GUILTY MN - Jeanne “Jeanie” Childs, 35, murdered, napkin DNA linked to Jerry Westrom, Minneapolis, 1993 *Arrest 2019

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I knew there would be a hearing before the trial date.

07/24/2020 Omnibus Hearing (2:00 PM) (Judicial Officer Holton Dimick, Martha Anne)
04/09/2020 Reset by Court to 06/12/2020
06/12/2020 Continued to 07/24/2020 - By agreement - State of Minnesota
Result: Held On the Record

07/24/2020 Notice of Appearance Index # 56

07/24/2020 Demand for Jury Trial Index # 57

09/28/2020 Omnibus Hearing (1:30 PM) (Judicial Officer Holton Dimick, Martha Anne)

04/19/2021 Jury Trial (9:00 AM) (Judicial Officer Holton Dimick, Martha Anne)

link: http://pa.courts.state.mn.us/CaseDetail.aspx?CaseID=1626673940
 
He's been out on bail since mid-February, but was granted a new bail of $250,000.

His attorney argued for $150,000 or $75,000 with conditions, telling the court that his client was fired from his job after his first court appearance in February. Westrom also used his farmland as collateral in order to hire a former Minneapolis police officer to work as a private investigator on his case.

His attorney said, “He doesn’t have much more money,” adding that his client plans to “unequivocally” declare his innocence.

Westrom has not officially entered a plea of any kind since being charged in Hennepin County District Court on Feb. 14 with one count second-degree murder with intent.

Bail reduced for Isanti man charged in 1993 cold case murder in Minneapolis
 
This is how it's shaping up to me at the moment:

Prosecution’s case

1) In 1993 LE collected a number of items to be tested for DNA: A comforter from the bed, a towel and a washcloth in the bathroom, a red T-shirt and a scraping of a blood stain from the sink.

2) In 2018 the DNA evidence was tested by GEDmatch and it matched JW and one other person.

3) In 2019 investigators recovered a napkin that JW had tossed into a trashcan. After testing it was found to be consistent with DNA samples recovered from the crime scene, i.e. the comforter, the towel and the washcloth.

4) Investigators took him into custody and collected a DNA sample from him. His DNA matched the DNA on the washcloth and the sperm on the comforter and towel in the bathroom.

5) The Judge said that 99% of the population, except for JW and his victim, could be ruled out as contributors to DNA found at the crime scene.

6) His barefoot prints were matched to several bloody footprints found at the crime scene.

7) Fingerprint evidence.

8) In 2015 he was arrested in a sex trafficking sting and was convicted.

Defence case

1) Is Meshbesher going to suggest that as GEDmatch turned up two related persons, JW and a paternal relative, that it was the other guy? If so, let’s get that person’s footprints and fingerprints pronto.

2) He said there's evidence that other men were in that apartment. “Whoever had sex with her, and that’s probably a lot of men, isn’t necessarily the person who committed the crime of murder”. Nope, it was the other guy, his relative.

3) He said, "There are a lot of things — I'm not going to tell you what those things are — that do not match up to Jerry Westrom. It's not him. It's somebody else." And pigs can fly.

4) He says the evidence is thin and that DNA collected at the crime scene came from sperm. AND, AND, AND ... and what? Someone else's sperm is 99.999995 the same as JW's.

5) He said footprint and fingerprint evidence is not reliable. Really? Why then does the FBI have a national fingerprint database, IAFIS.

6) He implied that Childs’ prostitution history could play a key role in the defense’s case. The judge said, “I’m not going to condemn or consider that she had multiple partners…” after noting that women forced into prostitution are victims.

7) He said he plans to conduct his own investigation and has hired a DNA expert from Idaho. “I’ve hired a number of people who are going to help delve into this case in a very deep way because right now everything is very superficial”. Maybe to you buddy, but not to me.

8) He wants to know more about Childs’ prostitution, who was prostituting her and how much money she made. “It means a lot in the big scheme of things,” he said without elaborating.

9) Saving the best for last ...
According to the probable cause statement, Mr. Westrom told authorities he didn't know Ms. Childs, had not been in the apartment, and had not had sex with any women in Minneapolis in 1993. No words.

