Defense asks cell phone data to be removed from evidence
SULLIVAN COUNTY, Ind. (WTHI) -Johnus Orr is accused of killing his step-sister Tiffanie Adams and her unborn son.
On Friday afternoon he appeared for another pre-trial hearing, where the court zeroed in on what could be a key piece of evidence.
Six months ago Indiana State Police divers found Tiffanie’s cell phone at the bottom of a lake on County Road 300. At the time, authorities called the discovery a “major break” in the case.
Phone records determined Orr used the phone to text a family member. Tiffanie also placed distress calls from the same phone just moments before her death.
Cell phone records obtained by police show Tiffanie’s cell phone called Bruce Adams’ (Tiffanie’s father’s) home phone but Bruce stated he, “could not make out what was going on over the phone.” The probable cause then stated Tiffanie’s phone called Bruce Adams’ home phone again at 12:59 p.m. on Nov. 5 and he heard what he described as, “carrying on.”
Bruce further stated it sounded like Tiffanie’s phone “got snatched out of her hand.”
The last ping from cell phone towers placed Tiffanie’s phone around the area of the lake, just miles from where her body was found in December 2014.
The defense argues the ping is not accurate or relevant, and filed a motion to have it removed from evidence.
“And in court of law when a person’s liberty is at stake we got to have more than approximations and estimates, so I think it’s inadmissible for those reasons,” said John Kessler the II, Orr’s Attorney.
In an attempt to prove the accuracy of the cell phone data, the prosecution called Special Agent, Kevin Horam, with the FBI to take the stand.
Horam specializes in Historical Record Analysis. Last February he began analyzing records from the cell phone provider before conducting his own investigation.
Horam drew up a detailed report which he provided to the judge during Friday’s hearing. The state hopes to use his expertise as testimony during the trial.
“He’s one of twelve people who do this type of analysis and provides this type of testimony throughout the country, so he is one of the elite experts in this field,” said Sullivan County Prosecutor, John Springer.
The judge will review the report before making a final decision.
Orr’s trial is still scheduled to begin on March 7th.
