Dawson judge OKs other woman testimony

Grand Rapids, Mich (WOOD) - Prosecutors said Tim Dawson was not at all distressed about the death of his wife Julia, and in fact had sex with two women shortly after she died.

But the question in Dawson's murder trial Monday was whether those two women would take the stand and testify. The defense said his actions with the women are not relevant, and would only prejudice the jury against Dawson.

The prosecution said his actions show he was not as distressed as he portrayed to detectives.

In his ruling, Judge James Redford said the court will hear from one of the two women, but not both. That woman has not yet taken the stand.

In a half-day of testimony Monday, Julia Dawson's parents finished their appearance. Her father, Kevin Keenan, said she told him she wanted a divorce from Tim. "I told her I was sorry, and I asked her why, and she told me she was sick and tired of all the mind games."

Another woman who knew Julia took the stand. Trisha Wangler's testimony was scrutinized by the defense. Wangler said she and Julia didn't talk about "anything specifically."

Defense attorney Chuck Rominger asked her if she remembered "telling the police officer that Julia told you she didn't get along with her husband's ex-wife?"

"I don't recall," Wangler responded.

"Do you recall telling the police officer that she wasn't getting along with her mother, either?"

"That's correct."

Judge Redford also made a late afternoon ruling on a question raised by the defense last week about an alleged conflict between the Michigan State Police and the Kent County Sheriff's Department.

He ruled there was no dispute that all forensic evidence was fully analyzed, but rather  the issue is whether Tim Dawson committed first-degree murder, and not if there was a disagreement between departments about the manner of the investigation.

Testimony continues Tuesday morning. 24 Hour News 8 will continue to follow this trial.