2.Bobby Dassey — Direct (Part 1)
580 linesMR. KRATZ: The State will call Bobby Dassey to the stand.
BOBBY DASSEY, being first duly sworn on oath to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, testified as follows:
COURT CLERK: State your full name and spell your last name please.
BOBBY DASSEY: Bobby Dassey, D-A-S-S-E-Y.
DIRECT EXAMINATION BY MR. KRATZ:
MR. KRATZ: Mr. Dassey, how old are you?
BOBBY DASSEY: 20.
MR. KRATZ: Can you tell us where you live please?
BOBBY DASSEY: Right outside of Michicot on Avery Road.
MR. KRATZ: Do you know the defendant, steven Avery?
BOBBY DASSEY: Yes, he is my uncle.
MR. KRATZ: You have to speak up just a little bit please?
BOBBY DASSEY: Yes, he is my uncle.
MR. KRATZ: Is he in the courtroom here at this time?
BOBBY DASSEY: Yes, he is.
MR. KRATZ: Would you point him out for the record, and tell the Judge where he is seated?
BOBBY DASSEY: Right over there, to my right.
MR. KRATZ: Sitting next to his two attorneys?
BOBBY DASSEY: Yes.
MR. KRATZ: Judge, I would ask the record to reflect the defendant's identification.
THE COURT: The record will reflect the witness identified Mr. Avery.
BY MR. KRATZ:
MR. KRATZ: Mr. Dassey, do you know where, at least during the fall of 2005, prior to November fifth, where your uncle lived?
BOBBY DASSEY: Yes. He lived right next door to us.
MR. KRATZ: I will ask you to describe the kind of residence that, first of all, that you live in?
BOBBY DASSEY: We live in, I would Say, a mobile home, a three-bedroom house, mobile home.
MR. KRATZ: On October thirty-first, 2005, who all lived in your home?
BOBBY DASSEY: My mom, my step-dad, and my two younger brothers.
MR. KRATZ: What were the names of your younger brothers?
BOBBY DASSEY: Blaine and Brendan.
MR. KRATZ: Blaine and Brandon?
BOBBY DASSEY: Brendan.
MR. KRATZ: Bobby, do you recall October thirty-first of 2005?
BOBBY DASSEY: Yes.
MR. KRATZ: Could you tell the jury if you were employed at that time?
BOBBY DASSEY: Yes, I was. I worked at Fischer Hamilton's, third shift.
MR. KRATZ: What time would you start work on any day?
BOBBY DASSEY: I would start at ten at night and work until six in the morning.
MR. KRATZ: On October thirty-first of 2005, could you tell the jury if you were home during the daytime hours?
BOBBY DASSEY: Yes, I was.
MR. KRATZ: And how late, or how long were you home until?
BOBBY DASSEY: I was home until 2:30 that day.
MR. KRATZ: What were you doing before 2:30?
BOBBY DASSEY: I was sleeping.
MR. KRATZ: When you say "2:30", are you talking about the afternoon or morning?
BOBBY DASSEY: In the afternoon.
MR. KRATZ: To your knowledge, Bobby, was anybody else at home with you?
BOBBY DASSEY: No.
MR. KRATZ: Do you remember anything unusual that happened at about 2:30 that afternoon?
BOBBY DASSEY: A vehicle had drove up, and started taking pictures of the van.
MR. KRATZ: All right. Let's back up just a minute. Were you still sleeping? Or did you wake up?
BOBBY DASSEY: I was up by 2:30, yeah.
MR. KRATZ: At 2:30, did you see something?
BOBBY DASSEY: Yes.
MR. KRATZ: What did you see?
BOBBY DASSEY: I seen a vehicle pull up in our driveway.
MR. KRATZ: Do you recall which window you were looking from?
BOBBY DASSEY: Through the front window, in front of the kitchen table.
MR. KRATZ: Bobby, could you describe that vehicle for the jury please?
BOBBY DASSEY: It was a light green SUV, like a "teal" color.
MR. KRATZ: How do you know that it was about 2:30 in the afternoon?
BOBBY DASSEY: Because I was going hunting that night, so that was the time I wanted to get up. I got up at "two",
MR. KRATZ: All right. From which way did this blue or teal SUV drive in, as you were looking out the window?
BOBBY DASSEY: Toward the west it would be.
MR. KRATZ: Can you tell the jury please from which direction your uncle's trailer is from your house?
BOBBY DASSEY: The west.
MR. KRATZ: Did you know what kind of SUV it was?
BOBBY DASSEY: Not at the time.
MR. KRATZ: All right. After seeing that vehicle driving up the roadway, tell the jury what you saw then?
BOBBY DASSEY: I seen Teresa Halbach get out of the vehicle, and started taking pictures.
MR. KRATZ: What was she taking pictures of?
BOBBY DASSEY: A maroon van.
MR. KRATZ: A what?
BOBBY DASSEY: A maroon van.
MR. KRATZ: Can you tell us about this vehicle? Where was it parked?
BOBBY DASSEY: It was parked right in front of our house.
