ND - Several bodies found at Mandan business, 1 April 2019 *Arrest* #2

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  • #521
Appreciating the updates!
 
  • #522
Nothing. Model tenant, paid timely, etc. He paid his rent online so had little interaction. See the defense opening.

Before RJR took over management for the mobile home park, Isaak provided snow removal for free for his neighbors. He offered to do the same after RJR but it was not clear if they accepted his offer.

IMO, Isaak is an "insult collector" mostly perceived in his own mind. He was danger waiting to happen.

OK, got it. Maybe he was mad and felt slighted if the management company did what they SHOULD do (disallow this for liability reasons) and got angry that whatever compensation he was getting for doing free work for his neighbors (cookies, case of beer, adoration, etc.) was being taken away.
 
  • #523
OK, got it. Maybe he was mad and felt slighted if the management company did what they SHOULD do (disallow this for liability reasons) and got angry that whatever compensation he was getting for doing free work for his neighbors (cookies, case of beer, adoration, etc.) was being taken away.

Exactly! And from the very early reports when people were talking to the news, neighbors thought he was strange. See embedded video with the linked tweet below:

Max Grossfeld
@MaxGrossfeld


Chad Isaak's neighbors describe him as a strange man. While they never heard him say anything bad specifically about RJR Maintenance and Management, they weren't entirely surprised when he was arrested in connection with the murder of four employees.
12:44 PM · Apr 5, 2019

https://mobile.twitter.com/MaxGrossfeld/status/1114252365304147968
 
  • #524
Court is in recess until Thursday morning.
 
  • #525
That's a lot of stabbing (over 100 total in 4 victims) in addition to gun shot wounds. Makes me lean toward a perp who had some "skin" in the game.

I hope the state has more than just a video of a masked man and some fiber evidence.

I was not impressed by the prosecution's opening. Is that Asst. Prosecutor new to the position?
 
  • #526
Chad Isaak trial: The latest | KX NEWS

Trial -- day one

This is a continuing story and will be updated as new details develop. Keep checking back for the latest information available. Live streaming of the trial is here. Other articles are also available here
.

Wednesday, August 4

4:19 p.m.: Judge David Reich recesses the trial for the day. Testimony will resume on Thursday, August 5 at 8:30 a.m.

4:16 p.m.: Re-direct by Goter. Stepp testifies he observed red smears on the passenger handles and door seams of the RJR vehicle parked at Indigo Signs. Testifies he did not touch the vehicle and that no one touched the vehicle while he was watching it.

4:12 p.m.: Cross-examination by defense attorney Luke Heck. Stepp testifies guns were drawn while doing a security check of the building. Heck leads a query of Stepp about one incident where a white Honda pulled up near RJR. One employee is told to go get the employees in the car. When that happened, the car sped away and later returned. Two RJR employees exited the car and came over to where the other RJR employees were standing.

3:53 p.m.: Witness called — Garret Stepp, Mandan Police Department officer. He arrived on the scene at RJR shortly after 7:30 a.m., April 1, 2019. Testifies employees had started arriving on the scene for work. Encountered Jackie Fakler in the building when he arrived. Testifies she was visibly upset and he asked her to step outside. Asked by fire or ambulance personnel to go outside and ask employees outside to identify the first body found, Robert Fakler. Jackie told Stepp it was her husband. He passed that information inside to the crews on the scene. Testifies he was then told other bodies were inside. Said he and Officer Bruce Tessness decided to go around and clear out anyone else left inside the building. Testifies he saw William Cobb’s body, slumped against the door. Testifies Cobb appeared to have chest wounds and no signs of life. Continuing his sweep, he saw Lois Cobb’s body on the floor, the upper half in a bathroom, the bottom half in the office. Testifies he noticed cut wounds to her neck. Said he and Tessness checked a computer server room — no one was inside. Then checked the shop where numerous cars were inside. Checked the cars to make sure no one was inside the vehicles. During this check, he found Adam Fuehrer’s body behind a work benchin the shop. Then went outside to establish a crime scene perimeter and secure the people outside to hold for interviews by investigators. Approximately 20 to 30 minutes after he arrived at RJR, he was told an RJR vehicle was parked at Indigo Signs north of RJR that wasn’t supposed to be there. He was sent over to secure the vehicle. Stayed at the vehicle at Indigo Signs for about 15 minutes before being relieved.

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Witness Garret Stepp
3:52 p.m.: Re-cross-examination by Heck. Henry testifies about the training he has that is different from laypeople when it comes to estimating height. Henry acknowledges some laypeople can probably estimate height accurately as police.

3:50 p.m.: Redirect by Goter. Heck testifies someone who describes someone at 5’8″ may be describing someone who is 6 feet or taller because laypeople are not trained specifically in height estimation.

3:43 p.m.: Cross-examination by defense attorney Luke Heck. Henry testifies he and another officer had guns drawn, per procedures. Testifies was dispatched to McDonald’s to interview Angela Davis about a suspicious person. Conveyed what he learned about the suspect to investigating officers. Testifies the information he collected was for an individual about 5’8″ or 5’9″, wearing boots, camouflage ski mask, black sweater, medium build, blue jeans. Testifies he and three other officers had their boots photographed in May 2019 to check against boot prints at scene.

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Defense Attorney Luke Heck
3:17 p.m.: Witness called — John Henry, Mandan Police Department officer. Dispatched to RJR around 7:30 a.m. on April 1, 2019. Initially sent to help on a medical assist. Arrived and saw Metro Ambulance personnel and Bruce Tessness. Saw blood on the patient, Robert Fakler. Testifies the scene went from a medical call to a crime scene. At that point, he removed 2 RJR employees from the scene. Saw blood droplets leading from the body to the door entry to the shop. Checked around to clear any other people that might be in the shop area who didn’t need to be there. Going around, he entered the office area and came across the bodies of Lois Cobb and William Cobb. Testifies he requested additional assistance from the two officers on the scene. When they arrived, Henry went to clear out any people from the other offices in the building. Testifies no one else was in the office area. While checking, he came back to the shop and discovered Adam Fuehrer’s body. Testifies later went on to provide scene security, blocking off traffic to RJR on 32nd Avenue and around the back of the building, guarding a door to keep people from coming or going through the door. Testified he spoke around 9:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m., on April 1, 2019, with Angela Davis, a McDonald’s employee, about a report of a suspicious person in the RJR-McDonald’s area. Testifies he also requested the restaurant’s surveillance footage.

