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

[Gardener1850]

Andre’ana Doggett

Zuzu’s best friend, Andre’ana Doggett was the next to take the stand recalling her memories of friend, as well as her encounters with Fabian.

Despite living in different cities, Doggett and Zuzu remained close friends and were constantly in communication, according to the testimony given on Tuesday afternoon.

Doggett says Zuzu helped fill the gap when her sister passed and described the Sul Ross student as very outgoing and independent.

The friend also had an encounter with Fabian while celebrating Zuzu’s 21st birthday.

Doggett told the court that Fabian was “not very inviting” he was “needy” and “annoying.”

However, the friend coupled that with the fact that Zuzu had no enemies, to her knowledge, and she never mentioned being afraid of Fabian.

Prior to her disappearance, Doggett recalls seeing a Snapchat of the “date” Fabian had with Zuzu a few nights before she was reported missing.

Doggett also recalled seeing that Snapchat disappear before 24 hours. Snapchat videos and photos, posted to a users story, will remain visible to friends for 24 hours before they delete.

She also recalls reaching out to Zuzu eight to 12 times and never receiving any sort of response from her friend, at which point Doggett said she became “frantic.”

Mother, police officer take stand in Robert Fabian's trial

 

[Gardener1850]

Next, Meredith Schock was called to testify.

Schock was a neighbor of Zuzu and recalled seeing Fabian at her home about one or two weeks prior to her disappearance.

She also recalled speaking with Fabian about a breakup with Zuzu. Fabian had told her the break up was not by choice, Schock said of their discussion.

Around the time Zuzu was reported missing, Schock also remembered seeing Zuzu’s dog running loose. She told the court she messaged Fabian about the dog and didn’t get a response for about two weeks.

John Franco

Next to the stand was John Franco, who was the downstairs neighbor of Fabian. Franco testified that he could hear everything and recalled seeing Zuzu and Fabian together about three or four times per week.

Franco also recalled hearing Zuzu come to Fabian’s home the night she disappeared.

That night, Franco said he heard the couple arguing and later he put a movie on at a very high volume. Franco also told the court he could hear someone moving things around and heard the bed squeak.

Franco then went to bed but was woken up by his girlfriend who heard a loud noise from Fabian’s apartment.

Franco told the court that he went and searched outside and noticed Fabian driving away, while Zuzu’s car remained at the apartment.

The next day, Franco recalled seeing Fabian’s sheets in the washer and dryer and noted that it was odd he did not hear Fabian put them in to the wash. While walking to work that day, Franco said Zuzu’s car was still at the apartment and noted that was also unusual as she typically left very early in the morning.

Franco also told the court that over the course of the next few days, Fabian did not stay at his apartment and noticed Zuzu’s car was gone at some point during that time period.

The court has since dismissed for the day.

Mother, police officer take stand in Robert Fabian's trial

 

[Gardener1850]

I can't believe there is not more media coverage of this trial!

MOO.

 

[Niner]

@Gardener1850 - thank you for that. I can't access the article over here (EU dumb rules) - and noticed it says in the headline "Police Officer takes stand".

But you didn't mention any police officer.... do you have a name? Sorry to keep bothering you, but just want to keep my notes straight! TIA!

 

[Gardener1850]

@Gardener1850 - thank you for that. I can't access the article over here (EU dumb rules) - and noticed it says in the headline "Police Officer takes stand".

But you didn't mention any police officer.... do you have a name? Sorry to keep bothering you, but just want to keep my notes straight! TIA!

Yes, sorry I didn't want to violate copyright by copying everything. I was hoping to find another article. Here is the bit about the police officer testifying:

Sgt. Aaron Villanueva

Sgt. Aaron Villanueva was next to take the stand. Villanueva was the officer who was called to investigate Zuzu’s disappearance.

Villanueva recalled knowing Fabian while growing up in the area saying, “Alpine is close knit.” The Sergeant recalled the phone call Fabian made to him on Oct. 14, 2016 to report Zuzu had been missing and his search of her home in Alpine, which ultimately yielded few leads.

The officer then went with Fabian to search for Zuzu. During their search, Fabian detailed the last time he had seen her and described a romantic dinner they had.

Mother, police officer take stand in Robert Fabian's trial

 

[Gardener1850]

LOCKHART, Tx. (KOSA) -- Prosecutors opened this trial admitting there is no DNA evidence linking Robert Fabian to Zuzu Verk's murder, and there are no first-hand witnesses who saw him strangle her.

This trial, they told the jury, is an "old fashioned murder case," where they'll have to piece together evidence presented during testimony.

