Day 12 of Waukesha eye drop murder trial brings handwriting expert, forensic pathologist to the stand
WAUKESHA, Wis. (CBS 58) — One day after the state rested its case in the eye drop murder trial in Waukesha, the defense called several witnesses and experts to the stand, including a forensic document examiner, a nurse practitioner, and a pathologist.
Jessy Kurczewski, 39, is accused of fatally poisoning her family friend, 61-year-old Lynn Hernan, and stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from her after she passed in 2018.
She faces life in prison if convicted.
Wednesday, Nov. 8 marked the continuation of the trial’s third week.
The defense began around 8:30 a.m., calling for testimony that started Tuesday from FBI handwriting expert Linda Eisenhart.
Eisenhart was called to examine if Hernan wrote dozens of checks to Kurczewski or to see if Kurczewski may have forged them.
When asked by defense attorney Donna Kuchler if Eisenhart had reached a conclusion, she replied, “Lynn may have prepared that signature.”
Next on the stand was Sara Tromp, a nurse practitioner who had prescribed pain medication to Hernan.
Soon after, the trial broke for lunch and that when things came to a halt.
“I have an update for you all on Juror Number One. She’s just not feeling well and she’s gonna be picked up and go home,” said Judge Jennifer Dorow as she addressed the court. “I’ve excused her.”
Hours later, the trial resumed, with the defense calling Dr. Lindsey Thomas, a forensic pathologist, who concluded there may have been several contributing factors to Hernan’s death.
“My final conclusion is that the cause of her death was mixed drug toxicity due to tetrahydrozoline, baclofen, ropinirole, alprazolam, hydrocodone, cyclobenzaprine, and nifedipine and that other significant conditions contributing to her death were the interstitial myocarditis, the hypertensive cardiovascular disease with cardio megaly, hepatic steatosis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease,” Dr. Thomas said. “The manner of her death was undetermined and could not be determined.”
The trial continues Thursday, Nov. 9 at the Waukesha County courthouse.