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New witnesses testify in Cathy Beard murder case
Witnesses for the defense took the stands after the prosecution rested Tuesday in the trial of John Oldson. He's the man being charged with first degree murder in the death of Catherine Beard.
John Oldson looked back where his wife and mother were sitting Wednesday, as witnesses from the defense took the stands. Oldson's defense also read two reports given to law enforcement by witnesses who are now deceased and one report by an ill witness. Taking the stand, Mike Hughes testified he saw a male and female at a convenience store outside of Burwell, May 31, 1989. He says the female resembled Cathy but didn't talk to any law enforcement because it may have been a figment of his imagination. Law enforcement also looked into a report about a possible sighting of Cathy at a café in Moral, Nebraska. But the description didn't match police reports. Retired investigator Gerald Schmidt with the Nebraska State Patrol interviewed John Oldson's father Dick Oldson after Cathy's disappearance. He said he searched their home but was looking for Cathy's body and no other evidence. When talking about Cathy's disappearance, Dick Oldson says it was a shame the girl was an alley cat, but that ain't no reason to kill her. And also testifying was Jerome Walkowiak who was at the Someplace Else Tavern May 31, 1989. He says he saw Oldson and Cathy talking that night. Cathy handed Walkowiak her cigarettes and lighter and went into the alley with Oldson. Walkowiak says he looked out the back window and saw Cathy and Oldson climb into a blue truck with an 88 county license plate, behind the bar. Two other men were in the truck. But one report said Walkowiak saw John disappear walking down the alley. The prosecution however, says that Walkowiak doesn't mention anything about Cathy getting into a truck in a report given to law enforcement that was taken two days after Cathy's disappearance. The defense will wrap up their witnesses Thursday. Closing statements will be read and then the decision goes to the jury. Oldson waived the sequestration right prior to deliberation and Judge Noakes said the jury will be allowed to separate and go home during deliberation. |
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