Gary Thibodeau is looking to get his conviction for kidnapping Heidi Allen overturned. Iris St. Meran has been following this hearing and has the latest.
OSWEGO, N.Y. -- Christopher Combes was the first to take the stand on day seven of Thibodeau's appeal hearing. He did not want his testimony taped. Combes said he and Roger Breckenridge worked together. Combes said Breckenridge once mentioned Heidi Allen, saying, "We chopped her up; we put her in a wood stove, put her in a vehicle and sent her to Canada."
Combes said he didn't report it to authorities at because he didn't think Breckenridge was serious.
The second witness to take the stand was Jessica Howard, 29. Howard said she knew Allen as a child because Allen's mother was her teacher. Howard also stated Breckenridge is her husband's uncle. She recalled a conversation with him, when Breckenridge mentioned Allen's disappearance.
Defense Attorney Randi Bianco: “Did he state where her body was?”
Howard: “No.”
Bianco: “What did he say about the evidence if anything about her body?”
Howard: “She ain't going to be found."
Howard said Breckenridge also indicated Allen was a "rat" regarding drugs. When asked why she was coming forward now, Howard said she has wanted to for a long time.
Another witness, Thursday was Jonathan Barkley. He testified he was with James Steen, another man implicated by the defense in Allen's disappearance, the night before Steen killed his wife and her boyfriend. Barkley says Steen used his truck that day. He sent Steen a text message about it. Then a text message was sent from his phone to Steen that said "Heidi? Ciao." Barkley said he didn't send that message and didn't know Heidi Allen.
Court was adjourned early because two witnesses were not in court. We expect Jennifer Westcott and Brian Mensch to testify when court resumes Friday morning.