Second week of Biela trial to focus on Denison killing

posted on: May 17, 2010

The second week of testimony in the James Biela murder and sexual assault trial, which starts Monday morning, is expected to focus on the abduction, rape and murder of Brianna Denison and events that led to Biela's arrest.

Two women who were sexually assaulted in late 2007 told their stories last week, after the jury was seated Tuesday. Crime scene investigators, DNA experts and detectives detailed the evidence found in each crime, and links they found between each of the three cases.

It could take all this week for prosecutors lay out their case. The jury might not begin deliberations until early next week.

Denison, a Reno native, was a 19-year-old student at Santa Barbara City College in Southern California when she disappeared from a friend's house near the University of Nevada, Reno campus Jan. 20, 2008. Her body was found 26 days later in a field in southeast Reno.

Reno police Detective David Jenkins testified last week that he looked into other violent crimes near campus and found DNA evidence to connect a December 2007 sexual assault with the Denison case.

Then a woman who lived near campus told police that her former roommate had been raped on campus in October 2007. She met with police, gave them a description of the man and they created a sketch.

A Secret Witness tip let police to Biela, who was arrested Nov. 25, 2008, on murder and rape charges in the killing of Denison and kidnapping and sexual assault charges in the December rape.

After his photo was publicized, the October victim identified him as her attacker, she said Friday.

Yet to testify is K.T. Hunter, who was with Denison the night before she disappeared.
Jenkins will return to the stand to discuss the Denison investigation, and the DNA experts will reveal what they found in her case.

The courtroom was full each day.

If the jury finds Biela guilty of murder, the jury would enter a second phase to determine punishment. The prosecution is seeking the death penalty.

Biela trial stirs emotions

posted on: May 14, 2010

In the James Biela murder and sexual assault trial that began Wednesday, I never expected any laughter.

This case has stirred so much emotion.

In the front row sat the Denison family, who likely will forever grieve the loss of Brianna Denison, 19. Biela is accused of killing Denison in 2008.

On the opposite side of the courtroom sat Kathy Lovell, who for the next three weeks will watch the case against her son that could end in his conviction and a death penalty sentence.

And for most of Wednesday afternoon, on the witness stand, was a young woman who was forced to describe the night where she was taken from outside her apartment near the University of Nevada, Reno campus and sexually assaulted.

She described her ordeal in front of about 80 people who filled the courtroom including Biela, 14 jurors, three defense attorneys, two prosecutors, a judge, court employees and reporters who came in and out of the small courtroom on the third floor of 75 Court St. in downtown Reno.

At times, it was hard to listen to the young woman, who was 22 at the time of the attack, describe in detail being forced to have oral sex with a stranger.

Many observers shook their head in horror as she described being attacked. People moved uncomfortably in the courtroom chairs when the victim said she thought she might die that night.

But it was the few times the courtroom relaxed and laughed that surprised me the most.

"This is another question a gentleman doesn't ask a lady, but how much did you weigh?" Prosecutor Elliott Sattler asked the young woman testifying to describe her appearance when she was attacked.

The courtroom chuckled at the almost chivalrous way he tried to pose the question.

When the victim described a conversation she had with her attacker and how he asked her how many boyfriends she had in her past, the courtroom laughed a little when she said she told her attacker the number was seven or eight.

When Sattler asked the victim if her attacker had an accent, the courtroom laughed when he tried to give an example and said such as "People from New York speak a certain way."

When Sattler asked the victim to describe her attacker's hair color and asked if it was similar to his hair color, the courtroom laughed when the victim seemed not to want to offend the lawyer, but she said that his hair had too much gray.

Second rape victim was initially reluctant to come forward.

posted on: May 13, 2010

When James Biela was arrested in November 2008, Reno police Det. David Jenkins said he interviewed a second woman who had been raped in late 2007.

Her attacker jumped her in a parking garage in October 2007 and raped her at gunpoint.

The woman had not reported the assault to police, but after Denison disappeared Jan. 20, 2008, the woman's friend had told police about the rape, and the woman helped police create a sketch of the suspect.

Jenkins said the woman had heard about Biela's arrest from friends and she and her husband went on the Internet to find a photo of him.

"She was certain that was the individual that attacked her," Jenkins said.

"What was her demeanor?" Deputy District Attorney Elliott Sattler asked, referring to her interview with Jenkins.

"She was crying. She was visibly shaken. She was upset and protested that she was very reluctant to be involved," Jenkins said. "She didn't necessarily want to be involved.

"My impression was she was frightened, sad and reluctant to become involved."

The woman is expected to be called as a witness in this trial, which is expected to run another two weeks.

Jenkins is expected to be called back to testify further on the Denison case.

People expected to crowd into Reno court room as Biela murder and rape trail begins

posted on: May 12, 2010

Family and friends of the three victims, law enforcement and curious community members will crowd into a Washoe District Court courtroom this morning as the prosecutor lays out his case against James Michael Biela.

Eight women and six men were chosen to decide the case after a two-day jury-selection process that ended late Tuesday. The trial is expected to run about three weeks.

Biela is charged with raping and killing Brianna Denison, a 19-year-old college student, kidnapping and sexually assaulting another student, and raping a third. He could face the death penalty if convicted.

After Deputy District Attorney Elliott Sattler completes his opening statements, Biela's lawyers, a team of three from the Washoe County Public Defender's Office, will have an opportunity to present their side.

Then the testimony begins.

The Bring Bri Justice Foundation has created the Brianna Guide to aid in the search for a missing person. Additionally, the Foundation has created a search team to work with law enforcement in recovering missing persons. Currently, the search team is undergoing training from the Washoe County Sheriff's Department. The Foundation Center, in the Smithridge Shopping Plaza, will serve as the search center, in the event that someone from Washoe County is missing. If so, we will be in need of both search volunteers as well as donations, so please add your name to the volunteer list and donate using this web page.
 

100% of proceeds go to The Bring Bri Justice Foundation