08-03-2013, 01:56 PM
No murder weapon recovered
Nichols (forensic pathologist for the defense) said the injuries on Zwicker’s body were too small to be caused by a baseball bat like the blood-covered Louisville Slugger that Cassie Gouker claimed to have seen in Young's hands.
Defense attorney Peter Schuler asked, “What did do it, doctor?”
During Nichols' testimony, the defense presented graphic photos of Zwicker’s broken, deceased body to the jury. Young did not look at the photos. Instead, he covered his face with his hands and looked down during as they were shown on an overhead projector.
Prosecutor Erin White suggested during her cross-examination of Nichols that Zwicker’s injuries could have been caused by the handle of a baseball bat, which is more narrow than the barrel. Nichols said he did not agree with Nichols' theory, because it didn’t make sense for someone to grip a bat by the thicker barrel and swing it. He said using the handle to strike someone is an inefficient way to apply force.
Investigators never recovered a murder weapon in the case, and White said during her opening statement that she didn't know if Zwicker was killed with a bat or a pipe.
ETA: Sr.'s story is that he killed Zwicker with a pipe because he snapped when his stepson, Trey Zwicker, stole some food and a lighter from him.
Nichols (forensic pathologist for the defense) said the injuries on Zwicker’s body were too small to be caused by a baseball bat like the blood-covered Louisville Slugger that Cassie Gouker claimed to have seen in Young's hands.
Defense attorney Peter Schuler asked, “What did do it, doctor?”
During Nichols' testimony, the defense presented graphic photos of Zwicker’s broken, deceased body to the jury. Young did not look at the photos. Instead, he covered his face with his hands and looked down during as they were shown on an overhead projector.
Prosecutor Erin White suggested during her cross-examination of Nichols that Zwicker’s injuries could have been caused by the handle of a baseball bat, which is more narrow than the barrel. Nichols said he did not agree with Nichols' theory, because it didn’t make sense for someone to grip a bat by the thicker barrel and swing it. He said using the handle to strike someone is an inefficient way to apply force.
Investigators never recovered a murder weapon in the case, and White said during her opening statement that she didn't know if Zwicker was killed with a bat or a pipe.
ETA: Sr.'s story is that he killed Zwicker with a pipe because he snapped when his stepson, Trey Zwicker, stole some food and a lighter from him.