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Steven Avery & Brendan Dassey— Case Archive
Steven Averytrial-daytrial-dayKenneth R. KratzJerome F. ButingDean A. StrangAndrew L. ColbornJames LenkWilliam TysoncrossredirectdirectcolloquyrecrossDay 7 - February 20, 2007William Tyson testified about the residence search and limits on his oversight of Manitowoc officers. Andrew Colborn described the discovery of a Toyota-emblem key and was questioned about a recorded plate inquiry; James Lenk described the counties' search roles.
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Day 7 - February 20, 2007

Tyson's Search Testimony, Colborn's Key Account, and Lenk's Search Role

Judge Patrick L. Willis
9Proceedings
5Pages
3Witnesses
2,679Lines
Day 7 of 27
Appearing:
Kenneth R. Kratz Jerome F. Buting Dean A. Strang Andrew L. Colborn James Lenk William Tyson

William Tyson testified about the residence search and limits on his oversight of Manitowoc officers. Andrew Colborn described the discovery of a Toyota-emblem key and was questioned about a recorded plate inquiry; James Lenk described the counties' search roles.

Full day summary

William Tyson testified that he could not watch every movement of the Manitowoc officers during the November 5 residence search. He saw no car key then and was not present when, according to his understanding, a key was found on November 8. He also said the headboard showed no marks around its spindles consistent with secured restraints and described negative or non-indicative blood testing on specified items and carpet samples. Andrew Colborn recounted his November 3 contact with Avery and later searches. He said he handled a bedroom bookcase roughly on November 8 before Lenk pointed out a Toyota-emblem key on the floor. The court admitted the key as Exhibit 211; the defense said it contested the exhibit but not its authentication or admission. On cross-examination, Colborn acknowledged that his November 2005 report did not mention the key. The defense played a recorded dispatch inquiry about plate SWH-582; Colborn believed the voice was his but denied looking at the plate. Outside the jury's presence, the judge said he did not understand the defense to be abandoning its blood-planting theory. No immediate relief or hearing date was set. James Lenk then described Calumet County's lead role and Manitowoc's assistance, called the November 5 trailer search general rather than exhaustive, and denied planting evidence.

1. William Tyson — Cross/Redirect (Part 2)

William Tyson answered cross-examination about the RAV4 and the search of Avery's residence on Day 7, then addressed SUV scene security on redirect.

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Procedural
Trial Opening and Appearances
8 lines
Cross
William Tyson — Cross William Tyson Jerome F. Buting
756 lines

Tyson qualified how closely he observed Manitowoc officers, distinguished the searches from the later key discovery, and described limited negative blood-testing results.

Redirect
William Tyson — Redirect William Tyson Kenneth R. Kratz
25 lines

Tyson qualified his knowledge of Zander Road, identified who continued SUV security, and saw two exhibits admitted.

Highlights

William Tyson — CrossadmissionTyson described the instruction that Manitowoc officers not be alone on the property and acknowledged he could not watch their every movement during the roughly three-hour residence search.William Tyson — Cross“I cannot sit up here and look at you guys and tell you that three hours inside that residence that I didn't turn my back, walk away, glance away; so I can't say that every second of the close to three hours I was making direct eye contact with them or watching every move they made.”— William TysonTyson directly qualified how completely he could observe the Manitowoc officers' search.William Tyson — Crosstestimony highlightTyson confirmed that examination of the headboard did not reveal marks around its spindles consistent with restraints having been secured there.William Tyson — Crosstestimony highlightTyson said he saw no car key in the bedroom during the November 5 search and was not with Lenk and Colborn when, according to his understanding, a key was found on November 8.William Tyson — Crosstestimony highlightTyson described negative presumptive blood tests on selected seized items and said examination of separate hallway and bedroom carpet samples showed no pattern or finding consistent with the blood evidence counsel suggested.

2. Andrew L. Colborn — Direct/Cross (Part 1)

Colborn described searches of Avery's property and the discovery of a Toyota-emblem key; Strang then questioned his reports and a recorded dispatch call.

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Direct
Andrew L. Colborn — Direct Andrew L. Colborn Kenneth R. Kratz
733 lines

Colborn traced his Avery-property searches, described how a Toyota-emblem key was found and handled, and denied planting evidence.

Cross
Andrew L. Colborn — Cross Andrew L. Colborn Dean A. Strang
735 lines

Strang tested Colborn's reporting and recollection, played his apparent license-plate call, and questioned the omission of the Toyota key from his report.

Highlights

Andrew L. Colborn — Direct“I will be the first to admit, I wasn't any too gentle, as we were, you know, getting exasperated. I handled it rather roughly, twisting it, shaking it, pulling it.”— Andrew L. ColbornColborn's account of how he handled the bookcase before the key was noticed.Andrew L. Colborn — Directtestimony highlightColborn says Lenk pointed out a Toyota-emblem key on the bedroom floor after the bookcase search. Colborn says he was surprised, the key was photographed before anyone touched it, and the team observed a gap at the bookcase's back panel.Andrew L. Colborn — Directevidence eventThe court receives the key as Exhibit 211. Strang says the defense contests the exhibit but does not object to its authentication, identification, or admission.Andrew L. Colborn — Crossevidence eventThe defense played a recorded dispatch call about plate SWH-582. Colborn believed the voice was his, guessed the call was on November 3, and denied looking at the plate when he made it.

3. Out-of-Jury Issue After Colborn Cross-Examination

After Colborn's cross-examination, the judge understood that the defense was not abandoning its blood-planting theory. No immediate relief or hearing date was set.

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colloquy
Out-of-Jury Issue After Colborn Cross-Examination
26 lines

The parties disputed the status of the defense's blood-planting theory and flagged a later hearing over pending FBI testing; the court took no immediate action.

Highlights

Out-of-Jury Issue After Colborn Cross-Examinationprocedural actionThe judge said he did not understand the defense to be abandoning the theory. Kratz clarified that he was putting his position on the record, not asking the court to act immediately, and anticipated seeking a hearing before the State rested.

4. Andrew L. Colborn — Redirect/Recross (Part 2)

Andrew Colborn addressed an earlier phone call, a dispatch plate inquiry, and his November 4 whereabouts, then answered recross questions about similar calls from officers.

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Redirect
Andrew L. Colborn — Redirect Andrew L. Colborn Kenneth R. Kratz
35 lines

Colborn explained two earlier calls, could not place the plate inquiry relative to his November 3 visit, and denied being near the Avery salvage property on November 4.

Recross
Andrew L. Colborn — Recross Andrew L. Colborn Dean A. Strang
5 lines

Colborn could not recall other calls from officers suggesting the wrong person was jailed.

5. James Lenk — Direct (Part 1)

James Lenk described Manitowoc officers’ role in the property searches, denied planting evidence, and said Calumet County led the later search.

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Direct
James Lenk — Direct James Lenk Kenneth R. Kratz
356 lines

Lenk described Manitowoc's assisting role, qualified the scope of early property searches, and denied planting evidence or resentment over Avery's lawsuit.

Highlights

James Lenk — Directtestimony highlightLenk said Tyson led his search team despite Lenk's higher rank, and that the team was told Calumet officers would collect evidence and write reports while Manitowoc officers assisted with searching.
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