According to a former CBS7 reporter attending the trial, prosecutors said an inmate Fabian talked to in the Brewster County Jail will take the stand this week and testify that Fabian told him he had strangled Verk.

Opening arguments begin in trial of man accused of killing Sul Ross student Zuzu Verk

ETA: Not much more to the above article. I'm really disappointed in CBS 7's coverage. They covered Zuzu's disappearance in much more detail. MOO.

 

[Niner]

Thank you (again!!) for the updates.

Any news on the "makeup" of the jurors - you know - men vs women?

 

[Niner]

Wednesday, May 1st:
*Trial continues (Day 2) (@ 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 4/30/19. Moved from Brewster County to Caldwell County.
4/29/19 Jury Selection Day 1: Expected to last one day with opening statements starting on Tuesday, 4/30.
4/30/19 Day 1: Opening statements. State witnesses: Lori Verk (Zuzu’s mom). Andre’ana Doggett (Zuzu's best friend). Meredith Schock (Zuzu's neighbor). John Franco (Fabian's downstairs neighbor). Sgt. Aaron Villanueva, LE officer who investigated Zuzu's disappearance. Trial continues on 5/1.
*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]

Delete duplicate post

 

[Gardener1850]

Wednesday, May 1st:
*Trial continues (Day 2) (@ 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 4/30/19. Moved from Brewster County to Caldwell County.
4/29/19 Jury Selection Day 1: Expected to last one day with opening statements starting on Tuesday, 4/30.
4/30/19 Day 1: Opening statements. State witnesses: Lori Verk (Zuzu’s mom). Andre’ana Doggett (Zuzu's best friend). Meredith Schock (Zuzu's neighbor). John Franco (Fabian's downstairs neighbor). Sgt. Aaron Villanueva, LE officer who investigated Zuzu's disappearance. Trial continues on 5/1.
*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.

Thanks for keeping track, Niner. One more person you can add to the witness list from Day 1:

Oumy Ndiaye

Despite not knowing Zuzu personally, Ndiaye, a former graduate assistant was next to the stand.

Ndiaye recalled seeing Verk’s car parked “recklessly,” one day while driving to work.

Mother, police officer take stand in Robert Fabian's trial

I think that's the only witness I left off of the previous posts. I'll check for more news later today.

 

[Niner]

Geez... I really hate these EU rules & not being able to access articles....

Here's an article for Day 2 - if maybe ( @Gardener1850 ) - could you be so kind & let me "who" was on the stand today?

Day 2: Fabian's trial continues, defense to examine neighbor

in advance!

 

[Gardener1850]

Geez... I really hate these EU rules & not being able to access articles....

Here's an article for Day 2 - if maybe ( @Gardener1850 ) - could you be so kind & let me "who" was on the stand today?

Day 2: Fabian's trial continues, defense to examine neighbor

in advance!

Some quotes:

Day 2

John Franco

The defense team took the lead in day two of the trial questioning John Franco, a neighbor of Robert Fabian.

Defense attorneys began by pointing out discrepancies between Franco’s testimony Tuesday and his grand jury testimony.

Specifically, the defense pointed at what he actually heard and the specific times he claimed to have heard it.

Franco claimed to have heard loud and strange noises from Fabian’s apartment the night Zuzu was seen at apartment.

The prosecutors countered and reviewed Franco’s entire recollection of the evening.

Miles Verk

Zuzu’s Brother, Miles, was the next to testify.

Miles began by describing his relationship with his sister, his relationship with Fabian and his stent in Alpine.

He told the court Wednesday that he had moved to Alpine and attended Sul Ross with Zuzu for a brief time and even lived with his sister.

However, Miles said their dogs would get into fights, which eventually led to him moving to a different home in Alpine.

Her brother eventually said he eventually decided to move back to the Dallas area and discussed it with Zuzu.

The day before Zuzu went missing, Miles told the court that he left for Keller and wrote Zuzu a note telling her he loved her and wishing her well on mid-terms.

Miles then discussed living with Zuzu, saying they never had to lock the doors to their home and didn’t even know if Zuzu had a key. He even recalled Fabian would just walk into the house.

Then the conversation turned to Miles’ relationship with Fabian.

Miles said he and Fabian “got along,” in the beginning, but eventually noticed some problems.

They both noted that Zuzu would often come home crying about the relationship and said Fabian was “extremely jealous,” and possessive.

Miles said he believed Fabian liked Zuzu far more than she liked him.

The defense then questioned Miles.

