STATEMENT OF FACTS - University of Illinois Springfield

ag in bucket 38-L. (Vol. LXVIII, R. 182) On March 30, 1998, Deputy Thomas
discovered a circular piece of metal in bucket 40. (Vol. LXVIII, R. 185)
June 1998 – A Fourth Search of Miracle Motors
Charles Pierce, owner of Pierce’s Lawn and Garden Products, bought the
Miracle Motors and Green Valley property from Senior and Jeanette Slover on
June 18, 1998. (Vol. LX, R.1837-38) There were two buildings on the property
at that time. The property was overgrown with weeds and tall grass when Mr.
Pierce moved his business. Pierce mowed the lawn once a week. (Vol. LX, R.
1839-41) Pierce allowed the police to take concrete samples in June of 1999.
Pierce did not have any concrete or cinders delivered to the property after he
bought it. (Vol. LX, R.1841-42)
There was working plumbing in one of the buildings but not the other when
he bought the property. There was a septic system on the back of the property
but he never found it. In addition, there was no running water at the time of the
purchase. (Vol. LX, R.1844-45)
A Fifth Search – September 27, 1999
Defense Case
On September 16, 1999, Captain Steve Fermon of the Illinois State Police
participated in a consensual search of the lot formally owned by Miracle Motors.
(Vol. LXVIII, R. 147) Consent was given by the new owners of the lot, Pierce’s
Garden. During the search, Captain Fermon recovered a small, metal disk,
approximately 3/8ths to ½ inch in diameter. This object was believed to be a
snap. (Vol. LXVIII, R. 148-50) Mike Mannix discovered Senior’s Exhibit 37, a
silver colored snap, on the east side of the little, metal shed on the business
property. (Vol. LXX, R. 108-10) He was also handed Senior’s Exhibit 19 by
Captain Fermon that same day. (Vol. LXX, R. 112)
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