Pathologists testify at Brake prelim

HUDSONVILLE, Mich. (WOOD) - In the second day of testimony in the preliminary exam of Troy Brake for the murders of four people in Wright Township, pathologists and detectives testified about their findings. Blelow is a minute-by-minute account from inside the courtroom.

11:01 a.m. -- Testimony has wrapped in the Troy Brake court hearing for the day. Some witnesses were not available to testify. Testimony will continue and likely wrap-up on Dec. 15.

10:52 a.m. -- Grand Rapids detective now on stand. GRPD investigated and charged Brake for shooting man, beating prostitute.

GRPD found 40 cal handgun at Brake's home. Contacted Ottawa County because they knew their detectives were looking for similar gun used in Zimmer killing.

10:32 a.m. -- Ottawa County detective testifies 40 caliber shell casing found during search of Troy Brake's Newaygo County barn.

10:18 a.m. -- Michigan State Police Trooper Brian Cripps testifying about sift search. The method helped find bullets in home after the fire.

10:08 a.m. -- Jeremy Zimmer's lungs contained high carbon monoxide levels. meaning he was alive during fire.

10:04 a.m. -- Medical examiner says that like Sharmaine and Tyler Zimmer, there was no evidence of gunshot residue that would indicate Jeremy Zimmer was shot at a close range.

10 a.m. -- Medical examiner says Jeremy Zimmer suffered a gunshot wound to the head.

9:49 a.m. -- Forensic Pathologist Stephen Cohle is on the stand.

He testifies Katherine Brown was so extensively burned that she had to be identified through dental records. She suffered multiple skull fractures; and she was alive when she was struck.

"A minimum of three blows to the head," Cohle said.

9:35 a.m. -- The second shot to Sharmaine would have been lethal as well. Both wounds struck her heart. No evidence of smoke in her lungs, indicating she too died before the fire.

9:28 a.m. - Start says the other shot went through his right lung. That shot would have killed him as well.

The bullets used were jacketed and large caliber. He says there's were no bullet fragments found in Tyler's body. Wounds indicate Tyler was standing at the time he was shot.

There was no soot in Tyler's lungs according to Dr. Start, indicating Tyler was dead before the fire started.

Sharmaine Zimmer also suffered two gun shot wounds, one in the upper part of her chest. Dr. Start says the shot would have been lethal.

9:13 a.m. - Forensic Pathologist Dr. David Start has taken the stand. He's describing Tyler Zimmer's autopsy. Start says he found two entrance and two exit wounds on Tyler's body.

The lack of gunshot residue indicates he was shot from a range greater than four feet away.

The preliminary exam continues in an Ottawa County court Thursday morning for Troy Brake, accused of killing four people in Wright Township.

The hearing began at 9 a.m. 24 Hour News 8 will be in the courtroom and will provide live updates on woodtv.com

The hearing continues the process of determining if enough evidence exists to bind him over for trial in the murders of Shar Zimmer, her sons Tyler and Jeremy, and Katherine Brown. The Zimmers were shot to death, Brown was beaten, and then the house was set on fire.

Five witnesses took the stand in the first part of the preliminary exam on Nov. 25, including detectives, Robert Zimmer and Brake's girlfriend.