Feb 28, 2018

Jessica Springer repositioned Tim Smith's body before law enforcement arrived

Officer Ryan Richardson resumed testimony this morning in the Jon Goldberg case.

Tim Smith was found lying face down with his arm tucked under his body. Officer Richardson rolled him over to check for signs of life.

Photo of a Dodge Caravan was shown. You could see a black gun holster, a black wallet in plain view on the passenger side.

An aerial view of the Goldberg property was shown with one structure containing processed marijuana and "marijuana" growing." Ammunition was located in the residence.

There were 40 minutes of direct testimony and identifying photos.

Deputy Public Defender Casey Russo started at 10. In a very effective one hour cross examination he  managed to shake Officer Richardson's credibility. When the witness starts getting defensive and admitting that his preliminary testimony in December was different than what he testified to in court today  that speaks for itself.

Statements of key witnesses not recorded at scene or station, Smith's residence and truck and RV that Tim Smith Jr lived in not searched, no note made by Officer Richardson about Jessica Springer repositioning body, crime log not started until 1:41 and after crime tape put up was admitted during cross by Richardson. There were no notes what other personnel entered an area secured with crime scene tape
 No follow up investigation to talk to Bridgeville Elementary school;  key areas wer not revisited to check vantage points.

Using preliminary transcripts and recent direct testimony, Mr. Russo did impeach Officer Richardson's testimony.

Officer Richardson admitted after being shown documents and actual text message that it was his interpretation Rachel Goldberg received information from Jessica Springer the night of February 26.

Another blow for the prosecution, only one text sent at 2:10 a.m. by Jessica Springer. She did not call Rachel Goldberg, as claimed in Officer Richardson's report. He admitted that was his assumption and interpretation and this was before he actually viewed the cell phone records.

Rachel Goldberg (mentioning the selfies she sent Tim Smith), "Last night my husband and Tim's, I don't know,  significant other, they are not married" found about the pictures. "My husband woke up and I told him, I sent the pics" and " some kissing".

The above statement proves what Mr. Russo said in his opening statement and not what Deputy District Attorney Luke Bernthal said in his opening and what was represented at the preliminary.

Other officers on the scene were Fortuna Chief William Dobberstein, Officer Brian Taylor and Officer James Jengeleski.

Previous post:

https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2018/02/lead-detective-on-tim-smith-homicide.html?m=1


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