By Beth Rousseau.
The state calls three witnesses on Wednesday as testimony continues in the trial of Cal Harris. Harris is the Town of Spencer man accused of killing his wife Michele who disappeared in September of 2001.
Michele Harris' boyfriend, Brian Earley testified that he was in love with Michele and that the two had discussed marriage before her disappearance.
During direct questioning Earley told prosecutor Paul Clyne that Michele left his apartment at around 11 on the evening that she disappeared and he assumed that she was heading home. This statement resulted in some turmoil in the courtroom as defense argued that Earley's statement about where Michele went after she left his apartment was hearsay.
This led to the defense team's 5th request for a mistrial with defense attorney Bruce Barkett saying that "this case is riddled with bias, flaws and inaccurate assertions."
Judge George Bartlett ultimately denied motion for mistrial but he did strike Earley's statement about where Michele possibly went that night from the record.
Investigator William McEvoy, who interviewed Brian Earley and searched his apartment, was Wednesday's second witness on the stand.
According to McEvoy, at the start of the investigation police explored all potential scenarios and suspects including Brian Earley. McEvoy told prosecutors that while searching Earley's apartment and hunting cabin in Pennsylvania he found no indication of violence or a struggle in either and investigators ruled out Earley as a suspect.
During cross examination defense attorney Bruce Barket questioned the depth of the investigation into Brian Earley, as no forensic investigation unit searched either of the places Earley frequented including his house and the hunting cabin he and Michele had visited.
Wednesday's third and final witness was forensic investigator Steven Andersen. He examined evidence and blood stains found in the Harris home as well as Michele's van. The day wrapped up with the defense objecting to some of the photos taken by Andersen during his investigation.
Direct examination of of investigator Andersen will continue Thursday morning at 10 a-m and we'll have complete coverage starting right here on Fox 40 HD News at 6.
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