Law enforcementWisconsin State Patrol

Timothy Austin

Wisconsin State Patrol trooper who created measured diagrams and computer-generated property views.

200 lines·18 proceedings·16 mentions·2 trials

About

Wisconsin State Patrol trooper Timothy Austin surveyed the Avery property and used more than 4,100 measurements to create diagrams and three-dimensional views. In Avery's trial, he used them to show the relative locations of the RAV-4, vehicle crusher, residences, garage, and burn areas, while distinguishing constructed views from photographs and describing some distances as approximate. He also described preparing skeletal models under Leslie Eisenberg's supervision. On cross-examination, Austin acknowledged that his garage model concealed some objects to show marked locations and that his tree-line diagram was not the best way to determine whether the RAV-4 could be seen from the crusher. In Dassey's trial, other witnesses used his property views to explain the layout and bullet-fragment locations, acknowledged omissions from the garage depiction, and described his assistance with skeletal graphics.

Trial Record (18)

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

Wisconsin State Patrol trooper Timothy Austin testified in Steven Avery's trial about measurements and computer-generated views of the Avery property. On cross-examination, he acknowledged that the models simplified some scene details and could not, by themselves, resolve whether the RAV-4 was visible from the vehicle crusher.

Day 1

Feb 12, 2007

OpeningState’s Opening StatementKenneth R. KratzMentioned

Summary

Kratz previewed the State's theory of Halbach's death and the vehicle, DNA, remains, firearm, and witness evidence it expected to present.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

Day 3

Feb 14, 2007

ProceduralDeferral of Dassey Cross-Examination and Witness OrderMentioned

Summary

The court deferred Bobby Dassey's cross-examination until the next morning, allowed the defense to interview him first, and heard objections to the intervening witness order.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

DirectTimothy Austin — Direct Examination by Kenneth R. KratzTimothy AustinKenneth R. Kratz68lines spoken

Summary

Austin explained the property's survey measurements and scene models; image exhibits were admitted, but the marked animation could not be played.

CrossTimothy Austin — Cross-Examination by Dean A. StrangTimothy AustinDean A. Strang2highlights132lines spoken

Summary

Austin described the limits of his scene models and sight-line diagram; garage and RAV-4 photographs were admitted, but the animation was not.

Highlights (2)

testimony highlightAustin said the RAV-4-area diagram traced tree lines rather than individual trees and was intended to show distance, not whether the vehicle could be seen from the crusher.Open in transcript →

testimony highlightComparing garage photographs with the model, Austin acknowledged that the photographs showed more clutter and reflected how he recalled the garage.Open in transcript →

Day 10

Feb 23, 2007

ProceduralRenewed search-suppression motion hearingMentioned

Summary

The defense renewed its challenge to searches of Avery's property; the State opposed suppression, and the court deferred a decision pending further burn-pit evidence.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

Day 13

Feb 28, 2007

DirectLeslie Eisenberg — DirectLeslie EisenbergThomas J. FallonMentioned

Summary

Eisenberg identified burned remains as those of an adult female, described skull defects she considered characteristic of gunshot injury, and distinguished confirmed human bone from fragments of uncertain origin.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

CrossLeslie Eisenberg — CrossLeslie EisenbergDean A. StrangMentioned

Summary

Eisenberg acknowledged limits on dating the skull defects and reconstructing the bone recovery, while confirming human bone in Janda Burn Barrel No. 2.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

Day 14

Mar 1, 2007

CrossLeslie Eisenberg — CrossLeslie EisenbergDean A. StrangMentioned

Summary

Eisenberg qualified the quarry fragments as possibly human, defended the garage-area burn pit as the most probable burn site, and acknowledged she could not rule out another site.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

Day 20

Mar 9, 2007

CrossScott Fairgrieve — CrossScott FairgrieveThomas J. FallonMentioned

Summary

Fairgrieve acknowledged moved bones and limits on his review but could neither identify the original burn site nor rule out the burn pit.

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.

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.

DasseyBrendan DasseyApr 16, 2007 – Apr 25, 2007

In Brendan Dassey's trial, Trooper Timothy Austin's measured property images and skeletal graphics were used by other witnesses to illustrate evidence.

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.

CrossThomas Fassbender — CrossThomas FassbenderRaymond L. EdelsteinMentioned

Summary

Edelstein challenged the physical links to Dassey and elicited Fassbender's acknowledgment that he first suggested blood in the garage-floor interview.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

Day 2

Apr 17, 2007

DirectKevin Heimerl — DirectKevin HeimerlKenneth R. KratzMentioned

Summary

Kevin Heimerl described a burn barrel, the sorting of burned debris, and a garage search that located two bullet items.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

Day 4

Apr 19, 2007

DirectLeslie Eisenberg — DirectLeslie EisenbergThomas J. FallonMentioned

Summary

Eisenberg identified burned remains as those of a female younger than about 30 to 35, described two skull defects she attributed to gunshots, and identified human bone in Burn Barrel No. 2.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

Day 5

Apr 20, 2007

DirectMark Wiegert — DirectMark WiegertThomas J. FallonMentioned

Summary

Wiegert explained the February 27 and March 1 interviews, acknowledged deceptive questioning techniques, and discussed Dassey's drawings after the jury viewed the interview DVD.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

CrossMark Wiegert — CrossMark WiegertRaymond L. EdelsteinMentioned

Summary

Edelstein tested differences between Kayla Avery's account, Brendan Dassey's interview, and two bedroom exhibits, then questioned Wiegert about when Brendan became a suspect.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

Day 9

Apr 25, 2007

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.