2:14 p.m., May 24

The criminal trials of Cal Harris are over.

Cal Harris was found not guilty of murder Tuesday by Judge Richard Mott in a bench trial.

1:46 p.m., May 24

Judge Richard Mott has told the court he has reached a verdict in the fourth Cal Harris trial.

We will have the details immediately after the verdict is read in court, as well as extensive on-air and streaming coverage of reaction and analysis.

4:02 p.m., May 20

3:36 p.m., May 20

Roughly eight or nine hours into deliberations, Judge Richard Mott still has not reached a verdict in the case. 

While attorneys, Cal Harris, his family and Michele Harris' family and friends have been seen walking in and out of court throughout the two days, Mott has not been seen leaving.

Often with a jury trial, attorneys -- and the media -- can take clues from evidence asked to be read through again or explained. That, however, is not the case in this trial.

10:06 a.m., May 19

Judge Richard Mott has begun his deliberations in the Cal Harris murder trial, and there is no time expectation on how long he could take.

11:56 a.m., May 18

All the major players are at the Schoharie County court house, including Judge Richard Mottt, who began his deliberations in the fourth Cal Harris murder trial this morning. 

Mott has told attorneys he will give them a 30-minute notice before reading his verdict in court.

4:30 p.m., May 18

Judge Richard Mott will begin his deliberations beginning tomorrow. He told the court he will provide a 30-minute notice before reading his verdict in court.

As Kirk Martin finished his closing argument, Cal Harris' motive played a large role in his conclusion, including how the nine months of divorce settlement talks differed from how Bruce Barket said they went just hours before.

 

3:45 p.m., May 18

Tioga County District Attorney Kirk Martin opened his closing argument Wednesday afternoon in the Cal Harris murder trial dissecting the testimony of Kevin Tubbs, the viability of Stacey Stewart as a suspect and the morning hours of September 12, 2001.

Martin said Harris was the only one with a real motive to kill his estranged wife Michele Harris. The two were going through a divorce and were not, in fact, close to a divorce settlement. And, Martin argued, the two were millions apart in evaluating Cal Harris' net worth, which would impact the settlement amount. Martin also said with Michele out of the picture, Cal Harris would retain custody of their four young children.

"We acknowledge he found a good spot [to hide the body]," Martin said.

1:35 p.m., May 18

Bruce Barket spent the second half of his closing pointing to a second person of interest in the case -- Stacy Stewart -- who witness Kevin Tubbs claimed to have seen arguing with Michele in the Harris' driveway on September 12, 2001.

"As lawyers we know wrongful convictions all the time.  Almost a day doesn't go by without a report of an innocent person spending decades in prison for a crime that somebody else committed.  Cal knows full well that it could happen to him, because for the last 15 years he has endured the burden of a false accusation of murder," Barket said.

The prosecution will give its closing this afternoon.

11:26 a.m., May 18

In his closing argument, defense attorney Bruce Barket focused on stains found in the Harris home, arguing they weren't those of a "violent assault."

Barket pointed to divorce settlement talks that were moving forward, contrary to what the prosecution has argued.

9:30 a.m., May 18

At 9:30 a.m. it was announced that there would not be a final witness this morning, meaning that closing arguments will start shortly after 10 a.m.

6 a.m., May 18

The latest Cal Harris trial is near its end as closing arguments are scheduled to begin today. Camille DeLongis provides a lookback here.

The defense is expected to call one final witness this morning and closings will follow.

Time Warner Cable News will have full coverage of the closings live on air and on twcnews.com.

4:43 p.m., May 17

It was a brief day in Schoharie County Court for the Cal Harris trial.

On Tuesday, the prosecution finished their rebuttal case after reading in two testimonies from neighbors who lived near the Harris home. They refuted the defense's claims, saying they did not see anyone at the end of the Harris driveway in the early morning hours of September 12. They also never remember seeing any hay wagons drive by that morning.

The defense initially told the court they did not have any sur-rebuttal witnesses, until the judge ruled that a time sheet that was conditionally entered into evidence last week was allowed in. The judge said the time sheet was only allowed in to show Stacy Stewart's scheduled hours, not whether or not he was at work the morning of September 12th.

The defense objected and said they changed their mind, now wanting to call in another witness. That witness is scheduled to testify Wednesday morning.

Closing arguments will follow. TWC News will air and stream the closings in their entirety.

Not a TWC subscriber? Download our app to watch the stream of the closing arguments.

3:19 p.m., May 13

Michael Myers, the State Police investigator who interviewed Stacey Stewart in October 2001, testified Friday that Stewart denied seeing Michele Harris outside of Lefty's, where she worked. Myers also testified that Stewart was cooperative, but the investigator admitted under cross-examination that he didn't take many notes of the conversation with Stewart.

The defense is trying to point to Stewart as a possible alternative suspect in Michele Harris' disappearance. 

Myers said State Police didn't install the same tracking or surveillance devices to keep track of Stewart, like they did for Cal Harris.

Two neighbors near the Harris home, serving as prosecution rebuttal witnesses, testified they didn't see any farmers, hay wagons or trucks in the fields near the Harris property on the morning of September 12, 2001. Kevin Tubbs has testifed that he saw Michele Harris at the bottom of the Harris driveway.

Prosecutors are expected to call another rebuttal witness Tuesday in an attempt to provide an alibi for Stacey Stewart, who they contend was at work at 6 a.m. on September 12.

3:21 p.m., May 12

3:20 p.m., May 12

Bruce Barket and Cal Harris' defense team rested their case just after Judge Richard Mott ruled several pieces of testimony inadmissible, and also denied allowing into evidence a bra strap found in a Tioga County burn pit previously owned by Stacey Stewart.

