BREASIA TERRELL: Iowa vs. Henry Dinkins for July 2020 Kidnapping and Murder of 10-year-old GUILTY

kdg411 · Aug 16, 2023

@GrandmaBear
DL’s cross (from Testimony continues Monday in the Henry Dinkins murder trial)

Defense attorney Frese said some of the information was said for the first time today. DL said Dinkins drove on a dirt road to "guy's house" and Dinkins was outside drinking.

Frese asks DL if his story has changed over time.

Frese asks if DL is saying this for the first time because he overheard someone else say Breasia was shot. DL denies that.

Day 4 recap
Witness: Donita Gardner (Breasia’s maternal grandmother)

Witness: Jim Peters (SAR)
In July of 2020, Peters brought two dogs with him, Rocky and Jojo. The pair are used mainly for human remains and historic human remains.

Witness: Eli McBride FBI Special Agent
McBride said a request was made to him to mobilize ERT to assist in the Breasia Terrell investigation. He said he was contacted on July 12 or July 13.

McBride and case agent Cameron Smith were told a girl was missing and they would be searching vehicles. McBride said they were tasked to process three vehicles: an RV, an Impala and a Camero.

He said he was told a machete was removed from the RV before the FBI team began.

When searching the RV, two areas were of interest: the bed area and the sink. Sinks are usually used to clean off hands or other items. McBride said in general if sexual activity is suspected, the bed is the presumptive place where it would happen. But all areas were searched and photographed including items in closets, drawers and cabinets.

Wen asked by Cunningham if there were items in the trunk that were disturbing McBride said there was a black bat and a hatchet. ERT also found a black sheath that could have been used with a machete.

Witness: Jason Ellerbach Davenport Police Officer
In July of 2020, he was a sergeant in the gun unit.

His main involvementB in the Breasia investigation was in searching, including on Credit Island. He said different law enforcement agencies were on the island. He said to the best of their abilities, they searched they whole island looking for Breasia.

Defense attorney Frese asks Ellerbach if he collected any evidence himself. He said no. Frese also asked if it was the opinion of the police in the first 24 hours Dinkins was suspected of abducting her.

Ellerbach said yes and agreed with Frese's statement that the department would not have brought in dogs that searched for human remains unless they had a strong belief Breasia was dead.

Day 5

GrandmaBear · Aug 16, 2023

kdg411 said:
@GrandmaBear
DL’s cross (from Testimony continues Monday in the Henry Dinkins murder trial)

Defense attorney Frese said some of the information was said for the first time today. DL said Dinkins drove on a dirt road to "guy's house" and Dinkins was outside drinking.

Frese asks DL if his story has changed over time.

Frese asks if DL is saying this for the first time because he overheard someone else say Breasia was shot. DL denies that.

Day 4 recap
Witness: Donita Gardner (Breasia’s maternal grandmother)

Witness: Jim Peters (SAR)
In July of 2020, Peters brought two dogs with him, Rocky and Jojo. The pair are used mainly for human remains and historic human remains.

Witness: Eli McBride FBI Special Agent
McBride said a request was made to him to mobilize ERT to assist in the Breasia Terrell investigation. He said he was contacted on July 12 or July 13.

McBride and case agent Cameron Smith were told a girl was missing and they would be searching vehicles. McBride said they were tasked to process three vehicles: an RV, an Impala and a Camero.

He said he was told a machete was removed from the RV before the FBI team began.

When searching the RV, two areas were of interest: the bed area and the sink. Sinks are usually used to clean off hands or other items. McBride said in general if sexual activity is suspected, the bed is the presumptive place where it would happen. But all areas were searched and photographed including items in closets, drawers and cabinets.

Wen asked by Cunningham if there were items in the trunk that were disturbing McBride said there was a black bat and a hatchet. ERT also found a black sheath that could have been used with a machete.

Witness: Jason Ellerbach Davenport Police Officer
In July of 2020, he was a sergeant in the gun unit.

His main involvementB in the Breasia investigation was in searching, including on Credit Island. He said different law enforcement agencies were on the island. He said to the best of their abilities, they searched they whole island looking for Breasia.

Defense attorney Frese asks Ellerbach if he collected any evidence himself. He said no. Frese also asked if it was the opinion of the police in the first 24 hours Dinkins was suspected of abducting her.

Ellerbach said yes and agreed with Frese's statement that the department would not have brought in dogs that searched for human remains unless they had a strong belief Breasia was dead.

Day 5

YOU are a godsend. Thank YOU! I hate asking for help and please know if I had time and didn't have work and too much else, I'd be watching this trial but I can't and can hardly keep up on any cases.

And this case isn't one being covered much by YTers for instance, not at all that I've seen so I can't get a summary video there.

I so feel for this boy. It seems pretty clear he wasn't enamored with his dad and was even aware of what he was maybe and I wonder even with Dinkins picking him up out of the blue that day if he really cared to have his boy or it was a way to get to Breasia. I want to judge the mother at times and girlfriend as I just think they should have been as wise to him as this child but maybe that's unfair, I don't know. Regardless the boy is clearly a solid witness for the age he was and now having to go through this on the stand.

