STATEMENT OF FACTS - University of Illinois Springfield

material on to this third person or thing. (Vol. LXXII, R. 100) Kidd explained that
transfers can often be lost before they can be preserved and observed in a
laboratory. (Vol. LXXII, R. 102)
Ms. Kidd was then shown Senior’s Exhibits 10, 11, and 12 which were
tapings from the front passenger seat, the driver seat, and back passenger seat
of a 1992 Bonneville. (Vol. LXXII, R. 81; 83; 85) Several hair fibers were
determined to be in the taping along with soil and debris. (Vol. LXXII, R. 81-86)
The hair was determined to be Caucasian body hair and animal fur hairs. (Vol.
LXXII, R. 82-83) One of the animal hairs was identified as that of a cat but the
other hairs could not be identified. (Vol. LXXII, R. 88)
Grasses
State’s Case-in-Chief
Thomas Voigt, an assistant professor at the University of Illinois, testified
as an expert in identifying grasses. (Vol. LX, R. 1770-75) Mr. Voigt examined
some grasses that were given to him by police on October 4, 1996, which were
taken from one of the bags found at Lake Shelbyville. Voigt identified three
different types of grasses: Foxtail; Nimble Will; and Switchgrass. (Vol. LX, R.
1777-78) Voigt examined the property at Miracle Motors on September 7, 1999.
He found only Foxtail and Nimble Will. It is possible that Switchgrass could have
been present on the property in 1996. The change could be explained if mowing
patterns had changed; the weather had been different or disease had occurred.
Switchgrass is more likely in areas not mowed regularly. (Vol. LX, R. 1781-83)
Voigt testified that the combination of Foxtail, Nimble Will and Switchgrass
was very common in central Illinois. Voigt testified that he had all three species
of grass in his lawn at home. (Vol. LX, R. 1794) In addition, Switchgrass is
common near railroad tracks and Voigt was not familiar with the Lake Shelbyville
area. (Vol. LX, R. 1795-99)
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