1:30 p.m., May 12

While the defense should be resting their case soon, there is one more issue they have to address.

The judge is looking over testimonies for the defense's first three witnesses -- who all know Stacy Steward and/or Chris Thomason. They testified that the men told them suspicious things pertaining to the Harris case, and now the judge will make a decision about if their testimonies will be let in.

The defense also recalled three investigators Thursday morning, they were asked additional questions about their role in the Harris investigation -- specifically leads that they didn't follow up on.

Documents were also entered into defense, which they claim show a bias by police, although not many details about said documents were released, expect that there was an email sent to Texas rangers about interviews conducted. 

The defense is expected to rest their case this afternoon, and the prosecution is expected to call rebuttal witnesses. 

5:30 p.m., May 11

The defense in the fourth Cal Harris trial was expected to rest its case today, but they decided they weren't finished yet.

The defense had called all their witnesses -- other than a few who refused to appear, including Stacy Stewart -- but right before the defense was going to rest its case, defense lawyers told the judge they weren't able to get some evidence on the record previously and have decided to recall four New York State Police investigators. 

Harris' defense attorneys have said their main objectives during this trial are to show reasonable doubt, but also prove other men may be responsible for Michele Harris' death, those men being Stacy Stewart and Chris Thomason. 

The defense called dozens of witnesses to the stand; some knew Stewart and Thomason personally while other witnesses were police investigators who interviewed them. 

Defense attorney Bruce Barket said it's striking, the information these witnesses know or have heard -- yet the judge would not allow most of it to come into the record, as it was classified as hearsay. While much of the specific information gathered by New York State Police investigators was not permitted in court, Barket says it's clear there were many leads given to police that were not sufficiently followed up on.

Jessica Hunsinger testified Wednesday. She says she worked with Stewart and Thomason back in 2001. Hunsinger says she told police about an occasion when she was four-wheeling with Stewart when they stopped at a small pond, and Stewart asked her a bizarre question about the color of the water.

The defense argues the NYSP searched the wrong pond if they were basing their search on Hunsinger's statement. 

Two master's students who were involved in the excavation of the burn pit on Stewart's former Lockwood property also took the stand. They testified about retrieving several items from the pit, including pieces of fabric, a coin, a button, a key, a knife blade and a bra strap. The judge ruled against allowing any of those items into evidence, except for the bra strap. That item is still being considered.

The defense told the judge today that they feel he is "carving up" their third-person culpability case by only allowing bits and pieces of evidence in. The defense will recall those investigators to the stand tomorrow morning.

The prosecution is expected to begin presenting rebuttal witnesses tomorrow afternoon. Closing arguments are still expected to take place Wednesday of next week.

It's unclear when the judge will render a decision after that.

3 p.m., May 11

2:56 p.m., May 11

2:42 p.m., May 11

2:07 p.m., May 11

12:15 p.m., May 11

11:49 a.m., May 11

11:41 a.m., May 11

4:54 p.m., May 10

4:05 p.m., May 10

4:02 p.m., May 10

1:36 p.m., May 10

1:32 p.m., May 10

3:19 p.m., May 6

While this fourth trial has been without calls for mistrials and vacation breaks, it could still approach two months as closing arguments aren't expected to begin until May 17. 

In the afternoon, retired State Police Senior Investigator Sue Mulvey also was one of a few police investigators to testify today. Mulvey described other searches, including using a helicopter of the Harris property.

12:33 p.m., May 6

Day 22 is underway in the Cal Harris murder trial. 

Testimony began Friday with Leslie Hyman back on the stand. He's a retired state police investigator who acted as a supervisor on the investigation into Michele's disappearance.

Hyman is one of many investigators Harris' defense team is calling to testify.

Also, in a first for this trial, Cal's father Dwight Harris is in the court room to observe the proceedings.

During his testimony, Hyman discussed various searches of the Harris property and even recalled one encounter with the Harris at the Syracuse airport as they returned from vacation. He said Cal Harris didn't ask police if they found his wife's body.

 

4:55 p.m., May 5

Although discussed at length by Dr. Dennis Dirkmaat, items found at a burnpit where not admitted into evidence. After the prosecution questioned the chain of evidence, Bruce Barket said he will call Binghamton University student involved in the dig at the burnpit. 

Former state police investigator Leslie Hyman also testified this afternoon, focusing on the investigation into Cal Harris from the very beginning. 

 

 

3:06 p.m., May 5

The defense's blood stain expert, Terry Laber, finally finished testifying after three separate days on the stand. Laber is being paid $20,000 for this trial alone, and a total of about $50,000 for both trials.

Also hitting the stand was Todd Mansfield, a friend of Cal's who has known him for 45 years. Mansfield recalled in 2001 when he saw Cal crying after he put his kids to bed. Mansfield recalled Cal saying to him, "It's not good, it's not good. What am I going to tell my kids?" The prosecution only asked Mansfield two questions, clarifying that Kevin Harris told Mansfield about Michele, not Cal.

The defense then called a forensic anthropologist, Dr. Dennis Dirkmaat, to the stand to talk about the burn pit, as they argued that the bra strap and burned fabric matched Michele's uniform, and the judge responded "that sounds like a leap of faith."

11:13 a.m., May 5

Day 21 of the Cal Harris Trial began Thursday morning. The defense's blood stain expert, Terry Laber, returned to the stand.

Proceedings began with Terry Laber returning to the stand.

He's the defense's blood stain analysis expert, and has painted a very different picture of the crime scene compared to the prosecution.

