NH HARMONY MONTGOMERY: Missing from Manchester, NH - Nov/Dec 2019 (Reported December 2021) - Age 5 *GUILTY*

Girl last seen in Manchester in October 2019; police seek tips from public

Manchester police said they are "begging" for tips from the public about the disappearance of a girl not seen in more than two years.

www.wmur.com

Girl last seen in Manchester in October 2019; police seek tips from public​

Manchester police are seeking tips from the public about the disappearance of a girl not seen in more than two years.

Harmony Montgomery, 7, was last seen in a home in Manchester in October 2019, when she was 5, police said.

Police said they first learned Harmony went missing earlier this week. Chief Allen Aldenberg did not specify who reported the girl missing but said his department has been in touch with multiple family members and will continue to speak with them.

Aldenberg said police are not searching for any adult or vehicle in connection with the case. Investigators are focusing on the whereabouts of Harmony.

"No time is a good time for a child to go missing," Aldenberg said. "I'm begging the community. I don't care if you saw this young girl a year ago and you think it's irrelevant. Call us."

Aldenberg said at a news conference Friday his detectives are working to confirm where Harmony is from and where she went to school before her disappearance.

Harmony is estimated to be approximately 4 feet tall and 50 pounds. Investigators said she has blonde hair, blue eyes and should be wearing glasses.

"We need help," Aldenberg said. "This remains a very active investigation."


MEDIA - HARMONY MONTGOMERY: Missing from Manchester, NH since October 2019 (Reported December 2021) - Age 5

 

[Summer_Breeze]

I agree.

Thanks so much for your work keeping the trial notes updated.

My pleasure. This is a local case to me, thus my interest.

 

[Summer_Breeze]

State on redirect examination now of Kayla.

 

[Kimster]

The Defense lawyer reminds me of Elaine Bredehoft. (Style wise, tries to ask questions that are akin to trying to testify, in my opinion). She has managed to trip up Kayla more than a few times, but I still don't see any real turning points in Adam's favor that will amount to an aquittal. At least not yet.

I have little to no sympathy for Kayla Montgomery. She is, to me, despicable and it upsets me that she won't be charged also.

Ditto! As far as I'm concerned, she appears to be an accessory to murder.

 

[Summer_Breeze]

Break time: Defense on rebuttal examination of Prosecution redirect:

2:01 p.m.​

From Tim Callery:

Kayla Montgomery is emotional again while telling jurors she no longer has rights to her children. She can no longer speak to them. She also tells the jurors she was not given full immunity and is currently living at the New Hampshire State Prison for Women.

1:57 p.m.​

From Tim Callery:

Prosecutor: Did you beat Harmony to death?

Kayla Montgomery: No.

1:52 p.m.​

From Tim Callery:

Prosecutors just asked Kayla Montgomery if she still loves Adam Montgomery. She said she still cares about him. "He was my best friend. It's been hard to let go," Kayla Montgomery says as she wipes away tears.

1:45 p.m.​

From Tim Callery:

Prosecutors are circling back to Adam Montgomery's abuse of Kayla Montgomery. She reiterates that the abuse was physical and emotional and says Adam Montgomery accused her of cheating on him and working with cops.

1:41 p.m.​

From Tim Callery:

The defense just asked Kayla Montgomery about Adam Montgomery wanting to commit suicide. Kayla Montgomery said she told Adam Montgomery that she needed him and their kids needed him. The defense is done with questioning. Prosecutors now have a chance for follow-up questions during redirect.

1:24 p.m.​

From Amy Coveno:

I always wondered what “publish to the jury” meant.

If a lawyer wants to show the jury a piece of evidence, they first must present it to the other side, privately, and then to the witness. Then, they must ask the judge to approve the evidence to be shown to the jury and the judge says, "Yes, you may publish to the jury," and only THEN does the jury see the photograph or document.

1:17 p.m.​

From Tim Callery:

Defense notes Kayla originally told police she did not help Adam with Harmony's body, but later admitted that she cut Harmony's sweatshirt off and helped close a bag that her remains were put in.

​

 

[Summer_Breeze]

2:10 p.m.​

From Tim Callery:

The defense asks Kayla Montgomery how she knew information about opening statements. She says, "My lawyer." The defense tries to clarify when judge called attorneys up to the bench. We are now in a 15-minute break.

