CE" portion of the "POLICE" lettering on Bluew's tactical vest; a stain on the sleeve of his T-shirt, found with the "old" duty pants; and the interior of the driver's side door, the steering wheel and the hand-held police radio microphone of his police cruiser.
Ramos testified Webb was the only DNA donor of a bloodstain found on a driveway leading to the Buena Vista Township Wastewater Treatment Plant, about 270 feet by foot from where Webb's vehicle was found and next to a silver charm that appears to have come from Webb's necklace. She also was the only donor of bloodstains on the left neckline of her shirt; a hoop earring and a stud earring found in her vehicle; and the "driver rear door molding" of her vehicle, Ramos testified.
Ramos testified the swabs taken from under Webb's fingernails both contained two donors: Webb and a male source. Ramos testified Bluew's DNA matched the male donor of the left hand and "cannot be excluded" as being the source of the right hand.
Bluew also "cannot be excluded" as the source of a bloodstain found on the portion of the extension cord tied around Webb's neck, Ramos said.
Saginaw County Circuit Judge Darnell Jackson, who is presiding over the trial, recessed the trial at 4:30 p.m. before Ramos could testify to other stains.
Ramos' testimony followed the conclusion of Bowman's testimony, which stretched over Wednesday and Thursday.
Bowman acknowledged Thursday afternoon that no one at Webb's autopsy saw the glove tip, and she didn't notice it until she pulled the clothes from the crime lab's drying chamber about two weeks after the death. She testified she did not examine a seized box of similar gloves from Bluew's police cruiser to possibly find a glove with a missing finger tip.
Upon questioning from Bluew's attorney, Rod O'Farrell, Bowman testified clothes taken from autopsies are normally at least somewhat wet --the reason they are placed in the drying chamber. The clothes' wetness is "more conducive" to any blood on the clothes transferring to other items when they are placed in a bag, as they were after the autopsy, Bowman agreed.
Saginaw County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Jeffrey D. Stroud pointed out, through Bowman's testimony, that the flip-flops -- one of which had such a "transfer" stain -- never touched Webb's clothing after the death.
Bluew, who lived in Saginaw Township, also is charged with assaulting a pregnant individual intentionally causing miscarriage or stillbirth of a fetus or embryo and two counts of possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony.
If convicted of first-degree murder, he would face a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. The assault charge carries a maximum penalty of life in prison.
Ken Bluew touched the pregnant Jennifer Webb's apparent suicide note before a bloody injury to his finger, expert testifies
MLive
October 05, 2012 http://www.mlive.com/news/saginaw/index.ssf/2012/10/ken_bluew_touched_the_pregnant.html
Former Michigan State Police Sgt. Gary Ginther, who now works as a civilian latent print examiner for the state police, testified this morning that Bluew left 14 fingerprints on the note Bluew said he found in Webb's purse after Webb's body was found hanging from her Pontiac Aztek on Aug. 30, 2011.
Of those 14 prints, at least one was Bluew's right index finger, Ginther testified. That fingerprint did not include a missing piece that Bluew's fingerprint taken several days later did include, Ginther testified.
That missing piece was evident on a bloody fingerprint, left above the handle of the rear passenger-side door of the Aztek, that Ginther identified as being Bluew's, Ginther said.
Bluew, 37, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder in Webb's death at North Outer and Hack in Buena Vista Township. Webb, 32, planned to name her son Braxton.
Ginther took the stand during the eighth day of testimony in Bluew's trial before Saginaw County Circuit Judge Darnell Jackson. Testimony will continue this afternoon.
On questioning from Bluew's attorney, Rod O'Farrell, Ginther testified that numerous partial fingerprints also were found on the suicide note, but that the lack of quality in the prints made them "not suitable for comparison." Ginther also was unable to say when Bluew actually touched the piece of paper that the note was printed on and whether the note already was printed.
O'Farrell also asked Ginther about the possibility of somebody placing their finger into a blood spot and leaving a bloody fingerprint, and while Ginther said such a scenario was "possible," Ginther said after a question from Saginaw County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Jeffrey D. Stroud that the fingerprint left on the Aztek door was from Bluew having a bloody finger and touching the vehicle door.
The other witness this morning was Lisa Ramos, a DNA expert with the state police, who continued her testimony that she began Thursday afternoon, when she said that Bluew's DNA matches those from at least 26 blood stains examined in connection with the death.
Ramos testified that she tested swabs from three bruises on Webb's upper arms. All three were "mixed samples" with Webb's DNA matching one of the donors in all three, Ramos said. One of the bruises had a "minor" male source that did not provide enough of a donation to compare anything to, while the other two had male donors. The probability of the source of those two donations not coming from Bluew were in the billions and trillions, Ramos testified.
Ramos testified that Bluew's DNA matched blood stains on a bed sheet found in the backseat of the Aztek; the vehicle's interior and exterior front driver's side door; and the vehicle's gear selector. Bluew's DNA also matched two stains on the steering wheel, and neither Bluew nor Webb could be excluded from being the source of a "smear" on the interior of the rear passenger-side window, Ramos said.
Most of those stains had a "minor" donor that did not provide enough to make a comparison, Ramos said. Webb could not be excluded as being the source of the minor donation on two of the stains, Ramos testified.
Bluew's DNA also matched three other stains on his tactical vest, Ramos said.
In his cross-examination, O'Farrell had Ramos confirm that she was not the individual who obtained the stains and identified their source — such as coming from the steering wheel — and that while Ramos takes precautions against evidence contamination, she cannot control any possible contamination that occurs prior to her handling the evidence.
Bluew, who lived in Saginaw Township, also is charged with assaulting a pregnant individual intentionally causing miscarriage or stillbirth of a fetus or embryo and two counts of possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony.
If convicted of first-degree murder, he would face a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. The assault charge carries a maximum penalty of life in prison.
Ken Bluew jury visits scene of the pregnant Jennifer Webb's death; trial recessed until Tuesday
MLive
October 05, 2012 http://www.mlive.com/news/saginaw/index.ssf/2012/10/ken_bluew_jury_visits_scene_of.html
SAGINAW, MI — The trial for the suspended Buena Vista police officer charged with killing the woman who was eight months pregnant with his son will conclude this afternoon after a jury visits the scene of the death.
After a morning full of testimony, Saginaw County Circuit Judge Darnell Jackson shortly before 2 p.m. approved the request of county Prosecutor Michael D. Thomas, who asked to have the jury of nine women and five men travel by bus to North Outer and Hack in Buena Vista Township.
The jury traveled to the scene with court staff, including Jackson. Thomas as well as county Chief Assistant Prosecutor Jeffrey D. Stroud and Kenneth T. Bluew's attorney, Rod O'Farrell, also traveled to the scene.
Bluew, 37, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder in the Aug. 31, 2011, death of Jennifer Webb. Webb, 32, planned to name her son Braxton.
Jackson told the jury they would have 30 minutes to survey the scene, which includes the nearby driveway for the Buena Vista Township Wastewater Treatment Plant. The judge instructed the jurors not to speak with anybody else, including their fellow jurors, while at the scene.
Bluew waived his right to be present during the jury visit.
After the jury returned, Jackson was to recess the trial until Tuesday, when Saginaw County Medical Examiner Kanu Virani will testify.
Prior to their visit, the jurors heard testimony from Michigan State Police experts Lisa Ramos and Gary Ginther, who testified, respectively, about Bluew's DNA being present in blood stains found at the scene and his fingerprints being left on an apparent suicide note and Webb's vehicle.
Bluew, who lived in Saginaw Township, also is charged with assaulting a pregnant individual intentionally causing miscarriage or stillbirth of a fetus or embryo and two counts of possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony.
If convicted of first-degree murder, he would face a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. The assault charge carries a maximum penalty of life in prison.
KENNETH BLUEW TRIAL
Expert: Bluew touched note before injuring finger
Saginaw News (MI)
Sunday, October 7, 2012
SAGINAW -- Kenneth T. Bluew's right index fingerprint was left on Jennifer Webb's apparent suicide note before Bluew received an injury to the finger that caused him to leave a bloody fingerprint on her vehicle's door, a state police expert testified Friday.
Former Michigan State Police Sgt. Gary Ginther, who works as a civilian latent-print examiner for the state police, testified Bluew left 14 fingerprints on the note Bluew said he found in Webb's purse after her body was found hanging from her Pontiac Aztek on Aug. 30, 2011.
Of those 14 prints, at least one was Bluew's right index finger, Ginther testified. That fingerprint did not include a missing piece that Bluew's fingerprint, taken several days later, included, Ginther testified.
That missing piece was evident on a bloody fingerprint, left above the handle of the rear passenger-side door of the Aztek, that Ginther identified as being Bluew's, Ginther said.
Bluew, 37, a suspended Buena Vista Township police officer, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder in Webb's death at North Outer and Hack in Buena Vista. Webb, 32, was eight months pregant with Bluew's son and planned to name him Braxton.
Ginther took the stand during the eighth day of testimony in Bluew's trial before Saginaw County Circuit Judge Darnell Jackson.
On questioning from Bluew's attorney, Rod O'Farrell, Ginther said numerous partial fingerprints also were found on the suicide note, but the lack of quality in the prints made them "not suitable for comparison." Ginther also was unable to say when Bluew touched the piece of paper the note was printed on and whether the note already had been printed.
O'Farrell asked Ginther about the possibility of someone placing a finger in a blood spot and leaving a bloody fingerprint. Ginther said such a scenario was "possible," but after a question from Saginaw County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Jeffrey D. Stroud, Ginther said the fingerprint left on the Aztek door was from Bluew having a bloody finger and touching the vehicle door.
The other witness Friday morning was Lisa Ramos, a DNA expert with the state police. She continued testimony she began Thursday afternoon, when she said Bluew's DNA matches those from at least 26 bloodstains examined in the death.
Ramos testified she tested swabs from three bruises on Webb's upper arms. All three were "mixed samples," with Webb's DNA matching one of the donors in all three, Ramos said. One of the bruises had a "minor" male source that did not provide enough of a donation to compare anything to, while the other two had male donors. The probability of the source of those two donations not coming from Bluew was in the billions and trillions, Ramos testified.
Ramos said Bluew's DNA matched bloodstains on a bedsheet found in the backseat of the Aztek, the vehicle's interior and exterior front driver's side door and the vehicle's gear selector. Bluew's DNA also matched two stains on the steering wheel, and neither Bluew nor Webb could be excluded from being the source of a "smear" on the interior of the rear passenger-side window, Ramos said.
Most of those stains had a "minor" donor that did not provide enough to make a comparison, Ramos said. Webb could not be excluded as the source of the minor donation on two of the stains, Ramos testified.
Bluew's DNA also matched three other stains on his tactical vest, Ramos said.
In his cross-examination, O'Farrell had Ramos confirm she was not the person who obtained the stains and identified their source --such as coming from the steering wheel --and that while Ramos takes precautions against evidence contamination, she cannot control any possible contamination that occurs before she handles evidence.
Jury travels to scene
After testimony Friday morning, Jackson approved a request of county Prosecutor Michael D. Thomas, who asked to have the jury of nine women and five men travel by bus to the scene of the death.
The jury traveled with court staff, including Jackson. Thomas, Stroud and O'Farrell also went to the scene.
Jackson told the jury they would have 30 minutes to survey the scene, which includes the nearby driveway for the Buena Vista Township Wastewater Treatment Plant. The judge instructed the jurors not to speak with anybody else, including their fellow jurors, while there.
Bluew waived his right to be present during the jury visit.
After the jury returned, Jackson recessed the trial until Tuesday, when Saginaw County Medical Examiner Kanu Virani is to testify.
Officer Kenneth Bluew Murder Trial - Day 9
Live Tweets:
Day 9 of trial for Ken Bluew, police officer charged in death of pregnant Jennifer Webb
MLive
Andy Hoag
October 09, 2012
October 09, 2012
http://www.mlive.com/news/saginaw/index.ssf/2012/10/live_tweets_day_9_of_trial_for.html
Ken Bluew Trial - Day 9
Tuesday October 9, 2012
Andy Hoag@SNAndyHoag
10:19 - Andy Hoag@SNAndyHoag - We're in the courtroom waiting for the #bleuwtrial to get started. Delay was because Judge Jackson had numerous ...
10:20 - ... other trials scheduled, as there are most every Tuesday. They were able to clear the docket for the most part recently but ...
10:20 - ... couldn't plan around this trial going into a fourth week, at least in terms of clearing the docket. Whenever we get started ...