MR. KRATZ: Now you told this jury it was Teresa Halbach that had taken the pictures. How do you know that?
BOBBY DASSEY: Now, I know that. At the time, I didn't.
MR. KRATZ: What did this woman look like?
BOBBY DASSEY: She was about maybe five-eight. She had brown, shorter-like hair. She had a black coat on, that went past the hips.
MR. KRATZ: Was she wearing pants, or a skirt?
BOBBY DASSEY: She was wearing pants.
MR. KRATZ: Now, about this van, what can you tell the jury about that van?
BOBBY DASSEY: It was a 1989 Plymouth Voyager. It had lots of miles on it. It was my mom's van. She had it for a couple of years. I don't know really much more about it.
MR. KRATZ: All right. As you were looking out the window, you said that you saw a woman taking pictures. Can you describe that please?
BOBBY DASSEY: Well, I seen her take one picture of the front of the van. Then I went in and took a shower.
MR. KRATZ: Okay. After seeing her taking some pictures, did you see her do anything else?
BOBBY DASSEY: She started -- Before I got in the shower, she actually started walking over to Steven's trailer.
MR. KRATZ: You could see that from your location?
BOBBY DASSEY: Yeah. Through the window, yeah.
MR. KRATZ: You said, "walking toward Steven's trailer". What does that mean?
BOBBY DASSEY: She walked toward it, to the door.
MR. KRATZ: How close to the door did she get, before you stopped watching?
BOBBY DASSEY: Maybe 25 yards.
MR. KRATZ: Did you see her enter your uncle's trailer?
BOBBY DASSEY: No.
MR. KRATZ: Why not?
BOBBY DASSEY: Because I wanted to take a shower. I didn't pay no attention to it.
MR. KRATZ: All right. Was there anybody with her at that time?
BOBBY DASSEY: No.
MR. KRATZ: Was there anybody outside, or making contact with her, outside by the vehicle?
BOBBY DASSEY: No.
MR. KRATZ: After seeing this woman walking toward your Uncle Steven's trailer, did you ever see this woman again?
BOBBY DASSEY: No.
MR. KRATZ: How long was it that you were in the shower? Do you remember?
BOBBY DASSEY: Maybe three minutes, or four minutes.
MR. KRATZ: Okay. What did you do then?
BOBBY DASSEY: Got dressed, and left, to go hunting.
MR. KRATZ: Now, when you left to go hunting, did you have a vehicle on the premises?
BOBBY DASSEY: Yes.
MR. KRATZ: Can you tell the jury what kind of vehicle it was?
BOBBY DASSEY: A black Chevy Blazer.
MR. KRATZ: Where was that parked?
BOBBY DASSEY: It was parked right between the house and the garage.
MR. KRATZ: About what time do you think you left to go hunting?
BOBBY DASSEY: Probably twenty to three, quarter to three.
MR. KRATZ: Quarter to three? Bobby, how do you know that was the time? Why is that time important as it relates to hunting?
BOBBY DASSEY: Well, that is when the deer start moving. They go on their feeding patterns then.
MR. KRATZ: Pardon?
BOBBY DASSEY: They go on their feeding patterns then.
MR. KRATZ: Where did you go hunting that day?
BOBBY DASSEY: It was actually maybe two miles up the road from my house.
MR. KRATZ: What kind of hunting was it?
BOBBY DASSEY: Deer hunting. Bow hunting.
MR. KRATZ: Mr. Dassey, when you walked out to your vehicle to go bow hunting, did you notice if that teal or blue SUV was still in the driveway?
BOBBY DASSEY: Yes, it was.
MR. KRATZ: Tt was?
BOBBY DASSEY: Yes.
MR. KRATZ: Did you see Ms. Halbach?
BOBBY DASSEY: No.
MR. KRATZ: Did you see any signs of her at all?
BOBBY DASSEY: Nope.
MR. KRATZ: What did you do then?
BOBBY DASSEY: I proceeded to leave. I got in my vehicle and I left.
MR. KRATZ: Did you hunt that day?
BOBBY DASSEY: Yes.
MR. KRATZ: Did you get anything that day?
BOBBY DASSEY: No. I seen two deer. I didn't get anything, no.
MR. KRATZ: All right. After deer hunting, what did you do?
BOBBY DASSEY: Came home, and I laid down, and I went to sleep again.
MR. KRATZ: What time did you get home? Do you recall?
BOBBY DASSEY: It was "five-ish".
MR. KRATZ: Now, when you drove back home at about five o'clock in the afternoon, was Ms, Halbach's vehicle still visible?
BOBBY DASSEY: No.
MR. KRATZ: What did you do when you got home?
BOBBY DASSEY: I watched TV for a little bit, then I went to bed.
MR. KRATZ: Did you go to sleep?
BOBBY DASSEY: Yes.
MR. KRATZ: How long did you sleep?
BOBBY DASSEY: Probably three hours.
MR. KRATZ: Let me back up just a few minutes, Bobby. At any time during the morning or early afternoon hours, did you receive any phone calls at your residence?
