CO CO - Kelsie Schelling, 21, pregnant, Pueblo, 4 Feb 2013 *Arrest* #2

  • #61
Excuse me, but since when was it public information that Donthe said LE would never find her and that his mother helped him? Do you have a link for that??
He could have easily made that up, based on the fact that she hasnt been found in 8 years.
 
  • #62
I think it's pretty obvious that Donthe Lucas killed her i just don't think the prosecution has the goods to prove it and I still don't. This is a good try with this prison snitch, I've seen it work in other cases I just personally wouldn't be buying it.
 
  • #63
I think it's pretty obvious that Donthe Lucas killed her i just don't think the prosecution has the goods to prove it and I still don't. This is a good try with this prison snitch, I've seen it work in other cases I just personally wouldn't be buying it.
I guess it’s a good thing you’re not on the jury :). Personally, I think the prison snitch is the least of Lucas’ problems. Just saying.
 
  • #64
He could have easily made that up, based on the fact that she hasnt been found in 8 years.

I disagree that Rivera easily made up his testimony.

The Police Captain's purpose for testifying today was specifically to speak to how and when Rivera told the warden about Lucas's admission to him that his mother helped him put Kelsie's body someplace where it would never be recovered by LE.

The Captain spoke to Rivera's credibility. Rivera is a drug possession offender (an addict) that had no reason or history of providing LE with false information. I believe one quote by Rivera was something to the effect that the defense could attack him and his character all they want but it was not his fault that Lucas spoke those words to him.

After learning of Lucas's admission to an inmate, his attorney came to talk to Rivera in jail. Rivera quizzed the attorney's identity -- said he wouldn't talk to the prosecutor's office because that could get you messed up in jail.

The defense fought very hard to keep Rivera's testimony out of the trial.

I don't ever recall a case where a Police Captain testified about the credibility of an inmate. Do you?

IMO, I think to a jury, this was a win for the prosecution today-- especially trying a case with only circumstantial evidence.
 
Last edited:
  • #65
This article contains profane language relating to details from the case.

Kelsie Schelling's friend testifies to abusive relationship with Lucas

2/4/21

The defense team cross-examined Rivera, asking him how the immunity agreement might affect the other cases currently leveled against him. Defense attorney Karl Tameler asked him about his claim that Lucas said he had killed Schelling but would not be convicted for the crime.

“I wouldn’t be here if he hadn’t said it,” Rivera said.

[..]

“You know, snitches get stitches,” he explained. “But you have to do what is right. I just have to say what (Lucas) said and move on with my life.”

Following his statements to Bryant, Rivera was moved from a dormitory where he was allowed to take on work assignments to 24-hour lock-up.

[..]

Following the noon break, two roommates as well as Schelling's friend and manager at her job in California, where Schelling moved to take classes at Vanguard University, testified as to their knowledge of the alleged abuse Schelling received during her relationship with Lucas.

First called to the stand was Brooke Taylor, who was another college friend of Schelling's. Similar to Kinzee, Taylor remembered becoming friends with Schelling while attending college together, in addition to becoming friends with Lucas. Taylor testified regarding the time period after Schelling had discovered her pregnancy. At the time, Taylor was also pregnant.
 
  • #66
I will be posting tweets from the trial
 
  • #67
(She gets to be one of the reporters IN the courtroom today)

Colette Bordelon
@ColetteBordelon

It’s day three of what could be a month long murder trial. #KelsieSchelling is described as bubbly and outgoing, with a laugh you couldn’t ignore. The 21-year-old #Denver woman hasn’t been seen since Feb. 4, 2013. Her ex-boyfriend, #DontheLucas, is accused of killing her.
@KOAA

On Thursday, we heard from several of #Schelling’s friends. The emotional testimonies allege both emotional and physical abuse from #Lucas toward #Schelling during their relationship. The friends say he changed her dramatically.
@KOAA

Most of the press has been watching the proceedings from an overflow room, taking turns on who gets to go into the courtroom. Today, I’m expecting to be one of the reporters allowed in the actual room - so I can give more accurate descriptions of emotional reactions.
@KOAA

I’m expecting more witness testimony today. This will be the thread I update on breaks. No live reporting is allowed from within the entire courthouse - but I’ll do my best to provide updates as quickly as possible. #KelsieSchelling #DontheLucas
@KOAA

BREAK: First witness called today is Bobbi Larmer, another close friend of #KelsieSchelling. She was nervous to testify, saying “this was a really dark place to be.” She got very close with Schelling when the two went to beauty college, and had concerns about #DontheLucas.
@KOAA

