Defense attorney focusing on cross-contamination in former Ben Lomond man's ...
SANTA CRUZ - A sheriff's deputy was called back to testify Thursday for a third time in the trial of a former Ben Lomond man accused of killing a woman and her unborn baby in 2006.
Michael McClish, 42, is charged with two counts of murder for the death of Joanna "Asha" Veil and her 7-month-old fetus. McClish had been Veil's manager at the grocery store they worked at and prosecutors have maintained the two had a personal relationship as well. At the time, McClish was married with three children and Veil had recently separated from her husband.
McClish's attorney, Thomas Wallraff, has contended that rumors and gossip led authorities to point the finger at his client, From early on in the trial, he's also posited that the investigation was marred by cross-contamination.
Deputy Robert Gidding of the Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office was a detective with the crime scene investigation unit when Veil went missing on Sept. 9, 2006 after leaving work. He was one of the investigators on the scene five days later when Veil's body was discovered off a remote road in Ben Lomond.
Faith briefs
Unity Presbyterian Church’s dedication for the new fellowship hall will take place Sunday, Oct. 23 at 4 p.m. Contractors, sub-contractors, Fuller Architecture and Jarrell Construction will be recognized. There will be special music by Ashley Stamp and Carla and Cindy, and Joel Stamp and Ben Kluttz will play guitar.
The Rev. Phillip Hagen is pastor of Unity Presbyterian, 704-278-4248, www.unitypresbyterianchurch.com
Christ Episcopal
CLEVELAND — A fish fry fundraiser will be held at Christ Episcopal Church today, Saturday, Oct. 22 from 11 a.m.-until. Cost is $8 for adults adn $5 for children.
Proceeds will go toward replacing the roofs on the church buildings, which were recently nomintated to the National Register of Historic Places. Christ Church celebrated its 175th anniversary in 1996.
The church is located at 3430 Old Hwy 70.
Mt. Mitchell UMC
KANNAPOLIS— [0x14]Today at Mt. Mitchell United Methodist Church is the Autumn Fest from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. with a Civil War reenactment held at 3 p.m. There will be food, arts, crafts and children’s activities as well.