BOBBY DASSEY: No. Not that I am aware of.
MR. KRATZ: Why don't you tell us what that means, "not that you are aware of"?
BOBBY DASSEY: I am a real deep sleeper. When I Sleep, I don't hear nothing.
MR. KRATZ: If the phone rings, would you have heard it?
BOBBY DASSEY: No.
MR. KRATZ: After getting up that afternoon, did you check for any messages, or check the answering machine?
BOBBY DASSEY: No.
MR. KRATZ: Now, you mentioned that, while you were home that day, you didn't think anybody was home when you got up and when you left. After you went bow hunting, was anybody home at that time?
BOBBY DASSEY: No.
MR. KRATZ: Are you familiar with your brothers' schedules, that is, your brothers that were at school?
BOBBY DASSEY: Yes.
MR. KRATZ: What brothers went to school at that time?
BOBBY DASSEY: Blaine and Brendan.
MR. KRATZ: Are you familiar with when Blaine and Brendan usually got home from school?
BOBBY DASSEY: They usually got home at quarter to four.
MR. KRATZ: That would be 3:45?
BOBBY DASSEY: 3:45, yeah.
MR. KRATZ: So, about an hour after you would have left to go deer hunting?
BOBBY DASSEY: Yes.
MR. KRATZ: When you got home at about five o'clock, Bobby, were Blaine and Brendan home?
BOBBY DASSEY: I can't recall.
MR. KRATZ: All right. Now, you have a fourth brother, or a third brother; is that correct?
BOBBY DASSEY: Yes,
MR. KRATZ: What is his name?
BOBBY DASSEY: His name is Brian.
MR. KRATZ: Do you know where Brian was at the time?
BOBBY DASSEY: He was at work.
MR. KRATZ: Now, was Brian living at your home at the time too?
BOBBY DASSEY: No.
MR. KRATZ: Where was Brian staying at the time?
BOBBY DASSEY: He lived in Manitowoc with his girlfriend.
MR. KRATZ: What is your mother's name?
BOBBY DASSEY: Barb.
MR. KRATZ: And is Barb related to Mr. Avery, if you know?
BOBBY DASSEY: Yes.
MR. KRATZ: How?
BOBBY DASSEY: Sister. Brother and sister.
MR. KRATZ: When you got up and went bow hunting, and left for bow hunting, was your mother home at that time?
BOBBY DASSEY: No, she was at work.
MR. KRATZ: When you got home from deer hunting, was your mother home yet?
BOBBY DASSEY: No.
MR. KRATZ: Do you recall your mom coming home, or seeing her that night?
BOBBY DASSEY: When I got up at nine o'clock, I seen her.
MR. KRATZ: All right. I think I asked this, Bobby. I'm sorry. But what time did you start work?
BOBBY DASSEY: I started work at ten.
MR. KRATZ: Ten p.m.?
BOBBY DASSEY: Yep, ten p.m.
MR. KRATZ: Where is the place that you work? What city is it located in?
BOBBY DASSEY: Two Rivers.
MR. KRATZ: Bobby, the rest of that week, after the thirty-first of October, do you recall the rest of that week?
BOBBY DASSEY: Some of it.
MR. KRATZ: That weekend, that Friday and Saturday, the fourth and fifth, did other family members go somewhere that weekend?
BOBBY DASSEY: Yeah, they went up north.
MR. KRATZ: What does "up north" mean?
BOBBY DASSEY: Up to Crivitz.
MR. KRATZ: Do you know what is up in Crivitz?
BOBBY DASSEY: My grandpa has a cabin up there.
MR. KRATZ: Do you know what family members went up north that weekend?
BOBBY DASSEY: Steven, Brendan went, and Brian went, and my grandma and grandpa were up there.
MR. KRATZ: Steven, Brendan, and Brian? You didn't go?
BOBBY DASSEY: Nope.
MR. KRATZ: Do you remember why you didn't go?
BOBBY DASSEY: I had to work that Sunday night.
MR. KRATZ: Let's go back to the thirty-first, your work schedule. You said that you worked at ten o'clock; is that right?
BOBBY DASSEY: Yes.
MR. KRATZ: Do you remember what time you left home for work?
BOBBY DASSEY: Probably about 9:30.
MR. KRATZ: At 9:30 p.m. on the thirty-first of October, did you see anything when you left your house?
BOBBY DASSEY: Not that I recall.
MR. KRATZ: Did you see anything by your uncle's?
BOBBY DASSEY: I didn't even look.
MR. KRATZ: Now, that weekend, the Saturday, the fifth of November, do you recall that day at all?
BOBBY DASSEY: No.
MR. KRATZ: Do you remember something being found on the Avery property that Saturday?
BOBBY DASSEY: Her vehicle,
MR. KRATZ: That is the day I'm talking about. Do you now remember that day?
BOBBY DASSEY: Not really.
MR. KRATZ: All right. Do you remember where you were when that vehicle was found?