So he is still up? The bit I watched the other day I think had the mother up so I figured the boy was done. If the defense puts him through any he77 I will hunt them down I swear.

I still feel it unusual he went for a bench trial at the last minute. Imo a judge will give him the max and convict him just as a jury would have. If not, then something was up with this bench trial. The evidence is there and more than there imo so not other outcome should occur.

I VERY much appreciate you providing info. All are but this is one case that really bothers/bothered me and it didn't and still doesn't get nearly the attention some do. What happened to her was horrendous and he was an SO not complying with the registry,e tc. and I'd say mom likely knew that and gf definitely did.

kdg411 · Aug 16, 2023

GrandmaBear said:
YOU are a godsend. Thank YOU! I hate asking for help and please know if I had time and didn't have work and too much else, I'd be watching this trial but I can't and can hardly keep up on any cases.

And this case isn't one being covered much by YTers for instance, not at all that I've seen so I can't get a summary video there.

I so feel for this boy. It seems pretty clear he wasn't enamored with his dad and was even aware of what he was maybe and I wonder even with Dinkins picking him up out of the blue that day if he really cared to have his boy or it was a way to get to Breasia. I want to judge the mother at times and girlfriend as I just think they should have been as wise to him as this child but maybe that's unfair, I don't know. Regardless the boy is clearly a solid witness for the age he was and now having to go through this on the stand.

So he is still up? The bit I watched the other day I think had the mother up so I figured the boy was done. If the defense puts him through any he77 I will hunt them down I swear.

I still feel it unusual he went for a bench trial at the last minute. Imo a judge will give him the max and convict him just as a jury would have. If not, then something was up with this bench trial. The evidence is there and more than there imo so not other outcome should occur.

I VERY much appreciate you providing info. All are but this is one case that really bothers/bothered me and it didn't and still doesn't get nearly the attention some do. What happened to her was horrendous and he was an SO not complying with the registry,e tc. and I'd say mom likely knew that and gf definitely did.

You are very welcome. As you know, I am exremely passionate about justice for children so following this trial thru feels right. While I'm quoting the text in the live link, I'm also watching the trial to get a grasp of the facts. So far I'm just as confused about the same issues you have asked. Since we're only on day 5, I'm hopeful that some of the pieces will start to come together sooner rather than later.
Patience is a virtue I wish I had though. :sigh:

GrandmaBear · Aug 16, 2023

kdg411 said:
You are very welcome. As you know, I am exremely passionate about justice for children so following this trial thru feels right. While I'm quoting the text in the live link, I'm also watching the trial to get a grasp of the facts. So far I'm just as confused about the same issues you have asked. Since we're only on day 5, I'm hopeful that some of the pieces will start to come together sooner rather than later.
Patience is a virtue I wish I had though.

As you know, the children with me as well are the ones that really pull my heartstrings to breaking point. Even though this was not our most active thread even with myself, this trial I would be watching fully if I was not working so much. Days off don't even allow me to go back and watch anything as it will be the next lifetime before I ever have everything in my life even half taken care of. So yes, I very much appreciate being able to come here and get a recap or watch a bit before heading to work or something, etc. without having to go look for it.

Yeah there is contradiction and the gf's statement that she supposedly changed makes it confusing and the fact the son said he saw Breasia shot does as well. I personally don't think it matters for a guilty verdict by the judge because it is quite clear who did this and disposed of her. Yet I'd like it to make sense? How did the defense cross examine the son? Did they ask about him seeing her get shot or did anyone? I'd believe him before anyone else.

It seems sooo unlikely to me that Dinkins would take her in the middle of the night and then come back with her and leave again. I think he did switch vehicles at some point though right? Id see him doing that more likely though after she was dead, I can't recall the details on it.

I wondered if the gf didn't claim she saw her alive when they came back to help him because at that time she wasn't found and it also would have screwed up a timelin AND showed she was alive and with Dinkins "willingly".

Ya know the man has a very fitting last name. Even more so dropping the second syllable.

Again, thanks! And I'm sure with how you care about the children's cases watching it can be triggering. I know they can be for me.

Oh one last thing, that courtroom is set up so weird. I saw like three minutes on a break of testimony I think yesterday and the prosecutor has to turn sideways almost to address the judge and is it the defense table BEHIND them? Very odd. Do you know if there's a reason for this. It would seem to mean also that the witnesses are not next to the judge as per the norm.

kdg411 · Aug 17, 2023

GrandmaBear said:
As you know, the children with me as well are the ones that really pull my heartstrings to breaking point. Even though this was not our most active thread even with myself, this trial I would be watching fully if I was not working so much. Days off don't even allow me to go back and watch anything as it will be the next lifetime before I ever have everything in my life even half taken care of. So yes, I very much appreciate being able to come here and get a recap or watch a bit before heading to work or something, etc. without having to go look for it.

