Melissa Roughgarden

Melissa Roughgarden testified for the prosecution on Day 5 about documenting the apartment as a crime scene investigator on February 24, 2020. She authenticated 111 photographs, two wine bottles, a wooden baseball bat, and the suitcase, which the court admitted without objection. She described missing zipper pulls and apparent blood on the suitcase's contents and interior, measured it at 28 inches long, 20 inches wide, and 8 and 7/8 inches deep, and said its closing zipper was a little difficult to operate.

On cross-examination, Kevin Beck questioned the extent of forensic testing and whether scene documentation captured possible signs of prior violence. Roughgarden confirmed that the suitcase blood had not been tested and that no effort had been made to analyze the bat for fibers. She distinguished collecting DNA swabs from laboratory analysis, which was performed by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and described evidence decisions as collaborative with lead detective Chelsey Koepsell. She did not recall photographing wall holes and said she had not collected and analyzed pillowcases. She rejected Beck's suggestion that she had first tested the suitcase zipper that day.

On redirect by Dave Cacciatore, Roughgarden clarified that overall photographs covered every room, but walls were not individually photographed. She had not documented wall holes or damage and agreed that such damage would have been recorded in photographs and her report. She described blood coming from Jorge Torres's nose and mouth and other areas of bodily defects. On direct, she had said Boone did not indicate injuries during their interaction; on redirect, she said she did not recall wounds on Boone. The court released Roughgarden subject to recall at the defense's request.