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Warning-- these images shown to the Jurors in the courtroom are disturbing and may trigger viewers. Please don't view if you think it will upset you.
The prosecution rested. Judge asked defense if they were ready with their first witness, and they stated they'd be ready tomorrow. He indicted it was a strange time of day (I didn't think that made sense) and that he had to talk to his client regarding if he wanted to testify or not. It seemed to me that if BS wants to testify, he'll be doing it tomorrow. I wonder what other witnesses, if any, they could call. And no explanation yet about Ian Calhoun.Not getting any courtroom feed yet. Did they take a longer break? The images below are from the news article and video taken from yesterday. The images are so much clearer than I can capture from courtroom feed.View attachment 485061
The news video does say it is still unsure whether Brian Smith will take the stand to testify at his own trial.
Note-- It's now about 1:15 Alaska time? The Live Coverage goes to this article, so I have to assume that court was recessed for the day?
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News Video included
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Live coverage of the Brian Smith murder trial
The jury trial of Brian Smith, who is accused of murdering and taking videos and photos of the deaths of two Alaska Native women between 2017 and 2019, officially began Feb. 6 in Anchorage court.www.alaskasnewssource.com
Text messages on the phone revealed texts between Mr. Smith and a Mr. Ian Calhoun.Didn't catch all the dates, but... The text messages are from the same time that the videos in the hotel were taken.
BS texts him "Are you up? I'm having fun."
Calhoun doesn't reply right away. Then BS says, "I did have fun, wanted to share."
BS texts him, "We need to meet soon. I want to show you something, but I can't keep it long."
Texts go back and forth about getting together soon. BS sends IEH a map location to a park.
Exhibits #312 to 316 are Facebook messages between Brian Smith's FB and Ian Calhoun's FB. Images from newspaper articles about remains being found on hwy.
Detective Lee does question Mr. Calhoun.
The prosecution rested. Judge asked defense if they were ready with their first witness, and they stated they'd be ready tomorrow. He indicted it was a strange time of day (I didn't think that made sense) and that he had to talk to his client regarding if he wanted to testify or not.
It seemed to me that if BS wants to testify, he'll be doing it tomorrow. I wonder what other witnesses, if any, they could call. And no explanation yet about Ian Calhoun.
Very disturbing!Curious Me, you're doing an awesome job at reporting this.
I wonder if Ian Calhoun will be called to testify? Could he be an accessory after the fact, or just know of BS's activities?
And was BS's wife truly that clueless to believe him when he said he didn't sleep with "those two?" Video says otherwise regarding Ms Henry.
Does LE know who Ian Calhoun even is?The prosecution rested. Judge asked defense if they were ready with their first witness, and they stated they'd be ready tomorrow. He indicted it was a strange time of day (I didn't think that made sense) and that he had to talk to his client regarding if he wanted to testify or not. It seemed to me that if BS wants to testify, he'll be doing it tomorrow. I wonder what other witnesses, if any, they could call. And no explanation yet about Ian Calhoun.
Very disturbing!
And she’s ok with him killing women but not sleeping with them?!?! What world are we living in?
Sure, they know.Does LE know who Ian Calhoun even is?
Exhibits #312 to 316 are Facebook messages between Brian Smith's FB and Ian Calhoun's FB. Images from newspaper articles about remains being found on hwy.Detective Lee does question Mr. Calhoun.
Ah ok thank you. Sorry I’m not able to follow as closely.So true, @Marysmith. I feel sorry for her having such a harsh truth to accept about the love of her life. He was picking up women near the Safeway to have sex with for years. I'm estimating he was only in Alaska about three years, thanks to wifey getting him immigrated, and he kills Veronica in their home's basement... and keeps the couch!
Sure, they know.
LE knew Ian Calhoun's Facebook, so they knew who he is. They apparently investigated him and questioned him, but we didn't get to hear the details. I wonder if that is something ruled not allowed or admissible. MOO, it seems very pertinent to know what the communication was about between BS & Ian Calhoun. ( I'm raving mad with extreme curiosity here, but will honor the no sleuthing non-POI people.)![]()
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Jury shown pictures of small skeleton, curled into the fetal position in the Brian Smith murder trial
Thursday's testimony in the Brian Smith murder trial was less intense and graphic than what the jury had come to expect after previously watching and listening to video showing the last 36 minutes of Henry's life.www.alaskasnewssource.com
"The prosecutors also revealed the name of a new person in this case, Ian Calhoun. An FBI agent testified Thursday about cell phone tower locations associated with the phones of both Calhoun and Smith, but no other details were revealed about Calhoun or his possible ties to the case." BBM
I can't watch at all tomorrow, we have to drive to the twin cities for an appointment. I want to see him testify!!! So disappointed.