Yeah there is contradiction and the gf's statement that she supposedly changed makes it confusing and the fact the son said he saw Breasia shot does as well. I personally don't think it matters for a guilty verdict by the judge because it is quite clear who did this and disposed of her. Yet I'd like it to make sense? How did the defense cross examine the son? Did they ask about him seeing her get shot or did anyone? I'd believe him before anyone else.

It seems sooo unlikely to me that Dinkins would take her in the middle of the night and then come back with her and leave again. I think he did switch vehicles at some point though right? Id see him doing that more likely though after she was dead, I can't recall the details on it.

I wondered if the gf didn't claim she saw her alive when they came back to help him because at that time she wasn't found and it also would have screwed up a timelin AND showed she was alive and with Dinkins "willingly".

Ya know the man has a very fitting last name. Even more so dropping the second syllable.

Again, thanks! And I'm sure with how you care about the children's cases watching it can be triggering. I know they can be for me.

Oh one last thing, that courtroom is set up so weird. I saw like three minutes on a break of testimony I think yesterday and the prosecutor has to turn sideways almost to address the judge and is it the defense table BEHIND them? Very odd. Do you know if there's a reason for this. It would seem to mean also that the witnesses are not next to the judge as per the norm.

When DL testified there was questioning from both sides regarding his testimony. He did advise LE that he saw Dinkins shoot Breasia however the issue is no one has ever seen him with a gun or the ammunition. Both sides treaded cautiously probably due to his age and didn't want to examine him like he was an expert. However, since Breasia was indeed shot, his story is credible, imo.

As for the courtroom, it is a unique set up.

kdg411 · Aug 17, 2023

Day 6

Notes from day 5
Day 5 Testimony continues Monday in the Henry Dinkins murder trial

Witness: Cameron Smith FBI Special Agent
Smith was the FBI case agent, meaning he was the main point of contact.

He was given information about the case and involved in the next steps. He was involved in interviews including Andrea Culberson. He coordinated with the FBI evidence response team, ERT, who executed the search warrants on the vehicles associated with Henry Dinkins.

Items collected by the FBI sent to the lab included the hatchet, swatches from the seat that indicated stains, and trace evidence vacuumed from the Impala; a machete found in the RV; vacuum sweepings and a T-shirt from the Camero. Items from the police that were sent to the lab included cuttings and swabs from a mattress, clothing, broom, bleach collected from Culberson's apartment where Breasia stay the night.

Defense attorney Chad Frese, asked if it was best if evidence was collected first, then a suspect identified. Smith said it depended on the investigation. Smith also said when he was requested to assist the investigation that he believed that Henry Dinkins was the main suspect.

Witness: Craig Burkle Davenport police officer
Burkle responded to at dispatch at 8:42 a.m. for a call of a missing child at Jersey Meadows apartment complex off 53rd Street, Davenport.

Burkle said he did not know Aishia Lankford was going to be at the apartment complex when he arrived. He was met by her and her son.

About the first contact with Lankford, Burkle said he could see she was shook. She told Burkle she learned about Breasia's disappearance from Dinkins.

Burkle said Dinkins "didn't seem concerned," very relaxed.

Burkle was told by Dinkins that when he woke up Breasia was missing. Burkle said at first he thought Dinkins had woken recently. Later in the conversation Dinkins said he was looking for a few hours.

When Burkle got the apartment, he asked Culberson if he could search the apartment. Burkle said she pointed to Dinkins and asked if he said it was OK. Burkle found that strange.

Burkle said he was in the apartment for 5 minutes and said he needed more information from Dinkins, but when he looked for Dinkins, he wasn't there. Burkle called the number provided by Dinkins but he didn't answer. Burkle said he called six times in an hour and was unable to leave a voicemail because the voicemail was full.

Burkle earlier had called his superior saying "things weren't adding up." They called in more officers.

Burkle said Lankford gave him some background on Breasia and Dinkins. Lankford told Burkle that Dinkins picked up DL and Breasia. He was told both Breasia and her older brother, CS, wanted to go, but Dinkins said he would only bring Breasia.

Culberson also gave a timeline of the morning. She said she woke up at 3 a.m. and noticed Breasia and Dinkins were gone. She noticed Dinkins' phone was still at the apartment so she did not call him.

Defense attorney Frese asks about the clothes Dinkins was wearing, saying the shirt appears clean. Burkle said he didn't remember if they were "clean" but also doesn't remember any grass or blood stains.

On redirect, Burkle said he was not suspicious of Dinkins' behavior at the beginning, but he later was when Dinkins left the complex without saying anything and didn't answer phone calls.

Witness: Jason Pojar retired Davenport police officer
Pojar said a BOLO (be on the lookout) on the vehicle associated with Breasia's disappearance; it was the Impala.

Pojar said he called Sgt. Geoffrey Peiffer about the vehicle's location. Peiffer told him to stay there. He then got a call that there was a search warrant for the vehicle.

Defense attorney Joel Waters asks about the how long Pojar had eyes on the vehicle. He said about 15 minutes.

Witness: Beth Sharpe Davenport police detective
Tharp testifies that she was asked to draft a search warrant for the vehicle Pojar located. She was then asked to witness crime scene technician Jill Foster photograph the vehicle in the evidence bay.

