Hamilton Ave. judge takes case back to scene of crime

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Testimony continued Tuesday in the Hamilton Avenue murder trail. After lab technicians took the stand in the morning, the case moved to the crime scene on Hamilton Avenue. The judge and members of the prosecution and defense team for Desmond Turner's trial took a trip to see the home.

Special Coverage: Desmond Turner Hamilton Avenue Murder Trial

The home on Hamilton Avenue is where seven members of the Covarrubias and Alberron families were murdered in June of 2006. A Marion County Sheriff's Department van dropped the group off in front of the house. The visit to the crime scene was a big surprise for many people inside the courtroom listening to the testimony.

A 24-Hour News 8 producer reported the judge said, "If this was a jury trial the jury would want to see the crime scene. So let's see the crime scene."

People who live in the east side neighborhood were all caught off guard by the presence of police cars and security and by seeing the judge on their street.

Frank Dodson, who lives only yards from the crime scene, said hopefully the visit is a sign that the trial is coming to an end.

"Maybe they are getting closer. I'm hoping maybe he wants to see what they are not telling him. I don't know. Maybe they are getting closer and getting to the bottom of it," said Dodson.

This visit to the crime scene came hours after two lab technicians took the stand Tuesday. Their testimony is important for the prosecution because they explained prosecutors' contention that Turner soaked his clothes in water and hydrogen peroxide after the murder to get rid of DNA evidence.

• 24-Hour News 8 sketch artist Joy Hernandez was in court Tuesday. See her work by clicking through the pictures in the left margin of this story.

Prosecutors said that, even though investigators did not find DNA on Turner's clothes, Turner's actions could be incriminating.

"Whether of not there’s actually DNA on those clothes is not the issue. What the issue is, is he thought that there was. So, if he didn’t commit this crime, why would you use hydrogen peroxide, why would you use alcohol, why would you submerge perfectly dry clothes in a tub of water?" Marion County Prosecutor Carl Brizzi asked.

Turner waived his rights to join the trip to the crime scene.

The prosecution was expected to end their testimony Tuesday. The defense still has to present its case.

The trial is scheduled to wrap up by the end of the week.