Ingersoll Trial continues as witnesses take the stand
-->By: Jennifer Lee
Updated: November 7, 2012
Witnesses have taken to the stand today as Craig Ingersoll's trial resumes. The Utica man is accused of killing Jennifer Bennett over five years ago. Her body was found behind the Deerfield Fire House back in January of 2007.
A Forensic Investigator from the Oneida County Sheriff's Office testified. He said he collected evidence at the crime scene and on the victim's body. We also learned how the pathologist determined how Bennett died.
"The way her clothes were found suggests she was a victim of sexual assault," said Sgt. Peter Healt of the Oneida County Sheriff's Office.
Sgt. Healt says the victim was found with her jeans pulled down below her knees and her jacket, shirt and bra were pulled up over her breasts.
The investigator's job was to collect and preserve evidence.
He says he saw bruises and scratch marks on her face and body and evidence that suggested she was dragged across the mud.
And when the investigator rolled the body over, there was no snow underneath her, suggesting she was placed there before the snowfall. But, most importantly DNA evidence was found, a single hair on the victim's back.
Sgt. Healt was also there when Dr. Michael Sikirica performed an autopsy.
The pathologist also took the stand- explaining how he came to determine Bennett was strangled to death.
A toxicology report also revealed that Jennifer had heavy amounts of cocaine and pain killers in her system. Prosecutors say she had a drug problem and worked as a prostitute to support her addiction.
During a suppression hearing earlier this year, investigators said Ingersoll admitted to being with several prostitutes, including Jennifer.
The victim's mother also testified, talking about her daughter's drug addiction and what type of woman she was.
The trial will continue tomorrow with more witness testimony.
