ANTHONY LANE Star-Tribune staff writer | Posted: Saturday, March 18, 2006 12:00 am
Three basic patterns emerged last week as witnesses testified during the opening days of Rita Ann Humphrey's trial.
Humphrey is charged with first-degree murder in connection with the Nov. 23, 1977, shooting of her husband, Jack Humphrey. Her trial started Monday.
Jack Humphrey's siblings spoke during the week about problems they saw developing in the Evansville couple's relationship before the shooting. They recounted observations and interactions from the weeks and years afterward that apparently fueled suspicions about Rita Humphrey's role that morning.
Jack Humphrey's sister and three brothers each seemed to become impatient under cross-examination as defense attorney Michael Krampner asked about statements they apparently made during the investigation of the shooting and actions they took to see his client charged in connection with it.
"Did you ever lie to police to get Rita prosecuted?" Krampner asked Bonnie Humphrey on Friday morning.
"No," Humphrey replied.
Michael Blonigen, Natrona County's district attorney, called Rita Humphrey's sister to the stand on Friday, and earlier in the week he questioned the man who had been her boyfriend in 1977. Donna Baldwin, who then had the last name of Moore, and Frank Finch testified that Rita Humphrey called them to her home at 211 Copper St. on the morning of Nov. 23.
Both admitted to changes in their stories in the years since the shooting.
During the trial, they said they walked into a bedroom at the home to find Jack Humphrey lying in bed, apparently dead from a gunshot wound to the head. Finch said he later moved a rifle that he found sitting in the kitchen of the home outside, reportedly out of concern that the Humphreys' three daughters might wake and see it.
Investigators eventually found a .243-caliber rifle and a spent bullet casing sitting in the snow outside the rear door to the home. The weapon, which reportedly belonged to Rita Humphrey, is thought to have been the murder weapon.
Baldwin testified that she never saw the rifle and had no knowledge of it being taken outside. But after seeing Jack Humphrey's body, she said, she checked on the children and may have heard the sound of a door opening at some point. After finding the children were safe, she said, she called police .
Krampner questioned Baldwin and Finch about changes in their recollections of Nov. 23 that apparently developed over 28 years. He referred to transcripts connected with the case from the years immediately following the shooting, and he asked about methods employed by Evansville Police Chief Zachary Gentile when he was actively investigating it again in 2003.
Gentile visited Baldwin in Missouri and Finch in Oregon as he worked on the case, according to testimony. Baldwin said "yes" when Krampner asked her if Gentile gave her the impression during these interviews that she could be charged with a crime in connection with Jack Humphrey's death.
"Did he tell you what you needed to say to not be charged with a crime?" Krampner asked.
Baldwin again answered "yes."
Finch, who has testified that he was drinking heavily the night before the shooting, offered a similar picture of his interviews with Gentile. But despite any changes to his testimony in different court appearances, he said, he felt the need to be "100 percent sure" of anything he said during the trial.
Investigators have been a third category of witnesses in the trial. They have explained what they found and did on that day nearly three decades ago. With each, Krampner asked if their recollections would be better were it not for the passage of more than 28 years.
Blonigen will continue calling witnesses next week, possibly resting the state's case by Tuesday.
Reporter Anthony Lane can be reached at (307) 266-0593 or at anthony.lane@casperstartribune.net.