James Lenk Testimony & Transcripts - Steven Avery & Brendan Dassey Case Archive

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

Lieutenant James Lenk testified for the prosecution in Steven Avery's 2007 trial about Manitowoc County searches and his discovery of a key in Avery's bedroom. His account of the key's appearance, his earlier deposition in Avery's lawsuit and allegations of planted evidence drew sustained questioning.

Day 1

Feb 12, 2007

OpeningDefense Opening StatementDean A. StrangMentioned

Summary

Strang argued that Halbach left the Avery property and previewed the defense's challenges to the investigation and physical evidence.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

Day 2

Feb 13, 2007

ProceduralArguments on objections to the defense opening statementMentioned

Summary

The State challenged three aspects of the defense opening; Strang responded, and the court made no new ruling in this exchange.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

Day 4

Feb 15, 2007

CrossBrett Bowe — CrossBrett BoweDean A. StrangMentioned

Summary

Strang tested Bowe's knowledge of search assignments and March entry logs; the court reserved ruling on admission of the five-page garage log.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

DirectJason Orth — DirectJason OrthKenneth R. KratzMentioned

Summary

Orth described finding and identifying the RAV4, then watching it while officers secured the area.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

CrossJason Orth — CrossJason OrthJerome F. ButingMentioned

Summary

Buting tested Orth's view into the RAV4, his access-log account, and the scope of his watch over the vehicle.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

DirectTodd Hermann — DirectTodd HermannKenneth R. KratzMentioned

Summary

Hermann described the initial watch over the RAV4, said he saw no one disturb it, and explained the transfer of scene security to Calumet County.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

CrossTodd Hermann — CrossTodd HermannJerome F. ButingMentioned

Summary

Buting tested Hermann on conflict concerns, the RAV4's condition, gaps in the southwest perimeter, and the timing of Calumet County's takeover of vehicle security.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

Day 5

Feb 16, 2007

DirectThomas Fassbender — DirectThomas FassbenderKenneth R. KratzMentioned

Summary

Fassbender outlined the November 5–12 searches, RAV4 handling, and discoveries of a Toyota key, license plates, and bone pieces; a discovery dispute was also raised.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

CrossThomas Fassbender — CrossThomas FassbenderJerome F. ButingMentioned

Summary

Buting challenged Fassbender on search-team choices, repeated searches, scene logs, and an anonymous smelter lead; Fassbender acknowledged limits in the trailer and garage evidence.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

RedirectThomas Fassbender — RedirectThomas FassbenderKenneth R. KratzMentioned

Summary

Fassbender addressed the smelter letter, RAV4 photographs, items seized in the first search, and his reasons for assigning Lenk and Colborn search duties.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

RecrossThomas Fassbender — RecrossThomas FassbenderJerome F. ButingMentioned

Summary

Fassbender addressed Lenk and Colborn's undisclosed depositions and agreed that four prospective exhibits did not show Teresa inside Avery's trailer.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

Day 6

Feb 19, 2007

DirectWilliam Tyson — DirectWilliam TysonKenneth R. KratzMentioned

Summary

Tyson traced RAV4 security, Calumet's oversight of the first residence search, seized items, and later hood-latch and DNA-related collection.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

Day 7

Feb 20, 2007

CrossWilliam Tyson — CrossWilliam TysonJerome F. ButingMentioned

Summary

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

Mentioned in this proceeding.

DirectAndrew L. Colborn — DirectAndrew L. ColbornKenneth R. KratzMentioned

Summary

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

Mentioned in this proceeding.

CrossAndrew L. Colborn — CrossAndrew L. ColbornDean A. StrangMentioned

Summary

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

Mentioned in this proceeding.

colloquyOut-of-Jury Issue After Colborn Cross-ExaminationMentioned

Summary

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.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

DirectJames Lenk — DirectJames LenkKenneth R. Kratz168lines spoken

Summary

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

Day 8

Feb 21, 2007

DirectJames Lenk — DirectJames LenkKenneth R. Kratz3highlights79lines spoken

Summary

Lenk described finding the bedroom key after the cabinet was moved, the officers' belief about its source, and his denial that he planted evidence.