Tharp said that when the trunk was opened she noticed a strong bleach smell. Tharp said her sense of smell was heightened because of her pregnancy.

Witness: Joshua Stocking Davenport police detective
Stocking joined the investigation on July 10, 2020, after detectives were requested to come to the apartment complex to canvass, including looking for video surveillance cameras.

Stocking was tasked to go to the Walmart in Clinton to pick up a video and a receipt. He was told the video was of Dinkins. He collected the footage and turned it over to the detective in charge of the case.

Witness: AJ Poirier Davenport SVU detective
Poirier was at the site of the recovery. He stayed overnight to secure the area until more resources arrived in the morning of March 22, 2021. The first law enforcement agency that responded to the remains was Clinton County Sheriff's Office, and they secured the scene. Davenport police were notified and went to Kunau Implement where the remains were found, and they then secured the scene.

Representatives from the local medical examiner's office and a state anthropologist arrived to the scene. Poirier says the remains were found near 270th Avenue.

Witness: Christina Baker (Stovaugh) Davenport CSI
[photographed items of interest in]

SheWhoMustNotBeNamed · Aug 17, 2023

Trace and DNA evidence show few matches in Breasia trial

FBI analysts testified that very little of the evidence collected could be linked to Henry Dinkins or Breasia Terrell. Testimony continued Thursday in the bench trial for Dinkins, charged in the 2020 death of 10-year-old Breasia, who is the half sister of his son, DL. Dinkins, 51, is charged...

www.kwqc.com

FBI analysts testified that very little of the evidence collected could be linked to Henry Dinkins or Breasia Terrell.

Testifying on Thursday were:

Monique Brillhart, an FBI latent fingerprint examiner.
Linda Otterstatter, an FBI hair/fiber trace evidence analyst.
Tiffany Smith, an FBI forensic examiner in the DNA unit.
Patrick Sievert, a detective with Davenport Police, who searched the RV on Schmidt Road.
Matt Gehant, then-security manager at Walmart in Clinton, Iowa.

Monique Brillhart, who works for the FBI as a latent fingerprint examiner, explained that porous items are more likely to retain the ridge impressions from a print, as opposed to a nonporous surface. Prints on nonporous items lie on top of the surface and can easily smear or be wiped off.

Her report lists items fingerprinted, including the hatchet from the Impala trunk; a machete from the RV; a broom from the apartment kitchen; and a bottle from apartment. Prints were found only on the broom.

Brillhart says Henry Dinkins was excluded from the latent prints found on the broom.

Linda Otterstatter, a forensic examiner with the FBI, analyzes trace evidence, which includes items small in size and can be transferred from one item to another by either touch or breeze. She gives an example of a hair falling from her head and landing on the floor.

No hairs were found on the hatchet or two of the machetes found; fibers were found on the machete that was on the top of the microwave in the RV but no conclusions could be drawn. The fibers from the machete from the RV were dissimilar, Otterstatter said, to the fibers from the cloth from the Impala center console and the wash cloth from the bag of clothing.

Otterstatter spoke about “known samples” submitted to be tested: a comb from Breasia Terrell, head hair from Henry Dinkins, pubic hair from Dinkins and head hair from Andrea Culberson.

Hair samples from the comb included: textile fibers; wig-type fibers; dog hair; hair fragments exhibiting African ancestry, which were not suitable for microscopic comparison; head hairs, some of which were artificially treated and not suitable for microscopic comparison.

On cross examination, defense attorney Chade Frese asks Otterstatter to summarize her findings. She said none of the items she analzyed could be be connected to Henry Dinkins. No trace evidence collected was able to connect Breasia to the Impala.

Otterstatter said she was not given hair samples from Breasia’s recovered remains to compare to the trace evidence collected.

Otterstatter was not asked to conduct analysis on the firearms or ammunition, the baseball bat, a small folding knife, or a small kitchen knife.

Tiffany Smith, from the FBI’s DNA unit, said she received known DNA samples from Dinkins, Andrea Culberson, and a toothbrush that was thought to be Breasia’s; it was later determined it was her mother’s. Smith said she later received a known DNA sample of Breasia from a paternity test.

Items introduced into evidence for fingerprints and hair/fiber were also submitted for DNA tests. But unless blood was found, DNA test were not performed. In addition, items submitted were the toothbrush initially thought to be Breasia’s; penal swabs from Dinkins; left- and right-hand swabs from Dinkins; left- and right-hand fingernail swabs from Dinkins; and a buccal sample (cheek swab) from Dinkins.

Smith says the shorts from the trunk of Impala was tested for blood and semen. Blood was detected, but semen was not. A swabbing of the stain believed to be blood did not match Breasia or Dinkins.

Breasia’s DNA was excluded from apartment bedroom mattress stains. The majority of the results were determined to be Andrea Culberson and Henry Dinkins.

All items from the RV was tested for blood, but none was found, so DNA testing was not done. Blood or semen was not found on clothing from the apartment. Blood was not detected on a machete and its sheath so DNA testing was not performed.

