SMITHSONIAN EXPERT TESTIFIES AT DENMARK PRE-TRIAL - Murder Case Set For Trial On April 23

(03/25/2013)

Expert testimony from the Smithsonian Institution in Washington DC regarding evidence in the William Seth Denmark murder case was heard during a pre-trial hearing Friday in Grantsville. Dr. Douglas Owsley, in a video teleconference, outlined Smithsonian's evaluation of material taken from a grave site where authorities allege teen David Beach was buried. A female witness has told authorities she saw William Seth Denmark shoot and bury Beach in the grave, but when police unearthed the grave there was no body. Dr. Owsley, a prosecution witness, testified regarding scientific principles and theories used in testing samples collected from the Denmark farm. Defense attorneys Lee Benford and Barbara Harmon Schamberger questioned whether or not the scientific theories used by Dr. Owsley were sound and commonly used by others in the field. Judge David W. Nibert will rule on the matter. The defense also sought other motions, including a motion to suppress a search warrant, with investigating officer Cpl. Doug Starcher testifying for the state and Denmark's mother, Jackie Denmark, testifying for her son. Judge Nibert is taking the motion under advisement. The defense also made motions to dismiss for failure to provide discovery and a motion to strike witnesses, with both being denied by the court at this time, but could be brought back by the defense at a later date. The state is represented by prosecutors Shannon Johnson and Josh Downey. The trial is set for April 23rd.

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