BOBBY DASSEY: I was by my friend's house.
MR. KRATZ: What is your friend's first name?
BOBBY DASSEY: Mike.
MR. KRATZ: How were you notified, if you remember, that Teresa's vehicle was found on the Avery property?
BOBBY DASSEY: The TV and my mom.
MR. KRATZ: Now, Bobby, at the time, back on the thirty-first of October, did you have any pets?
BOBBY DASSEY: Yes, I had just got a black lab. She was two months old.
MR. KRATZ: Was that an "inside", or "outside" dog?
BOBBY DASSEY: Inside dog.
MR. KRATZ: On the thirty-first of October, when you went hunting, did you take your dog with you?
BOBBY DASSEY: No.
MR. KRATZ: When you went to your friend Mike's house on Saturday, the fifth, did you take your black lab with you?
BOBBY DASSEY: No.
MR. KRATZ: Were you able to get back home on the fifth of November?
BOBBY DASSEY: No.
MR. KRATZ: Tell us why not?
BOBBY DASSEY: They had the road all blocked off. They wouldn't let anybody in there.
MR. KRATZ: Who is "they"?
BOBBY DASSEY: The police officers.
MR. KRATZ: How about your dog? What happened to your black lab?
BOBBY DASSEY: I had to wait, like, three hours, in order to get her.
MR. KRATZ: In order to get her?
BOBBY DASSEY: Yeah.
MR. KRATZ: How did you get her?
BOBBY DASSEY: I had to give my statement and everything. Then the investigator went in and got her.
MR. KRATZ: They got your dog for you?
BOBBY DASSEY: Basically, yeah.
MR. KRATZ: Now, Bobby, on the third of November, that would be a Thursday, I believe, do you recall having a conversation with your Uncle Steven regarding a body?
BOBBY DASSEY: Yes.
MR. KRATZ: Could you tell us what your Uncle Steven told you that day?
BOBBY DASSEY: Well, my buddy, Mike, was over too, and he asked us, it sounded like he was joking, honestly, he asked us if we wanted to help get rid of a body.
MR. KRATZ: Your Uncle Steven asked you if you wanted to help get rid of a body?
BOBBY DASSEY: Yeah.
MR. KRATZ: What was your response?
BOBBY DASSEY: "No",
MR. KRATZ: Bobby, are you familiar with a Suzuki Samurai, a gray Suzuki Samurai?
BOBBY DASSEY: Yes.
MR. KRATZ: Where was that vehicle please?
BOBBY DASSEY: That was in Steven's garage. He was going to fix it up.
MR. KRATZ: On the thirty-first of October, do you recall where that Suzuki Samurai was?
BOBBY DASSEY: I don't even know.
MR. KRATZ: Do you remember, generally, where it was parked?
BOBBY DASSEY: No.
MR. KRATZ: If you don't know, that's fine.
BOBBY DASSEY: I don't know.
MR. KRATZ: All right. Bobby, have you ever seen a fire, like a bonfire, by your Uncle Steven's?
BOBBY DASSEY: Yes.
MR. KRATZ: Do you remember the last time you saw a bonfire by your Uncle Steven's?
BOBBY DASSEY: Maybe two weeks before that, before this all happened.
MR. KRATZ: There is -- Let me just ask you: Is there some place where your Uncle Steven would have fires?
BOBBY DASSEY: Yes, right behind his garage.
MR. KRATZ: Can you describe that area for us?
BOBBY DASSEY: It was just a mound of gravel that he, basically, burned stuff on.
MR. KRATZ: If I could have a moment with counsel, Judge?
(At which time Mr. Kratz consulted with other counsel about some photographs. )
BY MR. KRATZ:
MR. KRATZ: Bobby, we have had some photographs marked. I will have you identify some of these, in fact, all of them, to help the jury understand what we are talking about. The first exhibit I want you to take a look at is Exhibit Number 37. Can you tell us what that is please?
(While the witness was looking at the exhibit, and before he began his answer, Mr. Strang made the following statement. )
MR. STRANG: While he is doing that, your Honor, I have a concern that I want noted now, and that I would like the raise outside of the jury's presence, between the direct and cross of Mr. Dassey.
THE COURT: Are you saying you would like to raise it out of the jury's presence now? Or later?
MR. STRANG: No, not now. If we can take that up between the direct and the cross, that would be fine.
THE COURT: Very well.
BY MR. KRATZ:
MR. KRATZ: Tell us what Exhibit 37 is please?
BOBBY DASSEY: That is Steven's trailer.
MR. KRATZ: Steven --
BOBBY DASSEY: -- Avery's trailer.
(At which time Exhibit 37 was shown in the courtroom on the big screen.)
MR. KRATZ: I will let the jury now see Exhibit 37. Can you tell us kind of what else is shown there? What are we looking at?
BOBBY DASSEY: Well, the red thing is Steven's trailer. The garage is to the left. That is his truck sitting there, and that is his burning barrel right in front of the house.
MR. KRATZ: If I could have one moment, Judge?