It seems to me that the defence is really clutching at straws or am I missing something?
 
Docket - since last posted

08/18/2020 Correspondence Index # 58
08/18/2020 e-Service
State of Minnesota
Served 08/18/2020
08/18/2020 e-Service
State of Minnesota
Served 08/18/2020
08/18/2020 e-Service
WESTROM, JERRY ARNOLD
Served 08/18/2020
08/18/2020 e-Service
WESTROM, JERRY ARNOLD
Served 08/18/2020
08/18/2020 e-Service
WESTROM, JERRY ARNOLD
Served 08/18/2020
08/18/2020 e-Service
WESTROM, JERRY ARNOLD
Served 08/18/2020
08/18/2020 e-Service
WESTROM, JERRY ARNOLD
Served 08/18/2020

08/31/2020 Correspondence Index # 59
08/31/2020 e-Service
State of Minnesota
Served 08/31/2020
08/31/2020 e-Service
State of Minnesota
Served 08/31/2020
08/31/2020 e-Service
WESTROM, JERRY ARNOLD
Served 08/31/2020
08/31/2020 e-Service
WESTROM, JERRY ARNOLD
Served 08/31/2020
08/31/2020 e-Service
WESTROM, JERRY ARNOLD
Served 08/31/2020
08/31/2020 e-Service
WESTROM, JERRY ARNOLD
Served 08/31/2020
08/31/2020 e-Service
WESTROM, JERRY ARNOLD
Served 08/31/2020

09/18/2020 Correspondence Index # 60
09/18/2020 e-Service
State of Minnesota
Served 09/18/2020
09/18/2020 e-Service
State of Minnesota
Served 09/18/2020
09/18/2020 e-Service
WESTROM, JERRY ARNOLD
Served 09/18/2020
09/18/2020 e-Service
WESTROM, JERRY ARNOLD
Served 09/18/2020
09/18/2020 e-Service
WESTROM, JERRY ARNOLD
Served 09/18/2020
09/18/2020 e-Service
WESTROM, JERRY ARNOLD
Served 09/18/2020
09/18/2020 e-Service
WESTROM, JERRY ARNOLD
Served 09/18/2020

10/26/2020 Omnibus Hearing (1:30 PM) (Judicial Officer Holton Dimick, Martha Anne)
09/28/2020 Continued to 10/26/2020 - By agreement - State of Minnesota

04/19/2021 Jury Trial (9:00 AM) (Judicial Officer Holton Dimick, Martha Anne)

link: http://pa.courts.state.mn.us/CaseDetail.aspx?CaseID=1626673940
 
Oops - I put the wrong date for his next hearing - which was 10/26 not 10/28... :rolleyes:
So - I'll go ahead & post this now.

Monday, October 26th:
*Omnibus Hearing (@ 1:30pm CT) – MN – Jeanne Anne “Jeanie” Childs (35) (June 13, 1993, Minneapolis) - *Jerry Arnold Westrom (27 @ time of crime/53/now 54) arrested (2/11/19) & charged (2/15/19) with 2nd degree murder with intent not premeditated. $1M bond w/no conditions; $500K w/conditions; bond reduced (3/13/19) to $250K w/conditions. Non-cash bond posted (7/17/20).
Charged & indicted (6/29/20) with 1st degree murder. $2M bond no conditions/$500K with conditions.
Trial was set to begin on 4/19/21 is not an evidentiary hearing.
DNA Match GEDMatch
Case & court info from 2/15/29 thru 6/29/20 reference post #38 here:
MN - Jerry Westrom discarded napkin ties to 1993 Jeanne Ann Childs killing, Minneapolis *arrest 2019
6/30/20 Update: Hearing held & charged with 1st degree murder. Bond Conditions: contact with probation, not to leave Minnesota without written court approval, remain law-abiding, make all future court appearances. Post bond with conditions $500K, without conditions $2M. Next omnibus hearing on 7/24/20 @ 2pm.
7/24/20 Update: Non-cash bond posted on 7/17/20; Westrom has not officially entered a plea of any kind since being charged. LE notice of release & appearance. Motion of Appearance & demands jury trial. Trial has been set to begin on 4/19/21 @ 9am. Next Omnibus hearing on 9/28/20.
9/27/20 Update: Omnibus hearing has been continued to 10/26/20. 10/26/20 Update: Held off record. Next evidentiary hearing on 4/19/21. Trial for that date has been cancelled.
 
