Hraefn
Verified Attorney
- Joined
- Nov 19, 2014
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VanderHeyden and Detrie
![636096178410854877-burch.jpg 636096178410854877-burch.jpg](https://www.websleuths.com/forums/data/attachments/105/105140-cbfcbf12b9d039dd8f684eb903b3c501.jpg)
Burch
Trial livestream links:
https://lawandcrime.com/live-trials...ve-george-burch-murder-trial-day-1-2-2-2-2-2/
http://www.wbay.com/livestream2
http://www.wbay.com/content/news/WATCH-LIVE-George-Burch-trial-enters-second-week-475153583.html
After one week, here is what the jury knows about Nicole Vanderheyden's murder
After five days of testimony and 32 witnesses, prosecutors are well on their way to having established their case against George S. Burch.
Burch, 40, is accused of murdering Nicole VanderHeyden on May 21, 2016, near her Ledgeview home and dumping her naked body down an embankment in a field off Hoffman Road in Bellevue.
The defense is arguing that VanderHeyden’s live-in boyfriend, Douglass Detrie, the father of her child, was the actual killer.
Witnesses say Nicole VanderHeyden's relationship was rocky with original suspect in case
Prosecutors say Burch picked VanderHeyden up near the bar where she had been with friends, drove her to her neighborhood in Ledgeview, murdered her there and then drove her to the field off Hoffman Road.
The defense claims VanderHeyden’s live-in boyfriend, Douglass Detrie, the father of VanderHeyden's 6-month-old baby boy, was the actual murderer. Burch claims Detrie caught them having sex in Burch’s truck, murdered VanderHeyden, then forced Burch at gunpoint to dispose of the body.
Medical examiner reveals new details of Nicole VanderHeyden murder
She said the autopsy revealed two causes of death: Strangulation and blunt force trauma to the head. It was not possible to tell which injuries came first, she said.
"There are what's known as vital reactions, meaning there's still blood flow, corresponding to both kinds of injuries," Rogalska said. "I can't say which ones came first or which ones came second, or say or that they didn't occur at the same time. That's why they both have to be evoked, because either is sufficient to cause death."
Rogalska said VanderHeyden's body was covered in bruises, most significantly on her arms, legs and back. Evidence also shows the bruising happened both before and after VanderHeyden died.
She said injuries to VanderHeyden's head were so severe, they caused major hemorrhaging. She said blood pooled around the wounds, which indicates she was alive for some time during the beating.
Although it can not be determined what caused all of the bruising, she said there are signs she was hit with a foreign object, which left irregular geometric shapes and repetitive zigzag patterns on her skin.
In addition, bruising and contusions suggested VanderHeyden may have been assaulted sexually, Rogalska said.