(At which time Mr. Kratz had a brief discussion with Mr. Strang, in low tones, off the record, out of the hearing of everyone else in the courtroom. )
BY MR. KRATZ:
MR. KRATZ: I will give you a laser pointer. There is a button there. Using the laser pointer, again, Bobby, can you show us where Steven's trailer is?
BOBBY DASSEY: Steven's trailer is right there.
MR. KRATZ: Okay. You mentioned a burning barrel?
BOBBY DASSEY: The burning barrel would be right there.
MR. KRATZ: Whose burning barrel is that?
BOBBY DASSEY: That would be Steven's burning barrel.
MR. KRATZ: Where is Steven's garage?
BOBBY DASSEY: Right there.
MR. KRATZ: All right. The next exhibit is number 38. Can you tell us what that is please?
BOBBY DASSEY: (Pause).
MR. KRATZ: It's in front of the next picture, 38?
BOBBY DASSEY: Just another picture of Steven's trailer and his garage.
MR. KRATZ: It's a little different angle; is that right?
BOBBY DASSEY: Yes.
MR. KRATZ: I will now let the jury look at Exhibit 38. Tell us what we are looking at please?
BOBBY DASSEY: Basically, just looking at Steven's trailer again, and his garage, and his truck.
MR. KRATZ: What is Exhibit 39 please?
BOBBY DASSEY: It's a closer shot of Steven's trailer.
MR. KRATZ: Now we're letting the jury see Exhibit 39. Where would Steven's main entrance be? How do you get in the trailer?
BOBBY DASSEY: Through the door right by the step right there.
MR. KRATZ: The record will reflect that you are pointing to the entrance furthest to the right of this trailer; is that correct?
BOBBY DASSEY: Yes.
MR. KRATZ: Does the photograph help you, or could you describe for the jury about how close Ms. Halbach was to that trailer, when you stopped watching her approach?
BOBBY DASSEY: She was probably right about there.
MR. KRATZ: Looking which way?
BOBBY DASSEY: Toward the trailer, west.
MR. KRATZ: Exhibit 40 is the next exhibit. Would you describe what that is please?
BOBBY DASSEY: Just a closer view of Steven's front door.
MR. KRATZ: That is the door we were talking about?
MR. KRATZ: We lost our batteries here, Judge.
(The photographs which had been shown on the large screen in the courtroom, were not able to be seen, until new batteries could be installed in the remote control device.)
BY MR. KRATZ:
MR. KRATZ: While we are getting new batteries for our remote control, I will ask you some other questions, Bobby. First of all, how often would your Uncle Steven have fires at his property?
BOBBY DASSEY: Maybe one or two every month.
MR. KRATZ: You mentioned that Steven -- Or you identified, at least, Steven's garage. Who uses Steven's garage?
BOBBY DASSEY: Steven does.
MR. KRATZ: Does anybody else have access to it?
BOBBY DASSEY: At that time, no.
MR. KRATZ: All right. Even though the batteries are not changed yet, or they are kind of going bad, we will do the best we can until we get some new ones. This is Exhibit 40, that you have identified. What are we looking at here?
BOBBY DASSEY: That is Steven's front door, the main entrance,
MR. KRATZ: There is what looks like a deck that goes around the trailer. Can you explain that please?
BOBBY DASSEY: Yes, it is basically a deck that runs around the whole trailer. He has got a little "plateau" at the end.
MR. KRATZ: All right. Do you see the next picture in front of you, Exhibit 41?
BOBBY DASSEY: Yes.
MR. KRATZ: Can you tell us what that is please?
BOBBY DASSEY: That is just a picture of the door to the far left of the trailer.
MR. KRATZ: All right. We are now letting the jury look at Exhibit 41. Again, what are we looking at?
BOBBY DASSEY: That is just another door to Steven's trailer.
MR. KRATZ: Now, on the left there, the left-most edge of Exhibit Number 41, is that the door that you are talking about?
BOBBY DASSEY: Yes.
MR. KRATZ: Do you know where that door goes?
BOBBY DASSEY: It goes into the hallway of the trailer, closest to the bedroom in the back.
MR. KRATZ: Have you been in Steven's trailer before?
BOBBY DASSEY: Yes.
MR. KRATZ: On the thirty-first of October, did you have keys to Steven's trailer?
BOBBY DASSEY: No.
MR. KRATZ: Do you know if anyone else from your home had keys to his trailer?
BOBBY DASSEY: No.
MR. KRATZ: No, "you don't know"? Or, no, "they didn't"?
BOBBY DASSEY: No one did.
MR. KRATZ: All right. The next exhibit in front of you is Exhibit 42. Tell us what that is?
BOBBY DASSEY: This is a picture of the back of Steven's trailer.
MR. KRATZ: Do you want to take the laser pointer, now that the jury can see Exhibit 42? Why don't you tell us what we are looking at?
BOBBY DASSEY: This is the back side. This side faces north. That is the back of Steven's trailer. That is his pool.
MR. KRATZ: Now, there is a back patio door on that crailex?
