GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ)- The state called ten witnesses to the stand on Thursday, with much of the testimony going over investigation and evidence collected at the home of Doug Detrie.
Day four of the George Burch murder trial began the same way day three ended, with Detrie taking the stand for cross examination.
Detrie faced some tough questions from the defense team, as he was asked why he waited 17 hours to report his girlfriend Nicole VanderHeyden missing from the night before. Detrie testified that he figured VanderHeyden was with a friend, and was taking her time to come home.
Detrie was questioned about his testimony from Wednesday, when he said he took a shower before officers arrived at his house when he reported VanderHeyden missing. Detrie was asked if he took a shower to eliminate evidence that would show he killed VanderHeyden.
The George Burch defense team is trying to prove that it was Detrie that committed the murder, and on Thursday, that was reflected in the questions.
Green Bay Police Detective Lee Kingston testified that Detrie was willing to surrender his pants and shoes upon request. He also confirmed for the court that Detrie was wearing a Fitbit.
The rest of the day focused on evidence collected.
Green Bay Police Department Forensic Specialist Baleigh Larson testified that she found a bloody tissue in Detrie’s bathroom and also processed the car of Doug Detrie’s friend Gregg Mathu.
Neighbors of Detrie were also called to the stand Thursday.
Matthew Petersen, a biology professor at NWTC testified that he was mowing his lawn the morning after VanderHeyden went missing. Petersen’s house is across the street from Detrie. He told the court that he heard a click and saw a cord jamming his mower. He tossed the cord to the curb and continued mowing.
It was testified earlier in the week that it was believed that the cord was used to strangle VanderHeyden.
Petersen also testified that he noticed a large area of blood in the street in front of his home. He said he originally thought it was an animal, but once his wife told him that VanderHeyden was reported murdered, he decided to contact law enforcement.
Detrie’s neighbor Paul Neuenfeldt testified that he noticed a pool of blood that was about the size of a dinner plate. He said he noticed it while he was jogging, but like Petersen, he thought the blood came from a dead animal.
Retired Detective Sergeant Monica Jahnke was working for the Brown County Sheriff’s Department during the investigation in 2016. She testified that she did the investigation of the evidence that was found on the road.
She testified that they located a hairpin, hair, blood and the wire.
During Jahnke’s testimony, the name George Burch was brought up for the first time in days.
Burch, the defendant in the case, was first brought up Thursday when Jahnke talked about looking for his vehicle.
Jahnke testified that that she was trying to find his vehicle, but found it was taken to a salvage yard and shredded after it was involved in a crash.
Jahnke also testified to smelling a cleaning solution when she was collecting evidence at the Detrie house, which did not match the testimony from others who were at the home collecting evidence.
Marc Shield of Narcotics for Brown County said he did not notice any unusual smells in the home.
He said he was first to respond when Detrie called in the missing person report for VanderHeyden.
Thursday ended a little earlier than the past two days. It was mentioned that the state has more witnesses to call on Friday, but they are pace to still finish by the end of next week.
