Witness

Steven Schmitz

Vehicle owner whose Auto Trader photography appointment with Teresa Halbach was described in both trials.

40 lines·13 proceedings·10 mentions·2 trials

About

Steven Schmitz described Teresa Halbach’s October 31, 2005, visit to his New Holstein home to photograph a vehicle for Auto Trader. In Avery’s trial, he placed her arrival around 1:30 p.m., estimated that the appointment lasted 10 to 15 minutes, and said she left northbound on Highway A in her SUV; he did not know her destination. On cross-examination, he said co-owner Craig Sippel had booked the appointment at Schmitz’s house and denied that Sippel intended to lure a photographer there. In Dassey’s trial, the court read an agreed statement of what Schmitz would testify if called, describing a visit of about ten minutes before Halbach drove away. His account thus reached the second jury by stipulation rather than through his own testimony.

Trial Record (13)

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

Steven Schmitz testified in Steven Avery's 2007 Wisconsin trial that Teresa Halbach photographed his car at his New Holstein home around 1:30 p.m. on October 31, 2005, then left northbound on Highway A. He did not know her destination.

Day 2

Feb 13, 2007

DirectSteven Schmitz — DirectSteven SchmitzKenneth R. Kratz24lines spoken

Summary

Schmitz described Halbach's brief New Holstein photo appointment around 1:30 p.m. on October 31 and said she left northbound on Highway A.

CrossSteven Schmitz — CrossSteven SchmitzDean A. Strang14lines spoken

Summary

Schmitz said co-owner Craig Sippel booked the photo shoot at Schmitz's house and denied that Sippel meant to lure a photographer there.

RedirectSteven Schmitz — RedirectSteven SchmitzKenneth R. Kratz2lines spoken

Summary

Schmitz said he confirmed Halbach's visit when law enforcement contacted him, but he was uncertain when that happened.

CrossPamela Sturm — CrossPamela SturmJerome F. ButingMentioned

Summary

Buting tested Sturm's RAV4 observations and a later phone discovery; afterward, the court ordered a check for phone-incident reports and the parties addressed the date of Exhibit 25.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

Day 12

Feb 27, 2007

DirectLaura Schadrie — DirectLaura SchadrieKenneth R. KratzMentioned

Summary

Cingular custodian Laura Schadrie traced Teresa Halbach's October 31 calls, including a 4:35 p.m. call attributed to Steven Avery, but could not say whether that call was completed.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

CrossLaura Schadrie — CrossLaura SchadrieJerome F. ButingMentioned

Summary

Buting tested the limits of Cingular call records and a separate summary, then began questioning Schadrie about voicemail-status records without obtaining an answer to his November 5 question.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

Day 18

Mar 7, 2007

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 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, 2007

Steven Schmitz's account of Teresa Halbach's Auto Trader visit was presented by stipulation in Brendan Dassey's trial, rather than through testimony from Schmitz.

Day 1

Apr 16, 2007

DirectThomas Fassbender — DirectThomas FassbenderKenneth R. KratzMentioned

Summary

Fassbender described the Avery Yard search, RAV4 handling, recovered items, and Dassey's reported February 27 account of garage-floor cleanup; the court limited two exhibit admissions.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

Day 4

Apr 19, 2007

ProceduralThree trial stipulations read to the juryMentioned

Summary

The judge read three agreed stipulations to the jury covering Halbach's October 31 visits, Bobby Dassey's RAV4 observations, and Scott Tadych's account of an evening fire.

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.