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Witness John Henry
2:55 p.m.: Witness called — Bruce Tessness, former employee of the Mandan Police Department. Dispatched to RJR for a cardiac call on April 1, 2019. Arrived around 7:30 a.m. When he arrived, Metro Ambulance was on the scene. Helped with CPR on Robert Fakler. Noticed a lot of blood. Said paramedic pointed out chest wounds on the body. Called for additional detectives and staff. Testifies he was the first law enforcement officer on the scene. Testifies when a second officer arrived, and another, the officers worked to clear the building. Testifies outside of the early law enforcement and medical, no one else was in the building. Testifies he and another officer entered the office area and he could see Lois Cobb on the floor, laying partially in the office and partially in the office restroom. He checked on her and testified she appeared lifeless. Testifies he then saw William Cobb on the floor in another office near the doorway. Paramedics had arrived in the office and were checking the two victims. Testifies was told another body was in the shop, Adam Fuehrer. Testifies everyone was cleared out of the building — paramedics, fire personnel. RJR employees were also outside the building. Waited until his superior from the police department arrived and gave him a walk-through of the scene. Later started a log of who was coming and going from the scene. Testifies while he was at the scene, nothing was removed from the building.

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Witness Bruce Tessness
2:54 p.m.: Chad Isaak trial resumes, Judge David Reich presiding.

2:34 p.m.: Judge Reich has called a 15-minute recess.

2:33 p.m.: Redirect by Goter. Schaff testifies the number of people who responded seemed to be appropriate. Testified procedures followed seemed appropriate.

2:30 p.m.: Cross-examination by Quick. Schaff testifies the crime scene was something he had not encountered before. Testifies was not prepared for a crime scene. Testifies a second ambulance arrived.

2:15 p.m.: Witness called — Clayton Schaff, Mandan Fire Department firefighter/EMT. Was dispatched to assist other fire department units that responded on April 1, 2019. Went inside to assist on what was initially considered a cardiac arrest call. Testified he saw Metro Ambulance crews working on one person, Robert Fakler, down in the shop. Went to assist the ambulance crew. Testifies he saw a fair amount of blood, especially for a cardiac arrest, so he thought something not right. Told there was another patient in the office, so he followed the Metro Ambulance crew to assist. Testifies he saw “a lot of blood” and severe neck trauma on Lois Cobb when he entered the office. Noticed the fire extinguisher wasn’t mounted on the wall but on the floor, tipped over. Testifies it looked to him as if it was used in a defensive manner. Found a fourth body, Adam Fuehrer, in the shop and he helped Metro Ambulance crew assess the body. Testified it appeared Fuehrer had been down some time due to the stiffness and coldness of the body.


@Niner
 
  • #527
Chad Isaak trial: The latest | KX NEWS

it appeared Fuehrer had been down some time due to the stiffness and coldness of the body.

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Witness Clayton Schaff
2:14 p.m.: Redirect by Goter. Williams testifies he doesn’t recall how many people or what people were in the shop area. Doesn’t recall bystanders in the shop or office areas.

2:11 p.m.: Cross-examination by defense attorney Bruce Quick. Williams testifies he was not wearing coverings over boots and other items that would be used at a crime scene. Acknowledges they were initially responding to an unresponsive person, not expecting a crime scene. Quick seeks to establish other people at the scene — RJR employees and first responders — were in and around the shop on April 1, 2019.

1:56 p.m.: Witness called — Kylan Williams, a former employee with Metro Ambulance Service and partner with Tanner Arthaud on the call to RJR on April 1, 2019. Testifies seeing a person performing CPR on a “downed individual” when they arrived at RJR. Williams took over doing chest compressions on Robert Fakler. Did not find a pulse on Fakler. Noticed a very large amount of blood around Fakler and saw puncture wounds on Fakler’s chest. When law enforcement said they found additional bodies, he and Arthaud went outside until the area was considered safe. The two were then directed to the office to check on the two bodies found there. Williams testified he and Arthaud found “injuries incompatible with life,” that is, the injuries were too extreme for anyone to survive. The two were then directed back to the shop area to assess a second body found, Adam Fuehrer. Testifies he and Arthau

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Witness Kylan Williams
1:49 p.m.: Redirect by prosecutor Gabrielle Joy Goter. Arthaud testifies there was nothing unusual about the number of people who responded to the scene. He said it was the exact number of people that would be expected to respond. Doesn’t recall anyone being near him or the bodies he was working on.

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Prosecuting Attorney Gabrielle Joy Goter
1:41 p.m.: Cross-examination by defense attorney Bruce Quick. Arthaud says they were there about 20 minutes. Arthaud is asked about others who were in the shop or arrived at the shop while Arthaud was there. Arthaud acknowledges there were roughly 3 Mandan police officers and 2 firefighters are at the scene. Quick works to establish a large number of people — RJR employees, ambulance, police and fire crews — were walking around the crime scene in the shop and office.

1:18 p.m.: Witness called — Tanner Arthaud, a former employee of Metro Ambulance Service. He and his partner, Kylan Williams, responded to the 911 call at RJR Maintenance and Management on April 1, 2019. Arrived three minutes after being dispatched, roughly 7:31 a.m. Came in and found Bockheim performing CPR on Robert Fakler. Noticed a large amount of blood around the body. Soon found three puncture wounds near the chest. Used defibrillator to try and revive Fakler. While working on Fakler, he heard from other officers another body was found. About 8 minutes after first working on Fakler, Arthaud pronounced him deceased. Went into the office area to assess other individuals who were reported down. First went to Lois Cobb. He noticed a large amount of blood around her. Then to the next person in a separate office, William Cobb. Noticed a large number of puncture wounds to his chest. Then went to another body in the north end of the shop, Adam Fuehrer. He testified it appeared he had been dead the longest of the four.

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Witness Tanner Arthaud
1:17 p.m.: The Chad Isaak trial has resumed after a break for lunch, Judge David Reich presiding.

11:57 a.m.: Judge Reich recesses the trial for lunch. Will resume at 1:15 p.m.

11:51 a.m.: Redirect by prosecution. Bockheim describes standing outside with other employees after being ushered out of the building by law enforcement.

11:38 a.m.: Cross-examination of Bockheim by defense attorney Bruce Quick. Focus is on how many entrances into the shop area of the RJR building and how many people were there on the morning of April 1, 2019. Also testified how, once, in January 2019, a tenant pointed a gun at him when he went out on a call. Quick asked about situations where there have been “emotionally distraught tenants.” Bockheim acknowledged there are such instances.

11:08 a.m.: Witness called — Justin Bockheim, RJR Maintenance and Management employee. Testifies to discovering the bodies at RJR in Mandan on April 1, 2019. Arrived at RJR around 7:19 a.m. on April 1, 2019. Went inside the building at 7:25 a.m. Says the first thing he saw was Robert Fakler’s body to the left about 10 feet from the entrance. Thought at first Fakler had slipped and fallen. He then called 911 and rolled him on his back to do chest compressions, thinking Fakler had a medical emergency. Justin’s 911 call was played for the court. Bockheim says paramedics and police arrived about five minutes after he called 911. He went to the bathroom in the shop to wash the blood off his hands after paramedics arrived and, when he walked out, he was told by authorities, “I no longer needed to be in the shop,” and he was escorted out.
 
  • #528
That's a lot of stabbing (over 100 total in 4 victims) in addition to gun shot wounds. Makes me lean toward a perp who had some "skin" in the game.