The following is from an article published last July. The prosecution either used more than one genealogy website or have now used a second one.

He was first arrested February 2019 after linking DNA from a genealogy website to the crime scene. Hearings have been pushed back over the past 18 months since his arrest due to evidence the defense said its been waiting on.

The genealogy website used to match Westrom’s DNA is called MyHeritage, and investigators used Ancestry.com to build a family tree.

Jerry Westrom's Murder Trial Date Set For April, Accused Of Killing Jeanie Ann Childs In 1993
 
State courts to resume in-person criminal jury trials | Brainerd Dispatch

In-person criminal jury trials for all case types will resume in state district courts effective March 15 under a new statewide order issued by Minnesota Supreme Court Chief Justice Lorie S. Gildea.

“We are gradually increasing in-person activities in court facilities in a safe and responsible manner that will allow the courts to fulfill our constitutional obligation, while we continue to do all that we can to protect public health and safety,” stated Gildea in a news release.
 
Thursday, June 10th:
*Evidentiary Hearing (Day 1 of 2) (@ 9am CT) – MN – Jeanne Anne “Jeanie” Childs (35) (June 13, 1993, Minneapolis) - *Jerry Arnold Westrom (27 @ time of crime/53/now 55) arrested (2/11/19) & charged (2/15/19) with 2nd degree murder with intent not premeditated. $1M bond w/no conditions; $500K w/conditions; bond reduced (3/13/19) to $250K w/conditions. Non-cash bond posted (7/17/20).
Charged & indicted (6/29/20) with 1st degree murder. $2M bond no conditions/$500K with conditions.
Trial was set to begin on 4/19/21 continued to 11/1/21.
DNA Match GEDMatch
Case & court info from 2/15/29 thru 9/27/20 reference post #45 here:
MN - Jerry Westrom discarded napkin ties to 1993 Jeanne Ann Childs killing, Minneapolis *arrest 2019
10/26/20 Update: Held off record. Next evidentiary hearing on 4/19/21. Trial for that date has been cancelled. 4/19/21 Update: Evidentiary hearing was rescheduled by Court for 6/10/21 & 6/11/21. Trial has been set to begin on 11/1/21.
 
Docket Update: (A bit on the long side....)

06/03/2021 Notice of Visual or Audio Coverage Index # 73

06/03/2021 e-Service
State of Minnesota
Served 06/03/2021

06/03/2021 e-Service
State of Minnesota
Served 06/03/2021

06/03/2021 e-Service
WESTROM, JERRY ARNOLD
Served 06/03/2021

06/03/2021 e-Service
WESTROM, JERRY ARNOLD
Served 06/03/2021

06/03/2021 e-Service
WESTROM, JERRY ARNOLD
Served 06/03/2021

06/03/2021 e-Service
WESTROM, JERRY ARNOLD
Served 06/03/2021

06/03/2021 e-Service
WESTROM, JERRY ARNOLD
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06/03/2021 Memorandum Index # 74

06/03/2021 e-Service
State of Minnesota
Served 06/03/2021

06/03/2021 e-Service
State of Minnesota
Served 06/03/2021

06/03/2021 e-Service
WESTROM, JERRY ARNOLD
Served 06/03/2021

06/03/2021 e-Service
WESTROM, JERRY ARNOLD
Served 06/03/2021

06/03/2021 e-Service
WESTROM, JERRY ARNOLD
Served 06/03/2021

06/03/2021 e-Service
WESTROM, JERRY ARNOLD
Served 06/03/2021

06/03/2021 e-Service
WESTROM, JERRY ARNOLD
Served 06/03/2021
06/03/2021 Other Document Index # 75
06/03/2021 Other Document Index # 76
06/03/2021 Other Document Index # 77

