A brief overview in the Michelle Martinko murder trial update Feb 13, 2020 with information taken from various newspapers.
Jury selection: nine women and six men were selected from a pool of over 100 potential jurors. Three will serve as alternates.
The State: represented by the following prosecutors: First Assistant Linn County Attorney Nick Maybanks with Assistant Mike Harris.
The defendant is represented by Leon Spies.
The presiding judge for the 6th Judicial District is Judge Fae Hoover.
Opening statements: began on Wednesday morning Feb 12, 2020 at the Scott County Courthouse in Davenport.
Position in which the body was found: Michelle was found dead inside the car in the parking lot. Michelle was “curled onto the passenger seat floorboard, stabbed multiple times and bloodied from the wounds she sustained.” Her purse was on the front seat and her body was leaning over it. It didn’t seem that the purse had been opened.
Her legs were facing the steering wheel with her knees underneath the dashboard. Her upper body was slumped against the passenger seat. She was wearing a rabbit fur coat, a black dress, pantyhose, and heels. She had been stabbed in her face and chest.
Condition of the car: The front seat was covered in blood, as well as the dashboard, the windows, and the passenger door. Her bag with purchases were still in the backseat. There was blood on the header and sun visor of car. No blood was found on the driver seat lever so that lever had not been touched with a bloody hand. It does not mean that the seat had not been moved. If it was moved it just was not done with a bloody hand.
The car was parked outside the lines making it look as if it was parked while the driver was in a rush. The rear door behind the driver was open. The other doors were locked. It is speculated her killer entered through that open door. Authorities found some pieces of fur from Michelle’s coat roughly 20-30 feet away from her car. There were no marks or traces on the pavement around the car. There was nothing underneath the car.
Blood was found on the gear shift, the steering wheel, and the lights so police assume that the killer drove the car with blood on their hands after the murder. One glove print that was found turned out to be rust, not blood.
There is more to be found online about Michelle’s life before it was taken from her including information from friends, her boyfriend, prom date, etc. I just posted the details that I think will be crucial to prove the charges. To be continued.