Defense attorney Chad Frese asked about the results of the swabs taken from Dinkins at the hospital. Smith said all DNA was identified as Dinkins. No “unlike DNA” was found, and no female DNA was detected in the penal swabs or in the hand swabs.

Breasia’s DNA matched only one item: a pair of underwear from a bag of children’s clothing, but neither blood nor semen was found.

Detective Patrick Sievert executed a warrant on the RV on Schmidt Road to look for Breasia on July 10, 2020.

He is shown photos he took of the exterior and the inside of the RV. Pictures includes a spray bottle of bleach and the machete on top of the microwave.

In a laundry basket is a plastic grocery bag with a white T-shirt and jeans that both were muddy and wet, and black UnderArmor shoes with mud.

Because the items in the basket were not covered by the warrant, Sievert contacted his superiors, and a new warrant was issued.

When he executed the new warrant, Sievert documented the machete and said he observed a white cloth or paper on the serrated edge.

Defense attorney Joel Waters asks about the blood Seivert said he observed on the machete.

Waters asks if it could be rust, not blood, and Seivert said it could be.

On redirect O’Donnell, Seivert says he made his observation with the naked eye, and that he knew other people would do additional testing.

Matt Gehant, who was the security manager for Walmart in Clinton, Iowa, in July 2020, said he was given a description of a person of interest and a time frame, 6:30 to 7:30 a.m. Davenport Police detective met with Gehant to review the surveillance footage where they followed the subject’s movements from the parking lot to the cash register where he purchased two bottles of bleach. That footage and the receipt were picked up later by a Davenport police officer.

Detective Patrick Seivert served the seach warrant on the RV on Schmidt Road to look for Breasia on July 10, 2020.

Defense attorney Chad Frese about the time on the receipt. Gehant says it 7:08, and agrees with Frese that 7:08 a.m. can be assumed to be when Dinkins left the store.

GrandmaBear · Aug 18, 2023

I find it interesting there apparently was an older brother that wanted to go with and Dinkins said no, only Breasia??? Talk about a red flag right there. And why did any of these children "want" to go with this cretin? I've wondered before re Breasia etc. What was she taught through the time period Dinkins was with her mom? OR did the older brother not want to go but 'wanted" to go to protect the other two? And the same with Breasia, it isn't that she wanted to be with Dinkins but dind't want her little brother going alone? It was said earlier here that DL asked if she could go. Here it says it sounded like the older brother wanted to go but Dinkins said no, only Breasia.

I can't help but figure this man molested her before, I mean he was with her mother. Of course she'd have been younger than so maybe not but what is the likelihood he didn't...?

I think her mother is truly heartbroken but I do have trouble with the fact he was a known SO and even if she didn[t know it at the time she was wtih him and had DL (and I will bet she DID know), she sure did by the time Breasia went with him this last time and I'm sure she's known for years. I don't know that she'd have even had to allow her son to go with him, he may have had rights, but he was in violation of the SO registry of address... I get he showed up unannounced to see his son and gramdma I believe had the kids and he probably played it, etc., mom was working and likely needed grandma's help and so on but again I also think or we know these children had to have been subjected to him all the years she knew Dinkin and at least during their relationship no?

I'm not blaming her, he is the one at fault, I don't want to be gotten wrong. And I think she cared and quite quickly knew it wasn't good. I think they are devastated. That's one strong little boy she has and I wouldn't doubt the older brother is as well. So something's been done right. But she I think did make some bad choices in life and I can't judge on that either because Lord knows I have and we all have at times most likely. It just seems at a few turns and a few chances, this could have been avoided. His girlfriend as well! The whole "on the bed thing" DL talked about. Again he was an SO, Breasia was not his daughter. If she'd have just called the mom or grandma or said to Dinkins this child needs to go home, you are going to get into trouble, you are not in compliance with the SO registry, etc.

But I'm probably dreaming. I don't know how it winds in or if it did with either woman but this man was also all about drugs. I'm sure or would bet he was pretty manipulative as well. Yet so STUPID. It's so obvious it was him. It is a bit worrisome in @SheWhoMustNotBeNamed s post of trial coverage, they didn't find much DNA proof, etc. and perhaps that is one reason they went with a bench trial. Juries shouldn't but may let emotion and just belief come in where a judge may stick very much to the facts and evidence but even so, I think it is there beyond a reasonable doubt by a long shot but then what chance does he have...

It truly bothers me the part that he came back and Breasia was allegedly seen outside by the girlfriend. It should matter in the overall picture but it does to me. I can't help but think it was a lie and if she truly was, then that would have been her time to take off. If she was, then I think she was under threat, threat of harm to her brother or something OR she was groomed and conditioned by the time this man was in their lives. Perhaps he could wait but I picture some sicko like him with a fantasy regarding a child/her that he has held was not going to "wait" to act on it once he had her alone. This make me seriously doubt THIS version of the girlfriend's story. But then we have her brother saying he saw her get shot SO I don't know... In no way will I discount any of that child's testimony, I'd count on him as a witness before anyone BUT he was a child and still is...