06/03/2021 e-Service
State of Minnesota
Served 06/03/2021

06/03/2021 e-Service
State of Minnesota
Served 06/03/2021

06/03/2021 e-Service
WESTROM, JERRY ARNOLD
Served 06/03/2021

06/03/2021 e-Service
WESTROM, JERRY ARNOLD
Served 06/03/2021

06/03/2021 e-Service
WESTROM, JERRY ARNOLD
Served 06/03/2021

06/03/2021 e-Service
WESTROM, JERRY ARNOLD
Served 06/03/2021

06/03/2021 e-Service
WESTROM, JERRY ARNOLD
Served 06/03/2021

06/03/2021 e-Service
State of Minnesota
Served 06/03/2021

06/03/2021 e-Service
WESTROM, JERRY ARNOLD
Served 06/03/2021

06/03/2021 e-Service
WESTROM, JERRY ARNOLD
Served 06/03/2021

06/03/2021 e-Service
WESTROM, JERRY ARNOLD
Served 06/03/2021

06/03/2021 e-Service
WESTROM, JERRY ARNOLD
Served 06/03/2021

06/03/2021 e-Service
State of Minnesota
Served 06/03/2021

06/03/2021 e-Service
WESTROM, JERRY ARNOLD
Served 06/03/2021

06/03/2021 e-Service
WESTROM, JERRY ARNOLD
Served 06/03/2021

06/03/2021 e-Service
WESTROM, JERRY ARNOLD
Served 06/03/2021

06/03/2021 e-Service
WESTROM, JERRY ARNOLD
Served 06/03/2021

06/03/2021 e-Service
WESTROM, JERRY ARNOLD
Served 06/03/2021

06/03/2021 e-Service
WESTROM, JERRY ARNOLD
Served 06/03/2021

06/03/2021 e-Service
State of Minnesota
Served 06/03/2021

06/03/2021 e-Service
State of Minnesota
Served 06/03/2021

06/03/2021 Other Document Index # 78

06/03/2021 e-Service
State of Minnesota
Served 06/03/2021

06/03/2021 e-Service
State of Minnesota
Served 06/03/2021

06/03/2021 e-Service
WESTROM, JERRY ARNOLD
Served 06/03/2021

06/03/2021 e-Service
WESTROM, JERRY ARNOLD
Served 06/03/2021

06/03/2021 e-Service
WESTROM, JERRY ARNOLD
Served 06/03/2021

06/03/2021 e-Service
WESTROM, JERRY ARNOLD
Served 06/03/2021

06/03/2021 e-Service
WESTROM, JERRY ARNOLD
Served 06/03/2021

06/10/2021 Evidentiary Hearing (9:00 AM) (Judicial Officer Holton Dimick, Martha Anne)
04/19/2021 Reset by Court to 06/10/2021
Result: Held On the Record

06/10/2021 Order for Submissions-Under Advisement Index # 79 (Judicial Officer: Holton Dimick, Martha Anne )

06/10/2021 Order for Submissions-Under Advisement Index # 80 (Judicial Officer: Holton Dimick, Martha Anne )

06/10/2021 Order for Submissions-Under Advisement Index # 81 (Judicial Officer: Holton Dimick, Martha Anne )

06/11/2021 CANCELED Evidentiary Hearing (9:00 AM) (Judicial Officer Holton Dimick, Martha Anne)
Other

07/13/2021 Evidentiary Hearing (9:00 AM) (Judicial Officer Holton Dimick, Martha Anne)

07/14/2021 Evidentiary Hearing (9:00 AM) (Judicial Officer Holton Dimick, Martha Anne)

11/01/2021 Jury Trial (9:00 AM) (Judicial Officer Holton Dimick, Martha Anne)