Highlights (3)

testimony highlightLenk said he had checked the slippers and found nothing underneath them; after Colborn moved the cabinet and Lenk briefly left the bedroom, he returned and saw a key on the floor near the slippers.Open in transcript →

testimony highlightLenk said the officers saw an opening at the back of the cabinet and believed the key had fallen from it, probably after the cabinet was jostled and tipped.Open in transcript →

testimony highlightAsked about a blood vial and the possibility of planted evidence, Lenk denied obtaining or planting blood, helping another officer frame Avery, or placing Teresa Halbach's key in Avery's residence.Open in transcript →

CrossJames Lenk — CrossJames LenkDean A. Strang54lines spoken

Summary

Lenk denied planting blood, described the limits of his evidence-custodian role, and distinguished his paperwork from another deputy's retrieval of 1985 case evidence.

ProceduralHearing on blood-vial questioning of LenkMentioned1line spoken

Summary

The court allowed the defense to question Lenk about possible knowledge of a blood vial, while noting that neither the proposed link nor the vial's existence had been established.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

CrossJames Lenk — Cross resumesJames LenkDean A. Strang465lines spoken

Summary

Strang challenged Lenk's arrival time, the bedroom key's discovery, search documentation, and his failure to disclose a recent deposition in Avery's lawsuit.

RedirectJames Lenk — RedirectJames LenkKenneth R. Kratz37lines spoken

Summary

Lenk addressed accusations of planting evidence, evidence custody, cell-phone use, and repeated searches; the court sustained objections to speculative questions about a key and fitness card.

RecrossJames Lenk — RecrossJames LenkDean A. Strang22lines spoken

Summary

Lenk addressed a possible use for the scanner, qualified his knowledge of the license-plate call, and confirmed his transmittal-form role; Exhibit 214 was admitted.

DirectDave Remiker — DirectDave RemikerKenneth R. KratzMentioned

Summary

Remiker described identifying Halbach's RAV4, assisting with property searches, recording an answering-machine message, and collecting a garage bullet fragment.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

CrossDave Remiker — CrossDave RemikerDean A. StrangMentioned

Summary

Strang tested Remiker's early focus on Avery through dispatch calls and questioned the warrant, residence searches, and gap between garage shell casings and the later bullet-fragment discovery.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

ProceduralJury-out arguments on investigative bias and prior convictionMentioned

Summary

The court denied the State's request to question Remiker about Avery's prior conviction in response to investigative-bias cross-examination.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

DirectDaniel Kucharski — DirectDaniel KucharskiKenneth R. KratzMentioned

Summary

Kucharski described the salvage-yard dog search and the next day's garage search, including .22 shell casings, evidence collection, and photographs of electrical cords.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

Day 9

Feb 22, 2007

DirectDaniel Kucharski — Continued Direct ExaminationDaniel KucharskiKenneth R. Kratz1highlightMentioned

Summary

Kucharski described the limited garage search, collected evidence, and discovery of the bedroom key; the court struck a speculative answer and admitted exhibits with two exceptions.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

Highlights (1)

testimony highlightKucharski described Lenk pointing out a key on the bedroom floor when he returned to the room; Kucharski said he had not seen it earlier and photographed and bagged it.Open in transcript →

CrossDaniel Kucharski — CrossDaniel KucharskiJerome F. ButingMentioned

Summary

Buting tested Kucharski's account of the bedroom key, the initial garage search, swab documentation, and a ten-versus-eleven shell-casing count.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

ProceduralSeated Juror’s Prior Trial Involving Detective RemikerMentioned

Summary

The court questioned a juror about a prior civil trial involving Detective Remiker, denied a defense motion to strike her, and limited audiovisual coverage.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

DirectGary Steier — DirectGary SteierKenneth R. KratzMentioned

Summary

Steier described collection and custody of two garage bullet fragments, distinguished Lenk's presence at the perimeter from entry into the garage, and the court admitted the exhibits.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

CrossGary Steier — CrossGary SteierJerome F. ButingMentioned

Summary

Buting tested Manitowoc's return to the March search, Lenk's presence in search logs, and the limits of Steier's knowledge and vigilance.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

DirectKevin Heimerl — DirectKevin HeimerlKenneth R. KratzMentioned

Summary

Heimerl described burn-pit debris sorting, a marked clothing rivet, and his discovery of two bullets during the March garage search.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