The defense discussed a fight between Miles and a known acquaintance and noted Miles was hospitalized for nearly a week as a result.

 

[Gardener1850]

Also from Day 2:

Josh Cobos

Josh Cobos, a friend of Fabian’s was next.

Cobos was close with Fabian after high school and said they would talk and see each other on a daily basis.

The friend spent most of his testimony discussing meeting Zuzu and their relationship, as well as the events that took place after she was reported missing.

Cobos said Fabian liked her but they frequently fought and he would often get jealous when she was speaking with other men, particularly the neighbor Miles was accused of fighting with.

He also recalled Fabian telling him that he loved Zuzu and mentioned a promise ring he had purchased for her.

However, Cobos said Fabian was “consumed” with the idea of Zuzu leaving the area.

Then Cobos discussed his encounters with Fabian after Zuzu was reported missing.

He told the court that he and Fabian did not talk much the week she went missing and said he tried to talk with Fabian several times on Oct. 12, 2016. Fabian eventually responded to Cobos and said he was very busy, according to the testimony given on Wednesday.

Eventually, Cobos said he asked Fabian about Zuzu’s disappearance but did not receive a response from him.

Cobos told the court when he did hear from Fabian about her disappearance, Fabian told him she was missing and asked if he had seen her. The friend said the text was out of character for Fabian in comparison to their usual conversations.

Furthermore, Cobos recalled Fabian coming to his work shortly after receiving that message from Fabian. During the visit, Cobos said Fabian told him he had just been questioned by the police and noted that his friend looked “puzzled.”

Fabian then asked to use Cobos’ phone to call Chris Estrada, according to the testimony.

Day 2: Fabian's trial continues, defense to examine neighbor

 

[Niner]

Thanks a bunch Gardener!

That's it? Or will there be more?

 

[Gardener1850]

Thanks a bunch Gardener!

That's it? Or will there be more?

Article keeps getting updated. Two more Day 2 witnesses:

James Carillo

James Carillo, Fabian’s brother in-law, was next to take the stand and discussed his encounter with Fabian and allowing him to borrow his vehicle.

Carillo told the court that on Oct. 12, 2016, Fabian asked to borrow his truck in the middle of the night. It was around the same time Zuzu and Fabian had a date at his apartment.

Carillo said he never asked where Fabian went or why he needed the truck. The brother in-law also stated, to this day, he still has not asked Fabian about why he needed the vehicle.

It was pointed out in court that Fabian had borrowed the vehicle in the past.

During the course of the investigation, officers spoke with Carillo about the vehicle and said he was initially evasive and did not report it the first time he spoke with police.

In a second interview, Carillo mentioned Fabian borrowed the vehicle and stated that he cleaned it afterwards.


Sheriff Ronny Dodson

Brewster County Sheriff was then called to the stand.

Sheriff Dodson recalled the investigation, when he became involved and his interviews with Carillo.

Dodson said he became involved in the case on Oct. 15, 2016 and eventually led the search for Zuzu.

The sheriff said they called in multiple law enforcement agencies and the community volunteered as they covered vast portions of the county.

Then, Dodson described his interview with Carillo.

The Sheriff described Carillo as evasive as he did not report the truck being borrowed in his initial interview.

Eventually, Dodson said, Carillo told police about Fabian borrowing the truck and told the court the vaccum used to clean it were taken as evidence in the case.

Day 2: Fabian's trial continues, defense to examine neighbor

 

[kay74]

If her brother told her parents she came home crying when she was with him, they should have gone and picked her up and gotten her out of there. I'm afraid she wasn't communicating this to her parents nor her brother either. She was in a situation she didn't realize would not end good. I can't understand going away to school in that little town anyway especially coming from a metropolis.

 

[Niner]

Thank you Gardener. I'll keep updating the witness list when you post the updates!

 

[Niner]

Thursday, May 2nd:
*Trial continues (Day 3) (@ 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.
4/29/19 Jury Selection Day 1: Expected to last one day with opening statements starting on Tuesday, 4/30.
4/30/19 Day 1: Opening statements. State witnesses: Lori Verk (Zuzu’s mom). Andre’ana Doggett (Zuzu's best friend). Meredith Schock (Zuzu's neighbor). John Franco (Fabian's downstairs neighbor). Oumy Ndiaye. Sgt. Aaron Villanueva, LE officer who investigated Zuzu's disappearance. Trial continues on 5/1.
5/1/19 Day 2: State witnesses: John Franco (neighbor of Fabian). Miles Verk (Zuzu's brother). Josh Cobos (friend of Fabian). James Carillo (Fabian's BIL). Brewster County Sheriff Ronny Dodson (lead search for Zuzu). Might be more witnesses, but don’t have any updates yet. Trial continues on 5/2.
*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]

More from Day 2:

Sheriff Ronny Dodson (Testimony continued from above)

Dodson then turned to Zuzu’s discovery.

