Testimony continued Friday in the Jesse Wendelsdorf murder trial in Storm Lake. Wendelsdorf of Spirit Lake is accused of first degree murder and child endangerment in the death of Shelby Duis — his girlfriend Heidi Watkin’s two year old daughter. Reporter Jim Schwaller is covering the trial. Schwaller says Friday’s testimony included Dr. Thomas Calcoft who said Duis was brought to his office in September with blood in her diaper. The doctor said he saw no signs of abuse at that time. Dr. Calcoft said he saw the girl January 3rd, the day before she died, and questioned her mother about bruises on the girl’s head. He said she told him they were the result of a fall and Calcoft said that could’ve been true.Schwaller says a friend of Wendelsdorf and Watkins also took the witness stand Friday. Sarah Fish testified that the girl’s demeanor changed considerable after Wendelsdorf started living with Watkins. Fisher also testified she saw bruises on the girl’s face.Another friend of the couple, James Hoffman, testified about the girl’s reaction to Wendelsdorf, saying Duis appeared to be frightened of Wendelsdorf.Schwaller says a videotape of a statement Wendelsdorf made to police was played for the jury on Friday. He said in the statement he did not kill the girl.Other testimony Friday came from the paramedics who found the dead girl after being called to her home. A state crime expert testified about fingerprints found on a broomstick that matched those of Watkins and Wendelsdorf. It’s believed the stick may’ve been used to abuse Duis. The trial is scheduled to resume Monday morning when the state pathologist that conducted the autopsy on Duis is expected to testify.
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