I hope the state has more than just a video of a masked man and some fiber evidence.

I was not impressed by the prosecution's opening. Is that Asst. Prosecutor new to the position?

Karlei K. Neufeld – An attorney who works out of Bismarck, she graduated from the University of North Dakota School of Law and has represented the State of North Dakota in several cases since 2016.

I agree. The prosecution's opening remarks were quite thin. Then 90 minutes (yawn) for the defense. What bothers me is the McDonald's witness states the man with the face mask was 5 ft 8 or 9, Issak is 6 ft 4. Huge difference.
 
  • #529
Chad Isaak trial: The latest | KX NEWS

authorities, “I no longer needed to be in the shop,” and he was escorted out.

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Witness Justin Bockheim
11:04 a.m.: Witness called – Colleen Stockert, dispatcher, CenCom. She handles 911 calls. She describes receiving the 911 emergency call from RJR Maintenance and Management on April 1, 2019. The recording of the call is played for the jury.

11:02 a.m.: Judge Reich reads facts to the jury both sides have stipulated, or agreed to. These are basic facts about RJR Maintenance and Management, the four victims and the causes of death.

10:56 a.m.: Trial resumes. The jury is brought back into the courtroom.

10:40 a.m.: Judge David Reich declares a 15-minute recess.

10:39 a.m.: Attorney Quick concludes his opening statement.

10:34 a.m.: Attorney Quick says clothing taken from Chad Isaak’s residence did not match photos of clothing in photos and videos at the crime scene. No DNA evidence was found on the clothing. Says other people were walking on Memorial Highway around the time of the crime as were other white trucks. Quick also says investigators ignored other bits of evidence from around the crime scene. Says police ignored other potential suspects as well. Says given all this, Chad Isaak must be found not guilty.

10:21 a.m.: Attorney Quick notes no motive has been established. Interviews with RJR employees suggest few, if anyone, had heard of Chad Isaak or knew of him. Quick says analysis of DNA evidence from the crime scene excludes Chad Isaak. Says no DNA of Chad Isaak was found in samples taken from the victims. Says multiple weapons and ammunition seized from Isaak. Says evidence suggests testing could not show that any of the bullets at the scene matched any weapons seized from Isaak’s residence. Further, analysis suggests bullets fired at the scene could have come from any one of numerous types of weapons. Says authorities could not determine which, if any, of the shoe impressions at the crime scene came from the suspect.

10:05 a.m.: Attorney Quick suggests searches of Chad Isaak’s vehicle, home and business involved investigators not wearing protective coverings or gloves. Suggests investigators fell victim to “confirmation bias,” that is, ignoring other relevant information that might be contrary to the information that supports a particular view and only looking for information that reinforces their view.

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Defendant Chad Isaak
9:55 a.m.: Attorney Quick notes how several suspects were identified by RJR employees, “disgruntled tenants” who at one time or another had made threats to employees. Other suspects outside RJR tenants were also identified. Says 3,325 white F-150 trucks 2004-2008 registered in ND with the ND Highway Department, with over 300 in several counties in western North Dakota. Says investigators did not check these out to identify owners and, thus, possible suspects.

9:40 a.m.: Attorney Quick says there are gaps in the surveillance videos from businesses along Memorial Highway of the white Ford truck supposedly involved in the crime, meaning it is not an uninterrupted linear video narrative, but one with gaps of several minutes and hours. Also says the description of the suspect varies in height and attire.

9:30 a.m.: Attorney Quick notes how the crime scene for some time was an open scene with many people and law enforcement walking through the building. Says a crime scene entry log was not started until hours after the initial discovery of the bodies. Suggests crime scene integrity was possibly compromised by lack of strict control of potential evidence from being disturbed. Says the solo suspect captured on camera is covered with a mask and coat, with no one specifically identifiable. Says the time frame for killing the four people is too short to be attributed to the suspect caught on camera.

9:10 a.m.: Opening statement by defense attorney Bruce Quick. Says Chad Isaak had minimal and overall reasonable interactions with RJR. Details events leading to the discovery of bodies at RJR, paramedic and police arrivals, how the initial call for a medical emergency involving one man turns into a crime scene with four bodies.

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Defense Attorney Bruce Quick
9:00 a.m.: Opening statement from the prosecution. Attorney Karlei Neufeld tells the jury they will hear from the people who were at the scene and later arrived at the scene of the killings. Outlines how they believe surveillance videos, photos, physical and forensic evidence point to the defendant, Chad Isaak, as the one who committed the four killings.

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Prosecuting Attorney Karlei Neufeld
8:49 a.m.: Introductions of the prosecution and defense teams. Judge David Reich is reading jury instructions and the legal charges against Chad Isaak. Isaak has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

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Judge David Reich
8:36 a.m.: The Chad Isaak trial has started.

7:50 a.m.: Opening statements are scheduled to begin this morning at 8:30 a.m. at the Morton County Courthouse as the next phase of the Chad Isaak trial starts. Isaak is accused of killing four people at the Mandan office of the property management company RJR Maintenance and Management in 2019. He had pleaded not guilty to the charges. The opening remarks by the prosecution and defense may shed a little light on each side’s trial position and strategy.
 
  • #530
Thursday, August 5th:
*Trial continues (Day 2) (@ 8:30am CT) – ND – Lois Ann Cobbs (45), employee; William Dee “Bill” Cobbs, Jr. (50), employee; Adam Fuehrer (42), employee; Robert John Fakler (52) co-owner (April 1, 2019, at RJR Maint. & Mgmt business, Mandan) - *Chad Trolon Isaak (44/now 47) arrested (4/4/19), charged (4/5/19) & arraigned (5/9/19) with 4 counts of murder (Felony AA), 1 count of burglary (Felony B), 1 count of concealment within a vehicle (Felony C) & 1 count of unauthorized use of vehicle (misdemeanor A). Plead not guilty. $1M Cash only bond.
Trial began on 8/2/21 with jury selection & ended 8/3/21 & trial began on 8/4/21. (8/2/21 to 8/6 & 8/9 to 8/13 & 8/16 to 8/20/21). 12 jurors & 2 alternates. 6 men & 6 women make up the jury with 1 man & 1 woman serving as alternates. Judge David Reich does not intend to sequester jurors.
Court info from 4/5/19 thru 7/16/21 & Jury selection (Day 1-2) 8/2/21-8/3/21 reference post #495 here:
ND - Several bodies found at Mandan business, 1 April 2019 *Arrest* #2

8/4/21 Wednesday, Trial Day 1: Introductions of the prosecution & defense teams. The judge is reading jury instructions and the legal charges against Isaak. Isaak has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Opening statements by Assistant State's attorney Karlei Neufeld (about 10 minutes) & defense attorney Bruce Quick (about an hour & a half).
State witnesses: Colleen Stockard, 911 dispatcher from CenCom. Recorded 911 call played for jurors. Justin Bockheim, co-worker at RJR found bodies & called 911. Tanner Arthaud, a former employee of Metro Ambulance Service. Responded to 911 call. Kylan Williams, a former employee with Metro Ambulance Service & partner with Arthaud. Clayton Schaff, Mandan Fire Dept. firefighter/EMT. Bruce Tessness, former employee of the Mandan Police Dept. Testifies he was the first law enforcement officer on the scene. John Henry, Mandan Police Dept. officer. Testifies the scene went from a medical call to a crime scene. Testifies was dispatched to McDonald’s to interview Angela Davis about a suspicious person. Conveyed what he learned about the suspect to investigating officers. Garret Stepp, Mandan Police Dept. officer. Trial continues on 8/5/21.
 