10:20 - ... it looks like MSP Lt. Ron Crichton, a crime lab guy, will testify.
10:37 - Crichton is a firearms and tool mark examiner.
10:38 - Again, to establish him as an expert, Stroud has Crichton explain his educational and professional background.
10:40 - RT "@KellyZoellner1: Will there be a live link today?" >>yes, we're working on it now
10:41- Most experts estimate how many times they've testified as an expert. Crichton? He says 146 times.
10:42 - Crichton will be recognized as an expert. Now explaining how he examines firearms and tool mark evidence.
10:44 - Crichton was given Webb's necklace and the found silver charm and asked to examine them.
10:47 - Crichton: The charm had wires extending from it that were cut. Compared charm, wires to other random areas of necklace.
10:52 - Crichton: Charm was about 7/16 of an inch wide. Size + diameter of wire "within range" of those on necklace. 1 of bigger charms on necklace.
10:53 - Crichton: "Did not see anything dissimilar" between charm, necklace. "Can't exclude" charm as coming from necklace
10:54 - In other words, as Stroud points out, "nothing inconsistent" between charm, necklace. O'Farrell has no questions, so Crichton is done.
10:54 - Next witness is MSP Lt. Jason Teddy, one of two lead investigators along with D/Sgt Allan Ogg. Teddy was D/Sgt at time of death.
10:55 - Teddy is the assistant post commander for the Flint Post. Was D/Sgt for East Tawas Post
10:59 - Teddy &Ogg went to BVPD to interview Bluew about 7 a.m.
11:01 - Teddy: Unaware of any evidence, as crime lab had not yet gone to scene. Was briefed, but hadn't read any police reports.
11:02 - Teddy describing seizing of physical evidence, taking pictures of Bluew's injuries. Ogg has testified to both already.
11:04 - Teddy: Told that BVPD cars not equipped with automatic vehicle locator devices - essentially GPS devices hooked to cars.
11:07 - Teddy: Police report found on Bluew's in-car computer. It was Ofc. Patterson's - but not the 1 that included the "red flag" observations.
11:10 - Teddy: Examined the Aztek after crime lab ppl examined it. Took some different photos, depicting contents of vehicle after it was examined.
11:10 - These must be the photos that O'Farrell introduced into evidence last week, the ones Bowman said she and the crime lab didn't take.
11:11 - At that time, O'Farrell pointed out a smudge on an exam glove in a picture. Teddy says it was his glove with oil or another substance ...
11:12 - ... from under the driver's seat. Also, Teddy says door to glove compartment was broken.
11:13 - Without going into hearsay comments, Teddy says he looked into why it was broken and that what he learned was consistent w/ it being broken.
11:16 - Now onto the 3 phone calls between Webb and Bluew on the night of the death.
11:17 - Teddy: Phone calls categorized in different ways. Confirmed with service provider that 3 calls were made at times listed on phone.
11:20 - Teddy: All 3 calls lasted fewer than a minute. Records show that call from Bluew lasted 58 seconds.
11:20 - Teddy: Records show Bluew's cellphone had a missed call from Ofc. Sylvester at 10:31 p.m.
11:21 - Teddy: Records for Bluew's phone shows his call to her lasted 67 seconds -- 9 seconds longer than Webb's phone showed.
11:22 - Teddy now talking about Webb's old phone, which had a series of text messages between Bluew &Webb.
11:23 - Looks like they're going to show the messages on the TV, through a projector.
11:27 - The contact on the phone is "Ken Cop Boo." I copied down most of what was said, going to paraphrase a little:
11:27 - Webb: "What up, on my way home from Muskegon, exhaused. Did you break any ice this weekend" regarding talking to Bluew's wife?
11:28 - Bluew: "lol, nope, not yet, still working on that." Webb: "I'm sure it's not easy to decide how," where things between Bluew and ...
11:28 - ... his wife that he could say he "strayed" and was having a baby by another woman? Bluew: "Not really."
11:29 - Webb: Would be worse to "broadside her." Bluew: "No worries." Webb: "lol, really? I wish, haha."
11:29 - Bluew then says he's "gotta run" and says, "talk to you tomorrow, hopefully face to face."
11:30 - And that was the convo. Now onto the interview.
11:31 - RT "@dorymsbs: So why was it broken?" >>Teddy couldn't say, would be hearsay.
11:31 - Teddy: Bluew not under arrest, was read his Miranda rights.
11:32 - RT "@Micah92269051: Do you know if bluew's wife is going to be on the stand this week ?" >>doubt it. Only would be a rebuttal witness.
11:32 - Teddy: Interview recording by audio &video.
11:35 - I imagine we'll see the interview in the afternoon, as it is 2 hours long. Teddy discussing Bluew's uniforms, which Ogg testified to.
11:36 - Stroud questioning Teddy:
11:36 - Teddy listens to a question:
11:36 - Teddy reading the text messages from Webb's phone:
11:37 - RT "@dorymsbs: What day were these messages exchanged?" >>good question, didn't catch that. I'm pretty sure it wasn't the day before.
11:40 - Or, Stroud is going to prove me wrong and being playing the interview.
11:42 - RT @MelanieBierlein: @SNAndyHoag What is the significance of the different call lengths on Bluew's phone vs. Webb's phone?
11:42 - .@MelanieBierlein Good question. I thought they'd get into it more after that, but they didn't.
11:43 - @dorymsbs I'd u enlarge the picture it almost looks like the date says aug 19
11:43 - Teddy said the interview is on 4 CDs. Maybe we'll see the first CD and then go to lunch.
11:46 - Bluew says he was on general patrol, describing what he was doing that evening prior, which is consistent with what he wrote in his "daily."
11:47 - Bluew says he went up to Outer &Hack, saw vehicle, turned around in driveway. Bout time he was getting out, Patterson pulls up.
11:48 - Bluew describes finding body, in same way Patterson describes. Pulled purse out to ID victim, first thing is "obvious suicide note."
11:49 - Bluew: Read note, signed "Jenny." Pulled wallet out, looked at her ID, and said, "Oh s---. I know this girl." He told Patterson the same.
11:51 - So far, this has been consistent with what Patterson testified.
11:53 - Bluew explaining his patrol onto Freeway Lane, prior to heading to Outer &Hack. Says he passed a truck driver.
11:53 - Camera footage from that area showed that happened just before 9 p.m.
11:56 - And at this point, we're going to break for lunch. We'll have 90-plus minutes of the interview still to go in the afternoon.
12:07 - RT "@slaka8: What time did patterson show up?" >>just before 11 pm
1:07 - @slaka8 Cut on finger when was it recognized by Patt. before or after note taken? Did bluew say how and when finger cut?
1:08 - @Jspaedt to your first question, I don't recall. I do know Patterson saw the band-aid on his finger and that he said Bluew held ...
1:08 - @Jspaedt ... the note down on the hood of the car with his left hand, not his right, which had the injured finger.
1:09 - @Jspaedt To your second question, he said, on Sept. 6 I believe, that he had smashed it in a door. That was from Ogg's testimony.
1:35 - RT "@McMullenMegan: was it really signed with her signature or typed?" >>typed
1:45 - we're beginning now.
1:47 - Jury not back yet. Stroud saying there will be a 37-second portion of interview on the 4th CD that will be muted for the jury.
1:47 - Stroud did not say what the content of the conversation was at that time, other than that he, Thomas, O'Farrell, and judge are aware of it.
1:48 - Stroud says it's been determined that content is "irrelevant." These situations usually are reserved for portions of ...
1:48 - ... interviews that deal with subject matter that ultimately is prejudicial against the defendant. I don't know what it could be this time.
1:49 - In past trials, the subject matter has been about other incidents in which the defendant is involved, or sometimes hearsay.
1:53 - The jury is back and we're watching the video.
1:57 - I won't get too in depth with my recapping here. Most of what Bluew has said thus far has been consistent w/ Patterson's testimony.
2:05 - Bluew says he met Webb when he would do "bar checks." He struck up a "casual friendship" with her, they would call each other on occasion.
2:07 - Bluew says he doesn't know how old Webb is. Knew she was living in city, that she had 3 recent B&Es and moved to her parents as a result.
2:09 - Bluew: "It varied" how often they talked. Sometimes once/twice a day, sometimes once/twice a week, others times long stretches w/o talking.
2:11 - Bluew: Webb called that night, left a message. He called her back, didn't get an answer. Didn't leave a voicemail. She didn't call back.
2:12 - Bluew: Her mood last time they talked was "not normal." "It's been like that for the last few months now."
2:13 - Bluew "chalks it up" to stress of pregnancy + B&Es, moving back to parents' house.
2:13 - Bluew: Talked with Webb day before death. Can't remember who called who.
2:15 - Bluew: Last time actually saw Webb was couple weeks prior, she called and wanted to meet up briefly and talk.
2:17 - Bluew estimates he saw her about twice a month. She seemed "stressed," "tired all of the time."
2:17 - Bluew: Their meetings would consist of them meeting in a random parking lot and talking.
2:21 - Bluew: Didn't recognize her vehicle because he was focused on looking inside the vehicle.
2:24 - Bluew: Webb never said anything about who father of the baby was. He says didn't ask questions about pregnancy.
2:25 - Bluew: Webb usually "bubbly," but lately "just seemed different. More reserved."
2:27 - Bluew: When Webb would visit him, she didn't bring any friends. He didn't know any of her friends.
2:29 - Teddy asks Bluew if he has "any thoughts" on why Webb would commit suicide. Bluew: "No."
2:30 - Bluew: After reading suicide note, "there was more (issues/problems) than she was letting on."
2:31 - Bluew denies a relationship further than friends.
2:40 - Bluew: Position + "way her head was twisted" + examining rest of vehicle was why he didn't recognize her immediately.
2:42 - Bluew: Went into "cop mode" when he saw body, thought about what to do next. Teddy points out Bluew ...
2:43 - ... got a good enough look to see that her lips were blue. Teddy then asks about the injury to Bluew's eye.
2:45 - Bluew laughs and describes wrestling with his dog. Laugh was more of a lovingly recollection of a memory with a man's best friend.
2:46 - Bluew: Injury happened before work the afternoon before. Sylvester testified she didn't see injury to eye as they ate dinner that evening.
2:49 - Teddy and Ogg interview Bluew:
2:58 - Teddy asks Bluew what he was up to between the time he was done eating w/ Sylvester and when body was found. Bluew: Just driving around.
2:59 - Teddy and Ogg watch the video of the interview:
3:00 - Teddy: Was suicide note protected for prints? Bluew says he may have touched corner of it.
3:00 - Testimony last week was that Bluew left 14 fingerprints on the back of the note.
3:05 - Teddy and Ogg take a break from the interview, leaving Bluew alone in the conference room. Bench conference, and we take a break, too
3:31 - We were all ready to get started until Judge Jackson realized the court reporter wasn't in the courtroom yet. And here she is.
3:31 - Bluew is still alone in the conference room, his head resting on his left hand.
3:33 - And Teddy &Ogg have returned. Ogg asks about father of the baby. "Any chance you're the father of that child?" Bluew: "None."
3:34 - Bluew says he never had sex with her. Ogg tells him Webb told her family that Bluew was the father.
3:35 - Bluew: "I'm not the father of that child. I never had sex with her." Ogg reminds him how easy it would be for them to find out.
3:37 - Bluew denies it again. Ogg now asks about Dispatch not being able to get in touch with him. Bluew says he was on "admin" channel.
3:38 - Ogg notices fingernail-like injury to Bluew's forearm. Bluew says it was from dog.
3:39 - Ogg: "It doesn't make sense to me" how he didn't immediately recognize Webb or her vehicle. Bluew denies ever meeting her at that spot.
3:40 - Teddy questions why a girl from the city would go to that spot, how she even knew it existed. Ogg tells him family knew she was meeting him.
3:42 - Ogg asking about phone calls, confirms w/ him that Webb's phone would show a missed call.
3:43 - RT "@Micah92269051: How can the injury be from the dog ?They showed all the evidence from the blood tests." >>no tests on forearm injury.
3:44 - Bluew concludes that a man referenced in the suicide note must have been him, based on him not knowing why ...
3:45 - ... Webb would tell family she was going to see him that night.
3:49 - Teddy recapping what they know, about the unusual nature of the apparent suicide, Webb's family knowing he was father.
3:50 - Teddy: "This doesn't fit right." Ogg trying for the "something went terribly wrong" explanation from Bluew.
3:50 - Bluew: "Something went terribly wrong with her."
