Casey Anthony Heart Shaped Sticker
6-13-11
Casey Anthony Trial: 2 FBI analysts testified today on hair decomposition and the phantom heart shaped sticker! FBI analyst Stephen Shaw did a study on human hair decomposition that shows a dark band near the root. The judge allowed the results of Shaw’s study into evidence despite the fact that it’s not established science. FBI analyst Elizabeth Fontaine testified that while she was examining the duct tape found over Caylee’s mouth, she saw what appeared to be the outline of a heart shape on the duct tape! The alleged heart shape was never photographed and was destroyed when fingerprint tests were conducted on the duct tape.
STEPHEN SHAW
He’s an FBI analyst who examined Caylee Anthony’s hair found in Casey’s trunk along with hair from the crime scene in the woods. Due to this case, The Caylee Anthony case, FBI analyst, Stephen Shaw, was inspired to conduct a study on hair decomposition. Specifically, on the “death band” a dark band near the root of a decomposing hair. The results of the study he was allowed to testify upon today in court. Stephen Shaw created a computer video Powerpoint presentation of hair banding with decomposition. In a surprise move, Judge Belvin Perry, actually denied the DA’s evidence from coming in!
Judge Belvin Perry ruled that a PowerPoint presentation of Shaw’s findings could not be presented to jurors because the defense had not been shown full color images included in the presentation. Baez argued his team had only been shown black and white versions of the photographs of the hairs Shaw studied, which were not as clear as the color ones. Perry ruled that Shaw’s testimony could stand.
Stephen Shaw testified that:
- Inspired by study from John Jay College that live people & dead people both have hair banding.
- He would’ve done this study anyway, but it was more of a priority because of the Casey Anthony case.
- He took hair samples from living individuals for the study. Compared the hairs from living to dead people.
- ACKNOWLEDGE THAT HE DOESN’T KNOW IF POST MORTEM ROOT HAIR BANDING IS *** EXCLUSIVELY*** FROM A DECEASED PERSON. He could never testify with certainty that it’s from a dead person.
- Said it’s his 1st time testifying about post mortem root banding in any court of law.
- gave a deposition in Washington DC.
- Acknowledges that subjecting hairs to different environments can subject hairs to darkening where even trained observer might think it’s post mortem.
- Defense lawyer, Jose Baez brought up the issue of hair transfer. That’s where hair from a person is transferred to another location innocently.
- Jose Baez pointed out that Stephen Shaw conducted his studies in the State of Virginia where it’s cold. Climate and heat play a major part in decomposition.
- On redirect Stephen Shaw said he’s never personally seen decomposition in hair that never came from a corpse.
Bear in mind that the results of Stephen Shaw’s study is not established science. This is simply the results of an FBI study, a research project, that admittedly was inspired by this case. Because Stephen Shaw is an FBI agent, the jury will see him and his testimony as authorative instead of for what it is – a study. This could potentially be an issue on appeal. That Judge Belvin Perry allowed into a death penalty case – the results of a study to persuade the jury and not established science. This hair banding evidence has never been allowed in a Florida courtroom.
ELIZABETH FONTAINE
She’s the newbie FBI analyst who screwed up the heart shaped sticker evidence! Her official title is: “FBI physical scientist forensic examiner” Boy, that was a mouthful! She testified that:
- She examined 3 pieces of duct tape found with Caylee Anthony’s skeleton.
- The duct tape was 6-8 inches in length.
- Glue & strings migrated towards one end of duct tape.
- SHE FOUND NO FINGERPRINTS ON THE DUCT TAPE.
- During her examination of the duct tape, she saw the outline of a heart shape while the duct tape was under ultra violet light. She said the residue resembled residue of a bandaid if you had been wearing it for extended period of time.
- A supervisor also observed heart shaped on duct tape.
- THE HEART SHAPED RESIDUE WAS NEVER PHOTOGRAPHED. Elizabeth Fontaine claims that the FBI protocol does not require photographing unexpected items.
- When she went to photograph it afterwards, it was gone after testing. THE HEART SHAPED STICKY RESIDUE WAS DESTROYED BY THE FINGERPRINT TESTING!
Cross Exam – Jose Baez
- Evidence super glued in humidity chamber to harden prints. Then ultra violet light is shined down onto object.
- Jose Baez questioned Elizabeth Fontaine on the entire process of examining the duct tape from putting it under lights, powders etc. The whole CSI bit.
Baez asked her if she’s aware that item was later contaminated. The DA objected.
At 12pm Judge Belvin Perry announced that the prosecution will be wrapping up it’s case by Wednesday afternoon. They have 1 witness who’s not yet in town and court will resume tomorrow at 1pm.
The judge told the jury that they might get the case to start deliberations by June 25 or the 27th!
After court ended for the day, I was watching the analysis of the day’s evidence on TRU-TV’s In Session. (I’m old school – I still remember it as Court TV! I could never get use to saying “TRU-TV”)
Casey Anthony’s former defense lawyer, Linda Kenny-Baden speaking about Judge Belvin Perry’s apparent defense bias and allowing in Stephen Shaw’s study, said:
“THE JUDGE HAS STEPPED OFF THE BENCH AND JOINED THE PROSECUTION! HE’S ALLOWING IN RESEARCH EVIDENCE AND PSEUDO SCIENCE IN A DEATH PENALTY CASE…..THE JUDGE ALLOWED IN A RESEARCH EXPERIMENT!
Casey Jordan, In Session criminologist, said of the heart shaped sticker that the heart evidence is like seeing clouds. When everyone looks up to the clouds they all see a different image. Elizabeth Fontaine saw the profile of a heart. The jury could’ve seen profile of Abe Lincoln!
Read more:
- Casey Anthony Heart Shaped Sticker
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