Avery murder trial begins in death of female photographer
CHILTON (AP) – Deputies were so convinced Steven Avery was guilty that they planted evidence backing up their assumption that he killed a 25-year-old photographer, and once again they arrested him for a crime he didn't commit, his attorney told jurors Monday.
Avery, 44, is accused of killing Teresa Halbach and burning her body on Halloween 2005. He had been released from prison two years earlier after serving 18 years for a rape that DNA analysis showed another man committed.
But special prosecutor Ken Kratz told jurors he would fit together pieces of a puzzle that prove Avery killed Halbach, including testimony from the same DNA analyst who helped clear Avery in 2003.
Halbach disappeared after going to the Avery family's auto salvage lot to take pictures of a minivan for sale. Her charred remains were found later in a burn pit.
Avery is charged with first-degree intentional homicide, mutilating a corpse, false imprisonment and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Lawyers gave opening statements Monday in a trial that Kratz said could last six weeks.
Avery sued Manitowoc County for his wrongful conviction after his release from prison, settling for $400,000 last year.
Harley temporarily lays off 440 workers in Wis. because of strike
MILWAUKEE (AP) – Harley-Davidson Inc. on Monday temporarily laid off 440 employees at plants where key motorcycle parts such as engines and windshields are made as a strike at its largest production plant entered a second week.
Some 240 employees were temporarily laid off at a production plant in the north central Wisconsin community of Tomahawk, said Bob Klein, a spokesman for the Milwaukee-based motorcycle maker. About 200 workers were laid off at plants in southeast Wisconsin as well, he said, and the company could lay off an additional 300 workers in that region.
Some 2,800 union workers in York, Pa., have been striking since Feb. 2 at the plant where top-selling, heavyweight Touring and Softail bikes are made. Harley employs about 7,600 people at plants in the U.S.
The temporary layoffs in Wisconsin were both voluntary and forced, Klein said, though he declined to say how many were forced. He said it's unclear when the employees will return to work at the plants.