Laber says it would take only 10 drops of blood to make up all the stains that were found in the Harris home.

The prosecution has butted heads with Harris' attorney several times on this issue, which has slowed down testimony a great deal.

4:55 p.m., May 4

The defense team's blood stain expert Terry Laber returned to the stand this afternoon, testifying to several areas where red stains could be seen in the Harris' garage. Laber said several of the stains couldn't be positvely identified as blood, and others didn't look like they were wiped or anyone attempted to clean them, as the prosecution's expert testified last month.

And, Laber testified, it's difficult for him to be sure the stains that may be blood in the garage happened at the same time.

 

 

3 p.m., May 4

Stanton Drazen, who represented Cal Harris in divorce proceedings with his wife Michele in 2001, testified that he thought the sides were close to an agreement on the divorce settlement as the defense argues that Cal Harris didn't have a motive to kill his wife.

 

 

12 p.m., May 4

The Cal Harris murder trial enters its 20th day.

The prosecution began proceedings today on the offensive.

They filed an application to have all the testimony from the people who knew Stacey Stewart stricken from the record. They also want the new burn pit evidence removed.

Harris' defense has been trying to clear their client's name by implicating Stewart in the case.

The judge wouldn't rule the application out, but decided to defer it because he believes it was premature.

The defense team is set to call more witnesses throughout the day.

4:42 p.m., May 3

2:37 p.m., May 3

2:33 p.m., May 3

2:32 p.m., May 3

2:04 p.m., May 3

2:03 p.m., May 3

1:07 p.m., May 3

12:47 p.m., May 3

11 a.m., May 3

The fifth week of the Cal Harris trial is now underway. The trial left off on Friday with Harris' defense team in the middle of its case. They are now pointing the blame at two other men, Stacy Stewart and Chris Thomason.

They say they would like for Stewart to testify, but are having issues tracking him down. The defense's blood stain analyst is also expected to continue testifying this week.

5 p.m., April 29

Trial number four for Cal Harris continues. This time, the judge has allowed the defense to argue third-person culpability. They're pointing the blame at two other men, Stacy Stewart and Chris Thomason.

On the stand Friday, one witness said Stewart told her he had to testify in a New York murder trial because he was the last person to see the victim alive. Another witness testified Thomason told her Harris' wife Michele was never found because Stewart "probably buried her body in cement."

The prosecution objected to most of Friday's testimony and evidence. The judge said much of Friday's testimony is conditional, and will rule on these issues at a later date.

The defense is hoping to have Stacy Stewart testify, but they say they are having issues tracking him down.

12:18 p.m., April 29

Contentious testimony highlights day 18 of the Cal Harris murder trial.          

The defense called Julie Brinkman to the stand Friday morning.

She says she had a short-lived relationship with Stacy Stewart, a man Harris' attorney is trying to implicate in Michele's disappearance.

Brinkman testified that Stewart told her he was the last person to see Michele, and that he knew how to hide a body.

She also said Stewart told her he was going "off the grid" when they spoke two weeks ago, but that was stricken from the record.

The prosecution asked all of Brinkman's testimony to be redacted, but the judge says he'll make that determination later on.

5:25 p.m., April 28

Much of Thursday's testimony in the Cal Harris trial was spent hearing from the defense's blood stain pattern analyst, who has a different take on stains found in the Harris home.

The analyst spoke about stains found in three areas of the home, including transfer on a rug and stains in the garage. The testimony included major contraditions to the prosecution's blood stain expert, in that he believes there is no evidence of a cleanup.

The analyst will continue testifying next week. There will also be cross-examination by the prosecution.

Several witnesses from Texas are expected to take the stand when the trial resumes Friday.

5:18 p.m., April 28

5:17 p.m., April 28

5:11 p.m., April 28

5:10 p.m., April 28

12:23 p.m., April 28

11: 45 a.m., April 28

Testimony is now on hold for an extended recess Thursday.

Most of the trial has surrounded the defense's difficulty with getting witnesses to take the stand.

Their first witness Thursday was a sergeant with the state police, who was an investigator in 2001, who helped with an interview of Michele's hairdresser. He says he doesn't remember the interview at all.

The defense cannot seem to get the other investigator that was involved, Robert DelGiorno, to testify. He is refusing and they cannot find a current address to serve him with a subpoena.

The district attorney hesitantly agreed to 'ping' his phone in order to locate him.

The second witness, a friend of Stacy Stewarts, did not show up to court and said he was having a rough day health-wise.

Currently in the stand is Terry Labor the defense's blood stain pattern expert, but the prosecution objected that they never received the power point presentation that the defense wanted to use during his testimony.

They took an extended recess so that the prosecution has time to review that presentation.

10:45 a.m., April 28

Day 17 of the Cal Harris murder trial is underway in Schoharie County Court.

Thursday's testimony began with State Police Sergeant Todd Phillips.

He interviewed Michele's hairdresser during the initial investigation, but testified that he had no recollection of doing so.

The defense is also maintaining its argument that another man should be implicated in the case.

They've already submitted evidence pertaining to Stacy Stewart at the time she disappeared.

They also plan to interview a friend of his as testimony continues.

5:15 p.m., April 27

Two of Cal Harris' children took the stand as the defense begins to lay out its case.

Harris' daughter Jenna and son Taylor both testified about life with their father after their mother disappeared. They contradicted testimony from prosecution witnesses, saying they never remember Harris taking down pictures of their mother.

Jenna also testified her father kept her mother's dress and other items from their wedding. She said he also created photo albums for all the children that included pictures of Michele.