  • #531
  • #532
Chad Isaak trial: The latest | KX NEWS

This is a continuing story and will be updated as new details develop. Keep checking back for the latest information available. Live streaming of the trial is here. Other articles are also available here
.

Thursday, August 5, 2021 - Trial Blog

10:29 a.m.: Redirect by prosecuting attorney Karlei Neufeld. Discuss the growth of RJR over the years and relationships with owners of units managed by RJR. Testifies didn’t have any negative relationships with owners over the years. RJR was a new building in 2017. Says sister-in-law Deeana was involved in the building purchase, so a part-owner of the building but not of the RJR business. Testifies eviction process something all property owners are involved in at some time. Says she was not aware of any threats stemming from evictions prior to April 1, 2019. Testifies what she meant by Robert Fakler handling evictions was that he went to court as an RJR representative, not that he specially went to homes and physically evicted people. Testifies she recalls Lisa Nelson’s first husband left her for another woman and the second husband was involved in criminal activity. Says she was surprised by news of Robert’s affair with Lisa. Testifies she does not recall ever making threats against Robert’s life. Says she might have made comments to Robert jokingly before April 30th when she learned of the affair, but reiterated she would never would have makd serious threats against him.

10:20 a.m.: Cross-examination of Jackie Fakler resumes by defense attorney Bruce Quick. She notes she and Ben Pace, RJR marketing director, were to leave April 1, 2019, for a convention in Las Vegas. Doesn’t recall how many people were inside when she arrived and saw Robert Fakler on the floor. Restates Robert Fakler met Chad Isaak on one occasion, that to talk about snow removal at the mobile home park. Says Isaak never met Adam Fuehrer, Bill Cobb or Lois Cobb. No work calls were ever made from Chad Isaak. Testifies she knew Lisa Nelson personally. Testified Nelson’s ex-husband had a criminal history and was mentally abusive to her. Law enforcement told her they discovered Robert’s affair on his phone. Doesn’t recall making a statement at some time if Robert ever had an affair she would have him “taken care of.” Even though she was asked about such a statement during an interview with law enforcement.

10:18 a.m.: The trial has resumed, Judge David Reich presiding.

9:55 a.m.: Judge David Reich has called a 20-minute recess in the trial.

9:36 a.m.: Cross-examination by defense attorney Bruce Quick. From 2015, Jackie and Robert Fakler owned RJR and went from about 300 units managed to 3,000 or more units. Works with roughly 100 owners of properties encompassing 3,000 units. Testifies acquired current RJR building in 2017. Testifies Bill and Lois Cobb would drive to and from work in an RJR vehicle. Says RJR had been involved in about 5 to 6 evictions per month back in 2019. Says reasons are usually nonpayment of monthly rent or payment. Says sometimes there would be lawsuits for damage to property. Testifies Robert Fakler usually handled evictions. Says staff gave law enforcement a list of current lawsuits/evictions at the time, roughly 55 lawsuits that were pending prior to April 1, 2019.

Says RJR provided maintenance and management for the Northview Trailer Park in Washburn, a task they took on in 2018. testifies the purpose of the “Meet and Greet” in Washburn was to allow trailer park tenants to meet RJR. Says animal agreements are signed between the tenant and RJR. Quick is referring to a list provided to law enforcement by RJR after April 1, 2019, of people that were evicted that were “really upset.”Jackie Fakler says someone in her office likely provided that list to law enforcement from RJR files.

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Defense attorney Bruce Quick
8:38 a.m.: Witness called — Jackie Fakler, RJR Maintenance and Management owner, wife of victim Robert Fakler. Prosecuting attorney Karlei Neufeld is asking questions related to Jackie Falker’s general family life with Robert Falker prior to April 1, 2019. Questions about Robert Falker’s hobbies, things he liked to do. Testifies she currently owns and runs RJR. Testifies she and Robert Fakler started RJR around 2011. Testimony related to starting and growing the company. Describes employees at RJR as “close family,” both in 2019 and present. Testifies it’s probably not as close a family now because everyone misses those who are gone. Testifies to an all-around close-knit operation among management and employees. Emotional testimony describing victims Bill and Lois Cobb as friends, fellow workers. Testifies Bill and Lois Cobb were usually the first employees to show up at work, around 6:30 a.m. Testifies she and Robert Fakler would arrive after the Cobbs. Says RJR’s public office hours were generally 7:45 a.m. – 8:00 a.m. and closed at 5:00 p.m. Testifies Adam Fuehrer would also arrive early, after Bill and Lois Cobb, around 6:45 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. Describes Fuehrer as a good employee, that he enjoyed working at RJR, describes him as laid back. Says early arrivers Adam Fuehrer, Bill Cobb and Robert Fakler would chat each morning, a gathering called “the coffee club.”

Testifies she and Robert Fakler drove to work separately on April 1, 2019. Says she arrived at work around 7:20 a.m. on April 1. Testifies she saw ambulance and police cars in parking lot. Says she ran to the shop to see what was going on after arriving. Went inside the shop and was stopped by her sister-in-law. Testifies she saw Robert Fakler on the ground and people trying to resuscitate him. At first she thought he was having a heart attack but then saw the blood on the floor. Testifies she was inside the shop area about 5 minutes before police asked her and others to leave the shop. Noticed Bill Cobb’s truck was not in the parking lot so she thought Bill Cobb and Adam Fuehrer had gone out on a call. Says she thought Bill, Adam and Lois Cobb were not at the office, so she tried to call them with no response. Says the employees were outside and that the atmosphere was “heavy.” Police later told her there were other bodies inside RJR and told her who they were. Later went to the police department along with Adam Fuehrer’s family and other members of her family. Testifies she gave police permission to search the RJR building and access the surveillance system. testifies law enforcement asked her about potential suspects but said she didn’t have any ideas. Could not think of anyone who might have a grudge against Robert Fakler.

Testifies she, Robert Fakler, Bill Cobb, Lois Cobb carried personal handguns. Testifies none of them feared for their personal safety and never used the guns. testifies she does not know the defendant, Chad Isaak. Saw him in spring 2018 at a mobile home “Meet and Greet” to allow mobile home park tenants to meet RJR, which had acquired management of the mobile home park. Says Isaak lived in one of the homes. Testifies Robert Fakler met Isaak in the fall 2018, but Bill Cobb and Lois Cobb did not. Robert visited with Isaak to see if he moved snow into a cul de sac and wanted to know if he still wanted to do the snow removal. testifies Isaak always paid rent on time, usually early each time. Testifies Isaak also had a dog in his home and had pet accommodation paperwork. Testifies there were no problems with the dog.

