GUILTY TX - Zuzu Verk, 22, Alpine, 12 Oct 2016 #3 *Arrests*

[Gardener1850]

CALDWELL COUNTY, Texas (Big 2/Fox 24) – On Monday morning, Robert Fabian’s trial is set to continue.

Fabian has been charged in the death of his then-girlfriend Zuzu Verk. He has pleaded not guilty.

Monday marks the fifth day of the trial.

Last week, more than 30 witnesses were called to the stand in the trial. The list featured the law enforcement officers who searched for, and those that eventually found Zuzu Verk, as well as Fabian’s friends and former co-workers.

Chris Estrada, who has been convicted in the case, also took the stand last week, claiming Fabian confessed and pleaded for help to get Zuzu’s body out of his apartment.

More witness testimony is expected Monday.

Day 5: Fabian's trial continues in Caldwell County

 

[Gardener1850]

Day 5

Kersten LaPonte

First to the stand Monday morning was Kerten LaPonte who analyzed various strands of hair in the Verk case.

LaPonte testified that multiple hairs were submitted to her. The first, she recalls, was found in a white Ford Mustang, then hair from the vacuum cleaner taken as evidence.

They were both brown in color and LaPonte noted that both had been dyed and were around the same length.

LaPonte told the court Monday the hair could have been Zuzu’s.

The defense then questions the lab report on the hair, listing multiple suspects and the possibility of hair being in the car from other means. LaPonte said it is possible that hair could have been there prior to the investigation.

Amy Smuts

Forensic analyst, mitochondrial analysis.

Smuts testified that the hair found in the Mustang, as well as the remains were consistent with Lori Verk’s mitochondrial DNA.

Prosecutors later ask about bleach and washing clothes being able to destroy DNA and Smuts testified that it can.

Roy Roman

Roy Roman was among the witnesses called to the stand on Monday morning.

Roman was convicted of theft and has been in the Brewster County Jail and was Fabian’s cell-mate, according to the testimony.

The inmate told the court that Fabian said he and Estrada had a bi-sexual relationship and Zuzu had found out about it and was angry.

He also says Fabian told him that Zuzu had threatened to expose he and Estrada, and that Fabian grabbed Zuzu by the neck and “didn’t know if he broke her neck or chocked her out.”

Roman also told the court that Fabian would cry at night and say “I’m sorry I didn’t mean to hurt you.”

Furthermore, Roman also said that Fabian told him he was concerned for his sister and brother-in law as he had used their vehicle to dispose of Zuzu’s body.

Day 5: Fabian's trial continues in Caldwell County

 

[Gardener1850]

Ummmm... Did we know about Fabian and Estrada being in a bi relationship with each other before this?!? If so, I completely missed that part of this case. Although, that explains why Fabian thought Estrada would help cover up murder. Poor Zuzu! I don't believe she threatened to "out" Fabian and Estrada at all. I think she just wanted out of this relationship and Robert would not let her break up with him. MOO.

 

[Niner]

Yes, that a "new" one on us! I haven't read about this before either. And I agree with you Gardener - I think she just wanted out of the relationship....

 

[Gardener1850]

Closing arguments are tomorrow (Tuesday):

2:30 p.m. Update:

Roman says that he initially notified authorities of what he says he heard from Fabian with the hopes of being moved from his cell. In March of 2017 Roman wrote a statement and was interviewed by Brewster County Sheriff Ronny Dodson.

No promises were reportedly made for Ronan in exchange for the information.

Closing arguments are set to be held on Tuesday morning.

Haley Harrison is in Lockhart for the trial and will share updates throughout the day online and on CBS7.

FABIAN TRIAL DAY 5: Former cellmate: Accusations over bisexual relationship sparked deadly argument

 

[Gardener1850]

One more witness from Day 5:

Dr. Stephen Lenfest

The medical examiner in Dallas was next to the stand and discussed the act of strangulation as well as what it does to the body.

Lenfest told the court that someone being strangled, would lose consciousness after 10 to 15 seconds, although someone could recover if oxygen is restored.

The doctor also noted that the cut off of oxygen to the brain requires constant pressure, but “anything in the three to five minuet range will most likely result in death.”

Lenfest testified that it would take time and effort to cause death in a strangulation case.

Then the doctor discusses what strangulation does to the body.

Lenfest says strangulation causes damage to the soft tissue in the body, but it cannot be seen in the skeleton.

He told the court that nearly 50 to 60 percent of remains were recovered in the Verk case.

Day 5: Fabian's trial continues in Caldwell County

 

[kuriouser]

So, CE says he didn't help RF transport her to the grave site, but she was too heavy for RF to do it alone. Are we to believe RF did it alone, did someone else help him, or is CE lying about that?

CE has not had a history of complete honesty so far.