On cross-examination, Taylor was questioned about a comment he allegedly made as a child. The DA says the kids' babysitter claims that, shortly after Michele disappeared, Taylor asked his father why he wasn't in bed overnight that night. But Taylor testified he doesn't remember saying that.

The defense plans to call about a dozen witnesses to the stand. Testimony will resume Thursday morning.

2:30 p.m., April 27

The judge sided with the prosecution when it came to Francine Harris.

Cal Harris' sister-in-law recently underwent surgery in Florida and was unable to travel.

The judge allowed her testimony from Harris' third trial to be read into the record.

11:29 a.m., April 27

The judge then moves on to Francine Harris testimony. He says he believes the district attorney did due diligence to get her here to testify.

10 a.m., April 27

Gregory Farr's father, Edward Farr, is the one and only witness for the people in the hearing regarding Farr's testimony. He says he received the call on April 15 between 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. The person identified himself as a private investigator.

Farr says he knew nothing about his son testifying in the Cal Harris Trial. He testified that the investigator told him it would be in the best interest of his son if he didn't testify in the trial and that there could be problems down the road.

During cross examination the defense asks if the personal investigator told Farr that they had a lot of evidence against Arnold. Farr says he doesn't remember that.

Farr says the PI wanted to know bad things about Greg. Farr says he told him Greg had problems his whole life but didn't go into much detail

On April 14, Salpeter says Barket sent him a text asking him to look into witnesses who would be testifying the next day. Salpeter says he began looking into Gregory Farr and Joshua Arnold.

Barket asks Salpeter if he ever said it would not be in Farr's best interest to testify. Salpeter says "I would never say that." Salpeter says he was never told by Barket to prevent witnesses from testifying.

The prosecution and defense then began arguing about hearsay in the case.

The defense points out that there are inconsistencies between Edward Farr's testimony and his wife's affidavit.

The judge denies the motion and Greg Farr's testimony remains stricken from the record.

5 p.m., April 26

Legal questions surrounding a couple of witnesses kept the prosecution from wrapping up their case in the Cal Harris trial Tuesday.

The prosecution brought up concerns about a previous witness, Gregory Farr. Farr testified that, while in prison, he overheard Harris admit to killing his wife.

In the middle of his testimony, he pleaded the Fifth Amendment. Prosecutors say that's because Farr's family received a threatening phone call from the defense's private investigator. The defense, however, says the call was only meant to gather information for their cross-examination.

There were also questions of whether or not testimony from Cal Harris' sister-in-law given in his last trial could be read in court. She recently underwent surgery, and a Florida judge ruled she didn't need to return to New York to testify. But the defense says it wants her to appear because it would question her differently this time, since there's no jury.

The judge is expected to decide on both issues Wednesday.


4:10 p.m., April 26

Judge Richard Mott said the prosecution may be taking the term "heap of trouble" out of context in relation to a phone call made to Gregory Farr's mother by the defense's private investigator. Farr, a witness who testified over two days and stopped testifying on the second day after the prosecution said his mother had been threatened.

After listening to the tape, Mott set a hearing on the phone call for Wednesday morning.

The afternoon was filled today with discussing possible -- but now unlikely -- witnesses in the case.

 

 

Another witness with issues getting to New York: A sister-in-law of Harris' who lives in Florida and is recovering from plastic surgery.

According to the prosecution, she received permission from a Florida judge not to testify. Barket argued he has questions for her different from those he asked of her during Harris' third trial last year. Mott has asked Barket to deliver those questions to the court in writing along with his reasoning for not asking them last year.

2:09 p.m., April 26

The prosecution began court Tuesday by reading Kenneth Mulnix's testimony from the third trial. He is a neighbor of the Harris.'

In Mulnix's testimony, he said on September 12 that he saw a minivan at the end of the Harris driveway. He said he'd seen a van parked there before, but it was usually by the gate not as close to the road.

Separately, the prosecution played a recording for the judge of a phone call between Gregory Farr and his mother.

During the call Farr's mother tells him that an investigator called their home regarding the case.

The prosecution says there is a direct line between the call from the defense's personal investigator to the Farr home and Farr pleading the fifth. To which Harris' attorney Bruce Barket argued Farr didn't want to testify any longer because he couldn't handle the intense cross examination, and says there were more things he wanted to question Farr about that would have further destroyed his credibility.

9 a.m., April 26

The Cal Harris trial enters its fourth week Monday afternoon in Schoharie County Court.

Friday the prosecution's blood stain pattern analyst back on the stand.

He believes blood stains in the alcove and garage of the Harris' were all caused by an impact in the alcove, with the source moved to the garage later on.

He also said he believes there was evidence of a cleanup based on how the stains were altered.

The defense argued much of what he said was speculation and opinion.

The prosecution is expected to wrap up its case.

5 p.m., April 22

More blood testimony ended week three of the Cal Harris trial.

The prosecution's blood stain pattern analyst was back on the stand for cross-examination Friday. He previously testified he believes blood stains in the alcove and garage of the Harris' home all came from an impact in the alcove, with the source later moved to the garage.

He also said he believes there was evidence of a cleanup based on how stains were altered.

But the defense argued much of what he said was speculation and opinion. They asked if the stains could have been altered by people walking on them over a period of time, which the witness says is possible.

Court will be back in session Tuesday afternoon, with the prosecution expected to wrap up its case.

11 a.m., April 22

Court proceedings are once again underway in the murder trial of Cal Harris.

Friday marks the end of week three, with much of the recent discussion focusing on blood stain evidence.

So far, a blood stain pattern analyst Patrick Laturnus is being cross-examined.

