Day three of Douglas Edwards trial continues

NEW HANOVER  COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — Trial continued today for the man accused of kidnapping a 6-year-old girl in New Hanover County last year.

Detective Sorg took the stand and said when arresting Edwards, he did not move and that he just sat on his moped. He did not resist or fight or say thing.”

The District Attorney Ben David proceeded to have Sorg show on a large map the surveillance of Edwards.

Sorg said the route Edwards took was not a common route to River Road.

Sorg said the goal of following Edwards was to see where he was going until the command to arrest him was given.

Detective Reese from NHC Sheriffs Department took the stand next.

Reese was asked what she saw when she approached the girl in the woods.

She said that she could only see the girl from the neck up and she was covered in an aluminum blanket because it was cold and raining. Reese said there was a chain with a lock around it still on her neck.

She said that she rode to the hospital with the little girl and told her that she was safe now.

The DA proceeded to bring out evidence to Reese. She confirmed that the chain shown to her was the one on the little girls neck along with the lock that was on the chain.

Reese said she took the lock as soon as it was cut into her custody and then later gave the evidence to the CSI detective.

Hatcher asked Reese if she worked in the evidence department, she answered no.

The little girl was wearing a shirt, shorts and underwear that was also collected as evidence and shown to Reese.

Reese became emotional on stand and the Judge called for a 10 minute recess.

After court was back in session Reese returned to the stand, and confirmed the articles of clothing as the items the girl was wearing when found.

The next to take the stand was Sgt. Freemen who was also apart of the surveillance of Edwards.

Hatcher presented Freeman with a chain and asked if it was a chain that could secure a motor scooter, he said he could.

The Deputy who proceeded Edwards in jail said he told her “he was better of robbing a bank and killing people opposed to what he had done.”

She says he also told her that he “did some really bad things.” Edwards was on suicide watch at the time.

FBI agent Mike Sutton took the stand as the last witness for the day. Sutton is an expert in cell phones and was there as an expert witness.

Hatcher tried to not have Sutton used as an expert witness, but the Judge allowed him to testify.

Sutton had Edwards phone number to track where he was located and the times.

Sutton said Edwards device showed him right across the street from the abduction site.

David asked Sutton asked how long Edwards was in the woods, he answered 14 minutes. Sutton also says Edwards was with the girl for 32 minutes.

Sutton finished on the stand going over all the times and locations Edwards was according to phone data.

Court will resume Monday morning at 10 a.m.