2:08 p.m.​

From Tim Callery:

Prosecutor: Can you remind these jurors who killed Harmony?

Kayla Montgomery: Adam Montgomery.

The state has finished with redirect. The defense is allowed to ask follow-up questions.

 

[Summer_Breeze]

Hmm. Seems to be a delay in resuming trial. Not sure what is going on.

Maybe a communication snafu? Although I do see a picture of the inside of the court.

We appear to be back now...... at 3:07 PM

 

[Summer_Breeze]

Court ending for day. Judge to keep eye on predicted snowstorm, but anticipates court will be in session.

 

[Summer_Breeze]

IMHO -3-6 inches will not close the court.

 

[Summer_Breeze]

3:34 p.m.​

From Tim Callery:

Courtney Garcia says she saw Adam Montgomery on Thanksgiving in 2019. She says her husband gave him gas money and offered to give him a place to stay.

3:32 p.m.​

From Tim Callery:

After another nearly six-hour day of testimony, Kayla Montgomery's time on the stand comes to an end. The state has called its next witness, Courtney Garcia. She says Adam Montgomery is a childhood friend of her husband.

3:09 p.m.​

From Tim Callery:

Defense asked Kayla Montgomery if she was aware that Adam Montgomery was conceding to abuse of a corpse charge and falsifying evidence charge. Kayla Montgomery says she learned this because her attorney spoke to her about it the morning of her testimony.

3:08 p.m.​

From Tim Callery:

Court is back in session. There was no mention of what happened at the bench. The defense is continuing its questioning of Kayla Montgomery about what was said in opening statements by Adam Montgomery's attorneys.

3:06 p.m.​

From Tim Callery:

Sidebar is still going on at the bench w/Kayla's attorney, prosecutors and the defense. They've been up there for quite some time. Kayla has just entered the courtroom.

2:47 p.m.​

From Tim Callery:

Court is back in session, but the judge just asked Kayla Montgomery's attorney to approach the bench. He was setting in the gallery during her testimony. Prosecution and defense are also there.

 

[Summer_Breeze]

4 p.m.​

Testimony is done for the day. The trial is expected to resume at 9 a.m. Tuesday.

3:51 p.m.​

From Tim Callery:

Brief cross-examination of Frain by the defense to clarify what kind of car the Montgomerys were living in. Frain says she believes blue Audi. Frain is dismissed as a witness. Both sides are now at the bench with the judge.

3:49 p.m.​

From Tim Callery:

Frain says in the winter of 2019 she delivered jumper cables to the Montgomerys. She says she did not see Harmony with them.

3:44 p.m.​

From Tim Callery:

We're now hearing from Kimberly Frain. She worked with Adam Montgomery and Kayla Montgomery at a Dunkin' in Manchester. She says she babysat Harmony Montgomery and her two brothers in the summer of 2019.

3:41 p.m.​

From Tim Callery:

The defense asks a brief question on cross-examination to clarify that Adam Montgomery was willing to stay with Courtney Garcia, but Kayla Montgomery was against it. Garcia is dismissed.

3:39 p.m.​

From Tim Callery:

Courtney Garcia says between December 2019-January 2020 she saw the family multiple times. She says Adam Montgomery told her that Harmony was back living with her mother because she kept having accidents in the car.

3:37 p.m.​

From Tim Callery:

Courtney Garcia says Adam Montgomery was for staying with them, but he and Kayla Montgomery decided not to spend the night. She says Adam Montgomery and Kayla Montgomery's two sons and Harmony were in the back seat of the car. Garcia offered the kids food.

 

[Summer_Breeze]

Link to live coverage for Feb. 13, 2024

See timestamped updates: Kayla Montgomery's mother among witnesses to take stand at trial

Several witnesses took the stand Tuesday in the Adam Montgomery murder trial.

www.wmur.com

7:45 a.m.​

Testimony resumes at around 9 a.m. in the trial of Adam Montgomery after his estranged wife, Kayla Montgomery, finished her testimony after two days on the stand.

Defense attorneys tried to poke holes in Kayla Montgomery's version of what happened to Harmony.

Kayla Montgomery claims Adam Montgomery killed Harmony by hitting her in the head repeatedly in December 2019.