3:41 p.m., April 21

Patrick Laturnus testified about the stains found inside the Harris home. He walked the court through each stain, and whether, in his opinion, they were alertered or wiped. Some he testified to were, and some were left untouched. 

Defense attorney Bruce Barket raised objections to Laturnas calling them blood stains, as has been a common objection in this trial and the third.

Of the some of the garage stains, however, Laturnus said they were different from those found inside the home.

Laturnus also said some of the stains found in the wood in the garage were wiped or forced into those areas.

 

 

In other areas of the garage, Laturnus testified that there were dozens of tiny stains that he couldn't determine which direction they came from, but one spatter stain would have been projected from very close to the floor.

11:15 a.m., April 21

10:45 a.m., April 21

A blood stain pattern expert takes the stand in the Cal Harris murder trial.

Patrick Laturnus worked for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and became certified in blood stain pattern analysis. He has never testified during any of the previous three Cal Harris trials.

Laturnus currently owns a blood stain pattern consulting firm and attends conferences on the topic, but says he does not have a degree in the field.

The defense submitted a document into evidence, which says Michele Harris cut her hand near the garage in March 2001.

The prosecution has also submitted several documents into evidence pertaining to the Harris' divorce proceedings.

Those include orders to show cause, a financial disclosure affidavit, and a letter outlining a settlement offer.

9:38 a.m., April 21

Day 13 of testimony is underway in the Cal Harris murder trial.

Thursday's testimony began with a blood pattern analysis expert, who unlike many other witnesses has never testified in a Cal Harris trial before.

5:15 p.m., April 20

DNA analyst Daniel Myers took the stand, testifying portions of a rug taken from the Harris' kitchen contained DNA from Michele Harris, but said it wasn't necessarily from blood. Myers testified, under cross-examination, that only one of the stains tested contained blood.

Thomas Turner also testified this afternoon. He is the husband of Cindy Turner, who testified Tuesday and was Michele's best friend. Thomas Turner gave much of the same testimony of his wife. He testified that Cal Harris and the Harris children came to their home on Sept. 12, 2001. Turner testified that Harris was vigorously cleaning his glasses after meeting with police investigators earlier in the day.

11:35 a.m., April 20

10 a.m., April 20

Court moves on to day 12 in the Cal Harris murder trial.

Forensic scientist Daniel Meyers is back on the stand Wednesday, as the prosecution continues to examine the case's DNA and blood evidence.

Harris' defense team has been arguing with the prosecution over what section of a case report won't be allowed as evidence in the trial.

The Harris children have also been discussed Wednesday, after his defense attorney asked the prosecution if they plan to call any of them to the stand.

The district attorney said he probably won't, but Harris' lawyer says he'll probably call the two oldest children to testify.

3 p.m., April 19

Convicted killer Gregory Farr's testimony, given on Friday, will be stricken from the record after invoking his Fifth Amendment against self-incrimination. He had testified that Harris told him he made his wife disappear.

Another issue was settled this afternoon, separate from the trial itself. After hearing from a defense expert on how photos can or can't be manipulated, Judge Richard Mott ruled to allow photos of blood from the Harris home into evidence.

12 p.m., April 19

Tuesday is just an afternoon session of testimony.

The defense will continue cross-examinations of Gregory Farr, an inmate at Auburn Correctional Facility.

Friday, he said he overheard Harris say he would make another inmate disappear, just like he made his wife disappear.

The defense attacked Farr's credibility.

5:45 p.m., April 15

As the second full week of the Cal Harris trial came to an end, DNA analyst John Brenner said blood stains found in the Harris home were a match for Michele Harris's DNA.

But on cross-examination, he said the couple's children could not be excluded as matches for some samples.

Harris' sister-in-law spoke about Cal and Michele's relationship. She says she overheard Michele tell another sister-in-law about a threat Cal made against her.

Finally, the judge heard from Gregory Farr, an inmate at Auburn Correctional Facility. He said in 2012, he overheard Harris say he would make another inmate disappear, just like he made his wife disappear.

The defense began cross-examination by attacking Farr's credibility.

Farr will be back on the stand when the trial resumes Tuesday afternoon.

12 p.m., April 15

It's day 10 in the Cal Harris murder trial.

Friday morning, DNA analyst John Brenner was back on the stand.

Brenner analyzed a toothbrush from Michele's boyfriend Brian Early, and one from the Harris home, along with a DNA swab of Cal Harris.

He said he analyzed the DNA profile from all three items, and said the DNA on the toothbrush was from the same person, a woman.

Brenner said some of the blood stains matched the DNA taken from the toothbrush.

5:10 p.m., April 14

Four neighbors took the stand in the Cal Harris trial Thursday afternoon, with most of the testimony focusing on the overnight hours from September 11th to 12th, and Michele's van, which was found at the end of the couple's driveway.

Brian Weber testified that he and his wife drove by the Harris home as they returned from a trip to New York City around 12:30 a.m. He doesn't remember seeing Michele's van at the end of the driveway.

Eleanor Cobb says she was woken up overnight by her dog barking, and she heard a door slam. She testified she never remembers anyone parking a car at the end of the Harris driveway in all the time she lived there.

William Hurd said he left for work between 4:30 and 5:30 a.m. He remembers seeing a light-colored vehicle at the end of the driveway, but on cross-examination said it wasn't unusual to see vehicles there.

Lorrie Schultz says she drove by the home around 5 a.m. and also saw the van. She says the lights were on, but no one was inside. Schultz slowed down because she says it was unusual to see the van at the end of the driveway.

