Frazee trial: Berreth's coworkers say she was quiet, sweet
Posted: 1:32 PM, Nov 13, 2019
Updated: 8:15 PM, Nov 13, 2019
By: Stephanie Butzer and Ryan Osborne | Denver7 and Sam Kraemer | KOAA
CBI forensic serologist explains DNA evidence found at Berreth townhome
Lindsay Roup, a forensic serologist for the CBI, testified about the DNA evidence collected from Berreth's townhome and how the items were tested.
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Roup said the toilet in the home tested positive for blood, along with other areas of the bathroom: Swabs from the wall, under the towel rack, the sink, the side of the tub and the door.
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Previous townhome owner testifies about blood in home
The early afternoon testimony centered on the blood discovered inside Berreth's townhome — and who it belonged to.
Sue Gorney, the previous owner of Berreth's townhome, took the stand after court resumed on Wednesday afternoon. Gorney testified that she had lived in the townhome primarily alone for 26 years, aside from having a roommate for the first five months. She sold it to Berreth on May 11, 2018.
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Gorney said she was moved out of the home by the end of April and had vacuumed and mopped the floors and wiped down the walls, cabinets and appliances.
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Forensic expert: Confident tooth fragment was human
Diane France, a forensic anthropologist and adjunt professor at Colorado State University, was called to the stand as an expert in forensic anthropology.
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France said she went through "her extensive remains collection" and determined that the tooth was consistent with a human tooth. She said it definitely did not belong to a dog, horse or elk.
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Frazee's attorney Adam Stiegerwald cross-examined France and referenced that she had said she was 80 percent confident it was a human tooth.
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CBI forensic scientist: Blood found in townhome was likely Berreth's
Caitlin Rogers, a forensic scientist with the CBI who specializes in DNA analysis, testified about the evidence items that were tested at the CBI's Pueblo lab.
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When Viehman asked if it was fair to say Berreth was the main contributor to this blood spot, Rogers said yes.
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CBI scientist: Tooth fragments tested positive for human DNA
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Viehman asked Rogers about her tests on a sample of hay from Nash Ranch. The hay tested negative for blood and did not detect human DNA.
Prosecutors then returned to the possible tooth fragment found on Frazee's property.
Rogers said she analyzed the fragment, which tested negative for blood and saliva. But a DNA test detected human DNA and not from a male, Rogers said. She tried to develop a DNA profile from the fragment, but there wasn't enough DNA available.
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The trial will resume at 8:30 a.m. Thursday. Fourth Judicial District Attorney Dan May said he expects the prosecution will be able to wrap their witnesses Thursday. One witness, who will arrive in Colorado from out of state on Thursday morning, is their second-to-last witness, May said. At the latest, they will rest their case Friday morning, he said. Defense attorney Adam Stiegerwald said he also anticipates closing statements on Friday afternoon after their witnesses.
When Judge Sells asked how much time they'll need for closing statements, May said about 30 minutes for the prosecution and Stiegerwald said an hour for the defense.
