Elizabethtown, KY: Prosecution continues its case in Brent Burke double murder trial

Posted: Aug 23, 2010 5:58 PM EDT
Updated: Aug 23, 2010 6:12 PM EDT

ELIZABETHTOWN, KY (WAVE) - A teenager who initially claimed to be involved in a double murder was in the courtroom as another man stood trial for the crime. Former Army Sgt. Brent Burke is accused of shooting and killing his estranged wife, Tracy Burke, and her former mother-in-law, Karen Comer.

The defense questioned Sgt. Matt Johnson of the Kentucky State Police about bloody items police found in a creek which was initially linked to the double murder. Johnson testified a female came forward who said she was there when a teenager from Rineyville, DeShawn White, when he threw a bloody t-shirt, blanket and towel into a lake.

White lived in the same neighborhood as the victims and police found a bloody backpack at his house. Police say White told at least one person he was involved in the murders.

Trooper Kevin Warrell interviewed White as he got off the school bus not long after the shootings. Warrell testified that White told him he said he was just joking around about being involved.

Police did not name a suspect, but did not go into details as to why not. When the defense did question why the investigation into white didn't go any further, Warrell said he was just told to gather a statement.

White is expected to testify Friday. This trial is the third time the Commonwealth has been Burke for the murders. The first mistrial was because White was not subpoenaed to testify.

KSP's Johnson also took the stand describing to jurors where he thinks the shooter was at the time of the murders.

"We believe that there were a series of four shots outside of the residence from the location of the rear patio," said Johnson.

One went through the glass and another killed a dog. Johnson said he believes the other two hit Comer who was standing outside, but she died inside the home.

"We knew that she was shot outside the doorway because of the blood pattern that was evident on the door as she was, we believe, trying to get inside the door," said Johnson.

Johnson said the shooter then fired twice inside the home.

"We believe that the perpetrator would have been standing somewhere near the corner of this bedroom and shooting directly downward at Ms. Burke as she was lying on the ground in the back of the head," said Johnson.

Defense attorney Chris Davenport fired back, questioning how police knew where the shooter was if they missed three shell casings found two days later by the clean-up crew.