Also Thursday, the judge denied a motion by the defense to strike photos of blood evidence from the record over questions of whether or not they were altered, based on comments in a 48 Hours special. A state police investigator testified the original prints were used in the trial.

1:45 p.m., April 14

Despite a speedy trial day Wednesday, only two witnesses were called to testify Thursday.

Two forensic scientists testified on the blood stains that have surrounded the trial for days.

Brown, who was also in court on Wednesday, wrapped up his testimony, and John Brenner was called to the stand.

It is expected that Brenner will talk about the DNA results and if the blood stains in fact match up tp Michele Harris. But so far, he has only talked about what DNA is and the process for analyzing said DNA.

The testimony is very in depth and slow Thursday.

10 a.m., April 14

The Cal Harris trial is picking up speed with Thursday's testimony underway.

The most recent testimony has focused on the blood samples that were found by investigators in Harris' garage.

The judge listened to witnesses talking about the photos of blood in the home.

Defense attorneys claim negatives were altered and the photos should not be allowed as evidence.

 

4:45 p.m., April 13

The judge in the latest Cal Harris murder trial will not let anything delay the trial, pushing witnesses through quickly. Six witnesses took the stand Wednesday. Senior Investigator Steven Anderson finished his testimony, followed by crime lab staffer Bradley Brown.

Brown had a commitment Wednesday afternoon, so his testimony will continue Thursday.

4:42 p.m., April 13

4:37 p.m., April 13

4:37 p.m., April 13

4:32 p.m., April 13

4:26 p.m., April 13

4:24 p.m., April 13

4:22 p.m., April 13

4:21 p.m., April 13

3:35 p.m., April 13

After a brief hearing on how photos of stains found inside the Harris home were developed, the trial resumed with a crime lab staffer, Bradley Brown, who said two of the 11 blood kits collected tested positive for human blood. After the first two tested positive, he said there isn't need to test the others. 

Brown will continue testimony Thursday morning.

12:14 p.m., April 13

Prosecution calls their first witness, Paul DeSarbo, a retired film processing business owner. And in regards to the photos, DeSarbo says in his experience there is no way to alter a negative film image.

11:45 a.m., April 13

Barket says on a 48 Hours episode, the former Tioga County district attorney said that some photos were altered. The lead investigator on the case allegedly said that they used exposure enhancement on the photos.

People argue those alterations only change the lighting in the photo not what it depicts. But the defense wants to know if negatives were altered in the process.

Defense says they did not subpoena any witnesses for this hearing because they didn't know what the prosecution was going to present.

11:23 a.m., April 13

11:20 a.m., April 13

NYSP Investigator Ken Sosnowski assisted collecting evidence at the Harris home. He testified that he transferred blood transfer kits to the Forensic Investigation Center. He also collected the blood stained run into evidence. He finished his testimony within 20 minutes.  

11:02 a.m., April 13

9 a.m., April 13

Senior Investigator Steven Anderson takes the stand for the fourth day, and during re-direct basically recaps what happened in court on Tuesday.

4:47 p.m., April 12

After a later start Tuesday, a state police investigator returned to the stand as senior investigator Steven Anderson continued his testimony from Friday.

As on Friday, focus was on blood stains found in the Harris home. Anderson said a rug in an alcove was tested, even though he didn't initially see stains on it. He said 82 stains were found on the bottom of the rug, 51 of which tested positive for blood.

Anderson also testified more than 100 stains were found on the garage floor, most smaller than 1 millimeter.

On cross-examination, the defense asked if all stains from the garage floor were collected. Anderson said only a representative sampling was taken, because they all appeared consistent.

The defense suggested the blood spots could have come from sneezing or coughing, and Anderson said tests were not performed that may have indicated that.

He testified no blood was found on the tires or outside of Michele's van, which was at the end of the driveway the morning after she was last seen.

An ATV, truck, boat and deck were also tested, and no DNA or blood was found.

Judge Richard Mott, who will decide Harris' fate in this bench trial, questioned Anderson about the stains as well.

 

6:30 a.m., April 12

The Cal Harris murder trial picks back up Tuesday at 1 p.m., after a day off from court on Monday.

9 a.m., April 11

Friday the judge in Cal Harris' fourth murder trial announced that there will be no court proceedings on Mondays moving forward for the remainder of the trial. It will resume Tuesday at 1 p.m.

4:13 p.m., April 8

Even though the judge is allowing Anderson to testify as a witness, he says he will be taking Barket's concerns into consideration.

While describing the blood stains, Inv. Anderson shows the judge which stains show "movement." He also says many of the stains were altered in some way after they were deposited on the floor.

Anderson says he cannot tell when the stains originally occurred or when they were altered.

The cross examination of Anderson began, and will continue on next week.

3:01 p.m., April 8

2 p.m., April 8

Anderson describes each blood stain that are depicted in photographs. He begins talking about the stains he found on the door of the alcove which leads into the kitchen of the home.

He says some of the stains were in cracks and he found some under paint that had chipped away.

He also indicates that there was an area on the garage floor that appeared cleaner than other areas.

Anderson testifies that he has taking courses on blood stain pattern analysis. The prosecution is hoping to use him as an expert witness. However, the defense objects. They say his training is limited and he doesn't have a degree on the topic.

The judge says he will decide whether or not Anderson can be used as an expert witness after lunch.

12:24 p.m. April 8

11:52 a.m., April 8

11:00 a.m., April 8

Investigator Steven Anderson is back on the stand. He began his testimony Thursday afternoon.

On September 13, Anderson testified that he continued processing the van. He collected a variety of articles from the vehicle and did not find any blood inside. Anderson also participated in an aerial search for Michele. He took photos of the Harris property and surrounding areas.