Larmer says she accompanied #Schelling on a trip to send #Lucas money. Prosecution also dives into a series of texts from Feb. 4-9. The first text is a picture of Schelling’s ultrasound, but when Larmer asks how the appointment went, she didn’t hear back.
@KOAA

Then, Larmer tries to reach out again on Feb. 6, and gets a response saying “I’m sleeping, I’m really tired.” Larmer remembers being upset with the response, but looking back on it, doesn’t believe it’s in #Schelling’s nature to send a text like that.
@KOAA

Defense brings up prior statements from Larmer to investigators, asking if she remembers saying #Lucas was “excited” about the pregnancy. Larmer corrects defense: “what I said is #Schelling said he seems excited.”
@KOAA

Going back to the beginning of Larmer’s testimony, she had to point out #DontheLucas. She says “he’s wearing all black, and looking down.” It’s the first time I’ve gotten to see the entire courtroom as well.
@KOAA

I’m going back inside. Prosecution plans on talking about cell phone evidence next, then CBI Investigator Kevin Torres will testify. If there’s time, we could also hear from #Schelling’s dad and brother.
@KOAA

Seems like the break could last a touch longer, so I came back outside to add a few more details about Larmer’s testimony. She says she wasn’t aware of any physical abuse from #Lucas toward #Schelling, but believes there was emotional abuse.
@KOAA

Also, the defense once again painted the picture that #Lucas didn’t have all of the privileges #Schelling did (apartment, car, family support). Now, going back inside the courthouse for real.
@KOAA

----

I'm very interested in hearing about the cell phone evidence from this case. It's what could make or break this no body case IMO.
 
  • #68
Colette Bordelon
@ColetteBordelon


@ColetteBordelon
LUNCH: Wow, deep dive into how cell phone towers work. This is complicated stuff explained by witness Scott Eicher - he’s an expert on how cell phone towers work - plus spent 20+ with the FBI, where he was one of the original members of the Cellular Analysis Survey Team.
@KOAA

Eicher wrote a report on what #Schelling and #Lucas’ phones were doing during a certain time period (we’ve only heard about it from Feb. 4 - early on Feb. 5) and based on his calculations, the prosecution can make assumptions about where the two were that night.
@KOAA

Here’s the important stuff: #Schelling’s phone got into the #Pueblo area at 9:58 PM. It stops in the general area of the Walmart around 10:20 - 11 PM, when numerous texts were exchanged between #Schelling and #Lucas, and one call was made.
@KOAA

#Lucas’ phone makes a call at 11:01 PM to his mom, Sara Lucas. When he does that, he could be placed at Walmart or his grandmother’s house. But, he could be excluded from being at his mom’s home.
@KOAA

Let’s jump to 3:53 AM. #Schelling’s phone gets two calls from #Lucas’ phone. It uses a NEW cell phone tower that it hasn’t used yet that evening/early morning. Based on GPS points plotted by Eicher, #Schelling’s phone was not at Walmart, or Lucas’ mom’s/grandmother’s homes.
@KOAA

Also - both phones excluded from a typical meet up spot for #Schelling and #Lucas - the intersection of Manor Ridge and Sienna. Okay, now going for lunch. I’d imagine there’s much more explanation to come.
@KOAA

--------------------

Brandon Thompson
@BThompsonNews

In the second part of the morning, we heard testimony from Scott Eicher who was an FBI cell phone expert in 2013. He was called to the case days after Kelsie went missing to track her movements that day. Here's what he said: 3:10p-Start tracking Kelsie's phone based on phone

calls and text messages. 9:15-9:56p: Kelsie's phone pings in Colorado Springs 9:58-10:15: Kelsie's phone pings off of three towers in Pueblo, one on I25, another in the area of the south side Wal Mart. From 10:20-11pm: Kelsie's phone makes contact with Lucas's phone several

times, including texts and one call. It's pinging in the area of the southside Wal Mart, Donthe's phone is either in the area of his Grandmother's house or the south side Wal Mart

At 11:01 pm Lucas's phone makes a call to Sarah Lucas, pinging from Grandma's/Wal Mart area. 11:06-11:18 Calls between Keslsie and Lucas. Kelsie's phone is in the area of Wal Mart, Lucas's in the Grandma/Wal Mart area. (Diff't cell phone companies have towers in diff't places)

12:13 am (Now on Feb 5): Lucas makes a call to a West Lake Financial Services pinged near Grandma/Wal Mart From 11:18-2:56 Kelsie's phone moves from the side of the tower facing the Wal Mart and shifts to the area facing Lucas's Grandma's home. Wal Mart is excluded as a possible

location Eicher says. 3:53a: Kelsie's phone gets two calls from Lucas's phone. This is a new tower near HWY 78 from both phones. It excludes both phones from being at Wal Mart, an intersection where the two often meet, Lucas's Grandmother's home AND Lucas's Mothers home.