Ah ok thank you. Sorry I’m not able to follow as closely.
Maybe this is what all the discussion outside of the jury is about?
We really appreciate your care and concern for the victims. This is a monstrous case, just awful to think this really happened.Oh no, tomorrow of all days! MOO, bet Brian Smith will take the stand. He wanted to talk in a hearing video I watched that was pre-trial.
Don't fret, I'll try to keep up with my rough (in my own wording) transcription. I miss some of what's being said while trying to catch the exact camera shot from the court video that I want to capture. The news station will give a good account of him on the stand, for sure.
@MeadowMuffin, you may mean you won't have time to watch, as you might be driving to your appt. Alaska time of 8:30 a.m. is 11:30 a.m. your time?
I just went searching to see if any other sites are streaming this trial... I don't think so anymore, not even that Jay youtuber one. Can you download the app to your phone and watch it that way?
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You've been doing fine, @Marysmith. You've followed along and been posting. If I didn't post my observations here, I'd drift off, and not listen as well. I so appreciate and thank people reading my posts.
I do think they had to discuss BS's decision to get up on that stand to testify in his own trial. I can't wait if so. MOO, he may have decided he would, and they had to discuss the stipulations. I can't imagine what he could say to excuse himself of any charges in the jurors eyes. The Jurors must be sitting there quietly horrified and not able to discuss it with anyone yet.
Horrible-- He had "fun", that's what he texted to his buddy about most likely killing Kathleen. Then, he tried to tell detectives in interrogation that a dead body just appeared in his truck and he can't remember anything about killing. What can he possibly say on the stand? Hopefully, Brian Smith will take the stand tomorrow.
I can’t blame them for being upset with her… it’s mind boggling how she could be ok with any of this for a second IMO.Thank You for the great update and info, @MeadowMuffin. I got up early hoping BS was going to testify in his trial, but guess not. The Judge is going over stipulations without the Jury present. Just boring discussion now, so I can have my coffee in peace.
Love of bloody death images I noticed on his fb, and the gruesome fascination of a death metal rocker makes me wonder how far the sharing between BS and his buddy went.
Wearing a sweater he bought her.MOO, what is wrong with this picture? Devoted to a cruel killer of women? As long as he didn't cheat on her? Even the news article has that slant.
Won't say more. ![]()
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‘Did you sleep with the women you killed?’: Jury hears text messages and jail conversations in Brian Smith murder trial
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Who is the woman in the truck? They say Kathleen was already dead by 9/6/2019.
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‘Did you sleep with the women you killed?’: Jury hears text messages and jail conversations in Brian Smith murder trial
Prosecutors presented the video that they say accused killer Brian Smith captured, showing him naked and leaning over a woman’s body, while she lays on a red couch, as they wrapped up their case Wednesday.www.alaskasnewssource.com
Smith’s wife, Stephanie Bissland — wearing a plum-colored sweater that she said Smith bought for her — sat frozen in the gallery, hands clutched, and watched.
Smith, on trial for murder, is accused of killing two Alaska Native women; Kathleen Henry, 30, and Veronica Abouchuk, 52.
Family and friends of both women grew increasingly upset as testimony proceeded Wednesday with people leaving the courtroom in tears or openly directing their emotions at Bissland.
During testimony, the judge told the jury to disregard a statement made by Det. Brendan Lee, who told the jury that he heard a jail phone call between Smith and Bissland where she asked Smith if he had sex with the women he killed.
“Not with those two,” Lee said Smith responded.
“She’s only worried about the ones he did sleep with,” a woman in the gallery said, staring at Bissland while she tapped her pen against a small notebook.
It would be. I know 100% I would get a divorce immediately, as BTK’s ex-wife did.Closing Arguments are coming up after this.
View attachment 485262 Judge is giving the Jurors instructions, and stipulating which charges need to be viewed in a certain consideration. Now the Judge is going over the 14 charges including Murder in 1st & 2nd degree in the death of Kathleen Jo Henry, sexual assault and sexual contact with lack of consent, tampering with physical evidence. Murder in the 1st & 2nd degree in the death of Veronica Abouchuk. Tampering with physical evidence. Sexual penetration of a CorpseView attachment 485257of Veronica Abouchuk. (These explanation of charges get very detailed sexually. Penetration of a Corpse, MOO, how does that get overlooked by a spouse? It'd be so disgusting knowing your husband did such a horrible thing.)