Nelson trial continues with cross examinations

MARQUETTE — The trial continued today for the suspect in a fatal hit-and-run incident in Big Bay.

Prosecutor Matt Wiese began the day by calling Michigan State Police Det. Sgt.Christopher Croley to the stand. Wiese questioned Croley about evidence collected at the scene and his conduct while initially interviewing the suspect, 46-year-old Michael Nelson.

Defense attorney Sarah Henderson also questioned Det. Sgt. Croley about the evidence, specifically that the suspected blood samples collected from the suspect’s vehicle turned out not to be human blood.

Wiese’s next witness was a forensic scientist who works with the Michigan State Police Crime Lab in downstate Grayling, who testified via teleconference. She talked about examining pieces of a car grill that were found at the scene.

“In the physical match examination portion of my casework, I looked at a known front grill assembly identified to me as from a Jeep Grand Cherokee,” forensic scientist Jennifer Patchin said. “That was item V-16, so that was the larger piece of grill that was collected from the Jeep Cherokee itself.”

The trial is expected to continue tomorrow with further prosecution witnesses and cross-examination.