Defense claims investigation targeted Calvin Harris; ignored others

As the sixth week of Calvin Harris’ trial came to a close in Schoharie County, the defense in this matter spent much of the day on Friday poking holes in testimony rendered by investigators that worked the case following Michele Harris’ disappearance in 2001.

Throughout the week, the defense introduced testimony and arguments that would link Michele Harris and her disappearance to a man named Stacey Stewart. On Friday, and after introducing burn pit items from Stewart’s residence on Thursday, the defense grilled the two lead investigators in the case – retired New York State Police Investigator Leslie Hyman, and Sr. Investigator Sue Mulvey.

Hyman, as a senior investigator at the time of Michele’s disappearance, was involved in surveillance of Calvin Harris and his home, and was tracking and collecting phone records, to include Michele Harris’ phone that was retrieved from her van at the end of the Harris’ driveway.

Friday morning began with the voice messages, which were retrieved through wiretapping, being played in the courtroom so the controversial hang up call at 7:13 a.m. on Sept. 12, 2001 could be heard.

The defense continues to argue that Calvin Harris made that call from the residence, while the prosecution claims that Barbara Thayer, the babysitter, made the call – even though phone records show she was on her own home phone at 7:08 a.m.

This timeline has been key to both the defense and the prosecution, as it would show that Calvin Harris did not know his wife was missing on the morning of Sept. 12, 2001.

The prosecution and the defense have continued to argue over this matter.

The defense on Friday also questioned the overall investigation, and asked investigators if they had looked into Stacey Stewart and other men that Michele knew, and if they checked their phone records, or even the burn pit at Stewart’s residence.

Hyman stated that they did not check this.

The defense characterized the investigation as targeting Calvin Harris, and ignoring other potential suspects.

Hyman testified that Calvin Harris was not a suspect until they found the blood stains at his residence on Sept. 14.

The defense continued to mention others that they felt should have been looked at to further poke holes in the investigation, and the prosecutor objected to many of these.

The judge, however, allowed much of the questioning, stating, “The defense claims that the investigation focused on their client, so I will allow it.”

Approximately one year after Michele Harris disappeared, and following a family vacation that Calvin Harris made with his children, Mulvey and Hyman showed up at the airport as Harris got off of the plane.

Hyman stated they did this to see what Harris’ reaction would be. The defense claims that it was bordering harassment.

Investigators, over a period of up to nine months or longer following Michele Harris’ disappearance, also brought in helicopters with heat seeking sensors, utilized tracking dogs, and authorized other surveillance techniques.

It is anticipated that next week will be filled with rebuttals, and any further testimony that the defense can bring in as he argues that someone else is responsible for Michele Harris’ disappearance.

Court will reconvene Tuesday at the Schoharie County Courthouse.