Evidence being presented in Hagan trial
WARRICK CO., IN (WFIE) - Our coverage continues on the murder trial of Isaiah Hagan in Warrick County.
The family of both Hagan and Halee Rathgeber were in the courtroom.
Thursday marked day three. The prosecution began presenting several pieces of evidence. Six witnesses took the stand.
An Evansville police detective was first to address the court on his involvement with this case. The detective said he was asked to extract data from two cell phones, and then provide that information to the Warrick County Sheriff's Office for their investigation.
An Indiana State Police Crime Scene investigator said he collected a lot of key evidence including Rathgeber's right shoe and a bloody towel found near her head at the scene. The crime scene investigator also talked about cigarette buds that were collected and batteries as well.
Hagan's Attorney argued a lot of the evidence presented was never tested, which brought on more questions than answers.
That's part of the reason Hagan's attorney said, "We believe that Isaiah didn't do what he's charged with."
The prosecutor says he's confident in the crime scene investigator's expertise.
Testimony went on for hours.
"These trials are very emotional," Defense Attorney Mark Phillips said. "I don't really know how to understand as a parent on either side of the courtroom. We feel very passionately about what we are trying to do and Mr. Perry and his office feel equally passionate about what they are trying to do."
Other witnesses on Thursday include a Plant Protection Officer from Alcoa, who told the jury he didn't see anything suspicious when he patrolled the soccer fields the night before Rathgeber's body was found.
A woman who found Rathgeber's body at the Alcoa Soccer Fields also spoke out. She said she tried to get Rathgeber's attention to see if she was okay. When she got no response, she called 911.
A Sargent from the Warrick County Sheriff's Office talked about him being first to arrive on scene around 6:52 a.m. the day Rathgeber's body was found. Sgt. explained he immediately began processing the scene and spoke with a few people in the area at the time.
More witnesses are expected to take the stand on Friday morning.
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