3:51 - Teddy reminds Bluew they'll check phone records, emails, computers. "Don't let us get surprised here."
3:53 - Bluew agrees he doesn't have an alibi. "I don't know what to tell you guys." Teddy wants the truth. "The truth will always manifest itself."
3:54 - Bluew says he knew this interview was coming. "When I realized I knew, I was like, OK, bring it on."
3:55 - Sorry, that should say, "When I realized I knew her..."
3:57 - Bluew says he would do anything he could to help her, as a friend. That included financially, if he could, he said.
3:58 - Teddy points out how unusual it is that he wouldn't recognize her or her car even though he was so willing to help her, even financially.
3:59 - Bluew: "I about threw up" when he realized it was Webb. Says he might have recognized her subconsciously, but was doing what he was trained.
4:01 - Back to the father of the baby. Bluew: "It wasn't my business, it was hers." Bluew says his wife knew of their friendship.
4:05 - Bluew: "I don't have anything else" to believe it was anything but a suicide.
4:07 - Teddy asks Bluew how his wife felt about their friendship, if his wife would want to hurt Webb. Now Teddy walks out; Ogg already was out.
4:12 - Teddy returns. "It doesn't look very good," tries to confirm Bluew is telling truth. Bluew again questions why she would say he's the father.
4:12 - Bluew says she never told him she wanted to be with him, wanted him to leave his wife, etc.
4:13 - Teddy says he doesn't want to go as far as accusing Bluew of doing it, but says, "it f---ing stinks."
4:18 - And now to the 4th CD. Teddy leaves the room again.
4:27 - Teddy and Ogg are both back now. They're going take a buccal swab of Bluew's inner cheek.
4:31 - They haven't done it quite yet, though. Teddy is preparing paperwork. Ogg began taking pictures but stopped.
4:33 - Ogg finally figures out the camera and resumes taking photos.
4:37 - Teddy is having Bluew signed a consent form for the buccal swab.
4:39 - Bluew read the form, is mulling over signing it. He says, "I can tell you one thing, I did sleep with her."
4:40 - Bluew says she didn't tell him if he was father. Ogg says she's about 8 months pregnant, Bluew acknowledges it's possible ...
4:40 - ... they had sex around that time, that they used condom, that (I believe I heard him say) she was on the pill.
4:41 - Bluew: "So I am the father. Wowwwww."
4:42 - Bluew signs the consent form, and Teddy takes the buccal swabs.
4:47 - Bluew says Webb mentioned going to Friend of the Court, having to list 5 names of people she slept with, was going to include Bluew.
4:47 - Bluew said he had an affair "many years ago" but that he and his wife "worked through it."
4:50 - All three men are talking quieter in the conference room. I can barely make out any words.
4:51 - Ogg asks if they'll find anything on his uniform, or if Webb will have any other injuries. Bluew says no.
4:52 - Ogg has Bluew put his forearm out again, tells Bluew the injury looks like fingernails. Bluew pulls the arm away, says ...
4:52 - ... he wasn't there when Webb died, he has no idea.
4:53 - And we hit the muted part. No idea what's being said. It was mostly Ogg and Bluew. Volume back on, Bluew denies he killed her.
4:55 - Bluew says he has no questions for the detectives, and they get up to go to his vehicle to grab the uniform -- or uniforms, as it ends up.
4:56 - Video over. Judge Jackson: "Mr. Stroud, it's your move." Stroud says he's done with his questioning, and we'll break for the day.
4:56 - We will return at 9 a.m. tomorrow.
4:57 - Going to close the MLive chat window. As always, tweet questions at me or drop them on MLive.
Ken Bluew jury begins watching 2-hour interview regarding death of the pregnant Jennifer Webb
MLive
October 09, 2012 http://www.mlive.com/news/saginaw/index.ssf/2012/10/ken_bluew_jury_begins_watching.html
SAGINAW, MI —A jury this afternoon will continue viewing an approximately two-hour interview detectives conducted with the now-suspended Buena Vista police officer charged with killing the woman who was eight months pregnant with his son.
The trial for Kenneth T. Bluew, in its third week of testimony, recessed for lunch just before noon today after the jury of nine women and five men had watched about 15 minutes of an interview conducted by Michigan State Police Detective Sgts. Jason Teddy and Allan Ogg.
Ogg has testified that he and Teddy, now a lieutenant, interviewed Bluew for about two hours the morning of Aug. 31, 2011. The interview began about eight hours after Bluew and his fellow Buena Vista officer, Tim Patterson, found Jennifer Webb hanging by an extension cord from the roof rack of her Pontiac Aztek at North Outer and Hack in Buena Vista Township.
Bluew, 37, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder in Webb's death. Webb, 32, planned to name her son Braxton.
In the portion of the interview that the jury saw this morning, Bluew's version of the events were mostly consistent with what Patterson testified to two weeks ago. Bluew told the detectives that he was on general patrol duties when he went to the location and saw Webb's vehicle. Bluew said he turned left onto Hack, turned around in the driveway leading to the township's Wastewater Treatment Plant, and pulled up on the vehicle as Patterson was coming on scene.
Bluew said he approached the vehicle's driver side and saw the body. He said he grabbed her purse and that the first thing he noticed was a folded-up piece of paper. He unfolded it and read an "obvious suicide note," he said.
Bluew then grabbed the wallet out of the purse, he told the detectives, and when he looked at the driver's license, said, "Oh, (expletive). I know this girl." He told Patterson he knew her, he said. This part was different than the testimony of Patterson and their fellow officer Sara Sylvester, who testified that Bluew told her about knowing Webb and that Patterson was in his police vehicle at the time.
Court was recessed shortly after that point in the interview.
Teddy was one of two witnesses to testify this morning. He reiterated much of what Ogg testified to but also provided testimony regarding an Aug. 19 text message conversation between Bluew and Webb.
Webb began the conversation by stating, "What up? On my way home from Muskegon, exhausted. Did you break any ice this weekend (with talking with Bluew's wife about the baby)?" Bluew responded, "lol, nope, not yet, still working on that," and Webb stated, "I'm sure it's not easy to decide how" and asked if "things" between Bluew and his now-ex-wife were bad enough that he could say he "strayed" and was having a baby with another woman.
Bluew said, "Not really," and Webb pointed out that it would be worse to "broadside" Bluew's wife with the news. Bluew responded, "No worries," and Webb said, "lol, really? I wish, haha."
Bluew then said he had to "run, busy busy," and stated, "Talk to you tomorrow, hopefully face to face."
This morning's other witness was state police Lt. Ron Crichton, who testified that he "did not see anything dissimilar" between a silver charm found next to a drop of Webb's blood on the Wastewater Treatment plant driveway and those on the necklace Webb was wearing that night.
Bluew, who lived in Saginaw Township, also is charged with assaulting a pregnant individual intentionally causing miscarriage or stillbirth of a fetus or embryo and two counts of possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony.
If convicted of first-degree murder, he would face a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. The assault charge carries a maximum penalty of life in prison.
Ken Bluew trial:
After two hours of denial, Bluew admits to having sex with Jennifer Webb, possibility that he was father of her unborn son
MLive
October 09, 2012
Ken Bluew Trial - Day 9
Tuesday October 9, 2012
Andy Hoag@SNAndyHoag
10:19 - Andy Hoag@SNAndyHoag - We're in the courtroom waiting for the #bleuwtrial to get started. Delay was because Judge Jackson had numerous ...
10:20 - ... other trials scheduled, as there are most every Tuesday. They were able to clear the docket for the most part recently but ...
10:20 - ... couldn't plan around this trial going into a fourth week, at least in terms of clearing the docket. Whenever we get started ...
10:20 - ... it looks like MSP Lt. Ron Crichton, a crime lab guy, will testify.
10:37 - Crichton is a firearms and tool mark examiner.
10:38 - Again, to establish him as an expert, Stroud has Crichton explain his educational and professional background.
10:40 - RT "@KellyZoellner1: Will there be a live link today?" >>yes, we're working on it now
10:41- Most experts estimate how many times they've testified as an expert. Crichton? He says 146 times.
10:42 - Crichton will be recognized as an expert. Now explaining how he examines firearms and tool mark evidence.
10:44 - Crichton was given Webb's necklace and the found silver charm and asked to examine them.
10:47 - Crichton: The charm had wires extending from it that were cut. Compared charm, wires to other random areas of necklace.
10:52 - Crichton: Charm was about 7/16 of an inch wide. Size + diameter of wire "within range" of those on necklace. 1 of bigger charms on necklace.
10:53 - Crichton: "Did not see anything dissimilar" between charm, necklace. "Can't exclude" charm as coming from necklace
10:54 - In other words, as Stroud points out, "nothing inconsistent" between charm, necklace. O'Farrell has no questions, so Crichton is done.
10:54 - Next witness is MSP Lt. Jason Teddy, one of two lead investigators along with D/Sgt Allan Ogg. Teddy was D/Sgt at time of death.
10:55 - Teddy is the assistant post commander for the Flint Post. Was D/Sgt for East Tawas Post
10:59 - Teddy &Ogg went to BVPD to interview Bluew about 7 a.m.
11:01 - Teddy: Unaware of any evidence, as crime lab had not yet gone to scene. Was briefed, but hadn't read any police reports.
11:02 - Teddy describing seizing of physical evidence, taking pictures of Bluew's injuries. Ogg has testified to both already.
11:04 - Teddy: Told that BVPD cars not equipped with automatic vehicle locator devices - essentially GPS devices hooked to cars.
11:07 - Teddy: Police report found on Bluew's in-car computer. It was Ofc. Patterson's - but not the 1 that included the "red flag" observations.
11:10 - Teddy: Examined the Aztek after crime lab ppl examined it. Took some different photos, depicting contents of vehicle after it was examined.
11:10 - These must be the photos that O'Farrell introduced into evidence last week, the ones Bowman said she and the crime lab didn't take.
11:11 - At that time, O'Farrell pointed out a smudge on an exam glove in a picture. Teddy says it was his glove with oil or another substance ...
11:12 - ... from under the driver's seat. Also, Teddy says door to glove compartment was broken.
11:13 - Without going into hearsay comments, Teddy says he looked into why it was broken and that what he learned was consistent w/ it being broken.
11:16 - Now onto the 3 phone calls between Webb and Bluew on the night of the death.
11:17 - Teddy: Phone calls categorized in different ways. Confirmed with service provider that 3 calls were made at times listed on phone.
11:20 - Teddy: All 3 calls lasted fewer than a minute. Records show that call from Bluew lasted 58 seconds.
11:20 - Teddy: Records show Bluew's cellphone had a missed call from Ofc. Sylvester at 10:31 p.m.
11:21 - Teddy: Records for Bluew's phone shows his call to her lasted 67 seconds -- 9 seconds longer than Webb's phone showed.
11:22 - Teddy now talking about Webb's old phone, which had a series of text messages between Bluew &Webb.
11:23 - Looks like they're going to show the messages on the TV, through a projector.
11:27 - The contact on the phone is "Ken Cop Boo." I copied down most of what was said, going to paraphrase a little:
11:27 - Webb: "What up, on my way home from Muskegon, exhaused. Did you break any ice this weekend" regarding talking to Bluew's wife?
11:28 - Bluew: "lol, nope, not yet, still working on that." Webb: "I'm sure it's not easy to decide how," where things between Bluew and ...
11:28 - ... his wife that he could say he "strayed" and was having a baby by another woman? Bluew: "Not really."
11:29 - Webb: Would be worse to "broadside her." Bluew: "No worries." Webb: "lol, really? I wish, haha."
11:29 - Bluew then says he's "gotta run" and says, "talk to you tomorrow, hopefully face to face."
11:30 - And that was the convo. Now onto the interview.
11:31 - RT "@dorymsbs: So why was it broken?" >>Teddy couldn't say, would be hearsay.
11:31 - Teddy: Bluew not under arrest, was read his Miranda rights.
11:32 - RT "@Micah92269051: Do you know if bluew's wife is going to be on the stand this week ?" >>doubt it. Only would be a rebuttal witness.
11:32 - Teddy: Interview recording by audio &video.
11:35 - I imagine we'll see the interview in the afternoon, as it is 2 hours long. Teddy discussing Bluew's uniforms, which Ogg testified to.
11:36 - Stroud questioning Teddy:
11:36 - Teddy listens to a question:
11:36 - Teddy reading the text messages from Webb's phone:
11:37 - RT "@dorymsbs: What day were these messages exchanged?" >>good question, didn't catch that. I'm pretty sure it wasn't the day before.