The defense suggested Kayla Montgomery had a hand in Harmony's death, but Kayla Montgomery maintained that Adam Montgomery solely is to blame.

She told the jury she followed Adam Montgomery's orders out of fear for her life, like bringing a bag with Harmony's body to his work.

"It was a double stroller. I had one kid in the front. There was basket underneath, and I put the CMC bag in the basket, and then the other kid was on the other side in the other seat," Kayla Montgomery said.

"You are walking with your children and the body of Harmony in the CMC bag to Portland Pie," defense attorney Caroline Smith said, to which Kayla Montgomery nodded yes.

Kayla Montgomery testified that she was made aware of Adam Montgomery's concessions in opening statements that he falsified evidence and abused a corpse. She said her attorney told her before she testified.

After the defense finished their cross-examination, prosecutors were given a second chance to question Kayla Montgomery.

She again told the jury that Adam Montgomery was abusive to her and was out of control in the months following Harmony's death.

Despite that, she said she still cares for her estranged husband.

"Kayla, do you still love the defendant?" prosecutor Christopher Knowles asked.

"I still care about him. He's the father of my children. He was my best friend. It's been hard for me to just let go," she said.

Kayla Montgomery also revealed that at one point after Harmony died, Adam Montgomery said he wanted to take his own life, but she told jurors she stopped him from doing it.

 

[Kimster]

Link to live coverage for Feb. 13, 2024

See timestamped updates: Kayla Montgomery's mother among witnesses to take stand at trial

Several witnesses took the stand Tuesday in the Adam Montgomery murder trial.

www.wmur.com

7:45 a.m.​

Testimony resumes at around 9 a.m. in the trial of Adam Montgomery after his estranged wife, Kayla Montgomery, finished her testimony after two days on the stand.

Defense attorneys tried to poke holes in Kayla Montgomery's version of what happened to Harmony.

Kayla Montgomery claims Adam Montgomery killed Harmony by hitting her in the head repeatedly in December 2019.

The defense suggested Kayla Montgomery had a hand in Harmony's death, but Kayla Montgomery maintained that Adam Montgomery solely is to blame.

She told the jury she followed Adam Montgomery's orders out of fear for her life, like bringing a bag with Harmony's body to his work.

"It was a double stroller. I had one kid in the front. There was basket underneath, and I put the CMC bag in the basket, and then the other kid was on the other side in the other seat," Kayla Montgomery said.

"You are walking with your children and the body of Harmony in the CMC bag to Portland Pie," defense attorney Caroline Smith said, to which Kayla Montgomery nodded yes.

Kayla Montgomery testified that she was made aware of Adam Montgomery's concessions in opening statements that he falsified evidence and abused a corpse. She said her attorney told her before she testified.

After the defense finished their cross-examination, prosecutors were given a second chance to question Kayla Montgomery.

She again told the jury that Adam Montgomery was abusive to her and was out of control in the months following Harmony's death.

Despite that, she said she still cares for her estranged husband.

"Kayla, do you still love the defendant?" prosecutor Christopher Knowles asked.

"I still care about him. He's the father of my children. He was my best friend. It's been hard for me to just let go," she said.

Kayla Montgomery also revealed that at one point after Harmony died, Adam Montgomery said he wanted to take his own life, but she told jurors she stopped him from doing it.

Not only is this case despicable, but it’s macabre! They both need to go away forever. They are a danger to society.

 

[Summer_Breeze]

10:22 a.m.​

From Amy Coveno:

The state just called the fourth witness of the morning.

We have heard from a community policing officer with MPD, a co-worker of Adam Montgomery and Kayla Montgomery at Dunkin' in 2019, a tow truck driver and now a cyber security worker who used to work for MPD as a certified police officer in 2022.

9:41 a.m.​

From Amy Coveno:

Harmony's foster parents are attending each day of the trial.

Her foster mom already testified but she is still sequestered so she sits outside the courtroom during the testimony.

There are fewer court-watchers today, about six people outside of media and court employees.

Harmony's mother Crystal Sorey is not here.

8:59 a.m.​

From Amy Coveno:

Adam Montgomery is not in court again today. The court officer confirms he was not transported.