At this point, court broke for lunch
 
  • #69
I recall from the earlier AWA that Kelsie arrived Pueblo around 10 pm and drove to Walmart where she planned to meet up with Lucas. Walmart parking lot was a normal meeting place for them.

Important to remember that Kelsie was lured to Pueblo under the guise of a "surprise" Lucas had for her. Kelsie's mom shared that Kelsie thought they were going to go get something to eat when she arrived -- waiting for him at Walmart but two hours later poor Kelsie was still waiting for Lucas to show up at Walmart.

Who leaves his pregnant girlfriend that had just driven 2+ hours from Denver to see him waiting 2 more hours in the parking lot? What was Lucas doing between 10 pm and midnight?

I think we know the answer.....prepping for her disposal.

This defendant really disgusts me!

MOO
 
  • #70
@ColetteBordelon
LUNCH: Wow, deep dive into how cell phone towers work. This is complicated stuff explained by witness Scott Eicher - he’s an expert on how cell phone towers work - plus spent 20+ with the FBI, where he was one of the original members of the Cellular Analysis Survey Team.
@KOAA
^^rsbm

The cell phone expert analysis was the best part of nailing Frazee. I hope this guy made this information digestible to the jurors!
 
  • #71
^^rsbm

The cell phone expert analysis was the best part of nailing Frazee. I hope this guy made this information digestible to the jurors!

I agree; it was clear as mud to me in the reporter version
 
  • #72
I pulled up at Office Depot at lunchtime today -- sitting in my car for about 3 minutes waiting for our winter rain with a strong gust of wind to subside when suddenly the tears came and I had myself an ugly cry.

It was eight years coming, and I do feel better.

Praying for the jurors to keep free of distraction and remain steady to get the job done for Kelsie and all who loved her.

Thank you all for your camaraderie and support. :)

ETA: One juror was dismissed last night for hardship.
 
  • #73
Kelsie Schelling's friends continue testimony in Donthe Lucas trial

Feb 5, 2021

1f0fb087-389d-4d57-9b3a-428bfb3c2d1a-KelsieSchelling.png


Testimony of a friend who had encouraged Kelsie Schelling to leave the man who is now accused of her murder kicked off the third day of the homicide trial Friday for Donthe Lucas.

[..]

Aurora resident Bobbi Larmer testified Friday that she had been good friends with Schelling since 2009 when they met in beauty school. Schelling moved away a year later.

She said their friendship became stronger in 2012 when Schelling returned and was living in her dad’s condo in downtown Denver. At that time Schelling was dating Lucas, she said.

“When I was in his presence he was very quiet and standoffish. He did not seem receptive to her.

"She adored him and was like obsessed with him and I don’t feel like he felt the same way as her,” Larmer said, wearing a clear plastic face shield as she testified to comply with coronavirus protocol in the courtroom.

The young couple did not make public displays of affection, Larmer testified, and often Lucas seemed to be asking Schelling for money.

[..]

“Towards the end like January (2013) she was more defeated and exhausted by their relationship,” Larmer said.

Although Schelling seemed excited about being pregnant, “I just remember when she was feeling tired and defeated and didn’t feel like he was there for her I told her she should break up with him. I felt like being with him was doing her more harm than good.

[..]

On Feb. 4, 2013, Larmer received an ultrasound picture of Schelling’s baby from her friend via text.

[..]

Late that night Larmer got a text from Schelling that said she was tired.

“I remember thinking, what’s wrong with her because its not a typical response I would get from her. Looking back on it, I don’t really think that was her nature,” Larmer testified, but said she “did not think something really bad was happening.”

[..]

The following Saturday, Feb. 9, Larmer said she started getting phone calls from Schelling’s mom, Laura Saxton, and other friends asking if she had heard from Schelling.

“Then I started thinking something’s wrong,” she said.

[..]

“I was not aware of any physical abuse," she said, but did witness what she felt was psychological abuse. "He would put her down on things like her appearance,” she said.

[..]

“I remember he (Lucas) said he would make it work out,” she said.

Lucas did not have a vehicle of his own and was allowed to use Schelling’s vehicle, she said. When Tameler asked if Lucas, who was broke, had it good with Schelling. Larmer agreed.
 
