Witness

Katie Halbach

Teresa Halbach's sister and a witness concerning her clothing and a lanyard.

138 lines·12 proceedings·9 mentions·2 trials

About

Katie Halbach testified about jeans owned by her sister Teresa and an Air National Guard lanyard Katie had given her. She recalled Teresa showing her Daisy Fuentes jeans and said the family did not find that pair among Teresa's belongings; she identified a different pair selected as a comparison. In Avery's trial, she also demonstrated how a connecting piece fit the lanyard, while acknowledging uncertainty about the jeans' fit and how Teresa carried her keys. In Dassey's trial, she described not seeing or hearing from Teresa after an October 30 family gathering. The prosecutor later cited Katie's jeans testimony in an argument about rivets recovered from the burn area, but Katie did not testify that the rivets came from Teresa's jeans.

Trial Record (12)

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

Katie Halbach testified in Steven Avery's 2007 trial about jeans she had seen her sister Teresa wear and a lanyard she had given her. Cross-examination tested how much Katie knew about the jeans' fit and Teresa's use of the lanyard.

Day 1

Feb 12, 2007

DirectMichael Daniel Halbach — DirectMichael Daniel HalbachKenneth R. KratzMentioned

Summary

Michael Halbach identified Teresa and her RAV4, described the family's search after she went missing, and authenticated ten admitted exhibits.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

CrossMichael Daniel Halbach — CrossMichael Daniel HalbachDean A. StrangMentioned

Summary

Strang questioned Michael Halbach about the family's search, his voicemail access, and what he recalled of Teresa's keys and belongings.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

Day 10

Feb 23, 2007

DirectKatie Halbach — DirectKatie HalbachKenneth R. Kratz61lines spoken

Summary

Katie Halbach identified a comparison pair of jeans and a lanyard she had given Teresa; the court admitted four related exhibits.

CrossKatie Halbach — CrossKatie HalbachDean A. Strang21lines spoken

Summary

Katie Halbach described limits to her knowledge of Teresa's jeans and the keys on her lanyard.

Day 13

Feb 28, 2007

DirectKaren Halbach — DirectKaren HalbachKenneth R. KratzMentioned

Summary

Karen Halbach described Teresa's family routines, recounted a November 3 call expressing concern about her absence, and identified three records of Teresa's personal devices that the court admitted.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

Day 23

Mar 14, 2007

ClosingState’s Closing Argument by Kenneth KratzKenneth R. KratzMentioned

Summary

Kratz began the State's closing with the RAV4, blood and DNA evidence, and burned electronics; an objection led the court to remind jurors that argument is not fact.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

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, 2007Called by prosecution

Katie Halbach testified in Brendan Dassey's 2007 trial about jeans Teresa owned but that Katie did not find among her sister's clothing after her death. The prosecution later cited that testimony in its argument about clothing remnants recovered from the burn area.

Day 1

Apr 16, 2007

OpeningState's Opening StatementKenneth R. KratzMentioned

Summary

Kratz outlined the State's theory that Dassey helped Avery assault and kill Halbach, then previewed Dassey's recorded statement and evidence the State said would corroborate it.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

DirectKaren Halbach — DirectKaren HalbachKenneth R. KratzMentioned

Summary

Karen Halbach described Teresa's life, her last family visit, the search after she went missing, and exhibits the court received.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

DirectKatie Halbach — DirectKatie HalbachKenneth R. Kratz56lines spoken

Summary

Katie Halbach identified a lanyard she gave Teresa, described jeans she selected as similar to Teresa's, and said she had not seen or heard from her sister after October 30.

Day 9

Apr 25, 2007

ProceduralRenewed motion to dismiss Count 3 and corroboration rulingMentioned

Summary

The court denied the renewed motion to dismiss amended Count 3, finding sufficient corroboration of Brendan Dassey's confession.

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.