 

[kuriouser]

Ummmm... Did we know about Fabian and Estrada being in a bi relationship with each other before this?!? If so, I completely missed that part of this case. Although, that explains why Fabian thought Estrada would help cover up murder. Poor Zuzu! I don't believe she threatened to "out" Fabian and Estrada at all. I think she just wanted out of this relationship and Robert would not let her break up with him. MOO.

Agreed. I don't give cellmate testimony much weight. And, that bisexual spin doesn't add up at all. Since day one, testimony and interviews told the story that RF was the jealous/possessive type, not Zuzu. If anything, it seems that Zuzu was a pretty accepting type of person. I'm having a hard time believing that upon discovering a RF:CE relationship she got upset enough to provoke a strangling. What is the point of this spin even? If RF had actually confessed to this cellmate, was adding that relationship detail intended to just throw a wrench in things? Maybe to cast doubt on CE's story? All very strange, imo.

 

[Niner]

Tuesday, May 7th:
*Trial continues (Day 6) (@ 9am CT) - TX - Zuzu Verk (21) (missing Oct. 12, 2016, Alpine; found Feb. 3, 2017) – only for *Robert Fabian (26) indicted (2/6/27) with 1st degree murder & tampering with evidence with or fabricating physical evidence by concealing a human corpse. Plead not guilty. Held on $925K bond.
Trial started 4/29/19. Moved from Brewster County to Caldwell County.
Jury selection & Trial information (Day 1 thru 4) from 4/29/19 thru 5/3/19 reference post #780 here:
TX - Zuzu Verk, 22, Alpine, 12 Oct 2016 #3 *Arrests*
5/6/19 Day 5: State witnesses: Kersten LaPonte (Forensic Analyst; analysied the hairs in case). Amy Smuts (Forensic analyst, mitochondrial analysis). Roy Roman (cellmate of Fabian's). Dr. Stephen Lenfest, ME. Trial continues on 5/7 with closing arguments.
*Chris Estrada (28) 2 counts of tampering with physical evidence/corpse & tampering with evidence; trial date was supposed to be May 21, 2018. 4/20/18 pled guilty (no contest) to plea deal to 2 counts of tampering with physical evidence/corpse & tampering with evidence. Will be sentenced after Fabian trial.

 

[Jackielee09]

Verdict Watch

 

[mocity]

Caleb Califano KMID‏ @CalebCalifanoTV 2h2 hours ago
JURY IN DELIBERATIONS: Prosecution/Defense have just finished closing arguments. #ZuzuVerk

 

[Gardener1850]

CALDWELL COUNTY, Texas (Big 2/Fox 24) - Prosecutors began with their closing arguments Tuesday, with Jane Starns taking the lead.

She begins by discussing what they have to prove: Fabian’s guilt in the case, telling the jury they have proven “beyond a reasonable doubt” that Fabian was responsible for Zuzu’s death.

Starns points to the evidence they do have, which includes surveillance footage of Fabian at a Dollar General, phone records that show where he and Estrada where during the disappearance, receipts that show the purchase of a drop cloth, the drop cloth found at Fabians and the drop cloth found with Zuzu’s remains.

She also points to the strange noises heard by a neighbor the night of the date and Fabian’s departure from the apartment, all while Zuzu’s car remained at the home.

Most importantly, Starns reminds the jury of the confessions as discussed by Estrada and Roman during their witness testimony.

As you may recall, Estrada told the court Fabian confessed to choking Zuzu after their dinner date. He further states that Fabian asked him to help dispose of her body.

“He has to minimize what he told Chris, so that Chris would help him,” Starns said in court Tuesday.

Estrada ultimately told the court that he declined to help Fabian move Zuzu’s body, but also that he would not turn him in.

“We may never know exactly why he killed her, we may never know who else was involved,” Starns told the jury Tuesday.

Starns then turns to the confession, as described by former inmate, Roy Roman.

Roman told the court, that while in jail, Fabian confessed to chocking Zuzu after she threatened to tell people about a bi-sexual relationship between he and Estrada. Roman said Fabian claimed the altercation occurred out of “anger” and that he later buried her body with Estrada’s help.


“He took this beautiful, vibrant, 21-year-old girl and he killed her and he put her in the high desert,” Starns said.


---------------

Next up was the defense, who countered the prosecution at every turn, pointing to a few key facts, there was no physical evidence, no DNA evidence and that the two men who testified against Fabian were known “liars.”

The defense team told the jury that prosecutors wanted the suspect to be Fabian and they used the evidence and testimony to overwhelm the jury.

“They did that because they don’t have anything,” the defense told the jury.

They then begin to tackle each point in the case starting with the date night, saying Fabian had been cleaning the entire day prior to the date.

