An expert in decomposed and skeletonized human bodies testified Tuesday that damage to Gena Chiodo’s bones was caused postmortem, closing out the defense’s case in the murder trial
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of Donol Clark for his girlfriend’s 2012 death.Stephen Nawrocki was called in by the Lake County coroner’s office in December 2012 to help examine Chiodo’s body after it was found in a wooded area in Lowell, Indiana, more than a month after she disappeared.
Nawrocki, who specializes in skeletons, analyzed parts of the partially decomposed body where bone was exposed, including Chiodo’s skull and some of her ribs.
“We did not find any trauma that may have occurred at the time of death,” Nawrocki said.
Nawrocki concluded damage to Chiodo’s feet and ribs was caused by carnivorous animals postmortem, most likely dogs or coyotes.
“This was still fairly early in the decomposition process,” Nawrocki said.
However, Nawrocki said he was not present for the actual autopsy, and couldn’t speak to any soft tissue injuries, such as to the skin or muscle, that Chiodo might have suffered prior to her death.
The other expert witness called by the defense, forensic pathologist Shaku Teas, who testified in June, similarly said she believed most of the damage to the body was caused postmortem by animals and bugs.
Judge Carl Boyd asked Clark to confirm Tuesday whether he wished to testify in his own defense or remain silent.
“It is my decision to remain silent, your honor,” Clark said.
The defense’s case, consisting of only two expert witnesses, was brief compared to the prosecution’s, which walked the court through the story of Chiodo’s October 2012 disappearance.
Chiodo was reported missing by her manager when she did not appear show up for work at the hair salon she worked at multiple days in a row. Officers went to the Calumet City home she shared with Clark for a well-being check, and forced the door open when no one answered.
Inside, officers found apparent bloodstains observed throughout the house, with some areas seeming to have been cleaned. Expert witnesses for the prosecution testified that the blood largely matched Chiodo.
Defense attorneys said they were prepared to rest their case on the next court date, Sept. 1. The prosecution said it plans to call an additional witness in rebuttal.
Lawyers for both sides told Boyd that they would then be prepared for closing arguments.
Boyd will issue the verdict in the bench trial, which began in March.
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