link: https://pa.courts.state.mn.us/CaseDetail.aspx?CaseID=1626673940
 
Tuesday, July 13th:
*Evidentiary Hearing (Day 1 of 2) (@ 9am CT) – MN – Jeanne Anne “Jeanie” Childs (35) (June 13, 1993, Minneapolis) - *Jerry Arnold Westrom (27 @ time of crime/53/now 55) arrested (2/11/19) & charged (2/15/19) with 2nd degree murder with intent not premeditated. $1M bond w/no conditions; $500K w/conditions; bond reduced (3/13/19) to $250K w/conditions. Non-cash bond posted (7/17/20).
Charged & indicted (6/29/20) with 1st degree murder. $2M bond no conditions/$500K with conditions.
Trial set to begin on 11/1/21.
DNA Match GEDMatch
Case & court info from 2/15/29 thru 10/26/20 reference post #51 here:
MN - Jerry Westrom discarded napkin ties to 1993 Jeanne Ann Childs killing, Minneapolis *arrest 2019
4/19/21 Update: Evidentiary hearing was rescheduled by Court for 6/10/21 & 6/11/21. Trial has been set to begin on 11/1/21.
6/10/21 Update: Evidentiary Hearing was held. Order for Submissions-Under Advisement Index # 79, Order for Submissions-Under Advisement Index # 80 & Order for Submissions-Under Advisement Index # 81 (Judicial Officer: Holton Dimick, Martha Anne). Next evidentiary hearing on 7/13/21 & 7/14/21. Trial set to begin on 11/1/21.
 
Wednesday, July 14th:
*Evidentiary Hearing (Day 2 of 2) (@ 9am CT) – MN – Jeanne Anne “Jeanie” Childs (35) (June 13, 1993, Minneapolis) - *Jerry Arnold Westrom (27 @ time of crime/53/now 55) arrested (2/11/19) & charged (2/15/19) with 2nd degree murder with intent not premeditated. $1M bond w/no conditions; $500K w/conditions; bond reduced (3/13/19) to $250K w/conditions. Non-cash bond posted (7/17/20).
Charged & indicted (6/29/20) with 1st degree murder. $2M bond no conditions/$500K with conditions.
Trial set to begin on 11/1/21.
DNA Match GEDMatch
Case & court info from 2/15/29 thru 10/26/20 reference post #51 here:
MN - Jerry Westrom discarded napkin ties to 1993 Jeanne Ann Childs killing, Minneapolis *arrest 2019
4/19/21 Update: Evidentiary hearing was rescheduled by Court for 6/10/21 & 6/11/21. Trial has been set to begin on 11/1/21.
6/10/21 Update: Evidentiary Hearing was held. Order for Submissions-Under Advisement Index # 79, Order for Submissions-Under Advisement Index # 80 & Order for Submissions-Under Advisement Index # 81 (Judicial Officer: Holton Dimick, Martha Anne). Next evidentiary hearing on 7/13/21 & 7/14/21. Trial set to begin on 11/1/21.
7/13/21 Update: Evidentiary hearing was held and continued to 7/14/21.
 
Oops - should have looked at this one day before - but real life got in the way!


10/06/2021 Omnibus Hearing (2:00 PM) (Judicial Officer Holton Dimick, Martha Anne)
Result: Held On the Record

10/06/2021 Order Granting Motion Index # 101 (Judicial Officer: Holton Dimick, Martha Anne )

11/01/2021 Jury Trial (9:00 AM) (Judicial Officer Holton Dimick, Martha Anne)

link: https://pa.courts.state.mn.us/CaseDetail.aspx?CaseID=1626673940
 
I'm going to post this anyway - to keep my records straight. :) Also wondering "what" the motion was that was granted - ??

Wednesday, October 6th:
*Omnibus Hearing (@ 2pm CT) – MN – Jeanne Anne “Jeanie” Childs (35) (June 13, 1993, Minneapolis) - *Jerry Arnold Westrom (27 @ time of crime/53/now 55) arrested (2/11/19) & charged (2/15/19) with 2nd degree murder with intent not premeditated. $1M bond w/no conditions; $500K w/conditions; bond reduced (3/13/19) to $250K w/conditions. Non-cash bond posted (7/17/20).
Charged & indicted (6/29/20) with 1st degree murder. $2M bond no conditions/$500K with conditions.
Trial set to begin on 11/1/21.
DNA Match GEDMatch
Case & court info from 2/15/29 thru 6/10/21 reference post #55 here:
MN - Jerry Westrom discarded napkin ties to 1993 Jeanne Ann Childs killing, Minneapolis *arrest 2019
7/13/21 Update: Evidentiary hearing was held and continued to 7/14/21. 7/14/21 Update: 8/31/21 transcript of hearing: Defense witnesses: Mr. Mark Ulrick supervisor of forensic science in the crime lab unit for the City of Minneapolis, latent print expert. Direct exam by Mr. Meshbesher re Westrom's footprints. Cross-exam by DA Mr. Radmer. Next on court site is trial on 11/1/21.
7/14/21 Update: Next omnibus hearing on 10/6/21. Granting motion.
 