BOBBY DASSEY: Yes.
MR. KRATZ: Can you show us that please?
BOBBY DASSEY: That would be right there,
MR. KRATZ: Just so the record is clear, Judge, he is pointing at what would be just about the very middle of the trailer.
BY MR. KRATZ:
MR. KRATZ: That is the patio door; is that correct, Bobby?
BOBBY DASSEY: Yes.
MR. KRATZ: What kind of pool is that?
BOBBY DASSEY: Just a pool that is like four feet deep.
MR. KRATZ: Okay. Exhibit 43 is the next exhibit in front of you. Can you tell us what that is?
BOBBY DASSEY: Just another view of the back of Steven's trailer.
MR. KRATZ: Now we will let the jury take a look. It's a different angle, pretty much the same as Exhibit 42?
BOBBY DASSEY: Yes.
MR. KRATZ: Which way have we moved around? Or the camera?
BOBBY DASSEY: Which way?
MR. KRATZ: Yeah.
BOBBY DASSEY: It has moved to the right, south.
MR. KRATZ: Exhibit 43 shows Steven's back patio door?
BOBBY DASSEY: Yes.
MR. KRATZ: Could you show us that please?
BOBBY DASSEY: Right there.
MR. KRATZ: Now, behind Steven's trailer, Exhibit -- Excuse me. Behind Steven's garage, did Steven have a dog house?
BOBBY DASSEY: Yes.
MR. KRATZ: Does Exhibit 43 show that?
BOBBY DASSEY: Yes.
MR. KRATZ: If you could point out the dog house for us please?
BOBBY DASSEY: Right there.
MR. KRATZ: Directly behind the dog house, what is that area?
BOBBY DASSEY: That would be the burning pit.
MR. KRATZ: You had mentioned, Bobby, before about seeing the fires at Steven's. Where on this property did you see those fires?
BOBBY DASSEY: Right there.
MR. KRATZ: Directly behind this garage?
BOBBY DASSEY: Yes.
MR. KRATZ: The next exhibit that we are asking you to identify is Exhibit 44. Tell us what that is please?
BOBBY DASSEY: This is another shot of Steven's house and the garage.
MR. KRATZ: Now the jury can see Exhibit 44. What are we looking at?
BOBBY DASSEY: Basically, you are looking at Steven's trailer again, the garage, and the dog house, and his truck. Again, right there is where he had his burning pit.
MR. KRATZ: His burning pit?
BOBBY DASSEY: Yeah.
MR. KRATZ: Now, this exhibit, that is Exhibit 44, do you know about where this was taken from?
BOBBY DASSEY: This actually was taken right in front of our house.
MR. KRATZ: Is this east, or west, or north, or south of Steven's trailer? Do you know?
BOBBY DASSEY: It would be east.
MR. KRATZ: Okay. The next exhibit is Exhibit 45. Can you tell us what that is please?
BOBBY DASSEY: That is a picture of Steven's garage.
MR. KRATZ: Again, now that the jury can see Exhibit Number 45, why don't you take the laser pointer and tell us what we are looking at?
BOBBY DASSEY: Basically, that is just Steven's garage again, and his truck. That is the door he mainly used to the garage.
MR. KRATZ: That is what? You have to speak up.
BOBBY DASSEY: That is the door he mainly used for the garage.
MR. KRATZ: Kind of a service door?
BOBBY DASSEY: Yeah.
MR. KRATZ: All right. The next exhibit is Number 46. Can you tell us what that is please?
BOBBY DASSEY: Another picture of Steven's garage.
MR. KRATZ: All right. Exhibit 46, now that the jury can see it, again, can you explain what we are looking at?
BOBBY DASSEY: Just another picture of Steven's garage.
MR. KRATZ: Is the service door open, or closed?
BOBBY DASSEY: It's open.
MR. KRATZ: That burning pit, or burn area, Can you tell us where that is on this picture?
BOBBY DASSEY: It would be right there, where that white gravel is.
MR. KRATZ: Right behind the garage?
BOBBY DASSEY: Yes.
MR. KRATZ: What is Exhibit 472
BOBBY DASSEY: picture of Steven's burning pit.
MR. KRATZ: All right. Now that the jury can see Exhibit 47, why don't you tell us what we are looking at?
BOBBY DASSEY: You are just looking at Steven's burning pit, directly behind the garage.
MR. KRATZ: Do you recognize anytning else in this picture?
BOBBY DASSEY: There is a seat,
MR. KRATZ: What do you mean, "a seat"?
BOBBY DASSEY: From a vehicle, right there, and his trailer is there. The dog coop is there,
MR. KRATZ: Bobby, had you seen that seat out by there by your Uncle Steven's house?
BOBBY DASSEY: Not that I recall.
MR. KRATZ: Now on Exhibit Number 47, if you can show us, more specifically, where the burning happened, where the burn area is?
BOBBY DASSEY: Right around there.
MR. KRATZ: There is a blackened area, which would be just west and just right of the car seat. Is that the place that you are pointing?
