Day Three of testimony in the murder trial of No Name Given Happy continued yesterday in Cottonwood County District Court. The prosecution wasted no time, calling a witness who was directly involved in the chaotic events at the Phat Pheasant Bar on New Year’s Eve. The witness testified that the night began with casual drinks and a few games of pool but took a turn when the defendant became belligerent, reportedly refusing to follow other patrons’ table rules. During cross-examination, Defense Attorney Stephanie Skoro focused on the witness’s claim that he and other regulars often stepped in to help bartenders when things got out of hand. The witness referred to this as “locals helping out” to keep the bar environment safe. Surveillance footage was also presented specifically, a redacted one-minute video from the Runnings Store camera, showing the parking lot from the front of the building out to the highway. The State then called seven employees from the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. Each testified about their education, job roles, and their involvement in securing, interviewing, collecting samples, photographing the scene, and processing and analyzing the evidence. The courtroom learned how DNA analysis works and how precise it can be, one expert testified that DNA can be matched with a probability greater than 100 billion to one. In total, 26 evidence samples were tested for potential DNA matches. It was emphasized that DNA is the building block of life. The final witness of the day was Windom Police Sergeant Donna Marcy, the lead investigator. She detailed her role from the moment she was called on New Year’s Eve through the ongoing investigation. Marcy walked the jurors through the steps taken from contacting the BCA to collecting evidence and conducting interviews to piece together what happened. Photographic evidence was presented, along with explanations of what was collected and why. Several objections were raised throughout the day, some sustained, others overruled. The court adjourned a bit early. The prosecution stated it expects to call its final witness this morning and then rest its case. The defense is expected to begin presenting its case afterward. Due to scheduling conflicts with defense witnesses, there will be no court proceedings on Friday the 13th. Testimony will resume on Monday at 9 a.m.
——————————————————-
The Mountain Lake Police Department reported 32 calls from June 2nd to June 8th. Officers conducted several traffic stops, assisted other agencies, took a couple reports of text scams and a report of fraud that remains under investigation. A full listing of all calls for the Mountain Lake Police Department click on link below.
Mountain Lake Police Department June 2nd to June 8th
———————————————————
Jackson County Sheriff’s Office reported 29 calls from June 6th to June 10th. Deputies responded to a dog bite at the Jackson KOA, assisted with a pursuit reported by the Spirit Lake Police Department. The Jackson County K-9 unit assisted the Windom Police Department with a K-9 sniff and the Martin County Sheriff’s Office with a narcotics sniff. Deputies, the Sheriff’s Reserves, and the County Attorney’s Office held their 29th Annual Take A Kid Fishing event at Brown Park. Deputies responded to a 911 call for help at Burger King and responded to a report of teens throwing fireworks at motorists in Robertson Park. Deputies, the Lakefield Ambulance, Lakefield Fire Dept, and Lakefield PD responded to a one vehicle rollover with injuries on the NE edge of Lakefield. A 2005 Nissan Titan pickup, driven by Michael Mathews of Lakefield, was eastbound on 830th St near 460th Avenue when it entered the ditch, struck a Jackson Federated utility pole, and rolled. The driver was transported to the Windom Hospital. Warmka Towing assisted at the scene. A full listing of all calls for the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department is available by clicking link below.
Jackson County Sheriff Report June 6th-10th
——————————————-
As part of Windom’s Riverfest celebration and in honor of Father’s Day, the Business Arts and Recreation Center better known as BARC is inviting the community to a delicious fundraising Pancake Breakfast. The event takes place Sunday, June 15th, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the BARC West Gym, 1012 5th Avenue in Windom. Guests can enjoy pancakes, sausage, and a beverage for a suggested donation of $10. This fundraiser comes at a critical time for BARC, which recently faced $10,000 in boiler repairs and an additional $3,000 in unexpected heating costs over the winter. Organizers say every dollar raised helps keep this vital community space running. Can’t make it to the breakfast? Donations are also accepted by mail at BARC, PO Box 123, Windom, MN 56101. For more details, call 507-831-2375, weekdays between Noon and 4 p.m., or visit their website at barcast@windomnet.com. Support BARC help them continue to serve the community, one pancake at a time.