Opening statements, initial testimony in Mueller murder trial

The homicide trial of a Bridgeport man accused of stuffing his alleged victim in a barrel got underway Wednesday with opening statements and initial testimony.

Zachary Mueller is charged with first degree homicide, weapons charges and being a habitual criminal in the November 2015 death of Pedro Dominguez of Greeley, Colo. On Wednesday 11 witnesses shared their testimonies with the jurors.

The prosecution opened their case with an opening statement that detailed how evidence found in Mueller's home and on his property tied him to the murder. Prosecutor Doug Warner detailed how Dominguez died from a .380 slug, and a box of ammunition of the same caliber was found in the defendant's safe during a search of his house. He told jurors that while Mueller was in custody, he made a call to a relative, asking if his safe had been searched and that he would get in trouble for what was inside.

The prosecution also told jurors how they would tie a car seat found in Mueller's home to a burned out car missing the passenger seat that was tied to Dominguez' death. Warner told jurors they would present evidence that Mueller had a child with Felicia Talley, a material witness in the case, and that Talley and Dominguez were drug users and dealers and had been seeing each other socially.

In her opening argument, Defense Attorney Sarah Newell said she did not intend to argue with the state on evidence, but that only Mueller and Talley knew what actually happened in the car. Newell told jurors that Talley's credibility was in question, since the woman they would see is different from the woman who had been on drugs when taken into custody months ago as a material witness in the case.

As testimony began, Mueller was seen paying attention to the witnesses, taking notes and having an occasional muted conversation with his attorney. Testimony started with Morrill County Sheriff Milo Cardenas and Under-Sheriff Cherie Fisher, who detailed how the case began with a report that a farmer found a body in a barrel on a creek east of Bayard Dec. 4, 2015, and how the investigation eventually led to the location of a burned out car.

Also testifying were the farmer who initially found the barrel, as well as two men, one who told jurors he saw the burned out car near his property, and another who explained how he saw flames coming from the car at night.

Morrill County Sheriff Deputy Dave Kleensang took the stand, testifying to his interactions with Talley, and his experience removing the victim from the barrel. On cross-examination, defense attorney Newell asked Kleensang about Talley's behavior, and her attempt to conceal her identity from the deputy when Kleensang attempted to question her while she was in custody in Weld County, Colo.

Numerous pictures of the victim, the car, and the locations where both were found were shown to the jury. When a picture of the victim outside the barrel was displayed, Mueller could be seen staring ahead expressionless.

Toxicology reports from the autopsy showed Dominguez was using a high amount of meth before he was shot. Mueller's mother also testified Wednesday and mentioned Zachary and Felicia have had problems with using meth.

The second day of the trial will continue on Thursday starting at 8:30 a.m. Felicia Talley is expected to share her testimony.