  • #74
Kelsie Schelling's friends continue testimony in Donthe Lucas trial

Feb 5, 2021

Cellphone locations remain in focus

Trece Higgs of AT&T testified she verified reports that contained cellphone activity obtained by Denver police authorities after a Feb. 12, 2013, search warrant, which was executed seeking Schelling’s phone activity. Joseph Ninete of Verizon verified the accuracy of phone records authorities obtained for an account held by Sara Lucas, who was paying for her son’s cellphone.

Those records spanned Lucas’ phone activity between Feb. 3 to Feb. 13, 2013.

[..]

“Determining where a phone is can exonerate somebody or determine who is a suspect,” Eicher testified.

He said his initial involvement with the case was to assist with a missing person case and try to help find Schelling.

Using cellphone tower location records, “I can put together kind of a scenario of what is going on with the phone during that time frame."

He said phones are constantly scanning for their own company’s cellphone tower that has the best signal and “constantly reranking those towers as you are moving. There are occasions the phone picks a tower that is further away because there is a hill or something in the way.”

Eicher was due to wrap up his analysis of Schelling's and Lucas's cellphone movements in Friday afternoon testimony.

Despite extensive search and recovery efforts spanning several years, Schelling has never been found.

Lucas is being held without bail pending outcome of the trial which is scheduled to run another three weeks.
 
  • #75
Colette Bordelon
@ColetteBordelon

I thought things were a bit hard to follow before lunch - it just got more difficult afterwards. Here’s what I know - Feb. 5 is the first time #Schelling’s phone used a tower with coverage area of #Lucas’ mom’s home.
@KOAA

The cross examination from the defense showed the holes they’re trying to poke: no evidence to suggest #Lucas’ phone ever left Pueblo. Witness couldn’t say if #Schelling’s phone had a password. Witness admits he cannot say data is absolutely perfect.
@KOAA

Also - witness says he “cannot conclusively say these phones (#Schelling’s and #Lucas’) were ever traveling together.” Prosecution ends on this note: both phones never left Pueblo. Going back in.
@KOAA

-------------------
Brandon Thompson

@BThompsonNews

The second half of cell phone location testimony was really muddy by the prosecution. There were times on February 5 that Lucas' and Keslie's phone ping off of towers in the same area, but it 's impossible to say the phones were together. What's for certain is

neither phone left the west side of Pueblo after Kelsie arrived from Denver. At some point Lucas's phone pinged at the Canyon National Bank on the morning of Feb 5. There were times both phones pinged near Lucas's Grandmother's and Lucas's mother's home but expert

"cannot conclusively say" the phones were together.
 
  • #76
Dan Beedie KRDO @BeedieonTV 10h

Day 3 of the #DontheLucas Trial.. Lucas is accused of killing his pregnant girlfriend #KelsieSchelling back in 2013 when she drove down from Denver to visit Lucas in Pueblo. Prosecution has called 8 witnesses to the stand so far. Long way to go.




Dan Beedie KRDO @BeedieonTV 8h
Replying to @BeedieonTV
Through Larmer’s testimony Defense points out that #DontheLucas had a good thing going with #KelsieSchelling.. Girlfriend lived in a nice apartment in Denver, access to her car, and Schelling sent Lucas money. Defense keep pointing out Lucas had no job at the time.

Dan Beedie KRDO @BeedieonTV 8h
6 friends of #KelsieSchelling have taken the stand in two days. All 6 describe Kelsie as 'bubbly'. Defense for #DontheLucas ask Larmer if witnesses are conspiring before trial. Larmer said "No."

[URL='https://twitter.com/BeedieonTV']Dan Beedie KRDO
@BeedieonTV [/URL]8h
The people call Bobbi Larmer to the stand, the 9th witness called in to testify. A friend #KelsieSchelling met in beauty school back in 2009. Hung out with both Kelsie and #DontheLucas while Schelling was living in Denver.
[URL='https://twitter.com/BeedieonTV']Dan Beedie KRDO @BeedieonTV 8h
Larmer on #KelsieSchelling #DontheLucas relationship: “She adored him, obsessed with him, would do anything for him. I don’t think he would ever do the same for her”

Dan Beedie KRDO [URL='https://twitter.com/BeedieonTV']@BeedieonTV [/URL][/URL]2h
[URL='https://twitter.com/BeedieonTV']Replying to @BeedieonTV
Both phones pinged Near the Pueblo south side Walmart, Donthe Lucas Grandmother’s home on Manor Ridge Drive, and Donthe Lucas’ mothers home near St. Mary Corwin Hospital.