 

[Summer_Breeze]

11:51 a.m.​

From Tim Callery:

O'Leary says he applied Blue Star to the interior and exterior of the vehicle. When asked about the exterior, he says he sprayed it everywhere on the outside.

11:41 a.m.​

From Tim Callery:

O'Leary was also part of the team that processed the Montgomery family's Chrysler Sebring. He said the whole process was two days. O'Leary is currently discussing the use of Blue Star in the car.

11:40 a.m.​

From Tim Callery:

We are now hearing from Sgt. Brian O'Leary of Manchester PD. He worked as a detective from 2013-2022. O'Leary was part of the original investigation into the disappearance of

11:33 a.m.​

From Tim Callery:

Tucker tells defense that he collected any item that reacted to the spray. Tucker is done with testimony. He has been excused.

11:31 a.m.​

From Tim Callery:

Tucker tells the defense about his role in processing the Montgomery car. He says he sprayed what's called Blue Star in the truck of the vehicle. Its purpose is to reveal blood stains.

11:17 a.m.​

From Tim Callery:

Tucker says he took four swabs of the Chrysler's trunk. When asked if they were sent to a lab along with the toothbrush, he says he's not aware, but he assumes the swabbing was being done to go to a lab. Defense is now questioning Tucker.

11:10 a.m.​

From Tim Callery:

Joseph Tucker tells prosecutors while searching the vehicle he found a toothbrush in the back of the trunk. He says it was under some clothing.

11:04 a.m.​

From Tim Callery:

This is what the Chrysler Sebring looked like when Manchester Police took possession of it.

The car was taken from a local junkyard.

10:59 a.m.​

From Tim Callery:

Prosecutors also allege this vehicle is also where Adam Montgomery began beating Harmony Montgomery on the day she died.

10:58 a.m.​

From Tim Callery:

The state is now questioning Joseph Tucker. He is a former detective for Manchester Police. He searched the Montgomery family's Chrysler Sebring that they lived out of when they were evicted from their home on Gilford Street.

 

[Summer_Breeze]

12:08 p.m.​

From Tim Callery:

O'Leary also sprayed Blue Star in two areas in the basement of the family's home on Gilford Street. He says there were no positive results there.

The judge is breaking for lunch. The jury will return in an hour.

12:07 p.m.​

From Tim Callery:

O'Leary says he took four swabs of areas that were presumptive positive for blood in the trunk of the car. He says there were also two or three areas that were false positives.

 

[Summer_Breeze]

Anthony Bodero has been an absolute disaster as a prosecution witness. He contradicts himself, doesn't remember a lot and doesn't understand his criminal convictions that are well documented.

 

[Summer_Breeze]

2:09 p.m.​

From Tim Callery:

We've moved on to Bodero's interactions with the Montgomery family. He says he saw Harmony twice -- once at the family's home on Gilford Street and once when the Montgomerys took him to court.

2:07 p.m.​

From Tim Callery:

Bodero appears frustrated as Smith establishes his criminal history. She brings up a 2022 sentencing in which Bodero was given 2-3 years suspended. Bodero says she's wrong. Smith provides court documents of Bodero's sentence.

2 p.m.​

From Amy Coveno:

Behind the scenes: Jurors sit in the same seats every day.

Anthony Bodero is on the stand right now. Kayla Montgomery testified about him. She would trade food stamp benefits for drugs. He let them stay in his car for two days after the Chrysler Sebring crashed again and was towed.

Bodero told the court when he let them stay in his Audi it was just two children (boys), Adam Montgomery and Kayla Montgomery.

1:50 p.m.​

From Tim Callery:

Smith again gets Bodero to admit that he lied to the Grand Jury.

--

Smith: "You didn't want anything to do with this, right?"

Bodero: "Of course."

1:46 p.m.​

From Tim Callery:

Adam's attorney, Caroline Smith, is now conducting cross-examination of Bodero.

1:33 p.m.​

From Tim Callery:

Bodero says he never saw Harmony Montgomery during that time and does not know where she was.

1:32 p.m.​

From Tim Callery:

Bodero tells prosecutors that he sold Adam and Kayla drugs in 2019. He says they would pay with either cash or food stamps. He says the family stayed in his car for two days over Thanksgiving weekend in 2019. He says it was Adam, Kayla and their two boys.

