Chelsey Koepsell

Chelsey Koepsell authenticated Sarah Boone's recorded interviews and explained the investigation's progression from the apartment scene to the discovery of the suitcase videos. On Day 6, the homicide detective described seeing Jorge Torres on the floor beside a blue suitcase. She authenticated Boone's February 24 on-scene interview, admitted in two parts as State's Exhibits 18 and 19. Koepsell testified that Boone consented to a phone search. After seeing the suitcase videos, she stopped further processing and sought a warrant, which was signed the next day.

Koepsell also authenticated Boone's February 25 follow-up interview at Central Operations. The court admitted the edited recording as State's Exhibit 20 over the defense's renewed suppression objection. During playback, investigators challenged Boone's explanations about the suitcase, alcohol use, and phone videos; Boone repeatedly denied intending the outcome. The reporter cautioned that the playback transcription was not verbatim. The court instructed jurors that the detectives' recorded statements were context for Boone's responses, not proof that those statements were true. Koepsell subsequently identified Boone at the defense table in response to questions about suitcase admissions and the recorded voice.

On Day 7, Tony Henderson questioned Koepsell about evidence collection, testing, phone consent, and interview arrangements. She said she had the final say on collection decisions but wanted the property form for specifics; her recollection of nail-sample testing was qualified, and no results were elicited. She acknowledged planning to arrest Boone before the follow-up interview without disclosing that plan beforehand. She said she gave Miranda warnings before potentially incriminating questions and announced the arrest at the interview's end. The court permitted arrest-notice questions but limited inquiry into her subjective strategy. The State declined redirect, and she was released subject to recall.

Recalled by the defense on Day 8, Koepsell addressed her February 26 interview with Abraham Moreno. She recalled his report that Boone mentioned being dragged down stairs a couple of days earlier, without claiming to remember the exact wording. She agreed only that February 22 was a possible date. After reviewing a transcription, she rejected the proposed reference to teaching a lesson and distinguished passing out from falling asleep. The court allowed the transcription to refresh recollection but barred reading it aloud. The State asked no cross-examination questions.