Wednesday marks day three in the retrial of 49-year-old Billy Chemirmir, a man charged with killing 18 older women —13 in Dallas County and five in nearby Collin County — over a 2-year span.
Chemirmir has been charged with capital murder in all 18 of the women's deaths, but he's currently only scheduled to stand trial for the 2018 death of Lu Thi Harris.
Chemirmir faces life in prison without parole if he's convicted of fatally smothering Harris. The first jury to hear a case against him deadlocked last fall.
DAY 3, CHEMIRMIR'S PHONE CONTAINED IMAGES OF STOLEN PROPERTY
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On Wednesday prosecutors focused on connecting Chemirmir to three crimes - the attack on Mary Annis Bartel, the death of Lu Harris and the death of Mary Sue Brooks.
Testimony began with Plano detective Jennifer Chapman who examined Chemirmir's phone after his arrest.
She said she found a photo of Mary Bartel's stolen ring on his phone and messages from OfferUp showing he posted the ring for sale within two hours of Bartel's attack. Chapman said Chemirmir's OfferUp account also showed he'd sold stolen jewelry belonging to Mary Sue Brooks.
The Richardson detective who investigated Brooks' death also testified.
Brooks was found dead inside her Richardson home on Jan. 31, 2018. Her death was initially declared natural, but her case was reopened after Chemirmir's arrest because her family had reported several family heirlooms, including jewelry been stolen from her home.
Prosecutors played surveillance video showing Brooks visiting the Walmart at Coit and Arapaho the day before she died and a Nissan Altima following her out of the parking lot when she left. Prosecutors said that car belonged to Chemirmir.
Late Wednesday morning jurors heard from a jewelry broker from Diamond & Gold Exchange who said he purchased jewelry from Chemrimir. They also heard from Brooks' grandson who found her dead inside her home.
After the lunch break, the court heard testimony from Brooks' daughter Ann. She testified that after her mother's death they noticed several items were missing from her mother's condo including a number of distinctive pieces of jewelry and family heirlooms. She told the court her mother never would have sold them to anyone.
The state wrapped Wednesday with an FBI expert on cell phone analysis.
Mark Sedwick told the jury his analysis connects Chemirmir's phone to the area of two of the crimes.
Chemirmir's defense team will get the chance to cross-examine Sedwick Thursday morning when court resumes.
CHEMIRMIR TRIAL STARTED MONDAY AFTER A DELAY
Chemirmir's second trial began Monday afternoon after being delayed by several hours after a juror did not show up on time.
Once it started Chemirmir's attorney entered a not guilty plea for him. Chemirmir has maintained that he's innocent.
During his opening statement, prosecutor Glen Fitzmartin set the stage for building the case against Chemirmir. "All of this evidence is going to be overwhelming for you all," Fitzmartin said.
The defense declined to make an opening statement on Monday.
DAY 2 OF CHEMIRMIR TRIAL FOCUSED ON LU THI HARRIS' DEATH AND PROPERTY FOUND
Tuesday morning's testimony focused on Harris' life and death. The police officers who found the 81-year-old dead inside her home testified and the jury saw the pillow with smeared lipstick prosecutors believed was used as a murder weapon.
Harris' son-in-law, Richard Rinehart, took the stand to talk about her life.
CHEMIRMIR MAY FACE ANOTHER TRIAL
Dallas County District Attorney John Creuzot, who isn't seeking the death penalty for Harris' killing, has said he plans to try Chemirmir for at least one more death, though he hasn't said whose.
Most of the people Chemirmir is accused of killing were found dead in their apartments at independent living communities for older people, where he allegedly forced his way in or posed as a handyman. He's also accused of killing women in private homes, including the widow of a man he had cared for in his job as an at-home caregiver.
NBC 5 Special Series: Stranger at the Door
Editor's Note: NBC 5 initially reported the FBI expert told the jury his analysis connected Chemirmir's phone to all three crimes. The phone was connected to two crimes. This article has been corrected; we regret the error.