11:40 - Or, Stroud is going to prove me wrong and being playing the interview.
11:42 - RT @MelanieBierlein: @SNAndyHoag What is the significance of the different call lengths on Bluew's phone vs. Webb's phone?
11:42 - .@MelanieBierlein Good question. I thought they'd get into it more after that, but they didn't.
11:43 - @dorymsbs I'd u enlarge the picture it almost looks like the date says aug 19
11:43 - Teddy said the interview is on 4 CDs. Maybe we'll see the first CD and then go to lunch.
11:46 - Bluew says he was on general patrol, describing what he was doing that evening prior, which is consistent with what he wrote in his "daily."
11:47 - Bluew says he went up to Outer &Hack, saw vehicle, turned around in driveway. Bout time he was getting out, Patterson pulls up.
11:48 - Bluew describes finding body, in same way Patterson describes. Pulled purse out to ID victim, first thing is "obvious suicide note."
11:49 - Bluew: Read note, signed "Jenny." Pulled wallet out, looked at her ID, and said, "Oh s---. I know this girl." He told Patterson the same.
11:51 - So far, this has been consistent with what Patterson testified.
11:53 - Bluew explaining his patrol onto Freeway Lane, prior to heading to Outer &Hack. Says he passed a truck driver.
11:53 - Camera footage from that area showed that happened just before 9 p.m.
11:56 - And at this point, we're going to break for lunch. We'll have 90-plus minutes of the interview still to go in the afternoon.
12:07 - RT "@slaka8: What time did patterson show up?" >>just before 11 pm
1:07 - @slaka8 Cut on finger when was it recognized by Patt. before or after note taken? Did bluew say how and when finger cut?
1:08 - @Jspaedt to your first question, I don't recall. I do know Patterson saw the band-aid on his finger and that he said Bluew held ...
1:08 - @Jspaedt ... the note down on the hood of the car with his left hand, not his right, which had the injured finger.
1:09 - @Jspaedt To your second question, he said, on Sept. 6 I believe, that he had smashed it in a door. That was from Ogg's testimony.
1:35 - RT "@McMullenMegan: was it really signed with her signature or typed?" >>typed
1:45 - we're beginning now.
1:47 - Jury not back yet. Stroud saying there will be a 37-second portion of interview on the 4th CD that will be muted for the jury.
1:47 - Stroud did not say what the content of the conversation was at that time, other than that he, Thomas, O'Farrell, and judge are aware of it.
1:48 - Stroud says it's been determined that content is "irrelevant." These situations usually are reserved for portions of ...
1:48 - ... interviews that deal with subject matter that ultimately is prejudicial against the defendant. I don't know what it could be this time.
1:49 - In past trials, the subject matter has been about other incidents in which the defendant is involved, or sometimes hearsay.
1:53 - The jury is back and we're watching the video.
1:57 - I won't get too in depth with my recapping here. Most of what Bluew has said thus far has been consistent w/ Patterson's testimony.
2:05 - Bluew says he met Webb when he would do "bar checks." He struck up a "casual friendship" with her, they would call each other on occasion.
2:07 - Bluew says he doesn't know how old Webb is. Knew she was living in city, that she had 3 recent B&Es and moved to her parents as a result.
2:09 - Bluew: "It varied" how often they talked. Sometimes once/twice a day, sometimes once/twice a week, others times long stretches w/o talking.
2:11 - Bluew: Webb called that night, left a message. He called her back, didn't get an answer. Didn't leave a voicemail. She didn't call back.
2:12 - Bluew: Her mood last time they talked was "not normal." "It's been like that for the last few months now."
2:13 - Bluew "chalks it up" to stress of pregnancy + B&Es, moving back to parents' house.
2:13 - Bluew: Talked with Webb day before death. Can't remember who called who.
2:15 - Bluew: Last time actually saw Webb was couple weeks prior, she called and wanted to meet up briefly and talk.
2:17 - Bluew estimates he saw her about twice a month. She seemed "stressed," "tired all of the time."
2:17 - Bluew: Their meetings would consist of them meeting in a random parking lot and talking.
2:21 - Bluew: Didn't recognize her vehicle because he was focused on looking inside the vehicle.
2:24 - Bluew: Webb never said anything about who father of the baby was. He says didn't ask questions about pregnancy.
2:25 - Bluew: Webb usually "bubbly," but lately "just seemed different. More reserved."
2:27 - Bluew: When Webb would visit him, she didn't bring any friends. He didn't know any of her friends.
2:29 - Teddy asks Bluew if he has "any thoughts" on why Webb would commit suicide. Bluew: "No."
2:30 - Bluew: After reading suicide note, "there was more (issues/problems) than she was letting on."
2:31 - Bluew denies a relationship further than friends.
2:40 - Bluew: Position + "way her head was twisted" + examining rest of vehicle was why he didn't recognize her immediately.
2:42 - Bluew: Went into "cop mode" when he saw body, thought about what to do next. Teddy points out Bluew ...
2:43 - ... got a good enough look to see that her lips were blue. Teddy then asks about the injury to Bluew's eye.
2:45 - Bluew laughs and describes wrestling with his dog. Laugh was more of a lovingly recollection of a memory with a man's best friend.
2:46 - Bluew: Injury happened before work the afternoon before. Sylvester testified she didn't see injury to eye as they ate dinner that evening.
2:49 - Teddy and Ogg interview Bluew:
2:58 - Teddy asks Bluew what he was up to between the time he was done eating w/ Sylvester and when body was found. Bluew: Just driving around.
2:59 - Teddy and Ogg watch the video of the interview:
3:00 - Teddy: Was suicide note protected for prints? Bluew says he may have touched corner of it.
3:00 - Testimony last week was that Bluew left 14 fingerprints on the back of the note.
3:05 - Teddy and Ogg take a break from the interview, leaving Bluew alone in the conference room. Bench conference, and we take a break, too
3:31 - We were all ready to get started until Judge Jackson realized the court reporter wasn't in the courtroom yet. And here she is.
3:31 - Bluew is still alone in the conference room, his head resting on his left hand.
3:33 - And Teddy &Ogg have returned. Ogg asks about father of the baby. "Any chance you're the father of that child?" Bluew: "None."
3:34 - Bluew says he never had sex with her. Ogg tells him Webb told her family that Bluew was the father.
3:35 - Bluew: "I'm not the father of that child. I never had sex with her." Ogg reminds him how easy it would be for them to find out.
3:37 - Bluew denies it again. Ogg now asks about Dispatch not being able to get in touch with him. Bluew says he was on "admin" channel.
3:38 - Ogg notices fingernail-like injury to Bluew's forearm. Bluew says it was from dog.
3:39 - Ogg: "It doesn't make sense to me" how he didn't immediately recognize Webb or her vehicle. Bluew denies ever meeting her at that spot.
3:40 - Teddy questions why a girl from the city would go to that spot, how she even knew it existed. Ogg tells him family knew she was meeting him.
3:42 - Ogg asking about phone calls, confirms w/ him that Webb's phone would show a missed call.
3:43 - RT "@Micah92269051: How can the injury be from the dog ?They showed all the evidence from the blood tests." >>no tests on forearm injury.
3:44 - Bluew concludes that a man referenced in the suicide note must have been him, based on him not knowing why ...
3:45 - ... Webb would tell family she was going to see him that night.
3:49 - Teddy recapping what they know, about the unusual nature of the apparent suicide, Webb's family knowing he was father.
3:50 - Teddy: "This doesn't fit right." Ogg trying for the "something went terribly wrong" explanation from Bluew.
3:50 - Bluew: "Something went terribly wrong with her."
3:51 - Teddy reminds Bluew they'll check phone records, emails, computers. "Don't let us get surprised here."
3:53 - Bluew agrees he doesn't have an alibi. "I don't know what to tell you guys." Teddy wants the truth. "The truth will always manifest itself."
3:54 - Bluew says he knew this interview was coming. "When I realized I knew, I was like, OK, bring it on."
3:55 - Sorry, that should say, "When I realized I knew her..."
3:57 - Bluew says he would do anything he could to help her, as a friend. That included financially, if he could, he said.
3:58 - Teddy points out how unusual it is that he wouldn't recognize her or her car even though he was so willing to help her, even financially.
3:59 - Bluew: "I about threw up" when he realized it was Webb. Says he might have recognized her subconsciously, but was doing what he was trained.
4:01 - Back to the father of the baby. Bluew: "It wasn't my business, it was hers." Bluew says his wife knew of their friendship.
4:05 - Bluew: "I don't have anything else" to believe it was anything but a suicide.
4:07 - Teddy asks Bluew how his wife felt about their friendship, if his wife would want to hurt Webb. Now Teddy walks out; Ogg already was out.
4:12 - Teddy returns. "It doesn't look very good," tries to confirm Bluew is telling truth. Bluew again questions why she would say he's the father.
4:12 - Bluew says she never told him she wanted to be with him, wanted him to leave his wife, etc.
4:13 - Teddy says he doesn't want to go as far as accusing Bluew of doing it, but says, "it f---ing stinks."
4:18 - And now to the 4th CD. Teddy leaves the room again.
4:27 - Teddy and Ogg are both back now. They're going take a buccal swab of Bluew's inner cheek.
4:31 - They haven't done it quite yet, though. Teddy is preparing paperwork. Ogg began taking pictures but stopped.
4:33 - Ogg finally figures out the camera and resumes taking photos.
4:37 - Teddy is having Bluew signed a consent form for the buccal swab.
4:39 - Bluew read the form, is mulling over signing it. He says, "I can tell you one thing, I did sleep with her."
4:40 - Bluew says she didn't tell him if he was father. Ogg says she's about 8 months pregnant, Bluew acknowledges it's possible ...
4:40 - ... they had sex around that time, that they used condom, that (I believe I heard him say) she was on the pill.
4:41 - Bluew: "So I am the father. Wowwwww."
4:42 - Bluew signs the consent form, and Teddy takes the buccal swabs.
4:47 - Bluew says Webb mentioned going to Friend of the Court, having to list 5 names of people she slept with, was going to include Bluew.
4:47 - Bluew said he had an affair "many years ago" but that he and his wife "worked through it."
4:50 - All three men are talking quieter in the conference room. I can barely make out any words.
4:51 - Ogg asks if they'll find anything on his uniform, or if Webb will have any other injuries. Bluew says no.
4:52 - Ogg has Bluew put his forearm out again, tells Bluew the injury looks like fingernails. Bluew pulls the arm away, says ...
4:52 - ... he wasn't there when Webb died, he has no idea.
4:53 - And we hit the muted part. No idea what's being said. It was mostly Ogg and Bluew. Volume back on, Bluew denies he killed her.
4:55 - Bluew says he has no questions for the detectives, and they get up to go to his vehicle to grab the uniform -- or uniforms, as it ends up.
4:56 - Video over. Judge Jackson: "Mr. Stroud, it's your move." Stroud says he's done with his questioning, and we'll break for the day.
4:56 - We will return at 9 a.m. tomorrow.
4:57 - Going to close the MLive chat window. As always, tweet questions at me or drop them on MLive.
Ken Bluew jury begins watching 2-hour interview regarding death of the pregnant Jennifer Webb
MLive
October 09, 2012 http://www.mlive.com/news/saginaw/index.ssf/2012/10/ken_bluew_jury_begins_watching.html
SAGINAW, MI —A jury this afternoon will continue viewing an approximately two-hour interview detectives conducted with the now-suspended Buena Vista police officer charged with killing the woman who was eight months pregnant with his son.
The trial for Kenneth T. Bluew, in its third week of testimony, recessed for lunch just before noon today after the jury of nine women and five men had watched about 15 minutes of an interview conducted by Michigan State Police Detective Sgts. Jason Teddy and Allan Ogg.
Ogg has testified that he and Teddy, now a lieutenant, interviewed Bluew for about two hours the morning of Aug. 31, 2011. The interview began about eight hours after Bluew and his fellow Buena Vista officer, Tim Patterson, found Jennifer Webb hanging by an extension cord from the roof rack of her Pontiac Aztek at North Outer and Hack in Buena Vista Township.
Bluew, 37, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder in Webb's death. Webb, 32, planned to name her son Braxton.
In the portion of the interview that the jury saw this morning, Bluew's version of the events were mostly consistent with what Patterson testified to two weeks ago. Bluew told the detectives that he was on general patrol duties when he went to the location and saw Webb's vehicle. Bluew said he turned left onto Hack, turned around in the driveway leading to the township's Wastewater Treatment Plant, and pulled up on the vehicle as Patterson was coming on scene.