He looked at the end of the driveway for evidence, but said there had been so much traffic any evidence would have been destroyed.

Anderson went to Harris home to do an assessment. He noticed stains in the garage and in the alcove leading into the kitchen.

Some of those stains tested positive for blood. Stains on the garage wall ended up not being human blood.

On September 15, Anderson returned with Ryan. He took photos of the entire home, while Ryan took video.

Defense questions accuracy of photos of blood stains. The make claims that some of the photos have been altered and wants to question witness about it.

10 a.m., April 8

5:07 p.m., April 7

While the pace of the fourth Cal Harris murder trial has been moving quicker than trials past, Thursday was a much slower day. 

Only four witnesses were called to the stand on day five of testimony. Most of the day was spent talking to investigator Steven Ryan, where they introduced the discovery of blood evidence in the Harris home. While Ryan did not testify about how much blood there was, he said they found small stains in the garage and on the entrance leading into the kitchen.

The defense asked Ryan if there was any evidence of blood cast off further into the kitchen; Ryan says they didn't locate any. 

Investigator Steven Anderson briefly took the stand at the end of the day. He was also involved in collecting evidence at the home and processed Michele's van.

He will return to the stand Friday. Prosecutors say his testimony will be very lengthy.

1:07 p.m., April 7

During the video, the witness pointed out the specific locations where they later identified and marked where blood was found.

Ryan said they performed field tests on the stains which tested positive for blood. He says it also looked consistent with blood stains.

That staining was found on the floor of the garage and on the door frame leading into the home.

On September 16, 2011 he and another investigator returned to the home. They photographed and drew diagrams of the staining and surrounding area.

12:44 p.m. April 7

11:27 a.m., April 7

Defense tells the judge before video starts that they say they are having trouble convincing a witness to testify.

That witness was an investigator who worked the case. Defense says he told them they'll have to subpoena him and won't tell them where he is.

Defense says Deljiorno avoided their subpoena during last year's trial as well. The judge has asked the DA to use their resources to help defense find their witness.  

11:13 a.m., April 7

10:56 a.m., April 7

On 9/12, when Cal called her, Barnes says she called Michele first. She was worried because Cal never had called her before.

Barnes says she suggested that Cal take the kids out to dinner because of there was police presence at the home.

Defense tries to point out several instances where Michele used Barnes to hide things from Cal.

Defense argues they are only responding to the district attorney's point that Cal had called Michele a liar. The hudge says Michele's character does not prove or disprove Harris' guilt.

Barnes says she noticed photos of Michele were gone in the house. She found some and framed them and put them in the kid's rooms.

10:35 a.m., April 7

10:30 a.m., April 7

Prosecution witness No. 17 takes the stand -- Pamela Barnes (formerly Brock). She was one of the Harris children's babysitters.

On Sept 12, Barnes says she received a call from Cal while she was at her other babysitting job. He asked her to call him at the dealership. Barnes was instructed to pick up the two youngest kids from Barb Thayer's home and take them back to the Harris home.

She then brought the children to meet up with Cal and the older children in Owego later that day.

Barnes continued to babysit the children after Michele's disappearance. Cal at one time spoke with her about becoming a live in nanny.

In 2004 Barnes started looking for another job. She says she and Cal were not getting along.

4:50 p.m., April 6

The prosecution made significant headway in its case against Cal Harris Wednesday. Nine prosecution witnesses took the stand.

Several New York State Police troopers testified, explaining their roles in the investigation of Michele Harris' disappearance. A New York State Forest Ranger described how dozens of rescuers searched a total of 450 acres looking for Michele's body.

Michele's boyfriend at the time, Brian Earley, also testified. He says he saw Michele the night of September 11, the day before she was declared missing. He says she was wearing a navy polo, khaki shorts and sneakers.

Another witness was Michele's hairdresser, Jerome Wilczynski. He testified that he heard Cal Harris threaten Michele over the phone, screaming for her to drop the divorce proceedings. He also allegedly said that if she didn't, he was going to kill her and he would make her disappear.

Wilczynski testified that two investigators came into the hair salon shortly after Michele's disappearance, but he didn't tell them anything because he didn't feel he could trust them. 

The defense pointed out that Wilczynski never told police about the alleged threat until 2005, when he was approached by a different investigator.

Separate from testimony, attorneys spoke with the judge about potential evidence the defense is hoping to present. Defense attorney Bruce Barket says a team of investigators found articles of clothing in a burn pit on Stacy Stewart's property. Stewart is the individual the defense argues could be responsible for Michele's disappearance.

Recently, the defense told the judge no DNA results were found on the charred fabric, but says the type of fabric is consistent with Brian Earley's testimony of what she was last wearing.

The DA asked the judge to give the prosecution time to also do testing on the alleged evidence. The judge says he will take it into consideration once he rules on the defense's request to point towards third-person responsibility.

Once court was dismissed for the day, the attorneys had another discussion with the judge regarding cell phone calls that Barket brought up last week. That conversation happened behind closed doors.

- Cara Thomas, TWC News


4:32 p.m., April 6

3:07 p.m., April 6

2:58 p.m., April 6

1:12 p.m., April 6

1:10 p.m., April 6

Earley was from Philadelphia. He met Michele Harris while on a hunting trip with his uncle at a cabin near Waverly.

He met Michele in late November 2000. Michele told him she was married but was in the process of getting a divorce.

In June of 2001 he moved to Tioga County, where Michele found him an apartment and a job working with her brother at a machine shop.

