By Justin Schneider
May 16, 2008 11:36 am
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An Anderson Police Department detective testified Friday on the collection of evidence tying Jesse Lee Pitts to the death of Amanda Brinker.
Detective Bill Richardson was the first witness to testify Friday during the third day of Pitts' murder trial. The 21-year-old Anderson man is accused of killing 14-year-old Brinker in September 2007.
Richardson served search warrants for Pitts' home and two vehicles, a pickup truck found at the residence and a red Chevrolet Cavalier registered to Pitts' girlfriend Barbara Howard that he was known to drive. While executing a search warrant on Pitts' home on Southwood Drive, Richardson testified he found a plastic trash bag in the bedroom containing what appeared to be a green, bloody sweatshirt. While searching the Cavalier, Richardson noticed what appeared to be hairs sticking to the jack handle police believe to be the murder weapon.
Richardson reviewed both pieces of evidence, which were later tested by the Indiana State Police.
The prosecution introduced into evidence several photos taken by Richardson of evidence and the scene where each item was found. Jurors spent much of Friday morning reviewing photogrphs entered into evidence.
Pitts has been charged with murder and faces 45 to 65 years in prison if convicted.
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