Bluew said he approached the vehicle's driver side and saw the body. He said he grabbed her purse and that the first thing he noticed was a folded-up piece of paper. He unfolded it and read an "obvious suicide note," he said.
Bluew then grabbed the wallet out of the purse, he told the detectives, and when he looked at the driver's license, said, "Oh, (expletive). I know this girl." He told Patterson he knew her, he said. This part was different than the testimony of Patterson and their fellow officer Sara Sylvester, who testified that Bluew told her about knowing Webb and that Patterson was in his police vehicle at the time.
Court was recessed shortly after that point in the interview.
Teddy was one of two witnesses to testify this morning. He reiterated much of what Ogg testified to but also provided testimony regarding an Aug. 19 text message conversation between Bluew and Webb.
Webb began the conversation by stating, "What up? On my way home from Muskegon, exhausted. Did you break any ice this weekend (with talking with Bluew's wife about the baby)?" Bluew responded, "lol, nope, not yet, still working on that," and Webb stated, "I'm sure it's not easy to decide how" and asked if "things" between Bluew and his now-ex-wife were bad enough that he could say he "strayed" and was having a baby with another woman.
Bluew said, "Not really," and Webb pointed out that it would be worse to "broadside" Bluew's wife with the news. Bluew responded, "No worries," and Webb said, "lol, really? I wish, haha."
Bluew then said he had to "run, busy busy," and stated, "Talk to you tomorrow, hopefully face to face."
This morning's other witness was state police Lt. Ron Crichton, who testified that he "did not see anything dissimilar" between a silver charm found next to a drop of Webb's blood on the Wastewater Treatment plant driveway and those on the necklace Webb was wearing that night.
Bluew, who lived in Saginaw Township, also is charged with assaulting a pregnant individual intentionally causing miscarriage or stillbirth of a fetus or embryo and two counts of possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony.
If convicted of first-degree murder, he would face a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. The assault charge carries a maximum penalty of life in prison.
Ken Bluew trial:
After two hours of denial, Bluew admits to having sex with Jennifer Webb, possibility that he was father of her unborn son
MLive
October 09, 2012
http://www.mlive.com/news/saginaw/index.ssf/2012/10/ken_bluew_trial_after_two_hour.html
SAGINAW, MI — After denying that he had sex with Jennifer Webb for most of a two-hour interview hours after her apparent suicide, Kenneth T. Bluew eventually admitted to it and acknowledged the possibility that he was the father of her unborn son.
Bluew made the confession shortly after 9 a.m. Aug. 31, 2011, or about 10 hours after he and a fellow Buena Vista police officer found Webb hanging by an extension cord from the the roof rack of her Pontiac Aztek.
A jury of nine women and five men watched and heard the entirety of the interview, conducted by Michigan State Police Detective Sgts. Jason Teddy and Allan Ogg, during the ninth day of testimony in Bluew's trial before Saginaw County Circuit Judge Darnell Jackson. Testimony will continue Wednesday.
Bluew, 37, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder in Webb's death at North Outer and Hack in Buena Vista Township. Webb, 32, planned to name her son Braxton.
During the first 15 minutes of the interview, which the jury heard prior to the lunch recess, Bluew's statements mostly were consistent with prior testimony.
It wasn't until about two hours in and the detectives asked Bluew to sign a consent form for them to take a "buccal swab" of Bluew's inner cheek — to obtain a sample of Bluew's DNA — that Bluew said to the detectives, "I can tell you one thing, I did sleep with her."
Up to that point, Bluew had denied having sex with Webb, whom Bluew said he had known for about 10 years and with whom he had become friends that sometimes would talk as often as twice per day.
Previous testimony, from Teddy and others who saw Webb's phone or examined her phone records, has shown that Webb called Bluew twice about 8:30 p.m. on the evening of her death and that Bluew called her back about 8:50 p.m. Bluew told the detectives that Webb called once and left a voicemail message and that he called back and that Webb did not answer.
Bluew told the detectives that he spoke with Webb on the phone the day before her death and that he last saw her weeks prior. He said Webb was no longer acting "normal" — that she was "stressed" and "tired all of the time."
When Teddy, now a lieutenant, asked Bluew if he had "any thoughts" on why Webb would commit suicide, Bluew replied, "No." After reading the apparent suicide note Bluew said he found in Webb's purse, Bluew said he realized that "there was more (problems) than she was letting on."
Bluew said he went into "cop mode" when he found the body and that he didn't recognize it was Webb until he saw her driver's license. Ogg said "it doesn't make sense to me" how Bluew didn't immediately recognize Webb or her vehicle, which she used to visit Bluew at random locations while Bluew was on duty.
About halfway through the interview, the detectives pressed Bluew on the father of the baby. When asked if there was "any chance" if he was the father, Bluew said, "None." When told that Webb's family told police — Buena Vista Sgt. Sean Waterman, though Ogg didn't mention Waterman by name — that Bluew was the father, he replied, "I'm not the father of that child. I never had sex with her."
Ogg attempted to have Bluew admit that he killed Webb by trying to emphasize with Bluew and say that "something went terribly wrong." Bluew responded, "Something went terribly wrong with her."
After further pressing about Bluew's story not making sense — Teddy said "it f---ing stinks" — they arranged for the buccal swab. After admitting to having sex with Webb, Bluew said Webb did not tell him whether he was the father.
After Ogg said Webb was about eight months pregnant, which would place the conception at about January, Bluew acknowledged he had sex with Webb around that time of the year.
"So I am the father; wow," Bluew said, emphasizing the end of the "wow" portion of the statement.
After a 37-second portion of the interview that was muted — Saginaw County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Jeffrey D. Stroud said outside the jury's presence that the discussion at that time was "irrelevant," but did not specify what was said — Teddy asked Bluew if he killed Webb, and Bluew denied doing so.
After the video was done, Judge Jackson recessed the trial until Wednesday, when Bluew's attorney, Rod O'Farrell, will begin his cross-examination of Teddy, who technically was on the stand as a witness during the viewing of the interview.
Bluew, who lived in Saginaw Township, also is charged with assaulting a pregnant individual intentionally causing miscarriage or stillbirth of a fetus or embryo and two counts of possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony.
If convicted of first-degree murder, he would face a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. The assault charge carries a maximum penalty of life in prison.
Officer Kenneth Bluew Murder Trial - Day 10
Live Tweets:
Day 10 of trial for Ken Bluew, police officer charged in death of pregnant Jennifer Webb
MLive
SAGINAW, MI — After denying that he had sex with Jennifer Webb for most of a two-hour interview hours after her apparent suicide, Kenneth T. Bluew eventually admitted to it and acknowledged the possibility that he was the father of her unborn son.
Bluew made the confession shortly after 9 a.m. Aug. 31, 2011, or about 10 hours after he and a fellow Buena Vista police officer found Webb hanging by an extension cord from the the roof rack of her Pontiac Aztek.
A jury of nine women and five men watched and heard the entirety of the interview, conducted by Michigan State Police Detective Sgts. Jason Teddy and Allan Ogg, during the ninth day of testimony in Bluew's trial before Saginaw County Circuit Judge Darnell Jackson. Testimony will continue Wednesday.
Bluew, 37, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder in Webb's death at North Outer and Hack in Buena Vista Township. Webb, 32, planned to name her son Braxton.
During the first 15 minutes of the interview, which the jury heard prior to the lunch recess, Bluew's statements mostly were consistent with prior testimony.
It wasn't until about two hours in and the detectives asked Bluew to sign a consent form for them to take a "buccal swab" of Bluew's inner cheek — to obtain a sample of Bluew's DNA — that Bluew said to the detectives, "I can tell you one thing, I did sleep with her."
Up to that point, Bluew had denied having sex with Webb, whom Bluew said he had known for about 10 years and with whom he had become friends that sometimes would talk as often as twice per day.
Previous testimony, from Teddy and others who saw Webb's phone or examined her phone records, has shown that Webb called Bluew twice about 8:30 p.m. on the evening of her death and that Bluew called her back about 8:50 p.m. Bluew told the detectives that Webb called once and left a voicemail message and that he called back and that Webb did not answer.
Bluew told the detectives that he spoke with Webb on the phone the day before her death and that he last saw her weeks prior. He said Webb was no longer acting "normal" — that she was "stressed" and "tired all of the time."
When Teddy, now a lieutenant, asked Bluew if he had "any thoughts" on why Webb would commit suicide, Bluew replied, "No." After reading the apparent suicide note Bluew said he found in Webb's purse, Bluew said he realized that "there was more (problems) than she was letting on."
Bluew said he went into "cop mode" when he found the body and that he didn't recognize it was Webb until he saw her driver's license. Ogg said "it doesn't make sense to me" how Bluew didn't immediately recognize Webb or her vehicle, which she used to visit Bluew at random locations while Bluew was on duty.
About halfway through the interview, the detectives pressed Bluew on the father of the baby. When asked if there was "any chance" if he was the father, Bluew said, "None." When told that Webb's family told police — Buena Vista Sgt. Sean Waterman, though Ogg didn't mention Waterman by name — that Bluew was the father, he replied, "I'm not the father of that child. I never had sex with her."
Ogg attempted to have Bluew admit that he killed Webb by trying to emphasize with Bluew and say that "something went terribly wrong." Bluew responded, "Something went terribly wrong with her."
After further pressing about Bluew's story not making sense — Teddy said "it f---ing stinks" — they arranged for the buccal swab. After admitting to having sex with Webb, Bluew said Webb did not tell him whether he was the father.
After Ogg said Webb was about eight months pregnant, which would place the conception at about January, Bluew acknowledged he had sex with Webb around that time of the year.
"So I am the father; wow," Bluew said, emphasizing the end of the "wow" portion of the statement.
After a 37-second portion of the interview that was muted — Saginaw County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Jeffrey D. Stroud said outside the jury's presence that the discussion at that time was "irrelevant," but did not specify what was said — Teddy asked Bluew if he killed Webb, and Bluew denied doing so.
After the video was done, Judge Jackson recessed the trial until Wednesday, when Bluew's attorney, Rod O'Farrell, will begin his cross-examination of Teddy, who technically was on the stand as a witness during the viewing of the interview.
Bluew, who lived in Saginaw Township, also is charged with assaulting a pregnant individual intentionally causing miscarriage or stillbirth of a fetus or embryo and two counts of possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony.
If convicted of first-degree murder, he would face a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. The assault charge carries a maximum penalty of life in prison.
Officer Kenneth Bluew Murder Trial - Day 10
Live Tweets:
Day 10 of trial for Ken Bluew, police officer charged in death of pregnant Jennifer Webb
MLive
Andy Hoag
October 10, 2012 http://www.mlive.com/news/saginaw/index.ssf/2012/10/live_tweets_day_10_of_trial_fo.html
Ken Bluew Trial - Day 10
Wednesday October 10, 2012
Andy Hoag@SNAndyHoag
9:09 - Hey there folks, waiting to get started here. We saw the video interview yesterday, and here's a recap: mlive.com/news/saginaw/i…
9:24 - And here we go. MSP Lt. Jason Teddy back to the stand, now cross-examination by O'Farrell.
9:26 - O'Farrell asking about the start of the investigation, as Teddy &Ogg were briefed, and Bluew was a "person of interest, if not a suspect."
9:28 - O'Farrell focusing on band-aid on right index finger. Neither Teddy nor Ogg thought it was of interest on day of interview.
9:30 - On Sept. 6, saw the injury w/o a band-aid - a deep bruising under his fingernail at the cuticle area. Bluew said he slammed it in a door.
9:31 - O'Farrell now asking Teddy about his interaction with the Webb family.
9:33 - Teddy and Ogg sat down with Webb's parents, Don and Dawn, and her sister, Angela.
9:34 - In his report, Teddy put in quotes, from Angela Webb, that Jennifer Webb left Andrea King's house about 9 p.m.
9:34 - Andrea King testified she remembers Webb leaving shortly before 8:30 p.m.
9:35 - Bluew enters the courtroom:
9:36 - Teddy listens to a question from O'Farrell:
9:37 - Teddy &Ogg canvassed the area around Webb's house on Congress in the city, asking neighbors if they saw Bluew or a BVPD car in area.
9:37 - Teddy: No positive sightings. Most neighbors weren't familiar with Webb.
9:39 - Teddy: No effort/canvassing made in areas Bluew said he patrolled that evening to confirm those activities.
9:41 - O'Farrell gets Teddy to say Bluew didn't respond to the radio check for only seven minutes, but Teddy then points out ...