Furthermore, the defense tells the jury that neighbors never heard any physical contact, no gasping for air and never heard Fabian take her body out of the apartment.

They then turned towards the evidence presented in the case saying the prosecution had, “absolutely nothing,” in terms of physical evidence.

The cleaning equipment found in his apartment was tested and came back negative, experts testified that the drop cloth found at Fabian’s apartment and the one at the grave site were not consistent, according to the defense Tuesday.

They also pointed to the lack of DNA evidence at the gravesite that would connect the crime to Fabian, multiple items that were not tested in the case and the lack of existing evidence that a strangulation took place.

“They don’t want it to be anyone else,” the defense told the jury in relation to law enforcement’s investigation and subsequent arrest of Fabian.

They then tackled the testimony from Roman and Estrada calling them proven “liars.”

“Why do they have to get the scum of the earth in here? Because they have nothing else,” the defense said.

Defense attorneys pointed out the Roman had already been convicted of lying to police and said his testimony lacked details with no physical proof and pointed out that Estrada was only willing to testify when they had charged Fabian with murder.

“They want you to use the lack of evidence to convict him, don’t do that,” the defense team said Tuesday afternoon.

The prosecution then returned to the jury.

Prosecutors told jurors again that Fabian was consumed with the idea of Zuzu leaving, thus leading to the altercation.

Then they turned back to the evidence, saying each piece of evidence was like a piece to a puzzle and said by putting them together, the jury would see the picture.

Finally, the prosecutors reminded the jury of a strand of hair that was found in Estrada’s car that belonged to Zuzu before saying, “when you have so many (coincidences) you stop having coincidences.”

The trial is now in the hands of the jury.

Day 6: Closing arguments begin in Caldwell County

 

[angelina1]

CALDWELL COUNTY, Texas (Big 2/Fox 24) - Prosecutors began with their closing arguments Tuesday, with Jane Starns taking the lead.

She begins by discussing what they have to prove: Fabian’s guilt in the case, telling the jury they have proven “beyond a reasonable doubt” that Fabian was responsible for Zuzu’s death.

Starns points to the evidence they do have, which includes surveillance footage of Fabian at a Dollar General, phone records that show where he and Estrada where during the disappearance, receipts that show the purchase of a drop cloth, the drop cloth found at Fabians and the drop cloth found with Zuzu’s remains.

She also points to the strange noises heard by a neighbor the night of the date and Fabian’s departure from the apartment, all while Zuzu’s car remained at the home.

Most importantly, Starns reminds the jury of the confessions as discussed by Estrada and Roman during their witness testimony.

As you may recall, Estrada told the court Fabian confessed to choking Zuzu after their dinner date. He further states that Fabian asked him to help dispose of her body.

“He has to minimize what he told Chris, so that Chris would help him,” Starns said in court Tuesday.

Estrada ultimately told the court that he declined to help Fabian move Zuzu’s body, but also that he would not turn him in.

“We may never know exactly why he killed her, we may never know who else was involved,” Starns told the jury Tuesday.

Starns then turns to the confession, as described by former inmate, Roy Roman.

Roman told the court, that while in jail, Fabian confessed to chocking Zuzu after she threatened to tell people about a bi-sexual relationship between he and Estrada. Roman said Fabian claimed the altercation occurred out of “anger” and that he later buried her body with Estrada’s help.


“He took this beautiful, vibrant, 21-year-old girl and he killed her and he put her in the high desert,” Starns said.


---------------

Next up was the defense, who countered the prosecution at every turn, pointing to a few key facts, there was no physical evidence, no DNA evidence and that the two men who testified against Fabian were known “liars.”

The defense team told the jury that prosecutors wanted the suspect to be Fabian and they used the evidence and testimony to overwhelm the jury.

“They did that because they don’t have anything,” the defense told the jury.

They then begin to tackle each point in the case starting with the date night, saying Fabian had been cleaning the entire day prior to the date.

Furthermore, the defense tells the jury that neighbors never heard any physical contact, no gasping for air and never heard Fabian take her body out of the apartment.

They then turned towards the evidence presented in the case saying the prosecution had, “absolutely nothing,” in terms of physical evidence.

The cleaning equipment found in his apartment was tested and came back negative, experts testified that the drop cloth found at Fabian’s apartment and the one at the grave site were not consistent, according to the defense Tuesday.

They also pointed to the lack of DNA evidence at the gravesite that would connect the crime to Fabian, multiple items that were not tested in the case and the lack of existing evidence that a strangulation took place.

“They don’t want it to be anyone else,” the defense told the jury in relation to law enforcement’s investigation and subsequent arrest of Fabian.

They then tackled the testimony from Roman and Estrada calling them proven “liars.”

“Why do they have to get the scum of the earth in here? Because they have nothing else,” the defense said.