1:31 p.m.​

From Tim Callery:

Bodero admits that he originally lied to a grand jury when asked if he ever sold drugs to Adam Montgomery. He has since been given immunity for his testimony in this trial.

1:27 p.m.​

From Tim Callery:

This is Anthony Bodero's Audi that the family lived in.

WMUR

Bodero says he met Adam Montgomery in Aug. of 2019 through a mutual friend. Bodero says Adam Montgomery gave him a ride to court. He says Adam Montgomery was with Harmony and the two boys. Bodero says he last saw Harmony about three weeks later.

1:22 p.m.​

From Tim Callery:

We are now hearing from Anthony Bodero. He is another important witness to this case. Bodero lived at the Colonial Village Apartments. He allowed the Montgomery family to live in his Audi after their Chrysler broke down. This is also after the state says Harmony Montgomery died.

1:17 p.m.​

From Tim Callery:

O'Leary's testimony is finished, but he has not been excused. He could be called again in the future.

1:15 p.m.​

From Tim Callery:

O'Leary says he applied Blue Star to the entirety of the vehicle, including the back passenger seats. He says there was no reaction to the Blue Star. He says there were also no positive results from the steering wheel, passenger seats, center console.

1:12 p.m.​

From Tim Callery:

Defense asks O'Leary if a false positive could be contributed to a cleaning agent. O'Leary says that's correct. Remember, Kayla Montgomery testified about Adam cleaning the car.

1:09 p.m.​

From Tim Callery:

Back from lunch. The defense is now asking O'Leary about his experience with Blue Star. Atty. Brooks asks O'Leary how many times he used Blue Star up until he used it on the Montgomery car. O'Leary says about 15-20 times.

 

[Summer_Breeze]

3:54 p.m.​

From Tim Callery:

Swango says there was one item that came up with what's known as a profile. She tells the state it was a Trolls toothbrush. It's the same toothbrush that was found in the trunk of the Montgomery's Chrysler.

3:43 p.m.​

From Tim Callery:

Swango says she created DNA profiles of Harmony's mother, Crystal Sorey, and Adam Montgomery from swabs that were provided to her.

3:37 p.m.​

From Tim Callery:

Lubin is done with her testimony. We are now hearing from Katie Swango. She is a criminalist with the New Hampshire state lab. She is an expert in DNA analysis and testing. Swango is currently explaining what DNA is to the jury.

3:27 p.m.​

From Tim Callery:

Lubin tells the defense when she met Harmony, she had pigtails and was wearing glasses. Lubin said she was adorable. She says Harmony didn't talk much but seemed fine.

3:19 p.m.​

From Tim Callery:

Lubin identifies a cooler that she kept in the hallway of her home. She says she would put money in it for Kayla Montgomery to take. Lubin also used the cooler to bring food to basketball games. It's the same cooler the prosecutor says Adam Montgomery stored his daughter's body while living with Lubin.

3:06 p.m.​

From Tim Callery:

Lubin says Adam Montgomery, Kayla Montgomery and their boys later returned in December and Harmony was not with them.

3:05 p.m.​

From Tim Callery:

Now on the stand is Christina Lubin. She is the mother of Kayla Montgomery. Lubin says she only met Harmony Montgomery once just after Thanksgiving in 2019.

2:28 p.m.​

From Tim Callery:

Bodero's testimony is over. Court is now taking a 15-minute break.

2:17 p.m.​

From Tim Callery:

Bodero says for the two days the family lived in his car, he would go down to them a couple of times. He reiterates he never saw Harmony.

 

[Summer_Breeze]

3:58 p.m.​

From Tim Callery:

Court is ending today with Swango on the stand. The jury will return tomorrow morning at 8:45 a.m. for a 9 a.m. start.

3:58 p.m.​

From Tim Callery:

Swango says she tested bristles from the toothbrush. She says she was able to conclude that the toothbrush was used by a female child made by Crystal Sorey and Adam Montgomery. She says it's 100 sextillion times more likely to be Harmony's DNA than another child.

 

[Kimster]

Anthony Bodero has been an absolute disaster as a prosecution witness. He contradicts himself, doesn't remember a lot and doesn't understand his criminal convictions that are well documented.

Oh, that's not good!