Testimony Notes 15 February, 2007

Bobby Dassey returned to the stand for cross examination. He clarified his statement from yesterday.

Then, in response to Ken Kratz, Dassey stated that his uncle, Steven Avery, asked Dassey and a friend if they wanted to help bury a body. Dassey continued that he thought Avery was joking. Kratz then asked Dassey what his response was. Of course, Bobby Dassey said no.

During cross examination, the testimony was expanded to show a different scenario less incriminating to Avery.

Bobby Dassey seems to have a memory problem He often stated that he forgot, even forgetting items from a report he had just read. But, if hunting activity was his anchor, he appeared to be able to associate other events.

He testified that the day in question was involved with hunting preparation. The question from Avery came out when his friend was bantering about the disappearance, and the associations made with Avery being perhaps the last known person to see Halbach. When Avery asked the question, all three laughed. Then Avery stated that people disappeared all the time and that she maybe went to Mexico.

Bobby Dassey also admitted he laughed at the joke rather than declining the request.

Dassey testified that he heard no screams or cries for help from the Avery home while leaving for hunting or returning. Kratz asked how long it took him to leave which was only a short time, but did not ask about the lack of sounds on his return.

According to the Brendan Dassey Confession, Halbach’s screams were readily heard. It’s too bad the Brendan Dassey confession will not be introduced to demonstrate the attempt of investigator’s to use a coerced confession for real evidence.

A Manitowoc County Deputy testified that he observed three pickup trucks leave the area before he could set up access control.