Testifies RJR had no outstanding debts or loans. When Robert Fakler died, ownership of RJR fell to Jackie. Testifies she never wanted to be the sole owner of RJR and finds running the company now a heavy demand on her personally and professionally.

ICYMI: Jackie Fakler testifies in Chad Isaak trial

Testifies there would be occasional employee conflicts. Said there were no conflicts that led to any firing or threats made. testifies on tenant conflicts such as disputes on deposits, deposit refunds, repair issues. testifies RJR receives about 1 tenant complaint a day. Never had a tenant complaint turn threatening or violent. Testifies never received any direct threats of violence against RJR or employees.

Testifies she didn’t know her husband was having an affair prior to April 1, 2019. She never suspected anything. Says she never threatened to kill Robert if he ever had an affair. Was asked that by law enforcement. She learned on April 30, 2019, that Robert had an affair. She learned of it from some of the inbvstigators on the case. She was told by authorities Robert was having an affair with Lisa Nelson, a person she had known for about 15, 16 years.

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Witness Jackie Falker
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Prosecuting Attorney Karlei Neufeld
8:30 a.m.: The second day of the trial has started, Judge David Reich presiding. The jury is being brought in.
 
  • #533
Chad Isaak trial: The latest | KX NEWS

This is a continuing story and will be updated as new details develop. Keep checking back for the latest information available. Live streaming of the trial is here. Other articles are also available here
.

Thursday, August 5, 2021 - Trial Blog

1:20 p.m.: Redirect by Karlei Neufeld. testifies he was the evidence custodian at the scene. He oversaw collection and sealing of evidence at the scene. Describes how evidence was collected and sealed and documented on forms.

1:18 p.m.: Cross-examinartion of BCI special agent Shawn Banet by defense attorney Bruce Quick. Discussion of the importance of special protection (gloves, booties) and management of a crime scene investigation.

Witness called — Alex Droske, Bureau of Criminal Investigation special agent.

1:17 p.m.: Chad Isaak trial resumes, Judge David Reich presiding.

11:59 a.m.: Judge Reich declares a noon recess until 1:15 p.m.

11:58 a.m.: Video presentations end. Banet testifies what stood out to him during the interior walk-throughs were the large number of wounds and how serious the injuries were.

11:34 a.m.: The three crime scene walk-through videos shot by BCI special agent Shawn Banet are being played for the jurors. The second and third videos are from the interior of RJR. Because both contain graphic images, those videos are not being streamed to the general public, they are only being seen by those in the courtroom. The second video runs about 6 minutes and the third video runs about 15 minutes.

11:10 a.m.: Witness called — Shawn Banet, Bureau of Criminal Investigation special agent. Describes training and experience in law enforcement and BCI training. Says he was called to Mandan to assist in the investigation at RJR. Testifies he arrived at RJR around 9:30 a.m. – 9:40 a.m., on April 1, 2019. Says other BCI agents were on the scene when he arrived. Assigned to do video documentation of the scene inside and outside. Because the crime scene was involving a large building and a large crime scene. Took three videos during a walk-through. Took the videos before evidence collection so they have a view of the scene before things are moved or removed. Says he wore gloves and booties during walk-through. Says he didn’t move or remove anything. To his knowledge, no one else had moved or removed anything prior to his video walk-through outside of the victims being moved during medical efforts.

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Witness Shawn Banet
11:04 a.m.: Redirect by prosecuting attorney Karlei Neufeld. Testifies the number of officers that would have been inside the crime scene was about five, a standard response. Says there were no concerns about the response provided. Did two walk-throughs and noted he followed the same path during each walk-through. Says during those walk-throughs, no one touched or removed anything. Says he made the decision to tell Jackie Fakler about the affair to determine whether it would play a role in the investigation or not. Says follow-up determined there was never any validity to the comments supposedly overheard that Jackie might have made regarding threats to Robert. Testifies he didn’t think her comments were literally, that it would be something she would do. She was upset and surprised when they told her about the affair, saying she was visibly shaken.

10:55 a.m.: Cross-examination by defense attorney Luke Heck. Discussing the law enforcement officers and agents on scene. Some were in the building, others never went inside. When BCI agents arrived, some went inside for a walk-through. He and other officers broke the news to Jackie Fakler that, based on an examination of Robert Fakler’s phone, he was having an affair. Says he told her the affair had been going on a number of years and that the text messages were very explicit. Says Jackie Fakler told him that Lisa Nelson’s ex-husband had been in prison.

During the police interview, asked Jackie whether she made the statement, based on someone having overheard her, saying a divorce would never occur and that she would have Robert “taken care of.” She said she might have.

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Defense attorney Luke Heck
10:40 a.m.: Witness called — Pat Haug, Mandan Police Department lieutenant. Describes his experience and training. Testifies he responded to RJR. He heard the medical call to RJR as he was driving to work. Heard an officer request a detective at the scene and, later, heard there were multiple victims, so he headed to RJR. Arrived around 7:30 a.m. – 7:45 a.m. Noticed police officers, ambulance and fire crews on scene, along with roughly 5 to 10 RJR employees. All were outside the building in the parking lot. Police officers were grouping people outside, getting them collected for police to take statements. Spoke with officer Bruce Tessness inside the shop when he arrived. Testifies authorities were just securing the inside of the building, clearing people out and setting up a perimeter around the building. Did a walk-through of the crime scene in the building. Says did not touch or move anything. Testifies first saw Robert Fakler’s body as he walked into the shop. Saw that Fakler had a severe laceration to his face and blood on him. An officer pointed out to him a second victim behind a work bench, Adam Fuehrer. Walked into the office and saw William Cobb. His shirt was up from medical personnel working on him. Observed numerous stab wounds and blood near his head and body. Testifies the walk-through helped him get a sense of the crime scene and what needed to be done next. Requested additional help from Mandan Police and the Bureau of Criminal investigation. BCI helps small police departments in criminal investigations. BCI arrived shortly after 8:00 a.m., 8:30 a.m. Says the integrity of the crime scene remained from the time he called for BCI help to the time they arrived. Moved people away from the building.

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Witness Pat Haug
 
  • #534

Widow takes the stand in the quadruple murder trial of Chad Isaak | COURT TV
 
  • #535
Thursday, August 5 - Live Trial Blog

4:25 p.m.: Judge David Reich has recessed the trial until 8:30 a.m., Friday, August 6.

4:21 p.m.: Redirect by prosecuting attorney Karlei Neufeld.

4:16 p.m.: Cross-examination by defense attorney Bruce Quick.

