State DNA evidence links couple to Cockman murder

Jurors in the Jim Cockman murder trial got a science lesson Wednesday as state testimony involved primarily DNA evidence that prosecutors say links the defendants to the crime.

The defense contends that the Tennessee couple, David Edens and Jennifer Holloway, did not intend to kill Cockman.

Testimony Wednesday included photographs of the duct tape that suffocated Cockman and flex ties that bound his hands.

Prosecutors projected pictures of the opened freezer as well as pictures later of Cockman on the autopsy table covered in a blue blanket with astrological signs, and pictures of Cockman’s hands bound with flex ties with his right hand holding a piece of duct tape. Prosecutors also displayed a photo of the storage unit in Tennessee where Cockman’s body was found.

Cockman’s family seemed overwhelmed by the photographs Wednesday. Some cried and others, such as widow Cathy Cockman, could not look at the screen. Jennifer Holloway seemed to stare into space, expressing no emotion as she has done all week.

Edens was absent for the second day of the trial, with defense attorney John Mauldin stating that Edens’ sleeplessness over the last two weeks has impaired his judgment. Mauldin said he hopes Edens can be helped and will realize how important it is that he attend the trial.

Cockman disappeared from Gowensville, S.C., and was found dead in Sevierville, Tenn. in September of 2004. Edens and Holloway are standing trial for the kidnapping and murder of Cockman. If convicted, they could face the death penalty.

The state’s evidence was scheduled to end yesterday morning with the last witness, the medical examiner who performed the autopsy.

Testimony on Wednesday included that of Holloway’s father, Otis Holloway, who lived with the couple in September, 2004, and several Federal Bureau of Investigation employees who testified that DNA evidence revealed that fingerprints, duct tape and DNA evidence found in the Suburban and at the storage unit were that of Edens and Holloway.

The day began with testimony from FBI Special Agent Robert Scott. His testimony about the events of Sept. 22, when the couple was arrested in Tennessee, mirrored earlier testimony from Paul Silvaggio, Greenville County Sheriff’s Office investigator.

Otis Holloway testified that it was his understanding the couple was purchasing the Suburban from a cousin in Pickens, S.C. He said the couple wasn’t really abusive toward each other, from his observations, but Edens was at times abusive to Edens’ stepson, who was six years old at the time.

He said he saw the Suburban and Jennifer Holloway’s Pontiac Bonneville pull into the driveway between 10 and 11 p.m. the night of the alleged incident, Sept. 14, 2004.

Rainer Drolshagen with the FBI said he was assigned with searching the storage unit where Cockman’s body was found in Tennessee. He said footprints were first lifted, a total of 14.

“There was a Suburban, then to the direct right there was a freezer,” Drolshagen said.

He explained that the freezer contained two straps and duct tape at the bottom. He also explained that Cockman’s body was discovered when the freezer was opened.

Special Agent Brian O’Hare with the FBI said his team took seven hours to search the Edens and Holloway residence. Cockman’s Rolex watch was found in a shoe box with shoes still in it in the master bedroom closet, he testified.

Darwin Shaw, with the Greenville County Forensic Unit, said he collected evidence from Cockman’s body on Sept. 24 and Sept. 25, 2004. He explained that Cockman’s body was in a fetal position with his hands bound with flex ties and an area of duct tape was around his head from the top to the bottom.

Photographs of the duct tape that surrounded Cockman’s face was shown on a couple of occasions Wednesday.

State prosecutors say there were 31 pieces of tape covering Cockman’s head that led to his death. DNA analyst testified Wednesday that all 70 pieces of duct tape they tested from the scenes and the body were of the same type of duct tape and either came from a roll of duct tape found at the couple’s residence or a roll of tape manufactured in the same manner.

Defense attorneys for the couple have said they are not refuting evidence and will prove the incident was a planned car theft that went horribly wrong. They say the couple did not intend to kill Cockman.