Looks like he was granted continuance of trial.... and looks like I missed a hearing for yesterday. And I actually looked at the court site yesterday & they didn't have this. Oh well...

10/06/2021 Omnibus Hearing (2:00 PM) (Judicial Officer Holton Dimick, Martha Anne)
Result: Held On the Record

10/06/2021 Order Granting Motion Index # 101 (Judicial Officer: Holton Dimick, Martha Anne )

10/08/2021 Hearing (3:00 PM) (Judicial Officer Holton Dimick, Martha Anne)
Result: Held On the Record

10/08/2021 Order Denying Motion Index # 102

10/08/2021
e-Service

10/08/2021
e-Service
State of Minnesota
Served 10/08/2021

10/08/2021
e-Service
State of Minnesota
Served 10/08/2021

10/08/2021
e-Service
WESTROM, JERRY ARNOLD
Served 10/08/2021

10/08/2021
e-Service
WESTROM, JERRY ARNOLD
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10/08/2021
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10/08/2021
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WESTROM, JERRY ARNOLD
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10/08/2021
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WESTROM, JERRY ARNOLD
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10/08/2021 Hearing Held Using Remote Technology

11/01/2021 Hearing (10:30 AM) (Judicial Officer Holton Dimick, Martha Anne)


link: https://pa.courts.state.mn.us/CaseDetail.aspx?CaseID=1626673940
 
Monday, November 1st:
*Hearing (@ 10:30am CT) – MN – Jeanne Anne “Jeanie” Childs (35) (June 13, 1993, Minneapolis) - *Jerry Arnold Westrom (27 @ time of crime/53/now 55) arrested (2/11/19) & charged (2/15/19) with 2nd degree murder with intent not premeditated. $1M bond w/no conditions; $500K w/conditions; bond reduced (3/13/19) to $250K w/conditions. Non-cash bond posted (7/17/20).
Charged & indicted (6/29/20) with 1st degree murder. $2M bond no conditions/$500K with conditions.
Trial was set to begin on 11/1/21 continued with no further dates.
DNA Match GEDMatch
Case & court info from 2/15/29 thru 6/10/21 reference post #55 here:
MN - Jerry Westrom discarded napkin ties to 1993 Jeanne Ann Childs killing, Minneapolis *arrest 2019
7/13/21 Update: Evidentiary hearing was held and continued to 7/14/21. 7/14/21 Update: 8/31/21 transcript of hearing: Defense witnesses: Mr. Mark Ulrick supervisor of forensic science in the crime lab unit for the City of Minneapolis, latent print expert. Direct exam by Mr. Meshbesher re Westrom's footprints. Cross-exam by DA Mr. Radmer. Next on court site is trial on 11/1/21. 7/14/21 Update: Next omnibus hearing on 10/6/21.
10/6/21 Update: Granting motion to continued trial. Hearing on 10/8/21 using remote technology. Order denying motion. Next hearing on 11/1/21.
 
Docket update - going to skip over the "e-Service" post as it would make this post way too long...


10/18/2021 Demand or Request for Discovery Index # 103

10/27/2021 Order-Other Index # 104 (Judicial Officer: Holton Dimick, Martha Anne )

10/28/2021 Witness List Index # 105

10/29/2021 Witness List Index # 107

10/29/2021 Motion Index # 109

10/31/2021 Demand or Request for Discovery Index # 106

10/31/2021 Witness List Index # 108

11/01/2021 Hearing (10:30 AM) (Judicial Officer Holton Dimick, Martha Anne)
Result: Held On the Record

03/28/2022 Jury Trial (9:00 AM) (Judicial Officer Holton Dimick, Martha Anne)

link: https://pa.courts.state.mn.us/CaseDetail.aspx?CaseID=1626673940



I'll keep an eye out since the next hearing listed is the trial. Also wondering "what" the motions are...
 
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