Dan Beedie KRDO [URL='https://twitter.com/BeedieonTV']@BeedieonTV [/URL][/URL]2h
The last connection to the network for Kelsie Schelling’s phone was around 6:00 am February 7th. Throughout this time.. neither Donthe Lucas or Kelsie Schelling’s phones left Pueblo.

[URL='https://twitter.com/BeedieonTV']Dan Beedie KRDO
@BeedieonTV 1h
The people call Kevin Torres to the stand. Currently, Torres is a CBI Agent, but previously was an investigator at the Pueblo Police Department. Torres is the main agent on the #DontheLucas case at CBI. He is the 13th witness called to the stand by the prosecution.

[URL='https://twitter.com/BeedieonTV']Dan Beedie KRDO
@BeedieonTV 1h[/URL]

Torres begins reading txt messages between #DontheLucas and #KelsieSchelling from February 3rd, 2013. Schelling is mad at Lucas for not caring about her and their relationship. Meanwhile, Lucas asks Schelling to go an impromptu road trip.[/URL]

[URL='https://twitter.com/BeedieonTV']Dan Beedie KRDO [URL='https://twitter.com/BeedieonTV']@BeedieonTV
[/URL][/URL]1h
February 3rd, 2013 8:06 pm
Kelsie: Go on a road trip where?
Donthe: South Not a long one just a couple of hours.

[URL='https://twitter.com/BeedieonTV']

Dan Beedie KRDO [URL='https://twitter.com/BeedieonTV']@BeedieonTV [/URL][/URL]2h
[URL='https://twitter.com/BeedieonTV']People call Scott Eicher, a former FBI agent and expert in cell tower analysis. 12th witness called to the stand by prosecutors. #KelsieSchelling #DontheLucas



[/URL]
 
  • #77
It sounds like this guy has a solid defense attorney, so I hope the prosecution’s case is solid enough to convict him. I almost wish they had charged him with kidnapping. It would be much easier to prove and the sentence significant. Similar to Sidney & Tammy Moorer who are serving 30 years w/out the possibility of parole for the kidnapping of Heather Elvis (her body has also never been found). Cell phone data also played a significant role in that case.
 
  • #78
Kasia Kerridge - KKTV 11 News
END OF DAY 3- Former FBI agent who specializes in phone record analysis took the stand:
-His data showed Lucas and Kelsie’s phones apparently never left Pueblo
-But the phones did often ping in some general areas... including the areas of Lucas' mother's house, Lucas' grandmother's house and the Southside Walmart
-But he could NOT confirm if the phones were ever together or not
-From the night she disappeared on Feb. 4th up until her phone’s last connection to the network three days later, the data apparently showed Kelsie and Lucas’ phones often still had messages and calls between them
-The defense did question the accuracy of his data though
At the end they brought in a CBI agent who actually read through some of Kelsie and Lucas' texts the day before Kelsie disappeared (Feb 3):
Lucas reportedly asked Kelsie to go on a road trip "south" but Kelsie said no because she had her OB appointment on the 4th (which is actually the day she did go missing).
 
  • #79
Kasia Kerridge - KKTV 11 News
END OF DAY 3- Former FBI agent who specializes in phone record analysis took the stand:
-From the night she disappeared on Feb. 4th up until her phone’s last connection to the network three days later, the data apparently showed Kelsie and Lucas’ phones often still had messages and calls between them
-The defense did question the accuracy of his data though
At the end they brought in a CBI agent who actually read through some of Kelsie and Lucas' texts the day before Kelsie disappeared (Feb 3):
Lucas reportedly asked Kelsie to go on a road trip "south" but Kelsie said no because she had her OB appointment on the 4th (which is actually the day she did go missing).

BBM. It would be very interesting to know the content of these messages, eg whether Kelsie’s were written in her usual style, whether the tone and content seem consistent with what is known to be the state of their relationship etc. Or whether they seem faked by a n other. Also to know what other contacts Kelsie supposedly replied to in those 3 days. Surely there would be quite a few, as people would be concerned about her.
 
  • #80
In a similar Colorado case, the witnesses were able to supplement the imposter text communications with information such as Kelsey Berreth's mom citing that KB texted with punctuation and the imposter sending messages from her phone did not, and mostly sent emoji's. I recall KB's boss thinking something was off when he received emojis from KB's phone. I think this sort of information would help if they failed to get the phone pairing technical data across to the jurors.

It would be easy to prove just by taking an archive of the victim's typical messages between KS and the witness where it would be clear that the text style of communication was completely different. Like handwriting analysis --comparison shows it's not your writing.
MOO
 

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