3:24 p.m.: Witness called — Pat Lenertz, Bureau of Criminal Investigation supervisory special agent. Lenertz outlines his experience and training. Notes he is trained in bloodstain pattern analysis. Sent to RJR crime scene on April 1, 2019, arriving at RJR around 10:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Testifies there were 4 or 5 BCI agents on the scene before him. Initially tasked with searching outside RJR building for any potential evidence. Testifies he made observations of bloodstain patterns at the scene. Talks about types of bloodstain patterns: dripping, transfer, projected, smearing, spurting. Says he first started analyzing bloodstain patterns in the shop area. Observed a large amount of blood saturation on Robert Fakler’s body and transfer bloodstains on his jeans and near his feet. “Transfer stain” is where blood on one object is transferred to another object.

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Witness Pat Lenertz
Lenertz also observed a transfer stain on Robert Fakler’s left palm and in his fingernails.

Next observed blood evidence on Adam Fuehrer’s body. Testifies he saw blood on chin and beard, clothes heavily saturated in clothing, transfer stains near his body, bloodstains on his boots.

Testifies he also noticed blood in an open area in the shop between Adam Fuehrer and Robert Fakler.

Then went into the office area. First saw Lois Cobb’s body. Noticed transfer stains on her clothing, saturation stains on her body, spurting stains and cast-off stains on and around her body and on her shoe. Testifies, based on the bloodstains, it appeared there were two separate altercations involving Lois Cobb, outside the bathroom and inside the bathroom. Says cast-off stains were found inside the bathroom. A rug outside the bathroom had blood pooling on it, along with transfer bloodstains on the outside bathroom door frame and wall.

Also noticed significant amount of blood on William Cobb and blood by his head and on his office walls.

3:19 p.m.: Cross-examination of Droske by defense attorney Bruce Quick.

3:09 p.m.: Discussion turns to the RJR videos and the “working copies” Droske made to highlight and spotlight specific areas of the video and the still images taken from the video. Discuss the time and date stamps that record the date and time the surveillance videos were made. Clarifies that the timestamps are the RJR time, which was five minutes off from real-time. Testifies on still images made from the RJR video. Testifies there were three RJR surveillance cameras that picked up evidence related to the killings. None of the victims’ deaths were recorded on surveillance video.

3:02 p.m.: Continuation of direct examination of Alex Droske by prosecuting attorney Karlei Neufeld. Droske testifies there was video from RJR surveillance cameras from April 1, 2019 that was collected and analyzed. He worked to highlight, spotlight elements of the video and pull still images from the video for investigative and legal presentation.

3:01 p.m.: Chad Isaak trial back in session, Judge David Reich presiding.

2:38 p.m.: Judge David Reich takes a 20-minute recess. Trial will resume at 3:00 p.m.

1:58 p.m.: Alex Droske is now showing to the court the virtual walk-through of the crime scene he created. That walk-through is not being streamed to the public due to its graphic nature. During the virtual tour in the shop area, Droske notes some objects/evidence that stands out to him: A zip saw on the floor, a spilled coffee cup, the large amount of broken eggs in the shop next to Robert Fakler’s body. Learned through the course of the investigation that Robert Fakler brought in excess eggs his chickens produced to share with RJR employees. Droske says the lacerations to Robert Fakler’s body and face stand out to him. Testifies a band saw in the shop had what appeared to be a bullet strike. Says investigators on April 1, 2019, began to try and determine what type of weapon was used at the scene. Using their experience and knowledge of weapons, they concluded it was likely a revolver that was used. Droske testified blood was located on the inside door handle of the entrance door of the shop. Droske says a wallet was found on the ground of the shop near Adam Fuehrer’s body. Says the wallet appears to have belonged to Fuehrer. Says Fuehrer’s ID was located separate from his wallet. Says a bullet hole was found in a box full of electric burners in the shop and a bullet with maroon fibers attached was found in the box. Says it appears the fibers were picked up by the bullet as it passed through an object. Testifies he believes the bullet passed an RJR employee’s shirt and lodged in the box.

Next Droske describes the scene and embedded photo “hot spots” in the RJR office break room area. Notes blood on the handle of the door going into the break room.

Next describes the scene and “hot spots” in the office area of RJR. Notes blood was located on a toy bear and on a sofa. It was notable because the blood was located between the two victims in the office.

Droske testifies blood in an arcing pattern found near the floor and across a cabinet in the office near Lois Cobb. Says deep cuts along her neck stood out, along with bullet wound and cut wounds to the chest. Roske says a fire extinguisher was found in the middle of Bill Cobb’s office and not in its normal location. Blood evidence was found on the walls

1:23 p.m.: — Witness called –-Alex Droske, Bureau of Criminal Investigation special agent. Describes his training, experience and background. In addition to law enforcement and BCI training, he is also trained in forensic video — that is, highlighting and spotlighting things in a video or creating special videos. Another duty is crime scene reconstruction for 2D and 3D videos, virtual walk-throughs of crime scenes and more. Says he was ordered to the RJR crime scene on April 1, 2019. Says he arrived around 8:30 a.m. At the scene, he was told he would help in creating a virtual crime scene walk-through. This is done digitally, taking 360-degree photos and incorporating those into the virtual walk-through. At RJR, some photos were taken before evidence was collected and some after evidence was collected. He describes the process of creating a virtual walk-through. Says they do not embed all crime scene photos into a virtual walk-through. Says over 900 regular crime scene photos were taken at the RJR crime scene. Describes how he created the RJR virtual crime scene. Says he took eight 360-degree photos to use in recreating the RJR crime scene and embedded select crime scene photos within the 360-degree virtual crime scene walk-through. Once the virtual walk-through was completed, he reviewed it with BCI special agent Joe Arenz to make sure it was accurate and complete.

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Witness Alex Droske
1:21 p.m.: Re-cross-examination. Banet discusses markings on evidence bags, envelopes and listings of who found it, where it was found and chain of custody, among other information. Testifies it is important to maintain a perfect chain of custody with evidence.