BOBBY DASSEY: Yes.
MR. KRATZ: What is the next exhibit?
BOBBY DASSEY: The picture directly behind Steven's garage.
MR. KRATZ: That is Exhibit 48; is that right?
BOBBY DASSEY: Yes.
MR. KRATZ: Now that the jury can see Exhibit 48, tell us what we're looking at?
BOBBY DASSEY: Basically, the back of Steven's trailer. There is the dog coop again. That is where his burning pit would be.
MR. KRATZ: The dog "what"?
BOBBY DASSEY: The dog "coop".
MR. KRATZ: The dog coop, C-0-0-pP?
BOBBY DASSEY: Yeah, or dog house.
MR. KRATZ: Where is Steven's garage?
BOBBY DASSEY: Right there.
MR. KRATZ: That is the building to the very right of the exhibit; is that correct?
BOBBY DASSEY: Yes.
MR. KRATZ: Where is Steven's trailer?
BOBBY DASSEY: Right there.
MR. KRATZ: So, the red building, just to the west; is that correct?
BOBBY DASSEY: Yes.
MR. KRATZ: Again, where is the burn area?
BOBBY DASSEY: This is partially shown in the picture, to the far south of the picture.
MR. KRATZ: The next exhibit is Number 49. Tell the jury what this is please?
BOBBY DASSEY: Another picture of behind Steven's garage.
MR. KRATZ: Now that the jury can see Exhibit 49, would you again tell us what we are looking at?
BOBBY DASSEY: Just looking at the same Picture as before, that dog house, the garage, his trailer. That is where the burning pit would be.
MR. KRATZ: What is the next exhibit, 50?
BOBBY DASSEY: A picture of the burning pit, just at a different angle.
MR. KRATZ: There is something else in this picture, as well; is that correct?
BOBBY DASSEY: Yes.
MR. KRATZ: What is that?
BOBBY DASSEY: That is his dog.
MR. KRATZ: Do you know the name of that dog?
BOBBY DASSEY: His name is "Bear",
MR. KRATZ: "Bear"?
BOBBY DASSEY: Yes.
MR. KRATZ: Whose dog was that?
BOBBY DASSEY: Steven's.
MR. KRATZ: Pointing to Exhibit 50, can you show us the area where things were burned?
BOBBY DASSEY: Right there.
MR. KRATZ: That would be directly in front of the dog?
BOBBY DASSEY: Yes.
MR. KRATZ: Can you tell us about "Bear"? Would the animal, the dog of Steven Avery, usually be an inside dog Or an outside dog?
BOBBY DASSEY: Outside dog.
MR. KRATZ: Do you know how long Bear's chain was, where Bear would be able to wander?
BOBBY DASSEY: Fifteen feet.
MR. KRATZ: Okay. Now in the back of this picture, the background of Exhibit 50, do you see any vehicles?
BOBBY DASSEY: Yes.
MR. KRATZ: What do you see?
BOBBY DASSEY: The maroon Plymouth Voyager.
MR. KRATZ: Can you point that out?
BOBBY DASSEY: Yes, right there.
MR. KRATZ: That car is not far, or just to the right of the garage?
BOBBY DASSEY: Yes.
MR. KRATZ: That is the same vehicle you saw Teresa Halbach taking photos of?
BOBBY DASSEY: Yes.
MR. KRATZ: I don't know if you are able to answer this, Bobby, but I will ask you. What was Bear's personality, or demeanor like, if you know? Do you know what I'm asking you?
BOBBY DASSEY: He was really calm.
MR. KRATZ: The next picture is Exhibit 51. What is that please?
BOBBY DASSEY: That is a picture of Steven's burn barrel.
MR. KRATZ: Where was this burn barrel located?
BOBBY DASSEY: Northwest of Steven's trailer,
MR. KRATZ: In the background of that picture, you also see a vehicle; is that correct?
BOBBY DASSEY: Yes.
MR. KRATZ: What vehicle is that?
BOBBY DASSEY: That is the Plymouth Voyager again.
MR. KRATZ: You also see a road between the burn barrel and the vehicle; is that correct?
BOBBY DASSEY: Yes.
MR. KRATZ: Can you describe that road for us please?
BOBBY DASSEY: That would be the driveway leading dow te Steven's trailer.
MR. KRATZ: Now, Mr. Dassey, does Exhibit 51 help you, or could you help explain or show the jury where you saw Ms. Halbach walking, before you took your shower?
BOBBY DASSEY: She was walking right about there, walked right through there.
MR. KRATZ: Walking in a westerly direction toward Steven's?
BOBBY DASSEY: Yes.
MR. KRATZ: The next exhibit is Exhibit 52. Tell us what that is please?
BOBBY DASSEY: That would be a picture of our burning barrels.
MR. KRATZ: What do you mean "our burning barrels"?
BOBBY DASSEY: My mom's burning barrels.
MR. KRATZ: How many were there?
BOBBY DASSEY: Three.
MR. KRATZ: Are you sure?
