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Damm Takes the Stand, Defense RestsBy Katie Wiedemann, Reporter
GALENA, IL - The defense rested its case in David Damm's murder trial.
That's after Damm testified in court today. The Waterloo man is accused of hiring Bruce Burt to kill 13-year-old Donnisha Hill. Hill's body was found in rural Jo Daviess County in October, 2006. Prosecutors say Damm hired Burt to kill the girl because he was afraid D.N.A. testing would indicate Damm sexually abused her. But in court Wednesday Damm said Burt took it upon himself to actually kill her. For the first time since the trial began David Damm took the stand. He admitted he hired Bruce Burt to take Donnisha out of town, but says he never intended for Bruce to kill her. Damm says Donnisha would often visit him at his shop, Eastside Motors in Waterloo. He said she often talked about running away. He said he took Donnisha to Bruce Burt to get her out of town. He told jurors in October of 2006 he had not been faithful to his wife and he was getting sexual favors from other women, like clients or customers of his business. He says that is the reason there was a paper towel napkin that had his semen on it. Damm's attorney asked him, "Are you aware Donnisha could still be alive right now had you not dropped her off with Burt?" That's when Damm started crying and said quote, "she's gone, her family is hurt, this didn't have to happen.” Prosecutors then re-called Investigator John Korth to the stand. He said, when he first interviewed Damm, he did not mention Bruce Burt's name until he told Damm Burt was also being questioned. Damm admitted to initially lying to police out of fear of retaliation from Donnisha's family. Closing arguments are set to begin Thursday. More Good Stuff |
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