9:41 - ... that Bluew's last radio contact was at 9:02 p.m. That was the last radio check.
9:42 - O'Farrell's giving Teddy some leeway in expounding on his answers, providing supplemental information.
9:42 - Some defense attorneys prefer to ensure that witnesses they are cross-examining only answer the question they're asked.
9:43 - That sometimes can come across as argumentative, though, so O'Farrell is probably trying to avoid that.
9:44 - Teddy: The call from Bluew to Webb at 8:48 p.m. wasn't last usage of phone by Webb. She texted w/ one of her friends "shortly after 9 p.m."
9:50 - O'Farrell continuing to focus on Webb's cell phones. Teddy stated in his report he found no relevant text messages ...
9:51 - ... to the investigation on Webb's new cell phone. O'Farrell points out texts to a male friend about her concerns re: ...
9:52 - ... being off of work during maternity leave and her blood pressure being high.
9:53 - Those text messages were sent on Aug. 24, or six days before her death
9:54 - O'Farrell points to texts to Andrea King, again concerned about being off work.
9:55 - O'Farrell going through these text messages is what I thought he would do when Auer-Lemke, the computer expert, was on the stand.
9:56 - But he waited until Teddy was on the stand. Now, Aug. 27 text messages re: having her mom's vehicle and wanting her vehicle back.
9:58 - More texts, this time about her house being broken into again, with "again" being in all caps with five exclamation points.
9:59 - One text to Brandi Richards re: break-ins states, "Don't know how much more I can take" with more exclamation points.
10:01 - Webb in another text states she can't file another insurance claim and will have to borrow money from parents.
10:02 - Now a text describing her uncertainty of being able to sell her house.
10:03 - O'Farrell keeps saying "outgoing call" when he means "outgoing text." Oh well.
10:09 - O'Farrell now onto Webb's old phone.
10:10 - A text from Webb to Bluew begins, "Hey lover." Another states her hope that her next day will be "slow" and "hopefully we can get together."
10:13 - The name Jeremy Morris comes back up, as Morris and Webb were exchanging texts. One from him stated, "pregnant = sexy."
10:13 - Another from him asked her to let him know if she wanted to stay the night.
10:14 - Now the "Coupons" name comes up, as he, as Teddy puts it, essentially tries to solicit her and she refutes it.
10:15 - This time, O'Farrell said the name was (I believe I heard) Todd Coupons. Before it was Ken Coupons, I believe.
10:15 - Teddy: Didn't follow up on these exchanges between Webb and these other men.
10:22 - O'Farrell asking about computers seized, specifically any at PF Markey, where Webb worked. Teddy says his understanding was ...
10:22 - ... that PF Markey's IT system will record any time, any computer Webb logs into, and she only logged into her computer.
10:23 - O'Farrell points out that Gillespie, the PF Markey IT guy, didn't testify to that and that what Teddy just said was his understanding.
10:24 - O'Farrell done. Stroud back up, asking about injury to Bluew's finger. Teddy: a "chunk," a "divot" missing from Bluew's finger.
10:25 - Stroud pointing out what I pointed out yesterday: Bluew's statement in the interview re: Freeway Lane and passing truck in parking lot ...
10:25 - ... just prior to arriving at Hack and Outer. That actually happened about 9 p.m., not just before 11 p.m.
10:27 - Now onto the text messages: Anything regarding suicide? Teddy: "Not at all." Nothing similar to goodbyes to friends.
10:27 - Teddy: Some texts from Webb were in reference to future plans w/ family and friends. And Teddy is done.
10:28 - Medical Examiner Kanu Virani is not available until 1:30 p.m., so we're breaking until then.
1:38 - We're sitting here waiting to begin. Dr. Virani is in the courtroom, so we're assured he's the next witness.
1:44 - Everybody's here, and now Dr. Kanu Virani, the medical examiner/forensic pathologist will testify.
1:45 - Virani is the deputy chief ME for Oakland County and the ME for Bay, Tuscola, Sanilac, and Lapeer counties.
1:47 - Virani explaining forensic pathology -- why someone died, basically. Virani will explain his educational/professional background.
1:48 - Virani: Conducted 15,000-16,000 autopsies. As much as 700 in a year.
1:49 - Virani: Testified as expert 900-plus times, possibly as much as 1,000.
1:51 - Virani: First began with examination of outside of body, including clothing.
1:53 - Virani: Had scrapes on left cheek, right chin. After cord removed, abrasions on neck. Discoloration of upper chest near neck.
1:53 - Virani: Bruising on arms, right wrist dislocated, abrasions on back of right hand.
1:57 - Then went to internal investigation. Some bleeding in upper chest area between collarbones
1:57 - Virani: Fetus was size of a full-term baby.
2:00 - Virani: Because of "congestion" of head and neck area, blood came out of Webb's nose.
2:02 - RT "@ShariSpence9: Any reaction from Bluew?" >>no, just taking notes. Not the first time he's heard Virani's testimony.
2:08 - Virani: Dried blood on her left ear, but when removed, no injury from which blood came, so blood came from somewhere else.
2:10 - Virani: Without living mother keeping circulation going and oxygen to placenta, baby would have died "within a matter of minutes."
2:18 - I was taking some in-depth notes there, so stay with me for a second.
2:18 - Virani ruled that Webb died from a "neck compression" that either prevented her from breathing or from ...
2:19 - ... getting the proper amount of oxygen to her brain. His opinion was that the compression was caused by a choke hold.
2:20 - This was based on the congestion in her fact, built-up fluid in her lungs, bleeding under the skin of her upper chest area, and ...
2:21 - ... lack of additional injuries caused by the extension cord. There was no additional injury above or below where the cord was, so ...
2:21 - ... that means that when the cord was applied, there was no additional movement, such as the dropping of the body.
2:22 - Virani: If person was alive when body dropped like that, there would be some internal injury up to possibly a dislocated or broken neck.
2:23 - Virani: There were no internal injuries to the neck. As a result of all this, Virani ruled the death a homicide.
2:24 - Virani's opinion was that the choke hold was applied, Webb died, the cord was tied around her neck, and then the body was hung.
2:25 - Funny moment as Thomas asks Virani to demonstrate a choke hold that would cause neck compression, Virani says he needs a volunteer.
2:26 - Thomas volunteers himself, taking a page out of O'Farrell's book. O'Farrell had Virani do the choke hold on him at the preliminary hearing.
2:28 - Virani: Would have to be a "miracle" for baby to survive. "Practically speaking, no chance."
2:29 - Virani explained that with the choke hold applied, the veins pushing blood to the heart were compressed and ...
2:29 - ... the arteries pushing the blood from the heart were not, so more blood going to head than area could withstand. Thus, congestion.
2:30 - Virani also explained how the carotid sinus, where the blood was coming from the heart, played a role. "Carotid" was a term ...
2:31 - ... researched on Bluew's home computer. Thomas done, now O'Farrell up, asking about clothes removal.
2:33 - Virani explains the ligature marks around Webb's neck:
2:33 - Virani applies the chokehold to Thomas. Hilarious expression on both of their faces:
2:35 - Virani: Did not notice any dirt, mud, etc. on Webb's clothing. If would have noticed something, would have documented it.
2:37 - Virani: Can't say whether bleeding from nose was pre- or post-mortem. Bleeding not caused from injury to nose.
2:39 - O'Farrell showing Virani a report from Teddy that states Virani said bleeding could have come from ...
2:40 - ... post-mortem capillary breakdown, or the ends of the capillary vessels breaking down and bleeding slightly.
2:41 - Virani: This type of breakdown also happens after death by strangulation (the suicide theory in this case).
2:43 - Virani's report states ligature mark was "narrow and deep." Indentation from knot was visible.
2:45 - Virani: Carotid sinus is a nerve that controls flow of blood from carotid artery. Applying pressure slows down heart, which affects brain.
2:46 - Virani: A "sleeper hold" attacks those nerves. This case is different, as circulatory system was affected in this case. Hence, congestion.
2:47 - Virani: Sleeper hold, if applied correctly, affects only nerves. Choke hold affects blood flow, but can do both if applied in certain way
2:51 - Virani: Ligature by itself could have caused congestion.
2:52 - Virani: "Commonly" -- O'Farrell's word -- see internal injuries with hanging. But not always, as O'Farrell points out.
2:53 - Virani: Most common when someone, say, jumps off a chair and hangs themselves. O'Farrell asking how sliding down ditch differs.
2:53 - Virani: Sliding down would cause less injury.
2:54 - O'Farrell points out no scrap marks on Webb's feet, as if she was being dragged, or on her back, as if she ...
2:55 - ... scraped up against the edge of car, which would have happened if Bluew maybe pushed her out of the door.
2:57 - RT "@malanie810: does Bluew have any children with his ex wife?" >>yes, a son, who is close to a teenager if not there already.
2:58 - O'Farrell asks if Virani is making conclusion based on info outside of autopsy finding, such as position of body, etc.
2:58 - Virani says yes, he does that often. It's part of his job as forensic pathologist.
2:59 - Virani went to scene to examine it himself. Was pointed to blood spot. With no other areas of bleeding, blood spot came from nose.
3:03 - Virani: Choke hold would have to be applied 2-3 minutes for person to lose consciousness, 3-5 minutes of "constant pressure" for death.
3:05 - RT "@nichol0715: I am not getting any updates....r u in twitter jail :)" >>nope, I've been tweeting pretty consistently.
3:07 - Virani: Not an actual strangulation. Death by choke hold the best term, for the lack of a better one. Medically, neck compression.
3:10 - RT "@nichol0715: they are up now not sure what happened, so glad ur not in jail :)" >>me too!
3:11 - RT "@Daph824: is he out on bail or has he been in jail since this happened?" >>been in jail without bond since about a week after
3:12 - Virani: Possible Webb could have had dislocated wrist when her body fell as part of hanging. O'Farrell done.
3:12 - On questioning from Thomas, Virani says also possible to dislocate your wrist in fighting back.
3:14 - Thomas asked for picture of the fetus to be admitted. Jackson says he is denying admission, will place reason on record later.
3:16 - After a bench conference, we're going to break for the day. Jackson says there's other matters to be taken care of.
3:17 - Still in court but outside the presence of the jury. First, some housekeeping on what exhibits have been admitted.
3:20 - And that's it for the day. Jackson did not place on the record the reason for not admitting the picture of the fetus. May at a later time.
3:20 - Becky J Bosio@JJo616 Was Dr. V the last witness for the Prosecution?
3:21 - .@Daph824 @JJo616 What I've heard is that Virani was the last witness, but they have not rested in front of the jury.
3:22 - RT @Micah92269051: @SNAndyHoag Thomas wants a picture ?? Is he a sick pig?
3:22 - .@Micah92269051 They already have a picture from the autopsy. They wanted it admitted into evidence. Jackson said no.
3:23 - Can only speculate, but I'm guessing the reason for Jackson's decision was that the picture is more prejudicial toward Bluew than probative
3:28 - I'm closing the MLive chat. Feel free to tweet questions at me or drop them on MLive.
Ken Bluew trial:
Lead investigator's testimony concludes; medical examiner who ruled pregnant Jennifer Webb's death a homicide next
MLive
October 10, 2012
October 10, 2012 http://www.mlive.com/news/saginaw/index.ssf/2012/10/live_tweets_day_10_of_trial_fo.html
Ken Bluew Trial - Day 10
Wednesday October 10, 2012
Andy Hoag@SNAndyHoag
9:09 - Hey there folks, waiting to get started here. We saw the video interview yesterday, and here's a recap: mlive.com/news/saginaw/i…
9:24 - And here we go. MSP Lt. Jason Teddy back to the stand, now cross-examination by O'Farrell.
9:26 - O'Farrell asking about the start of the investigation, as Teddy &Ogg were briefed, and Bluew was a "person of interest, if not a suspect."
9:28 - O'Farrell focusing on band-aid on right index finger. Neither Teddy nor Ogg thought it was of interest on day of interview.
9:30 - On Sept. 6, saw the injury w/o a band-aid - a deep bruising under his fingernail at the cuticle area. Bluew said he slammed it in a door.
9:31 - O'Farrell now asking Teddy about his interaction with the Webb family.
9:33 - Teddy and Ogg sat down with Webb's parents, Don and Dawn, and her sister, Angela.
9:34 - In his report, Teddy put in quotes, from Angela Webb, that Jennifer Webb left Andrea King's house about 9 p.m.