BOBBY DASSEY: I don't know. JI chought there was three.
MR. KRATZ: Okay. Where were the burn barrels located?
BOBBY DASSEY: In our back yard, right behind our garage.
MR. KRATZ: And this picture has some people in it. Do you know who those people are?
BOBBY DASSEY: No.
MR. KRATZ: Now, to the left, or behind the burn barrels are some vehicles. Do you know how far away those are? In other words, how close to your property we are looking at?
BOBBY DASSEY: (Pause)
MR. KRATZ: That's a bad question. Let me try it again. The burn barrels, how close were they to the edge of what would be your mom's property?
BOBBY DASSEY: 25 yards, or 30 yards.
MR. KRATZ: The next exhibit is Exhibit 53. This is going to look familiar, but what is that?
BOBBY DASSEY: Just another view of Steven's trailer.
MR. KRATZ: From a little different angle; is that right?
BOBBY DASSEY: Yes,
MR. KRATZ: What is Exhibit 54?
BOBBY DASSEY: That is a picture of our house, my mom's house.
MR. KRATZ: Let's talk about that a little bit, now that the jury can see Exhibit 54. Please take the laser pointer and tell them what they are looking at?
BOBBY DASSEY: This is, basically, my mom's house. That is our golf cart.
MR. KRATZ: Your what?
BOBBY DASSEY: Our golf cart.
MR. KRATZ: Okay.
BOBBY DASSEY: This would be the side of the house to the farthest west. The burning barrels would be right back there. You can't see them on there.
MR. KRATZ: Could you tell us, or show us in this picture, the window that you were looking out when you watched Ms. Halbach?
BOBBY DASSEY: That window right there.
MR. KRATZ: Okay. And I know that the vehicle for sale is not shown on this picture, but which direction was it? Can you kind of show us?
BOBBY DASSEY: It would be right over there.
MR. KRATZ: To the right, off screen?
BOBBY DASSEY: Yes.
MR. KRATZ: The next exhibit is Exhibit 55, can you tell us what that would be?
BOBBY DASSEY: That would be my mom's answering machine.
MR. KRATZ: Where was that located?
BOBBY DASSEY: In our living room.
MR. KRATZ: Again, now that the jury is able to see Exhibit 55, what kind of answering machine was it? Do you know?
BOBBY DASSEY: No.
MR. KRATZ: Is there a phone that went with it?
BOBBY DASSEY: Yes.
MR. KRATZ: Where did the phone go?
BOBBY DASSEY: I don't know.
MR. KRATZ: But, what I mean is, was the phone placed on a cradle, or something, on this phone?
BOBBY DASSEY: Yes.
MR. KRATZ: Where is that?
BOBBY DASSEY: It's not on there.
MR. KRATZ: Okay. Had you ever used that answering machine?
BOBBY DASSEY: No, I don't use it at all.
MR. KRATZ: Have you ever retreived a message from that answering machine?
BOBBY DASSEY: Yes.
MR. KRATZ: How do you retreive a message from it?
BOBBY DASSEY: You just hit "play".
MR. KRATZ: The next exhibit for the jury is Exhibit 56. Have you ever seen that before?
BOBBY DASSEY: Yes. That would be my grandmother's.
THE COURT: Just a second. I think, Mr. Kratz, it's 10:30. I think we will take our morning break.
MR. KRATZ: We can certainly do that, Judge.
THE COURT: I will remind you, again, members of the jury, not to discuss the case at any time during the course of the trial, including during any breaks. We will see you in 15 minutes.
(At which time the jury left the courtroom. Then the following proceedings continued immediately in the courtroom, out of the presence of the jury.)
THE COURT: You may be seated. Mr. Kratz, did you have something first?
MR. KRATZ: Yes. Since there are several photos, I believe we have received a stipulation as to their admissibility. I understand that each should be shown one at a time, but I think the Court knows the technological limitations that we are having, trying to toggle through this remote control, so that only one is shown at a time, or only after Mr. Dassey identifies what it is.
I'm wondering if there is a better way, or if there is an opportunity that we may show these in a more efficient fashion, perhaps one photo after another, without having to go to a blue screen every time.
Iocan certainly do that. It's Mr. Strang's call. I understand that, Judge. This is simply = request to make it a little easier for the jury to watch these, and look at these exhibits, which I believe had been stipulated as to their admissibility.
THE COURT: Mr. Strang?
MR. STRANG: I think we should continue to do it this way. There is a concern, or I imagine there are many witnesses, who will have as many photographs to go through. The concern is not the authenticity of the photographs, or their admissibility, but rather the kind of things that appear on the screen.
When Mr. Kratz has the lap top on his desk, he can stop the projecting of them up there before one exhibit has been selected, and, you know, this is just a good method to do it, because we may get some photographs where, for some reason or not, they ought not to be published to the jury, whether because the witness can't identify it, or whatever reason.
THE COURT: All right.
MR. KRATZ: That's fine. All I can do is ask, Judge. I understand.
THE COURT: Mr. Strang, was there something else you wished to take up?