Defense attorneys pointed out the Roman had already been convicted of lying to police and said his testimony lacked details with no physical proof and pointed out that Estrada was only willing to testify when they had charged Fabian with murder.

“They want you to use the lack of evidence to convict him, don’t do that,” the defense team said Tuesday afternoon.

The prosecution then returned to the jury.

Prosecutors told jurors again that Fabian was consumed with the idea of Zuzu leaving, thus leading to the altercation.

Then they turned back to the evidence, saying each piece of evidence was like a piece to a puzzle and said by putting them together, the jury would see the picture.

Finally, the prosecutors reminded the jury of a strand of hair that was found in Estrada’s car that belonged to Zuzu before saying, “when you have so many (coincidences) you stop having coincidences.”

The trial is now in the hands of the jury.

Day 6: Closing arguments begin in Caldwell County

Thank you so much Gardener! Without you we EU people would not have any information

 

[Gardener1850]

GUILTY!

The boyfriend of Zuzu Verk, the college student whose remains were found in a shallow grave in West Texas in 2016, was found guilty Tuesday of killing her.

A Caldwell County jury found Robert Fabian, 28, guilty on charges of first-degree murder and tampering with or fabricating evidence in the 22-year-old's death, KMID-TV reported.

Boyfriend Accused of Killing Zuzu Verk is Found Guilty of Murder

 

[Gardener1850]

LOCKHART, Tx. (KOSA) -- 5:20 p.m. Update: A Caldwell County jury has found Robert Fabian guilty in the murder of Zuzu Verk.

Fabian was also found guilty of Tampering with a Corpse (Evidence).

Sentencing is scheduled to be held at 9 a.m. on Wednesday.

FIRST ON CBS7: Robert Fabian found guilty in the murder of Zuzu Verk

 

[jellybean96]

GUILTY!

The boyfriend of Zuzu Verk, the college student whose remains were found in a shallow grave in West Texas in 2016, was found guilty Tuesday of killing her.

A Caldwell County jury found Robert Fabian, 28, guilty on charges of first-degree murder and tampering with or fabricating evidence in the 22-year-old's death, KMID-TV reported.

Boyfriend Accused of Killing Zuzu Verk is Found Guilty of Murder

I am so glad to read this verdict.

 

[jellybean96]

LOCKHART, Tx. (KOSA) -- 5:20 p.m. Update: A Caldwell County jury has found Robert Fabian guilty in the murder of Zuzu Verk.

Fabian was also found guilty of Tampering with a Corpse (Evidence).

Sentencing is scheduled to be held at 9 a.m. on Wednesday.

FIRST ON CBS7: Robert Fabian found guilty in the murder of Zuzu Verk

Do we know what the max sentence is? He should get it.

 

[Niner]

WOW! That was a quick verdict! Do we know "how long" the jurors deliberated?

Thanks so much for keeping us all updated!!

JUSTICE for ZUZU!

 

[Niner]

Wednesday, May 8th:
*Sentencing (Day 7)-VERDICT! (@ 9am CT) - TX - Zuzu Verk (21) (missing Oct. 12, 2016, Alpine; found Feb. 3, 2017) – only for *Robert Fabian (26) indicted (2/6/27) with 1st degree murder & tampering with evidence with or fabricating physical evidence by concealing a human corpse. Plead not guilty. Held on $925K bond.
Trial started 4/29/19. Moved from Brewster County to Caldwell County.
Jury selection & Trial information (Day 1 thru 4) from 4/29/19 thru 5/3/19 reference post #780 here:
TX - Zuzu Verk, 22, Alpine, 12 Oct 2016 #3 *Arrests*
5/6/19 Day 5: State witnesses: Kersten LaPonte (Forensic Analyst; analyzed the hairs in case). Amy Smuts (Forensic analyst, mitochondrial analysis). Roy Roman (cellmate of Fabian's). Dr. Stephen Lenfest, ME. Trial continues on 5/7 with closing arguments.
5/7/19 Day 6: Closing arguments. Jury deliberated and found him GUILTY on all charges. Sentencing will be on 5/8.
*Chris Estrada (28) 2 counts of tampering with physical evidence/corpse & tampering with evidence; trial date was supposed to be May 21, 2018. 4/20/18 pled guilty (no contest) to plea deal to 2 counts of tampering with physical evidence/corpse & tampering with evidence. Will be sentenced after Fabian trial.

 

[Gardener1850]

Do we know what the max sentence is? He should get it.

WOW! That was a quick verdict! Do we know "how long" the jurors deliberated?

Thanks so much for keeping us all updated!!

JUSTICE for ZUZU!

I can't find the answers to either question.

I'm watching for the sentencing details this morning.

I hope he gets life in prison. MOO.

Justice for Zuzu!