Day 10

Feb 23, 2007

ProceduralEnd-of-day jury admonition after Culhane’s direct examinationMentioned

Summary

The court gave jurors weekend instructions, then admitted forensic exhibits and reviewed outstanding exhibit status. The defense reserved its position on whether five Crime Lab reports should go to the jury during deliberations.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

Day 17

Mar 6, 2007

DirectLynn Zigmunt — DirectLynn ZigmuntThomas J. FallonMentioned

Summary

Lynn Zigmunt authenticated 1985 case-file records and described file storage and access; the court limited her testimony about unobserved visits, then admitted the identified exhibits except an unfamiliar log.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

CrossLynn Zigmunt — CrossLynn ZigmuntJerome F. ButingMentioned

Summary

Zigmunt described gaps in file sign-in practices and supervision, then reviewed a video of the blood-vial box examination; the court limited her interpretation of its seals.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

Day 18

Mar 7, 2007

DirectMichael Riddle — DirectMichael RiddleThomas J. FallonMentioned

Summary

Riddle described RAV4 fingerprint processing, a qualified headboard identification, and the lack of identifiable prints from the vehicle and blood-vial evidence.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

CrossMichael Riddle — Cross-Examination ResumedMichael RiddleJerome F. ButingMentioned

Summary

Riddle described usable RAV4 prints that did not match Avery, unmade comparisons with two officers' standards, and the expected presence of Avery's print on a headboard.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

DirectMark Wiegert — DirectMark WiegertKenneth R. KratzMentioned

Summary

Wiegert described the blood-vial inquiry and FBI transfer; the court limited secondhand testimony and barred an access question.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

CrossMark Wiegert — CrossMark WiegertDean A. StrangMentioned

Summary

Wiegert addressed investigative leads, two Avery-property searches, and the blood vial; the State then announced it was resting subject to exhibit matters.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

Day 19

Mar 8, 2007

ProceduralHearing on proposed Kakatsch testimonyMentioned

Summary

After a defense offer of proof, the court excluded proposed testimony from Ms. Kakatsch as minimally probative and potentially confusing.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

Day 22

Mar 13, 2007

Charge ConferenceFormal Jury Instruction ConferenceMentioned

Summary

The court approved a defense-theory instruction, denied separate exhibit-weight and spoliation instructions, and agreed to add prior-statement language to the jury instructions.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

Day 23

Mar 14, 2007

ClosingDefense Closing Argument by Jerome ButingJerome F. ButingMentioned

Summary

Buting advances the defense's framing theory and challenges the burn-site, RAV4, and trailer evidence while emphasizing the State's burden of proof.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

ClosingDefense Closing Argument ResumesJerome F. ButingMentioned

Summary

Buting challenges the key, RAV4 blood, bullet DNA, and EDTA evidence as he argues the investigation left reasonable doubt; a third-party-liability objection interrupts his closing.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

Day 24

Mar 15, 2007

ClosingDefense closing argument by Dean StrangDean A. StrangMentioned

Summary

Strang urged jurors to find reasonable doubt, challenging the State's timeline, investigative conduct, forensic testing, and interpretation of physical evidence.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

RebuttalState rebuttal closing argument by Kenneth KratzKenneth R. KratzMentioned

Summary

Kratz rebutted the defense's planting theory and forensic challenges; after a defense objection, the court reminded jurors that arguments are not evidence.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

DasseyBrendan DasseyApr 16, 2007 – Apr 25, 2007

In Brendan Dassey's trial, Lieutenant James Lenk was identified as a member of teams that searched Steven Avery's trailer and garage.

Day 2

Apr 17, 2007

DirectWilliam Tyson — DirectWilliam TysonKenneth R. KratzMentioned

Summary

William Tyson described searches of Steven Avery's trailer, identified recovered items, and explained how he swabbed the hood latch of Teresa Halbach's vehicle.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

CrossWilliam Tyson — CrossWilliam TysonMark R. FremgenMentioned

Summary

Tyson was questioned about glove changes, items left or collected during trailer searches, bleach-bottle testing, and the limits of his RAV4 hood-latch swab.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

DirectDaniel Kucharski — DirectDaniel KucharskiKenneth R. KratzMentioned

Summary

Daniel Kucharski described the garage search, shell casings, rifles, and Toyota key recovered during searches of Steven Avery's property.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

James Lenk

About

Trial Record (49)

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Highlights (3)

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Highlights (1)

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