Calvin Harris trial begins Monday; defense claims it has new evidence

As the date for the fourth murder trial for Tioga County resident Calvin Harris nears, the defense in this case claims it has new evidence that will change their course if allowed for presentation in front of the court.

Calvin Harris remains charged with second-degree murder in connection to the disappearance of his wife, Michele Harris and will be back in court in Schoharie County on Monday for his fourth trial. The first two trials in Tioga County, N.Y. ended in convictions that were overturned, and a third trial, in a new venue in Schoharie County, ended with a hung jury.

Now, for the fourth trial, being prosecuted by Tioga County District Attorney Kirk Martin, the defense has filed court papers that claim that items were found at a home of the man the defense claims was having relations with Michele Harris.

According to reports, Cal Harris’ attorney, Bruce Barket, says the items found include 11 buttons, a dime dated 1997, the blade of a knife, a partial shoulder strap from a bra, woman’s bathing suit or halter top, two pieces of fabric charred by a fire (one dark blue or black and one light colored or tan), and what the defense now believes to be the clasp and latch of a woman’s hand bag.

The attorney has asked the trial’s judge, Honorable Richard Mott, to consider the new evidence.

The defense has continued to argue that two other men were involved in Michele Harris’ disappearance.

Judge Bartlett, whom presided over the third trial that spanned from January 2015 through mid-May, would not allow third-party culpability to enter in – a motion that the defense claimed would point towards someone else being responsible for Michele Harris’ disappearance and exonerate Calvin Harris.

There is no timeline for the new judge to make a decision on the new evidence. The fourth trial is set to begin on Monday, March 28.