Gardea Trial: Lead investigator discusses evidence on night of alleged murder

The lead investigator taking the stand in court to discuss evidence on the night a Yuma man is accused of murder.

John Nate Gardea Sr. is accused of murdering Edward Rowland on June 1, 2018 after an argument over the sale of some tools.

In the defense counsel’s cross-examination, defense attorneys questioned the detective about several pieces of evidence submitted to the lab for investigating.

Those items included a bandana, a pair of Nike shoes, drops of blood at the crime scene, and damage done to a door at the crime scene.

The detective said the bandana was sent to the lab for testing, but ended up not being tested at all because there was a mix-up in the process.

In a re-direct from the prosecution, state prosecutors referred to the surveillance video taken at Loomis Armored US, which was where Gardea was seen parking his car the day of the incident. Prosecutors argue that in the video, Gardea did not go back to his car between the time of the incident and the time those items were recovered from his car by detectives.

The defense argued that when the detective surveyed the crime scene, blood drops found on the ground were submitted to the lab, but they were not tested. The defense counsel then referred back to an interview the detective had with Gardea . Gardea mentioned that prior to the incident, Rowland who is the victim in this case had beat him up and stole some of his belongings. Defense attorneys asked the detective if a cellphone they possessed which belonged to Rowland was used to investigate that claim.

State prosecutors argue that Gardea also mentioned in the interview that prior to the incident, he fell on some rocks at the library which he explained were the cause of the bandages on his head.

Trial continues next week.

KYMA 2019