WitnessAuto Trader Magazine

Dawn Pliszka

Auto Trader receptionist who handled the appointment request for Teresa Halbach's October 31 visit.

207 lines·12 proceedings·7 mentions·2 trials

About

Dawn Pliszka, an Auto Trader receptionist, handled the October 31 request for a same-day photograph of a minivan and left Teresa Halbach a message about it. In Avery's trial, Pliszka testified that Halbach called at 2:27 p.m., said she could take the photograph and was on her way, and referred to the Avery brothers. The court admitted Pliszka's lead sheet. Cross-examination examined an earlier appointment record at the same address, private photo shoots, and whether the records showed Halbach's other plans; Pliszka could not say whether Halbach made another private stop, and her understanding that Halbach was going directly to the Avery appointment was an assumption. Separately, outside the jury's presence, Pliszka described an undated comment reportedly made by Halbach about Avery coming out in a towel; the court excluded the offered statement. In Dassey's trial, a court-received stipulation presented Pliszka's account of taking Avery's appointment request, leaving Halbach a voicemail, and later speaking with her as she headed to the Avery property.

Trial Record (12)

AverySteven AveryFeb 12, 2007 – Mar 18, 2007Called by prosecution

Dawn Pliszka testified in Steven Avery's 2007 trial about the October 31 Auto Trader appointment request and Halbach's afternoon call saying she was on her way. Cross-examination established that Pliszka could not tell whether Halbach made another private photo stop that day.

Day 2

Feb 13, 2007

DirectAngela Schuster — DirectAngela SchusterKenneth R. KratzMentioned

Summary

Auto Trader manager Angela Schuster identified prior Avery property photographs and recounted Halbach's October 31 call accepting a photo shoot.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

CrossAngela Schuster — CrossAngela SchusterJerome F. ButingMentioned

Summary

Buting established that Auto Trader would not know about a photographer-sourced hustle shot in advance, and Schuster said its records could not show whether Halbach went to one after leaving Avery's property on October 31.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

DirectDawn Pliszka — DirectDawn PliszkaKenneth R. Kratz12lines spoken

Summary

Pliszka recounted Teresa's report that Avery had come out in a towel; she said Teresa did not specify where. Kratz identified the questioning as an offer of proof, not testimony before the jury.

CrossDawn Pliszka — CrossDawn PliszkaDean A. Strang14lines spoken

Summary

Pliszka said Halbach had not dated the reported incident and had mentioned it briefly during what Pliszka thought was a work-related call.

RedirectDawn Pliszka — RedirectDawn PliszkaKenneth R. Kratz6lines spoken

Summary

Pliszka could not date the incident Halbach reportedly described, and the court excluded the offered statement after argument over its recency and context.

DirectDawn Pliszka — DirectDawn PliszkaKenneth R. Kratz40lines spoken

Summary

Dawn Pliszka described the October 31 Auto Trader appointment request, her calls with Teresa Halbach, and the lead sheet admitted as Exhibit 17.

CrossDawn Pliszka — CrossDawn PliszkaJerome F. Buting135lines spoken

Summary

Buting tested the Auto Trader records and Pliszka's knowledge of private photo shoots; she could not establish whether Halbach made another such stop on October 31.

Day 19

Mar 8, 2007

ProceduralMotion for judgment of acquittalMentioned

Summary

The defense sought acquittal on four counts, concentrating on whether the evidence supported false imprisonment. The State opposed the motion; the court did not rule.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

Day 23

Mar 14, 2007

ClosingState’s Closing Argument ResumesKenneth R. KratzMentioned

Summary

Kratz completed the State's closing by linking its timeline, burn-area, firearm, and DNA arguments and requesting guilty verdicts on the three remaining charges.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

DasseyBrendan DasseyApr 16, 2007 – Apr 25, 2007

In Brendan Dassey's trial, Dawn Pliszka's account of arranging Teresa Halbach's Auto Trader appointment was presented in a court-received stipulation.

Day 4

Apr 19, 2007

RecrossAnthony O'Neill — RecrossAnthony O'NeillRaymond L. EdelsteinMentioned

Summary

O'Neill described limits on his knowledge and contact with Dassey; the judge received two defense-offered exhibits and an AutoTrader appointment stipulation.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

Day 9

Apr 25, 2007

Jury InstructionCourt's substantive jury instructionsMentioned

Summary

Judge Fox instructed the jury on the offenses, aiding and abetting, reasonable doubt, stipulated testimony, and how to assess Dassey's statements and witness credibility.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

ClosingProsecution closing argument by Thomas J. FallonThomas J. FallonMentioned

Summary

Fallon argued that Dassey's statements were corroborated, that his alleged acts made him a party to all three crimes, and that the jury should return guilty verdicts.

Mentioned in this proceeding.