We haven't been on this thread a ton through these years but I'm very passionate about this case and think we all are. This one is one that from day one has grabbed me. I have been to Davenport more times in my life than I can count. But for some things, I could have easily been raised there and I'm very glad I wasn't. Perhaps that is part of what hits for me too. Where she was found would have been in my GREAT grandparent's neck of IA. A park that was brought up in early days and searched was a park children loved and I had been to MORE THAN ONCE. A small amusement park of sorts for children. Hearing of it all these years later as almost some kind of sinister place where pedophiles went and bad things went on is just beyond for me.

But it's also and was and is something about Breasia.

kdg411 · Aug 18, 2023

Day 7

kdg411 · Aug 19, 2023

Recap from day 7

Day 7
Testimony continues Monday in the Henry Dinkins murder trial
Witness: Evan Obert Corporal Davenport police department SVU
Obert says when he arrived at the apartment complex, statements were being collected from Henry Dinkins' then-girlfriend Andrea Culberson and Breasia Terrell's younger brother, DL, was there. Officers were knocking on doors and looking for video cameras. "Unfortunately that apartment complex did not have surveillance cameras."

[video of defendant’s initial interview with Davenport LE on 7-10-2021]

The dirt on the Impala remained a big question during the investigation up to when Breasia's remains were discovered.

One of the first things Dinkins' interview mentioned was that he went to Vincent Howard's house. Obert said police went to the location and interviewed Howard.

One of the first things Dinkins' interview mentioned was that he went to Vincent Howard's house. Obert said police went to the location and interviewed Howard.

Obert says Dinkins said that after his contact with Burkle, Dinkins mentioned he went to the mobile home to get gas money.

Because Dinkins had interactions with his sister and mother, the police seized their phones. His sister's apartment was also searched for the gold shoes.

On July 9, Dinkins called a woman who lived on Grand Avenue. When detectives spoke to her, she said he hung out with Dinkins that night. Police searched for those clothes, but they weren't found.

[DL’s testimony is cooborated by evidence gathered in the investigation by LE and/or FBI]

kdg411 · Aug 21, 2023

Day 8

kdg411 · Aug 21, 2023

Day 8 recap
(links, link)
Witness: Evan Obert Corporal Davenport police department SVU [yes, he's still on the stand and is not done by the end of the day]
The state played video footage of Dinkins Chevy Impala taking different routes throughout the night of Breasia's disappearance.

Obert described the flipflop that was found at Credit Island. Obert and another officer showed Breasia's mother the photo of the flipflop.

The state played the body camera footage from officer Obert showing Breasia's mother the flipflop. Lankford said the flipflop was not Breasia's. Lankford began breaking down in tears, yelling "It's 9:30 and she's nowhere. She is nowhere. She is dead man, she's dead." [clarified on re-cross that Aishia said 'she's 10 man, she's 10', not 'she's dead man, she's dead']

The state asked Obert to draw a map of River Drive.

Obert began walking through the path of the Chevy Impala captured by nearby security cameras on the morning of July 10th.

Obert said around 6:30 p.m. he responded to human remains fishermen came by that could be Breasia on March 22nd 2021.

Obert said a flipflop was near the remains that matched the description Lankford gave for Breasia's shoes. Obert searched for bullet casings around the scene and found casings belonging to a semi-automatic.

On March 23, Obert returned to the site where the remains were found. A revolver was recovered from the pond. When a revolver is fired, Obert says its casings are not ejected.

[prosecution is still establishing ‘foundation’]

[on cross-detective can’t say for certain where actual crime scene is but based on the totality of evidence and in his experience that leads him to believe it was Credit Island]

GrandmaBear · Aug 21, 2023

If I am following correctly, they are saying she was not killed where she was disposed of. Credit Island is in Davenport and her body was found I am almost positive near DeWitt. I wonder the reasons they think she was killed on Credit Island and if it relates to what the brother said about seeing her shot/killed. It is/was a place of interest they were searching I know that.

They have never said she was SA'ed but logic would seem that would be his motive. However, shooting her and doing so in front of her brother (if true) doesn't fit the usual MO of such a type where I'd say they more often strangle... Another alternative I keep thinking of is she had threatened to tell whether about what he/they did to her, or maybe what he did to her over the years (possible) OR maybe she knew about drugs or something else he was doing. I am pretty sure he has some big time drugs charges that came about after Breasia's death but in a different county of Iowa. MAYBE he had the son witness her murder showing him you do NOT RAT on your dad...? Just some alternative thoughts I had. Total speculation but kind of based on other things. The whole thing of the two adults on the bed with her and not with the son though leans hard towards a sexual thing imo.