Earley testified on the night of September 11, he walked Michele out to her van, gave her a kiss goodbye and she left. He says he assumed she was heading home.

On September 12, while at work, he heard Michele was missing.

Investigator MacAvoy interviewed Earley and walked to his apartment with him, to inspect it. MacAvoy found a gun there, inspected it and put it back.

Earley says he remembers Michele wearing a navy polo, khaki shorts and sneakers. She had on rings, earrings, a necklace and a watch, according to Earley.

Tuesday, after court the defense attorney indicated that nothing came out of testing burn pit evidence and that no DNA was found. The district attorney requested that they be given time to also do similar testing.

Judge says he will take that into consideration when he ends up ruling on their submissions about third person responsibility.

Barket says in light of Earley testimony, the fabric found in burn pit lines up perfectly with what she was last seen wearing.

11:51 a.m., April 6

10:45 a.m., April 6

Michele's hair dresser, Jerome Wilczynski, took the stand Wednesday.

During testimony he said that during a July appointment Michele asked him to listen to a phone conversation she was having with Cal.

He testified that during that conversation Cal told Michele to drop divorce proceedings or he would kill her and make her disappear.

During cross examination the defense asked why there was no record of a salon appointment in July, pointing out documents show her last appointment was in May.

5:10 p.m., April 5

Testimony continued in the fourth Cal Harris murder trial Tuesday, with family members taking the stand.

Harris is accused of killing his wife, Michele, in September of 2001.

Michele's brother and sister-in law were among those to take the stand. Shannon Taylor broke down crying during testimony. She talked about a call she made to Michele, when she heard screaming in the background. She said Michele tried to leave, but Harris trapped her in the garage.

Michele's brother, Greg, said they suspected Harris from the beginning.

Defense attorney, Bruce Barket asked if Shannon Taylor knew Stacey Stewart. Barket said Taylor told CBS' "48 Hours" program that she had heard of him, but on the stand Tuesday, Taylor said that was incorrect.

And the defense consistently asks witnesses about potential drug use by Michele.

Testimony continues Wednesday.

5:06 p.m., April 5

5:02 p.m., April 5

5:01 p.m., April 5

4:58 p.m., April 5

3:35 p.m., April 5

3:34 p.m., April 5

1:35 p.m., April 5

The first witness of the day was former New York State Police Investigator Daniel Bradshaw.  He testified to transferring police evidence to the forensic investigation unit.

Next witness is Michael Young. He is also a former NYSP investigator.

He assisted Investigator Michael Myers with the investigation into Michele's disappearance. He was there when Cal Harris was interviewed on September 12.

5 a.m., April 5

Testimony is scheduled to continue in the fourth Cal Harris murder trial at 1 p.m.

4:44 p.m., April 1

4:41 p.m., April 1

A state police investigator was the final witness for the day. Mike Myers interviewed Cal Harris several times on September 12.

Harris told Myers it was very unusual for Michele not to come home and to leave her van at the end of the driveway. He also said he hadn't done anything or made any calls to find her. Myers says they found blood evidence in the Harris home two days later.

When asked about it, he says Cal told him one of his sons had cut a finger, and blood could possibly have dripped onto the garage floor.

Myers also testified Harris told him Michele had been hanging out with a bad crowd. But he says Harris never called him to offer new info or get an update on their investigation.

2:26 p.m., April 1

2:11 p.m., April 1

Lisa Feuer, Michele Harris' college roommate, is the next to take the stand.

Feuer says Michele planned to visit her on 9/13 -- Feuer lives near NYC. But their plans were canceled after the terror attacks occurred. They were going to go to the diamond district so Michele could sell her engagement ring.

Feuer says she has had very little communication with Cal over the years. She says she never cared for him.

She says police asked her if Michele used drugs. Feuer said other than some partying in college, Michele did not use drugs.

12:52 p.m., April 1

The defense finishes up its re-cross-examination of the first witness in the Cal Harris trial.

The defense questioned Barbara Thayer about a number of points from her testimony Thursday. They argued that a call Thayer says she made to Michele's cell phone the day after her disappearance was in fact made by Cal Harris.

The defense says she never mentioned the call to police during their initial investigation.

And they also disputed Thayer's testimony that Cal asked her to remove Michele's possessions and sell them. They claim it was Thayer who initiated that, a charge she denies.

Thayer also admitted that in past testimony, she said Michele was a bit of a partier.

12:01 p.m., April 1

11:28, a.m., April 1

After both sides delivered opening statements Thursday, the prosecution called the former babysitter for the Harris children to testify. Her testimony covered the last time she saw Michele Harris, and the events that transpired after her disappearance.

In Friday's cross-examination, the defense points out inconsistencies in Thayer's story.

Thayer says Cal cleared out Michele's belongings, and Thayer sold them at a garage sale in 2002. She recalled that pictures of Michele in the house began to disappear, and she says she overheard Cal tell one of his children "stop your sniffling. Your mom's gone. Get over it."

The judge asked Barket at one point to pick up the pace with his cross-examination.

"I'm trying, but it's like the first day of track practice. I'll get faster as the days go on," Barket said.

On cross-examination, the defense claimed Thayer cheated Harris by not giving him half the proceeds from the garage sale. They then spent time questioning Thayer on discrepancies in her timeline for the day after Michele was last seen.

9:47 a.m., April 1

The fourth Cal Harris Trial continues Friday with cross-examination of the first witness -- Barbara Thayer has taken the stand.

4:37 p.m., March 31

4:36 p.m., March 31

3:41 p.m., March 31

3:40 p.m., March 31

3:38 p.m., March 31