Her remains were located in a shallow grave in a remote area of Brewster County with painters plastic.

The Sheriff says a Border Patrol agent was out installing sensors in the county when he located the remains.

At the site, Dodson said investigators found a retainer, patches of blonde hair and noted that the skull had been separated from the jaw bone.

At that moment, Dodson said he knew the remains were that of Zuzu Verk.

Sgt. Kirk Hoffman

Next up was Sgt. Kirk Hoffman who went into detail on the evidence he collected during the investigation.
Hoffman maintains evidence at the Alpine Police Department.

The officer recalled collecting several pieces of evidence including:

• A vacuum from Carillo that was used to clean his truck after Fabian borrowed it.
• Hair samples that were found in Estrada’s vehicle
• Blood stains from Zuzu’s home
• Zuzu’s boots
• Video of multiple hotels in the area
• Video from the family Dollar where Fabian was seen buying painters cloths
• Video of Texas disposal
• Video from various businesses
• A shovel
• And several other items at the grave site where Zuzu’s remains were located.

In all, Hoffaman told the court he collected nearly 300 pieces of evidence.

Cpt. Darryl Losyoa

Next was Cpt. Darryl Losoya who interviewed Fabian when he spoke with authorities.

Losoya told the court that he knew Fabian and even spoke to him the day she went missing.

He later recalled Fabian voluntarily coming in to speak with investigators.

During the interview, Fabian told Losoya about the dinner date they had together and about the argument they had afterwards. Losoya said Fabian told him Zuzu had gotten angry about one of his ex-girlfriends and that she left around 2 or 3 a.m.

Fabian then spoke with Losoya about what happened after Zuzu went missing.

Fabian reported to the Captain that Zuzu stopped answering his text messages and he thought she needed space. Then he told the officer that he soon received a text from Zuzu’s mother that she had not heard from her either.

Fabian also dove deeper into recent troubles the couple had been having, saying Zuzu told him that she was “drifting away” but they agreed to keep their relationship more private.

Fabian said he went on to drive his mother to Presidio so she could travel to Ojinaga, Mexico.

Losoya says he then had Fabian give a written statement and noted that Fabian mentioned he was willing to help in any way he could.

Day 2: Fabian's trial continues, defense to examine neighbor

 

[Gardener1850]

Last of Day 2:

An interview with Fabian

After Losoya took the stand, the court turned to a recorded interview with Fabian.

In the video, Fabian described Zuzu as independent and talked about her desire to go to Texas A&M and later to Japan.

Fabian also said that Zuzu did not want a serious relationship and characterized their relationship as a “rollercoaster” at times.

He then went on to describe the break up.

Fabian told investigators the last time he and Zuzu broke up, he blocked all of her family and their phone numbers but not Verk’s as she continued to message him.

He also mentioned that after the breakup Zuzu had blocked him from Instagram and said she wasn’t seeing anyone else but she had made some new friends.

He can also be heard in the interview saying, “I truly love this girl you know” and “I always treated her right.”

On those statements, prosecutors pointed out that Fabian had spoke in past tense, as if he had already known that Zuzu was dead and the investigator agreed with the assessment.

In the end of the recorded interview, Fabian gave consent to search his apartment.

Prosecutors then turned to photos taken of Fabian’s apartment where they discovered painters cloths.

As you may recall, a probable cause affidavit states Fabian was seen at a Dollar General buying three painters cloths. Zuzu’s remains were later found with painters cloth pieces around them.

Following the footage and photos of Fabian’s apartment, Losoya said Fabian was interviewed a second time, further describing his relationship with Zuzu and what occurred during their break ups.

Fabian said in the second interview that Zuzu wanted to keep a “friends with benefits” type relationship.

However, during one of the couples breakups, Fabian recalled becoming intimate with another woman and told police that it didn’t feel right and that Zuzu never knew about the encounter.

They would often breakup for about a week and then settle their differences, Fabian said. The last breakup happened about a month prior to Zuzu’s disappearance.

However, Fabian said the week before she went missing everything was fine between he and Zuzu.

The court has since dismissed and will resume Thursday morning

Day 2: Fabian's trial continues, defense to examine neighbor