Chad Isaak trial: The latest | KX NEWS
 
  • #536
Friday, August 6th:
*Trial continues (Day 3) (@ 8:30am CT) – ND – Lois Ann Cobbs (45), employee; William Dee “Bill” Cobbs, Jr. (50), employee; Adam Fuehrer (42), employee; Robert John Fakler (52) co-owner (April 1, 2019, at RJR Maint. & Mgmt business, Mandan) - *Chad Trolon Isaak (44/now 47) arrested (4/4/19), charged (4/5/19) & arraigned (5/9/19) with 4 counts of murder (Felony AA), 1 count of burglary (Felony B), 1 count of concealment within a vehicle (Felony C) & 1 count of unauthorized use of vehicle (misdemeanor A). Plead not guilty. $1M Cash only bond.
Trial began on 8/2/21 with jury selection & ended 8/3/21 & trial began on 8/4/21. (8/2/21 to 8/6 & 8/9 to 8/13 & 8/16 to 8/20/21). 12 jurors & 2 alternates. 6 men & 6 women make up the jury with 1 man & 1 woman serving as alternates. Judge David Reich does not intend to sequester jurors.
Court info from 4/5/19 thru 7/16/21 & Jury selection (Day 1-2) 8/2/21-8/3/21 & Trial (Day 1) 8/4/21 reference post #534 here:
ND - Several bodies found at Mandan business, 1 April 2019 *Arrest* #2

8/5/21 Thursday, Trial Day 2: State witnesses: Jackie Fakler, RJR Maintenance & Management owner, wife of victim Robert Fakler. Lieutenant Pat Haug, Mandan Police Dept. Testifies he responded to RJR. He heard the medical call to RJR as he was driving to work. Heard an officer request a detective at the scene & later heard there were multiple victims, so he headed to RJR. Shawn Banet, Bureau of Criminal Investigation special Agent. Assigned to do video documentation of the scene inside & outside. Took three videos during a walk-through. The three crime scene walk-through videos shot by BCI special agent Banet were played for the jurors. The second & third videos are from the interior of RJR. Because both contain graphic images, those videos are not being streamed to the general public, they are only being seen by those in the courtroom. The second video runs about 6 minutes & the third video runs about 15 minutes. Alex Droske, Bureau of Criminal Investigation special agent. Testified he was the evidence custodian at the scene. He oversaw collection & sealing of evidence at the scene. Describes how he created the RJR virtual crime scene. Says he took eight 360-degree photos to use in recreating the RJR crime scene & embedded select crime scene photos within the 360-degree virtual crime scene walk-through. Showed to the court the virtual walk-through of the crime scene he created. He testified there was video from RJR surveillance cameras from April 1, 2019 that was collected & analyzed. Pat Lenertz, Bureau of Criminal Investigation supervisory special agent. Initially tasked with searching outside RJR building for any potential evidence. Testifies he made observations of bloodstain patterns at the scene. Trial continues on 8/6/21.
 
  • #537
Thank you so much for all the detailed info from the trial @Seattle1 and @Niner !

I know this represents significant work on your side and I didn't want it to go unrecognized.
 
  • #538
  • #539
Chad Isaak trial: The latest | KX NEWS

August 6, 2021 - Day 3 - LIVE TRIAL BLOG


12:00 p.m.: Judge David Reich recesses the trial for noon lunch. The trial will resume at 1:15 p.m.

11:59 a.m.: Re-cross-examination by defense attorney Bruce Quick. Questioning centers around the large number of shoe prints at the crime scene.

11:52 a.m.: Redirect by prosecuting attorney Karlei Neufeld. Testifies first responders don’t create a crime scene log when they arrive on the scene because they are initially busy trying to deal with the call. Testifies the additional handguns found at the scene were considered and excluded from being relevant to the crime scene. Testifies every time he saw the suspect on the surveillance video, the suspect was wearing gloves.

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Prosecuting attorney Karlei Neufeld
Based on the video, he believes it was possible for one suspect to commit the crimes at the scene.

11:29 a.m.: Cross-examination by defense attorney Bruce Quick. Asks about the number of BCI agents at the scene on April 1, 2019. Asks about the crime scene outside as well and at Indigo Signs. Arenz testifies the crime scene log was started around 9:47 a.m., by Mandan Police Department personnel that morning. The crime log documents who came and left the crime scene.

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Defense attorney Bruce Quick
Quick questions Arenz about his investigation of the areas where William Cobb and Lois Cobb were killed. Arenz testifies there was nothing on the phones that furthered their investigation after the phones were examined. testifies the pistol in the office was believed to be a 9mm handgun. Lois Cobb’s handgun in her purse was not seized and analyzed. Arenz testifies a number of other guns belonging to RJR employees were never seized or tested.

Testifies the actual killings are not on the video. Says it could have been advisable to test Adam Fuehrer’s wallet and driver’s license, found outside Fuehrer’s body on the floor, for prints. Arenz could not say if the assailant took off his gloves at points in the video where the assailant is not seen. Arenz testified they didn’t test the wallet and ID because the assailant was seen wearing gloves and felt it was not necessary.

10:33 a.m.: Continuation of direct examination of Bureau of Criminal Investigation special agent Joe Arenz continues by prosecuting attorney Karlei Nuefeld. Testifies a gun was located in Lois Cobb’s purse, a rifle behind the door of William Cobb’s office and a handgun in a holster in an office hutch. Testifies those three weapons were not weapons used in the case.

Testifies investigators next processed the area around Robert Fakler’s body in the shop. Testifies a lot of blood on him and around him. A clipboard with a cellphone belonging to Adam Fuehrer on top of the clipboard was on the floor, a pocket saw lying not far from Fakler’s body and a coffee cup with spilled coffee both on the floor, and a cap. Testifies it appeared Robert Fakler was involved in a struggle.

Says investigators identified a bloody shoe or boot print around Robert Fakler’s body. Another shoe or boot print was found not far from Fakler’s body and near the shop door. Other shoe or boot impressions were also found.

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Witness Joe Arenz
Testifies invesatigators found a piece of lead that appeared to be a bullet fragment near Robert Fakler’s body. Also found a lead fragment from a bullet and a fragment of a copper jacket from a bullet on a band saw in the shop.

Also found a bullet in a box labeled “burner” on the west wall of the shop near Adam Fuehrer’s body. Found maroon fibers attached to the bullet, which appeared to match the same color of the clothing worn by RJR employees.

Testifies investigators were potentially looking for a revolver as the weapon used in the killings, based on the bullets found and the lack of shell casings. Shells casings in a revolver stay within the weapon.

Says investigators found a wire saw. A wire saw is often used outdoors by people for cutting smaller type branches. No other wire saws found in the RJR building. Testifies investigators felt it was used by the assailant.

Testifies Robert Fakler’s body had numerous stab wounds to the chest, deep lacerations to his face and a wristwatch in his hand, not on his wrist. Says he may have had cuts to his hands, suggesting there may have been a physical altercation.

Next processed the scene around Adam Fuehrer’s body. Says found blood drip stains between Fuehrer’s body and Fakler’s body. Felt the blood drip stains could have come from the assailant. Also found blood beneath a wooden bench. Believes the bench was moved there after the bloodstains were made. Says the wooden bench appeared to obstruct the view of Fuehrer’s body. Fuehrer’s wallet was left in the middle of the shop. Cards from his wallet were laying separate from the wallet. Arenz says investigators believed the assailant may have taken the wallet from Fruehert’s body and gone through the wallet. Investigators believed the suspect may have been trying to identify Adam Fuehrer as well as Lois Cobb.

Fuehrer had stab wounds around the neck and bullet wounds to the back. Investigators believe Fuehrer had at one point had his back to the assailant and had been facing the assailant.

Says investigators reviewed RJR surveillance video and investigated areas of the shop where the video showed the assailant had been.

Describes what happened to the physical evidence after the crime scene was processed. The evidence was turned over to the Mandan Police Department. The bodies were removed to be autopsied.

