GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ)- The defense called George Burch to testify in his own murder trial Wednesday.
Burch is accused of killing Nicole VanderHeyden in 2016, but the jury was informed during opening arguments that they would hear that Burch’s testimony that claims it was VanderHeyden’s boyfriend Doug Detrie that committed the murder.
Burch testified that he met VanderHeyden for the first time at Richard Craniums Bar the night of the murder.
Burch said he noticed an attractive blonde woman next to him at the bar, and said she appeared to be alone.
Burch testified that he started flirting with her.
At bar close, Burch said they decided that he would drive her to his place, which happened to a house that he was renting from Edward and Lynda Jackson. The Jackson’s testified earlier in the week that they helped Burch move to Wisconsin after he had a falling out with his wife.
Burch told the court that Edward’s father was in the living room when they got there, so they decided to get back in the vehicle and go to VanderHeyden’s place. Burch said she gave him directions as they were driving.
According to Burch, VanderHyden asked him to pull over near her house, because she noticed that the lights were on.
Burch said they starting fooling around in the front seat, and eventually moved to the backseat.
Burch said they eventually moved to the backseat of his vehicle, where they started to have sex. He testified that he was standing up with VanderHeyden in the backseat and the back passenger door open.
Burch said that was the last thing he remembered, because the next thing he knew, he was lying on the ground next to his vehicle. He said he noticed his pants were around his ankles, and he said he heard a man’s voice from behind him.
“We were having sex and next thing I know, I am on the ground and she is lying there dead.”
Burch testified that he was told to move to the back of the vehicle, where he saw VanderHeyden lying on the ground not moving.
“I was unsure if she was alive or dead,” Burch said.
Next, Burch said he noticed the man had a gun pointed at him and was told to pick the body up and put in the backseat of the vehicle.
Attorney Scott Stebbins asked if he was able to see the man’s face, but Burch said not until the man got into the backseat, and the interior lights made it possible to see him through the mirror.
“Do you know now who that was,” Stebbins asked?
“I do, it was Doug Detrie.”
Burch said that Detrie directed him where to go and led him to a quiet field or wooded area. He said he had no idea where he was.
Burch testified that Detrie told him to take VanderHeyden out of the backseat and carry her. He said once he had VanderHeyden out of the car, he carried her to an area, but put her down to make a lunge towards Detrie, pushing him back.
Burch said he ran out of the area towards his vehicle, got in, and drove off. He said he needed to ask Google how to get home since he did not know where he was.
While driving home, Burch testified that he noticed VanderHeyden’s clothes and items in the backseat, and did not know what he should do with them.
“I threw them out the window,” Burch said.
Last week, investigators said they found VanderHeyden’s clothes near the on ramp of GV near Highway 172.
Stebbins asked Burch why he just threw the clothes out.
“I did not know what to do,” he said.
Attorney Stebbins asked Burch why he did not report the events of the night to police.
“Where I come from, you don’t tell on people,” Burch said. “People who tell on people end up dead.”
He said the other reason was because he was on probation in Virginia for Grand Larceny, and did not want to end up in prison for leaving and moving to Wisconsin.
Stebbins closed his line of questioning by asking a key question point blank.
“George, did you murder Nicole VanderHeyden,” Stebbins asked?
“No, sir,” Burch answered.
Stebbins asked him who did.
“Doug Detrie did,” Burch replied.
In cross examination, District Attorney David Lasee started by asking Burch about his cell phone activity in searching for news stories on the VanderHeyden murder. He asked Burch about the investigators testimony that his cell phone searched news stories on the murder 64 times. Lasee asked Burch when he first found out that Doug Detrie was released as a suspect in the murder. Burch said he did not know that until he was arrested for the murder.
Lasee asked about the area that Burch traveled that night, stating that investigators testimony claims his cell phone was in four key areas having to do with the murder. Burch said he was, and still is unfamilier with the area.
“I would not be able to return to the crime scenes even if you said you would free me from these charges if I could find it.”
Lasee started questioning Burch’s story of being attacked and forced to help Detrie dispose of the body. He also questioned how he knew Detrie committed the murder if he was out cold at the time. He questioned why Burch did not have any injuries after he was knocked out, and questioned why it would make sense for Detrie to ask someone he did not know to help dispose of the body.
Burch started to get a little heated with his responses to Lasee, especially when Lasee laid out what he thought really happened that night.
“The truth is that Nicole just wanted a ride home, but you wanted more. The truth is she tried to leave and you would not let her. The truth is that you strangled her with the cord, and got really physical.”
Lasee also questioned how VanderHeyden can look like she was sexually assaulted, if the two of them were having consensual sex.
The entire time, Burch denied any allegations made.
Lasee asked Burch why he did not report the murder and attack to the Brown County Sheriff’s Office when their building was so close to where Burch was. He questioned why Burch did not say anything to Edward Jackson or anyone else before or during a fishing trip in Racine the next morning.
Burch said he did not trust anyone.
Before Burch testified on the night of the murder, Attorney Scott Stebbins had Burch go through his childhood and employment history.
Burch was adopted at a young age, and said his adopted father, George Burch Sr. was his best friend. Burch testified that he remained close with his father until he passed away in 2014.
Burch and his wife moved from Virginia to New York, but moved back to Virginia so he could help his father out.
When asked about his employment history, Burch said he worked a chef in multiple restaurants, worked construction and also worked in a window business.
Burch testified that he and his wife divorced in 2015 and he was given an opportunity for a fresh start in Wisconsin, living with his friend Edward Jackson, who testified Tuesday.
Defense attorney Scott Stebbins asked Burch about his criminal history. Burch said he was convicted of five crimes, many of which were when drugs and crime took over in his hometown.
The defense could rest its case on Thursday and closing arguments could take place in the afternoon.
Day 1: Opening Statements and Body Discovery
Day 4: Focus Turns To Evidence
Day 5: Burch Is Brought Up In Testimony
Day 6: Close Friends of Burch Testify
Day 7: State’s Final Witnesses Discuss Fitbit and Cell Phone Data