I guess we may never know but I gather there is a lot of trial left but perhaps they don't know the answers to these questions.

kdg411 · Aug 22, 2023

Day 9

kdg411 · Aug 22, 2023

Day 9 recap

Testimony continues Monday in the Henry Dinkins murder trial

Witness: Evan Obert Corporal Davenport police department SVU

Witness: Heather Garvin forensic anthropologist

Witness: Matthew Dean [shared pod with Dinkins in Clinton County jail, overheard defendant saying ‘they’ll never find her’ while watching a news alert on the case]

Witness: Jodi Blakely Webb FBI geological forensic examiner

Witness: Brendon Rogge [was fishing at Kunau Implement where Breasia’s remains were found]

Witness: Jesse Dau [was fishing at Kunau Implement where Breasia’s remains were found]

Witness: Eric Johnson [was fishing at Kunau Implement where Breasia’s remains were found]

Credit Island to Kunau Implement Co

Witness: David Baker [shared pod with Dinkins in Clinton County jail, overheard defendant saying ‘they’ll never find her’ while watching a news alert on the case]

Witness: Geoffrey Peiffer Seargant Davenport Police Department
Peiffer said clothing found near the skeletal remains were black shorts, a white T-shirt, a sports bra. The T-shirt, Peiffer said was immediately apparent. It was a size 4XL.

Peiffer said the clothes were placed with the remains in the body bag. The clothes went to the DCI lab and then were given to the Davenport Police. Peiffer says he requested DCI check for blood or biological evidence.

He said the black basketball shorts had a discoloration. He asked DCI if they could find an explanation for that.

Peiffer said he and DCI discussed next steps and decided to search the pond. Peiffer said he contacted Big River Dive Team. Peiffer said law enforcement had worked with the business before.

The dive team searched on April 3, 2021. They launched a small boat and divers with equipment. About 35-40 minutes later a diver said he found what could be a firearm.

The gun recovered was a Lasserre Comanche, a revolver. [state requested spelling of the name of the gun for the court record and the camera panned to the defendant and he smirked and mouthed the correct spelling]

kdg411 · Aug 23, 2023

Day 10

GrandmaBear · Aug 23, 2023

kdg411 said:
Day 9 recap

Testimony continues Monday in the Henry Dinkins murder trial

Witness: Evan Obert Corporal Davenport police department SVU

Witness: Heather Garvin forensic anthropologist

Witness: Matthew Dean [shared pod with Dinkins in Clinton County jail, overheard defendant saying ‘they’ll never find her’ while watching a news alert on the case]

Witness: Jodi Blakely Webb FBI geological forensic examiner

Witness: Brendon Rogge [was fishing at Kunau Implement where Breasia’s remains were found]

Witness: Jesse Dau [was fishing at Kunau Implement where Breasia’s remains were found]

Witness: Eric Johnson [was fishing at Kunau Implement where Breasia’s remains were found]

Credit Island to Kunau Implement Co

Witness: David Baker [shared pod with Dinkins in Clinton County jail, overheard defendant saying ‘they’ll never find her’ while watching a news alert on the case]

Witness: Geoffrey Peiffer Seargant Davenport Police Department
Peiffer said clothing found near the skeletal remains were black shorts, a white T-shirt, a sports bra. The T-shirt, Peiffer said was immediately apparent. It was a size 4XL.

Peiffer said the clothes were placed with the remains in the body bag. The clothes went to the DCI lab and then were given to the Davenport Police. Peiffer says he requested DCI check for blood or biological evidence.

He said the black basketball shorts had a discoloration. He asked DCI if they could find an explanation for that.

Peiffer said he and DCI discussed next steps and decided to search the pond. Peiffer said he contacted Big River Dive Team. Peiffer said law enforcement had worked with the business before.

The dive team searched on April 3, 2021. They launched a small boat and divers with equipment. About 35-40 minutes later a diver said he found what could be a firearm.

The gun recovered was a Lasserre Comanche, a revolver. [state requested spelling of the name of the gun for the court record and the camera panned to the defendant and he smirked and mouthed the correct spelling]

Smirked and gave correct spelling. And this is a bench trial in front of a judge only.

We to date have not heard she was SA'd but the clothes being found is enough for me, off her body. It was his intent it is so likely although whether this quite beyond stupid, evil scumbag could complete the act who knows. Soooo disgusting. But he is also so stupid. A jury would convict him easily and a judge will too so why is he even bothering? Because this type ALWAYS does. The system so failed this girl. His girlfriend did wrong. Her mother I believe without a shadow of a doubt cared for her daughter, and the grandmother did too, but mom did have a child with and relationship with this guy, maybe not the best choice, but he was a sex offender. Mom worked, was likely a single mom and like it or not had a son this man was the father of and I don't think she had it easy for child care while TRYING to work and support her kids.

LE did an awesome job here as far as I can see and I've never heard much good about Davenport LE but they seem to have him dead to rights.

I think both the mother and the gf had to know he wasn't where he should be, his registered address, ESPECIALLY the gf.

I think both kids, DL and Breasia were wise beyond their years. That may be due to mom or it may be due to what they had seen in life.

He smirks. Judges see the entire courtroom without even turning their head. I don't even know why they need how many weeks for this trial unless defense is going to use it up. And I can't imagine what they'd have to say.