9:34 - Andrea King testified she remembers Webb leaving shortly before 8:30 p.m.
9:35 - Bluew enters the courtroom:
9:36 - Teddy listens to a question from O'Farrell:
9:37 - Teddy &Ogg canvassed the area around Webb's house on Congress in the city, asking neighbors if they saw Bluew or a BVPD car in area.
9:37 - Teddy: No positive sightings. Most neighbors weren't familiar with Webb.
9:39 - Teddy: No effort/canvassing made in areas Bluew said he patrolled that evening to confirm those activities.
9:41 - O'Farrell gets Teddy to say Bluew didn't respond to the radio check for only seven minutes, but Teddy then points out ...
9:41 - ... that Bluew's last radio contact was at 9:02 p.m. That was the last radio check.
9:42 - O'Farrell's giving Teddy some leeway in expounding on his answers, providing supplemental information.
9:42 - Some defense attorneys prefer to ensure that witnesses they are cross-examining only answer the question they're asked.
9:43 - That sometimes can come across as argumentative, though, so O'Farrell is probably trying to avoid that.
9:44 - Teddy: The call from Bluew to Webb at 8:48 p.m. wasn't last usage of phone by Webb. She texted w/ one of her friends "shortly after 9 p.m."
9:50 - O'Farrell continuing to focus on Webb's cell phones. Teddy stated in his report he found no relevant text messages ...
9:51 - ... to the investigation on Webb's new cell phone. O'Farrell points out texts to a male friend about her concerns re: ...
9:52 - ... being off of work during maternity leave and her blood pressure being high.
9:53 - Those text messages were sent on Aug. 24, or six days before her death
9:54 - O'Farrell points to texts to Andrea King, again concerned about being off work.
9:55 - O'Farrell going through these text messages is what I thought he would do when Auer-Lemke, the computer expert, was on the stand.
9:56 - But he waited until Teddy was on the stand. Now, Aug. 27 text messages re: having her mom's vehicle and wanting her vehicle back.
9:58 - More texts, this time about her house being broken into again, with "again" being in all caps with five exclamation points.
9:59 - One text to Brandi Richards re: break-ins states, "Don't know how much more I can take" with more exclamation points.
10:01 - Webb in another text states she can't file another insurance claim and will have to borrow money from parents.
10:02 - Now a text describing her uncertainty of being able to sell her house.
10:03 - O'Farrell keeps saying "outgoing call" when he means "outgoing text." Oh well.
10:09 - O'Farrell now onto Webb's old phone.
10:10 - A text from Webb to Bluew begins, "Hey lover." Another states her hope that her next day will be "slow" and "hopefully we can get together."
10:13 - The name Jeremy Morris comes back up, as Morris and Webb were exchanging texts. One from him stated, "pregnant = sexy."
10:13 - Another from him asked her to let him know if she wanted to stay the night.
10:14 - Now the "Coupons" name comes up, as he, as Teddy puts it, essentially tries to solicit her and she refutes it.
10:15 - This time, O'Farrell said the name was (I believe I heard) Todd Coupons. Before it was Ken Coupons, I believe.
10:15 - Teddy: Didn't follow up on these exchanges between Webb and these other men.
10:22 - O'Farrell asking about computers seized, specifically any at PF Markey, where Webb worked. Teddy says his understanding was ...
10:22 - ... that PF Markey's IT system will record any time, any computer Webb logs into, and she only logged into her computer.
10:23 - O'Farrell points out that Gillespie, the PF Markey IT guy, didn't testify to that and that what Teddy just said was his understanding.
10:24 - O'Farrell done. Stroud back up, asking about injury to Bluew's finger. Teddy: a "chunk," a "divot" missing from Bluew's finger.
10:25 - Stroud pointing out what I pointed out yesterday: Bluew's statement in the interview re: Freeway Lane and passing truck in parking lot ...
10:25 - ... just prior to arriving at Hack and Outer. That actually happened about 9 p.m., not just before 11 p.m.
10:27 - Now onto the text messages: Anything regarding suicide? Teddy: "Not at all." Nothing similar to goodbyes to friends.
10:27 - Teddy: Some texts from Webb were in reference to future plans w/ family and friends. And Teddy is done.
10:28 - Medical Examiner Kanu Virani is not available until 1:30 p.m., so we're breaking until then.
1:38 - We're sitting here waiting to begin. Dr. Virani is in the courtroom, so we're assured he's the next witness.
1:44 - Everybody's here, and now Dr. Kanu Virani, the medical examiner/forensic pathologist will testify.
1:45 - Virani is the deputy chief ME for Oakland County and the ME for Bay, Tuscola, Sanilac, and Lapeer counties.
1:47 - Virani explaining forensic pathology -- why someone died, basically. Virani will explain his educational/professional background.
1:48 - Virani: Conducted 15,000-16,000 autopsies. As much as 700 in a year.
1:49 - Virani: Testified as expert 900-plus times, possibly as much as 1,000.
1:51 - Virani: First began with examination of outside of body, including clothing.
1:53 - Virani: Had scrapes on left cheek, right chin. After cord removed, abrasions on neck. Discoloration of upper chest near neck.
1:53 - Virani: Bruising on arms, right wrist dislocated, abrasions on back of right hand.
1:57 - Then went to internal investigation. Some bleeding in upper chest area between collarbones
1:57 - Virani: Fetus was size of a full-term baby.
2:00 - Virani: Because of "congestion" of head and neck area, blood came out of Webb's nose.
2:02 - RT "@ShariSpence9: Any reaction from Bluew?" >>no, just taking notes. Not the first time he's heard Virani's testimony.
2:08 - Virani: Dried blood on her left ear, but when removed, no injury from which blood came, so blood came from somewhere else.
2:10 - Virani: Without living mother keeping circulation going and oxygen to placenta, baby would have died "within a matter of minutes."
2:18 - I was taking some in-depth notes there, so stay with me for a second.
2:18 - Virani ruled that Webb died from a "neck compression" that either prevented her from breathing or from ...
2:19 - ... getting the proper amount of oxygen to her brain. His opinion was that the compression was caused by a choke hold.
2:20 - This was based on the congestion in her fact, built-up fluid in her lungs, bleeding under the skin of her upper chest area, and ...
2:21 - ... lack of additional injuries caused by the extension cord. There was no additional injury above or below where the cord was, so ...
2:21 - ... that means that when the cord was applied, there was no additional movement, such as the dropping of the body.
2:22 - Virani: If person was alive when body dropped like that, there would be some internal injury up to possibly a dislocated or broken neck.
2:23 - Virani: There were no internal injuries to the neck. As a result of all this, Virani ruled the death a homicide.
2:24 - Virani's opinion was that the choke hold was applied, Webb died, the cord was tied around her neck, and then the body was hung.
2:25 - Funny moment as Thomas asks Virani to demonstrate a choke hold that would cause neck compression, Virani says he needs a volunteer.
2:26 - Thomas volunteers himself, taking a page out of O'Farrell's book. O'Farrell had Virani do the choke hold on him at the preliminary hearing.
2:28 - Virani: Would have to be a "miracle" for baby to survive. "Practically speaking, no chance."
2:29 - Virani explained that with the choke hold applied, the veins pushing blood to the heart were compressed and ...
2:29 - ... the arteries pushing the blood from the heart were not, so more blood going to head than area could withstand. Thus, congestion.
2:30 - Virani also explained how the carotid sinus, where the blood was coming from the heart, played a role. "Carotid" was a term ...
2:31 - ... researched on Bluew's home computer. Thomas done, now O'Farrell up, asking about clothes removal.
2:33 - Virani explains the ligature marks around Webb's neck:
2:33 - Virani applies the chokehold to Thomas. Hilarious expression on both of their faces:
2:35 - Virani: Did not notice any dirt, mud, etc. on Webb's clothing. If would have noticed something, would have documented it.
2:37 - Virani: Can't say whether bleeding from nose was pre- or post-mortem. Bleeding not caused from injury to nose.
2:39 - O'Farrell showing Virani a report from Teddy that states Virani said bleeding could have come from ...
2:40 - ... post-mortem capillary breakdown, or the ends of the capillary vessels breaking down and bleeding slightly.
2:41 - Virani: This type of breakdown also happens after death by strangulation (the suicide theory in this case).
2:43 - Virani's report states ligature mark was "narrow and deep." Indentation from knot was visible.
2:45 - Virani: Carotid sinus is a nerve that controls flow of blood from carotid artery. Applying pressure slows down heart, which affects brain.
2:46 - Virani: A "sleeper hold" attacks those nerves. This case is different, as circulatory system was affected in this case. Hence, congestion.
2:47 - Virani: Sleeper hold, if applied correctly, affects only nerves. Choke hold affects blood flow, but can do both if applied in certain way
2:51 - Virani: Ligature by itself could have caused congestion.
2:52 - Virani: "Commonly" -- O'Farrell's word -- see internal injuries with hanging. But not always, as O'Farrell points out.
2:53 - Virani: Most common when someone, say, jumps off a chair and hangs themselves. O'Farrell asking how sliding down ditch differs.
2:53 - Virani: Sliding down would cause less injury.
2:54 - O'Farrell points out no scrap marks on Webb's feet, as if she was being dragged, or on her back, as if she ...
2:55 - ... scraped up against the edge of car, which would have happened if Bluew maybe pushed her out of the door.
2:57 - RT "@malanie810: does Bluew have any children with his ex wife?" >>yes, a son, who is close to a teenager if not there already.
2:58 - O'Farrell asks if Virani is making conclusion based on info outside of autopsy finding, such as position of body, etc.
2:58 - Virani says yes, he does that often. It's part of his job as forensic pathologist.
2:59 - Virani went to scene to examine it himself. Was pointed to blood spot. With no other areas of bleeding, blood spot came from nose.
3:03 - Virani: Choke hold would have to be applied 2-3 minutes for person to lose consciousness, 3-5 minutes of "constant pressure" for death.
3:05 - RT "@nichol0715: I am not getting any updates....r u in twitter jail :)" >>nope, I've been tweeting pretty consistently.
3:07 - Virani: Not an actual strangulation. Death by choke hold the best term, for the lack of a better one. Medically, neck compression.
3:10 - RT "@nichol0715: they are up now not sure what happened, so glad ur not in jail :)" >>me too!
3:11 - RT "@Daph824: is he out on bail or has he been in jail since this happened?" >>been in jail without bond since about a week after
3:12 - Virani: Possible Webb could have had dislocated wrist when her body fell as part of hanging. O'Farrell done.
3:12 - On questioning from Thomas, Virani says also possible to dislocate your wrist in fighting back.
3:14 - Thomas asked for picture of the fetus to be admitted. Jackson says he is denying admission, will place reason on record later.
3:16 - After a bench conference, we're going to break for the day. Jackson says there's other matters to be taken care of.
3:17 - Still in court but outside the presence of the jury. First, some housekeeping on what exhibits have been admitted.
3:20 - And that's it for the day. Jackson did not place on the record the reason for not admitting the picture of the fetus. May at a later time.
3:20 - Becky J Bosio@JJo616 Was Dr. V the last witness for the Prosecution?
3:21 - .@Daph824 @JJo616 What I've heard is that Virani was the last witness, but they have not rested in front of the jury.
3:22 - RT @Micah92269051: @SNAndyHoag Thomas wants a picture ?? Is he a sick pig?
3:22 - .@Micah92269051 They already have a picture from the autopsy. They wanted it admitted into evidence. Jackson said no.
3:23 - Can only speculate, but I'm guessing the reason for Jackson's decision was that the picture is more prejudicial toward Bluew than probative
3:28 - I'm closing the MLive chat. Feel free to tweet questions at me or drop them on MLive.
Ken Bluew trial:
Lead investigator's testimony concludes; medical examiner who ruled pregnant Jennifer Webb's death a homicide next
MLive
October 10, 2012
http://www.mlive.com/news/saginaw/index.ssf/2012/10/ken_bluew_trial_lead_investiga.html
SAGINAW, MI — The jury in the trial for the suspended Buena Vista police officer charged with killing the woman who was eight months pregnant with his son will hear testimony this afternoon from the medical examiner who ruled the woman's death a homicide.
Saginaw County Medical Examiner Kanu Virani will take the stand about 1:30 p.m. and detail why he ruled Jennifer Webb's death a homicide and not a suicide.
MLive will cover the testimony live on Twitter @SNAndyHoag and on MLive, and also with live video coverage.
Webb, 32, was found hanging by an extension cord from the roof rack of her Pontiac Aztek just before 11 p.m. at North Outer and Hack in Buena Vista Township by Buena Vista Police Officers Kenneth T. Bluew and Tim Patterson.
