Day two of testimony in the child porn trial of Gary Howder featured a long line of law enforcement officers.
The 59 year old Lawrenceville man is charged with child porn and aggravated criminal sexual abuse in connection to alleged incidents in September of 2017 with a family member.
The most compelling witness was the final one of the day as Illinois State Police digital forensic examiner Mark Shefpick testified as to his probe into cell phones belonging to Howder. Jurors were shown three images alleged to be child porn that Shefpick lifted from Howder’s phones.
During cross examination, defense counsel David Benney was able to get Shefpick to admit the images may not have actually been produced on the phone and could have been transferred from another device.
Other witnesses yesterday included Guardian Center executive director Sheryl Woodham who interviewed the alleged victim in 2017, a video which was played for the jury.
Also testifying were Illinois State Police investigator Rick White, Wabash County Sheriff Derek Morgan, and former sheriff’s deputy James Sullivan who was the initial lead investigator in the case.
State’s attorney Kelli Storckman indicated the state will rest its’ case at some point this morning.