THROW away the key on this man. He should be fried but no DP.

kdg411 · Aug 23, 2023

Day 10 recap
Witness: Geoffrey Peiffer Seargant Davenport Police Department
[on cross Peiffer didn’t find any evidence corroborating DL’s statement the he saw Breasia get shot]

Witness: Adam Wojciechowski Clinton County Sheriff’s Office deputy
[responding officer to Kunau Implement on March 22, 2021]

Witness: Dt. Kelly Kruse Iowa State ME, forensic pathologist

Witness: Joseph Adams [friends with Jerod Brink who reported to LE that he pulled the defendant out of a ditch]

Witness: Mike Tate DCI criminalist with the Iowa dept of public safety; expert in firearms and toolmarking

Witness: Bill Thomas Davenport Police Detective (retired) reading into the court record the deposition Jerod Brink gave to the defense council

Witness: Sean Johnson Davenport Police Detective
[prepared search warrant for evidence collection from Impala]
[interviewed witness Jerod Brink]

GrandmaBear said:
the clothes being found is enough for me, off her body

Per LE & the ME the clothing found wrapped around or near her remains were a men's 4xl t shirt, black (faded) shorts, bra & a flip flop.

GrandmaBear said:
His girlfriend did wrong

Andrea Culberson came across on the witness stand as a quiet woman. In her words she felt something was 'off' but didn't know exactly what it was.

GrandmaBear said:
he was a sex offender

No testimony will be presented alluding to the defendant being an RSO due to criminal rule 404 b which keeps character evidence out of trial that the defendant wasn't charged with.

kdg411 · Aug 24, 2023

Day 11

GrandmaBear · Aug 24, 2023

kdg411 said:
Day 10 recap
Witness: Geoffrey Peiffer Seargant Davenport Police Department
[on cross Peiffer didn’t find any evidence corroborating DL’s statement the he saw Breasia get shot]

Witness: Adam Wojciechowski Clinton County Sheriff’s Office deputy
[responding officer to Kunau Implement on March 22, 2021]

Witness: Dt. Kelly Kruse Iowa State ME, forensic pathologist

Witness: Joseph Adams [friends with Jerod Brink who reported to LE that he pulled the defendant out of a ditch]

Witness: Mike Tate DCI criminalist with the Iowa dept of public safety; expert in firearms and toolmarking

Witness: Bill Thomas Davenport Police Detective (retired) reading into the court record the deposition Jerod Brink gave to the defense council

Witness: Sean Johnson Davenport Police Detective
[prepared search warrant for evidence collection from Impala]
[interviewed witness Jerod Brink]

Per LE & the ME the clothing found wrapped around or near her remains were a men's 4xl t shirt, black (faded) shorts, bra & a flip flop.

Andrea Culberson came across on the witness stand as a quiet woman. In her words she felt something was 'off' but didn't know exactly what it was.

No testimony will be presented alluding to the defendant being an RSO due to criminal rule 404 b which keeps character evidence out of trial that the defendant wasn't charged with.

Keeping RSO status out okay and I guess there just isn't proof she was assaulted that way but there are still hints in the case like their time on the bed and the brother's testimony. I don't agree with prior crimes, etc. kept out of any case because it goes right to who the person is or at least was but that's a topic for some other time, it is what it is. and the rule.

MAYBE Culberson didn't know he was an RSO but I've never heard much like how long this relationship, did she know he was not to be at her apartment but living where registered, etc. Don't recall the apartment details, was it a typical one bedroom? I find the testimony by the brother kind of damning, he isn't spending time with his own son but both are with her on the bed.

Did Culberson know about the drugs and the gun, etc. and anything about this man?

If this was some new relationship, I can see her possibly not knowing and naively taking him at face value but I don't know that or recall if it was ever said.

What bothers me is her putting Breasia back at the apartment, that sighting that she changed on wasn't it? Because that's the part that messed things up imo to a point.

None of it matters in the long run I guess as there is plenty to convict. It's just things that nag that may never have answers.

And it can't be confirmed in any way that the brother thinks he saw Breasia shot. Another thing that will always nag. I believe he thinks he did and that he may even have really seen it. Because the sighting of Breasia outside fro one when they allegedly came back messes up the timeline some due to the gf. Again I don't think it matters as to conviction but it does matter imo for this boy who as he gets older will deal with these "memories" and what is the truth about when he was eight years old and nothing confirmed this.

Did we know he was ever with at a point? Until this triall I mean? I don't think we did, did we?

I can't help but think Culberson was trying to help Dinkins by placing Breasia alive and apparently willingly with him when he came back to the apartment. I can't think of any other reason for this wrench thrown in back when. I remember questioning it in his thread back when it came out and doing so strongly as I tend to do as it DID throw a wrench in.

Anyhow, thanks for the recaps. I count on them, I could never catch up or watch it so it is the best I can do. And no one out there is covering this either of those I watch when I get a moment.

BREASIA TERRELL: Iowa vs. Henry Dinkins for July 2020 Kidnapping and Murder of 10-year-old *GUILTY*

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BREASIA TERRELL: Iowa vs. Henry Dinkins for July 2020 Kidnapping and Murder of 10-year-old GUILTY