Bluew, now 37, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder in the Aug. 30, 2011, death of Webb. Webb planned to name her son Braxton.
The jury of nine women and five men briefly heard testimony this morning from Michigan State Police Lt. Jason Teddy, one of the two lead investigators on the case. Teddy began testifying Tuesday, when the jury watched a video interview of Bluew that Teddy and state police Detective Sgt. Allan Ogg conducted about eight hours after Webb was found.
Teddy began this morning under cross-examination from Bluew's attorney, Rod O'Farrell, who did not focus on the interview and instead asked Teddy questions regarding his and Ogg's investigation and text messages that Webb sent to Bluew and others.
O'Farrell in his opening argument said that some of Webb's text messages showed that she "was a young lady who was having some conflicts." Text messages that O'Farrell pointed to today centered around Webb's concerns about having to take time off of work for maternity leave and her house being broken into multiple times, among other concerns.
In one text message referring to the break-ins, Webb tells her friend Brandi Richards that she doesn't "know how much more I can take."
Teddy on Tuesday testified to a text message conversation that Webb and Bluew had in reference to Bluew telling his wife about the baby. In an unrelated text message sent to Bluew that O'Farrell pointed out today, Webb begins the message with "Hey lover."
On more questioning from Saginaw County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Jeffrey D. Stroud, Teddy testified today that there were no text messages regarding suicide, or any that could be considered a "goodbye" of sorts to friends. Teddy also testified that some of Webb's text messages referred to future plans she had with family and friends.
Bluew, who lived in Saginaw Township, also is charged with assaulting a pregnant individual intentionally causing miscarriage or stillbirth of a fetus or embryo and two counts of possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony.
If convicted of first-degree murder, he would face a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. The assault charge carries a maximum penalty of life in prison.
Ken Bluew trial:
Pregnant Jennifer Webb died from choke hold, not suicide, medical examiner testifies
MLive
October 10, 2012 http://www.mlive.com/news/saginaw/index.ssf/2012/10/ken_bluew_trial_pregnant_jenni.html
SAGINAW, MI — Jennifer Webb died as a result of a choke hold and not because of the extension cord found tied around her neck, a medical examiner testified.
Saginaw County Medical Examiner Kanu Virani took to the witness stand Wednesday, Oct. 10, in the 10th day of testimony in the trial for Kenneth T. Bluew, the now-suspended Buena Vista police officer charged in Webb's death.
Bluew and a fellow police officer on late Aug. 30, 2011, found Webb hanging by an extension cord tied to the roof rack of her Pontiac Aztek at North Outer and Hack in Buena Vista Township.
The death was treated as a suicide until Buena Vista Sgt. Sean Waterman spoke with Webb's parents about two hours later and learned that Bluew was the father of Webb's unborn son, with whom she was eight months pregnant.
Bluew, 37, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder in the 32-year-old Webb's death. The trial before Saginaw County Circuit Judge Darnell Jackson will continue Thursday.
Virani, who also is the deputy chief medical examiner for Oakland County and the chief medical examiner in four other counties, testified that he determined Webb died from a "neck compression" that either prevented her from breathing or from getting the proper amount of oxygen to her brain.
The doctor testified that his opinion was that a choke hold was applied to Webb to cause the neck compression. He said he based the opinion on the lack of additional injuries, other than a ligature mark, caused by the extension cord; "congestion" of blood in Webb's face area, caused by halting circulation of blood to the heart but not from the heart to the brain; built-up fluid in her lungs; bleeding under the skin of her upper chest area; and other injuries.
Virani explained that Webb did not have any additional injury above or below where the cord was tied. This, he said, showed that her body did not move, such as a dropping motion, after the cord was applied. If Webb were alive when her body dropped, albeit as minimally as hers did as it sat in a depression of a drainage ditch, she would have had internal neck injuries, up to and possibly including a dislocated or broken neck, Virani testified.
Virani testified that his opinion, which he acknowledged also was based on information from investigators, was that Webb died as a result of a choke hold, the cord then was tied around her neck, and then her body was hung from the vehicle.
The doctor testified that Webb had scrapes on her left cheek and right chin, bruising on her upper arms, a dislocated right wrist, and abrasions on the back of her right hand.
He added that Webb had a small amount of blood that came from her nose but said that it did not come from an injury to the nose. Instead, the blood came from the congestion of blood in Webb's face area, caused by too much blood going to her brain without enough going back to her heart, Virani said.
Virani could not say whether the bleeding was pre- or post-mortem, he said. The bleeding was consistent with a post-mortem capillary breakdown, or the ends of the capillary vessels breaking down and bleeding slightly, which commonly occurs after strangulation — the manner in which Webb would have died if she indeed committed suicide.
On questioning from Bluew's attorney, Rod O'Farrell, Virani acknowledged that if she committed suicide, the internal injuries Webb would have suffered would have been lesser than if she had stood on a chair and jumped from it.
O'Farrell also focused a portion of his questioning on Virani making his conclusion based not just on the autopsy results but also information given to him from investigators. The doctor said he does it often and that it is part of his job as a forensic pathologist.
Virani said the choke hold he believes was used to kill Webb would have had to been applied for up to five minutes of "constant pressure" to cause death. Constant pressure for up to about three minutes only would have resulted in unconsciousness, the doctor testified.
After further probing from O'Farrell, Virani reiterated that Webb did not die of strangulation and instead died of neck compression caused by a choke hold.
Virani testified that the baby, which Webb planned to name Braxton, would have died "within a matter of minutes" after Webb died. There would have had to have been a "miracle" for the baby to survive, he said, even if Webb died in close proximity to a hospital.
"Practically speaking, no chance," he said.
Bluew, who lived in Saginaw Township, also is charged with assaulting a pregnant individual intentionally causing miscarriage or stillbirth of a fetus or embryo and two counts of possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony.
If convicted of first-degree murder, he would face a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. The assault charge carries a maximum penalty of life in prison.
SAGINAW, MI — The jury in the trial for the suspended Buena Vista police officer charged with killing the woman who was eight months pregnant with his son will hear testimony this afternoon from the medical examiner who ruled the woman's death a homicide.
Saginaw County Medical Examiner Kanu Virani will take the stand about 1:30 p.m. and detail why he ruled Jennifer Webb's death a homicide and not a suicide.
MLive will cover the testimony live on Twitter @SNAndyHoag and on MLive, and also with live video coverage.
Webb, 32, was found hanging by an extension cord from the roof rack of her Pontiac Aztek just before 11 p.m. at North Outer and Hack in Buena Vista Township by Buena Vista Police Officers Kenneth T. Bluew and Tim Patterson.
Bluew, now 37, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder in the Aug. 30, 2011, death of Webb. Webb planned to name her son Braxton.
The jury of nine women and five men briefly heard testimony this morning from Michigan State Police Lt. Jason Teddy, one of the two lead investigators on the case. Teddy began testifying Tuesday, when the jury watched a video interview of Bluew that Teddy and state police Detective Sgt. Allan Ogg conducted about eight hours after Webb was found.
Teddy began this morning under cross-examination from Bluew's attorney, Rod O'Farrell, who did not focus on the interview and instead asked Teddy questions regarding his and Ogg's investigation and text messages that Webb sent to Bluew and others.
O'Farrell in his opening argument said that some of Webb's text messages showed that she "was a young lady who was having some conflicts." Text messages that O'Farrell pointed to today centered around Webb's concerns about having to take time off of work for maternity leave and her house being broken into multiple times, among other concerns.
In one text message referring to the break-ins, Webb tells her friend Brandi Richards that she doesn't "know how much more I can take."
Teddy on Tuesday testified to a text message conversation that Webb and Bluew had in reference to Bluew telling his wife about the baby. In an unrelated text message sent to Bluew that O'Farrell pointed out today, Webb begins the message with "Hey lover."
On more questioning from Saginaw County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Jeffrey D. Stroud, Teddy testified today that there were no text messages regarding suicide, or any that could be considered a "goodbye" of sorts to friends. Teddy also testified that some of Webb's text messages referred to future plans she had with family and friends.
Bluew, who lived in Saginaw Township, also is charged with assaulting a pregnant individual intentionally causing miscarriage or stillbirth of a fetus or embryo and two counts of possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony.
If convicted of first-degree murder, he would face a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. The assault charge carries a maximum penalty of life in prison.
Ken Bluew trial:
Pregnant Jennifer Webb died from choke hold, not suicide, medical examiner testifies
MLive
October 10, 2012 http://www.mlive.com/news/saginaw/index.ssf/2012/10/ken_bluew_trial_pregnant_jenni.html
SAGINAW, MI — Jennifer Webb died as a result of a choke hold and not because of the extension cord found tied around her neck, a medical examiner testified.
Saginaw County Medical Examiner Kanu Virani took to the witness stand Wednesday, Oct. 10, in the 10th day of testimony in the trial for Kenneth T. Bluew, the now-suspended Buena Vista police officer charged in Webb's death.
Bluew and a fellow police officer on late Aug. 30, 2011, found Webb hanging by an extension cord tied to the roof rack of her Pontiac Aztek at North Outer and Hack in Buena Vista Township.
The death was treated as a suicide until Buena Vista Sgt. Sean Waterman spoke with Webb's parents about two hours later and learned that Bluew was the father of Webb's unborn son, with whom she was eight months pregnant.
Bluew, 37, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder in the 32-year-old Webb's death. The trial before Saginaw County Circuit Judge Darnell Jackson will continue Thursday.
Virani, who also is the deputy chief medical examiner for Oakland County and the chief medical examiner in four other counties, testified that he determined Webb died from a "neck compression" that either prevented her from breathing or from getting the proper amount of oxygen to her brain.
The doctor testified that his opinion was that a choke hold was applied to Webb to cause the neck compression. He said he based the opinion on the lack of additional injuries, other than a ligature mark, caused by the extension cord; "congestion" of blood in Webb's face area, caused by halting circulation of blood to the heart but not from the heart to the brain; built-up fluid in her lungs; bleeding under the skin of her upper chest area; and other injuries.
Virani explained that Webb did not have any additional injury above or below where the cord was tied. This, he said, showed that her body did not move, such as a dropping motion, after the cord was applied. If Webb were alive when her body dropped, albeit as minimally as hers did as it sat in a depression of a drainage ditch, she would have had internal neck injuries, up to and possibly including a dislocated or broken neck, Virani testified.
Virani testified that his opinion, which he acknowledged also was based on information from investigators, was that Webb died as a result of a choke hold, the cord then was tied around her neck, and then her body was hung from the vehicle.
The doctor testified that Webb had scrapes on her left cheek and right chin, bruising on her upper arms, a dislocated right wrist, and abrasions on the back of her right hand.
He added that Webb had a small amount of blood that came from her nose but said that it did not come from an injury to the nose. Instead, the blood came from the congestion of blood in Webb's face area, caused by too much blood going to her brain without enough going back to her heart, Virani said.
Virani could not say whether the bleeding was pre- or post-mortem, he said. The bleeding was consistent with a post-mortem capillary breakdown, or the ends of the capillary vessels breaking down and bleeding slightly, which commonly occurs after strangulation — the manner in which Webb would have died if she indeed committed suicide.
On questioning from Bluew's attorney, Rod O'Farrell, Virani acknowledged that if she committed suicide, the internal injuries Webb would have suffered would have been lesser than if she had stood on a chair and jumped from it.
O'Farrell also focused a portion of his questioning on Virani making his conclusion based not just on the autopsy results but also information given to him from investigators. The doctor said he does it often and that it is part of his job as a forensic pathologist.
Virani said the choke hold he believes was used to kill Webb would have had to been applied for up to five minutes of "constant pressure" to cause death. Constant pressure for up to about three minutes only would have resulted in unconsciousness, the doctor testified.
After further probing from O'Farrell, Virani reiterated that Webb did not die of strangulation and instead died of neck compression caused by a choke hold.
Virani testified that the baby, which Webb planned to name Braxton, would have died "within a matter of minutes" after Webb died. There would have had to have been a "miracle" for the baby to survive, he said, even if Webb died in close proximity to a hospital.
"Practically speaking, no chance," he said.
Bluew, who lived in Saginaw Township, also is charged with assaulting a pregnant individual intentionally causing miscarriage or stillbirth of a fetus or embryo and two counts of possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony.
If convicted of first-degree murder, he would face a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. The assault charge carries a maximum penalty of life in prison.
