CAMM TRIAL: Cell phone taken from evidence room, returned without fingerprints

LEBANON, Ind. (WDRB) -- The jury in the David Camm case on Thursday heard testimony that an Indiana State Police detective and distant relative of Charles Boney took Kim Camm's cell phone out of the evidence room and kept it for two months, returning it fingerprint-free.

That is not the only alleged unethical practice under question in court on Thursday.

Former ISP detective and lead investigator of the second Camm trial, Gary Gilbert, took the stand on Thursday. He testified to discovering Charles Boney's DNA on evidence from the murder scene.

But the defense grilled Gilbert on the DNA discovery, arguing that it has been begging the prosecution to look at the DNA all along.

When questioned by the defense, Gilbert said that he was shocked and surprised to find out that once Boney was arrested, the defense's investigator told Boney about the gun believed to have been used in the murders of Kim, Jill, and Brad Camm. Investigators were withholding the information to use in questioning.

Gilbert also testified a prosecution investigator, Wayne Kessinger, had a non-recorded conversation with Boney. He also said he allowed an ISP detective and distant relative of Boney, Myron Wilkerson, to meet with him shortly after he was arrested. Gilbert said Wilkerson told Boney, "The best decision is to be a witness."

Boney left that meeting, and for the first time told police he was there the night of the murders. Also in question was Kim Camm's cell phone log. Gilbert testified that at 7:50 p.m. the night of the murders, a 13-second call was made from Kim's phone.

The defense also pointed out that it wasn't until David Camm was charged that investigators interviewed the basketball players that Camm was with the night of the murders.

The judge granted the prosecution's request for David Camm to show a tattoo he received on his arm while in jail. The defense fought that request, calling it "humiliating," but the judge did say Camm could change into a t-shirt first.

The prosecution claimed seeing the tattoo is relevant and will help prove the legitimacy of an earlier witness, Jeremy Bullock, who served time with Camm at the Michigan City Prison in 2002 and gave him the tattoo. Bullock testified that Camm admitted that he murdered his wife and children.

Also on Thursday, the judge denied the defense's first mistrial request from earlier in the week. But he did say he would allow Charles Boney's ex-girlfriend to be called again to testify.

Camm showed the tattoo to jurors at 6:09 p.m. and the prosecution rested its case. The trial will resume on Monday.