After reviewing the video, Arenz testifies investigators developed an initial suspect profile: A subject wearing an orange mask, an orange jacket, dark-colored pants, shoes and gloves. Says they were looking for one suspect based on the surveillance video.

Based on the evidence at the scene, Arenz says investigators were initially looking for a handgun, possibly a revolver.

On April 2, 2019, BCI agents processed the RJR pickup found at Indigo Signs.

10:32 a.m.: The Chad Isaak trial has resumed, Judge David Reich presiding.

10:09 a.m.: Judge David Reich has called a recess until 10:30 a.m.

8:44 a.m.: Witness called — Joe Arenz, Bureau of Criminal Investigation special agent. He details his training and experience. Explains BCI is an assisting agency; that is, responds to request from law enforcement agencies for help. On April 1, 2019, he was asked to help the Mandan Police Department in the RJR investigation. He was the case agent, which means he oversaw the processing of the crime scene and delegated investigative assignments as needed. On April 1, 2019, he arrived at the RJR scene between 9:00 a.m. and 9:15 a.m. When he arrived, he saw many RJR employees outside, crime scene tape around the building and police outside as well as other BCI agents. Testifies the scene appeared to have been secured for investigative purposes. Checked to make sure there were no other unnecessary people still in the building. Did a walk-through of the crime scene. Put on gloves and shoe protection for the walk-through.

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Witness Joe Arenz
Says he was told an RJR employee standing outside was asking for a lunch box on a workbench in the shop for medications he needed to take. Arenz testifies he inventories the lunch box and released it to the employee. Learned an RJR truck driven by William and Lois Cobb was located parked at Indigo Signs. He sent two BCI agents over to the pickup to inspect and process it.

When a search warrant arrived for going through the RJR building, he and others began processing the crime scene. Arenz describes the processing the crime scene: Photography, video, type of evidence to look for and more. Explains when evidence is located, it is photographed, collected and turned over to an agent assigned as the evidence custodian. That person will package it, label it and write down key information related to the evidence. Describes the procedure to avoid cross-contamination of evidence, such as handling one piece of evidence at a time, changing gloves with each piece of evidence. Describes “chain of custody,” meaning identifying each person who handles the evidence as it goes from one person to another.

Testifies 8 or 9 agents helped him process the crime scene on April 1, 2019. Describes how he preserved the integrity of the crime scene, such as limiting access to the crime scene, wearing gloves and shoe coverings, logging all pertinent information.

Reviews the evidence inventory sheet, a three-page description of all the evidence collected on April 1, 2019, along with a chain of custody list of people who handled all the items seized.

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Prosecuting attorney Karlei Neufeld
Testifies investigators do not collect and process every drop of blood at the scene. Describes the process of deciding which blood swabs to take for processing. Look for blood in locations that is not obviously from the victim or is separate or a distance from the victim. In Lois Cobb’s case, collected blood samples from door frame of bathroom, handle on the door, from the floor in the office away from Lois Cobb’s body, on the walls.

Testifies when first started processing the office shared by Robert Fakler and William Cobb, started looking for blood evidence, trace evidence (hairs, fibers), weapons, digital evidence (cellphones), identification to confirm the victim’s identity. Looking for signs of struggle. Testifies it appeared there was a struggle in the office: A fire extinguisher on the floor, a chair that was tipped over that appeared to have hit the wall and made an indentation. Says the scene suggested was a struggle between William Cobb and the assailant.

Arenz describes finding a cap in the office next to William Cobb’s head. Agents noticed a bullet hole in the side of the cap.

Arenz describes how investigators process a victim’s body at a crime scene: Photographs, evidence collection.

Arenz testifies he observed numerous stab wounds to William Cobb’s chest area, injuries to his arms and an injury to the left side of his head. At the scene, says investigators located what appeared to be bullet wounds in both forearms and the head. Says when the coroner was later moving the body, a bullet fell from an arm. That bullet was retrieved and saved as evidence and tested.

Then Arenz processed the scene around Lois Cobb’s body in the office. Says there were bloodstains inside and outside the bathroom. She had deep lacerations to the neck, stab wounds to the chest, a gunshot wound to the chest and a wound on one of her arms. Says it appeared the attack on her started outside the bathroom and ended with her partially inside the bathroom, based on bloodstains, her eyeglasses lying next to her outside the bathroom and the position of the body (upper portion of her body in the bathroom and lower portion outside the bathroom).

When the coroner later moved the body, they discovered additional stab wounds on Lois Cobb’s back.

8:43 a.m.: The jury is being brought into the courtroom.

8:31 a.m.: The Chad Isaak trial has resumed, Judge David Reich presiding. Prosecution and defense attorneys are going over some trial housekeeping matters before testimony resumes in the trial.

8:00 a.m.: Day 3 of the Chad Isaak trial is expected to start today at 8:30 a.m.
 
  • #540
This is a continuing story and will be updated as new details develop. Keep checking back for the latest information available. Updates from previous days are at the end of this report. Live streaming of the trial is here. Other articles are also available here.

Friday, August 6 - LIVE TRIAL BLOG CONT.

1:42 p.m.: Redirect by Austin Gunderson. Eliason testifies any issues/problems with tenants he was made aware of would always be redirected to the RJR office or to Robert Fakler.

1:35 p.m.: Cross-examination by defense attorney Luke Heck. Testified he told police about an employee who left work at RJR a week ago. Testified told law enforcement there was a tenant who was upset that an RJR employee came to a dwelling and that the tenant pulled a gun on the RJR employee. The tenant was later evicted. Testified he would collect payments from dropbox at Washburn’s Northview trailer court.

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Defense attorney Luke Heck
1:29 p.m.: Witness called — Don Eliason, RJR Maintenance and Management employee. Arrived at RJR at 8:06 a.m., April 1, 2019. Says he saw employees standing in the parking lot and saw an ambulance in the parking lot. Noticed William Cobb’s vehicle was missing from the parking lot.

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Witness Don Eliason
1:24 p.m.: Cross-examination by defense attorney Jesse Walstad.

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Defense attorney Jesse Walstad
1:19 p.m.: Witness called – Andrew Tryhus, Morton County Sheriff’s Office deputy. Direct examination by prosecuting attorney Austin Gunderson. Dispatched to RJR around 7:40 a.m., April 1, 2019. Tryhus was tasked with identifying the people standing outside the building and see if any of them were in the building over the weekend. He was told a white RJR vehicle was missing from the scene. He passed that information on to other law enforcement people present. Then helped with setting up an outside perimeter for the RJR building. An Indigo Sign worker approached Tryhus that an RJR vehicle was parked at the business. He kept watch on the vehicle until other investigators arrived.

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Witness Andrew Tryhus
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Prosecuting attorney Austin Gunderson
1:16 p.m.: Chad Isaak trial back in session, Judge David Reich presiding.

Chad Isaak trial: The latest | KX NEWS
 
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