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Forensic experts testify in Ellicott homicide trial

MAYVILE – Four experts with the State Police, some of which work at research labs in the state capital, took to the stand in the murder trial of an Ellicott man shot to death early last year.

First to testify was Stephen Packard, a crime scene investigator with the State Police in Batavia was brought to the witness stand.

Packard works with the forensic investigation unit, and processed three shotguns and one folding knife recovered from 2256 Willard St. Ext. where Scott Blake was shot and killed Jan. 6, 2023. His stepson, Tucker Richard, who was 18 at the time of the shooting, has been charged with second-degree murder in Blake’s death.

Packard explained the procedure for processing evidence.

Next was Victoria O’Connor. She is a firearms forensic scientist with the State Police Investigation Center in Albany.

O’Connor tested the guns recovered from the scene, as well as the shot shells recovered. She confirmed that the two guns that were not broken were able to function properly. One of three guns was recovered in three pieces.

Following Packard was Kimberly Stoddard, a forensic serologist from the State Police Forensic Investigation Center in Albany.

As a forensic serologist, she tests for blood and biological evidence.

Stoddard said she received swabs taken from the shotguns, a door jam, clothing items and Blake’s hands.

She did note that swabs tested positive for blood from the trigger area of one of the guns as well as the door jam.

Public Defender Nathaniel Barone asked if she determined whose blood it was, to which Stoddard said she couldn’t, because she’s not a DNA analyst.

After Stoddard, Vanessa Richmond, a forensic scientist at the state police Investigation Lab in Albany was brought to the witness stand.

Richmond is a serologist and DNA analyst. She was able to develop a DNA profile of both Blake and Richard.

During her time on the witness stand, she noted that testing was done on various parts of the guns provided to their office, as well as the folding knife.

Her investigation led her to believe that Blake’s DNA was on the gun’s handle, foregrip, and barrel.

At the same time, Richard’s DNA was also on the handle and barrel.

With regards to the folding knife, Blake’s DNA was identified on the blade.

Richard’s DNA was not on the blade but was on the handle of the folding knife.

During opening statements made Oct. 21, Barone stated that Blake kicked in the door of Richard’s bedroom and hit him with a shotgun, causing it to break.

In response, Richard grabbed a pocket knife and stabbed Richard, further enraging his stepfather.

Richard later shot Blake in another room in the house. Barone has argued it was done in self defense.

As of Wednesday, 12 people have testified on behalf of the prosecution.

The trial is scheduled to resume Thursday morning.

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