STATEMENT OF FACTS - University of Illinois Springfield

she was referring to in the grand jury testimony was not Saturday the 27th but
rather the following Saturday. (Vol. LXXII, R. 35)
On August 6, 1999, Dana Pitchford, an expert in forensic biology, tested
three exhibits, Senior’s Exhibits 30, 31, and 32, which combined would comprise
Fred Bishop’s weedeater. (Vol. LXIX, R. 200-04) Ms. Pitchford thoroughly
examined and tested the three exhibits for biological fluid. (Vol. LXIX, R. 200-03)
Based on these thorough tests, there was no blood found on any of the items.
(Vol. LXIX, R. 203) Many factors affect the ability to detect biological fluids
including, environmental conditions and exposure to chemicals. (Vol. LXIX, R.
205-07) In addition, the amount of the biological fluid is a factor because a large
bloodstain would take longer to degrade than a smaller one. (Vol. LXIX, R. 211)
Water Service
Tammy Mense, the Village Clerk of Mt. Zion for over 20 years, kept records
of water service for the Village. According to her records, as of the date of trial,
there was not and there never had been water service at 1450 North State
Highway 121, Mt. Zion. (LXVII, R. 209-212) Mense did not know if the property
had its own well. (LXVII, R. 112-13)
State’s Rebuttal Evidence
Harry Carter, who at one time rented the Miracle Motors lot from Senior,
recalled that in mid-1995, there was running water from a well which was used
in a stool and a sink. (Vol. LXXIV, R. 18) The location did not have a heater and
the pipes froze the winter before he was there. One of his drivers repaired them
when he moved in and he had his own propane heater to prevent the pipes from
freezing. (Vol. LXXIV, R. 19-20) Carter did not know what happened to the pipes
in the winter of ‘95 to the summer of ‘96. (Vol. LXXIV, R. 20)
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