Spray trial wraps up witness testimonies

COLFAX - The jury in the trial against a Pullman man accused of killing his wife last March reconvened after a four day delay, Tuesday, Jan. 22.

Jacob Spray, 37, is facing charges of first-degree murder and first-degree rape, after his estranged wife Jamie Wilson-Spray, 25, was found dead last March at Sevdy's trailer park in Pullman.

The trial resumed on Tuesday morning, with witnesses who worked with Spray recounting his demeanor and location on March 26, the day that Wilson-Spray's body was found.

The first witness called by prosecution was Sarah Bergman who had worked monitoring on the University of Idaho campus for the Alpha Phi sorority.

Chief Deputy Prosecutor Dan LeBeau presented several videos and pictures of the parking lot located outside of the sorority house at which Spray was a lead chef.

Bergman stated that each map had the accurate date time and location.

The second witness called by the prosecution was Jayden Ninefeldt, who was a dishwasher at the Alpha Phi sorority during the time, working closely with Spray.

LeBeau asked Bergman if he could identify Spray's car in the parking lot and asked him to identify if he saw it leaving in the video.

Bergman confirmed Spray was at work that day, had heard him talking on the phone and Spray had communicated he was upset.

"That specific day he was communicating that he was upset with Jamie," Bergman said. "The previous night they were supposed to talk about ongoing proceedings and she would not reply."

According to Bergman, Spray indicated he had suspicions about Wilson-Spray cheating and heard Spray talking on the phone with an exasperated voice.

Bergman confirmed for the prosecution that the Alpha Phi dinner was usually put up at approximately 5:15 to 5:30 p.m., yet on March 26, Spray had put up dinner and left early claiming he did not want to be around with his negative attitude.

The following witness Alpha Phi house manager Tracey Duffield also confirmed the location of Spray's parking spot, with her blue Volkswagen parked next to it and his car leaving early in the video.

Duffield confirmed to the prosecution Spray's demeanor changed after Wilson-Spray announced she wanted a divorce on Valentine's Day, with his attitude becoming more morose after the University's Spring Break.

"He wasn't happy, obviously a lot more emotion," said Duffield, noting Spray took a lot of breaks and was not there a lot.

Duffield also testified that she heard Spray on the phone cursing at whoever he was talking to in a mean and nasty way.

Prosecution asked Duffield to confirm Spray's car leaving early at 4:55 p.m. on March 26, heading to an intersection that could go to Pullman.

An earlier testimony from Pullman Police Department Detective Sgt. Chris Engle, who was on the scene March 26 at Sevdy's trailer park, testified to evidence found including a knife, used condoms and an adult toy from her residence.

Forensic scientists from Washington State Patrol criminal laboratory testified on Thursday, Jan. 23, having found two unidentified sources of DNA not linked to Spray or suspects in the investigation.

Engle testified he spoke with a man named Alejandro Breuer, a man Wilson-Spray had a Tinder date with the night before, for approximately 45 minutes after learning who he was.

Officer Michael Sontgerath testified Spray's DNA was collected by him and Officer Heid Lambley by swabbing Spray's mouth, hands, taking fingernail scrapings and cuttings, as well as his clothes.

DNA samples from Wilson-Spray, Spray, Breuer and three men who Engle identified as potential men to have relations with Wilson-Spray were sent to Washington State Patrol's criminal lab in Cheney.

Whitman County Public Defender Steve Martonick asked Engle if he would want his young daughter to live in Sevdy's trailer park, showed him a picture and asked if Sevdy's was the highest crime rate in Pullman and inquired if sex offenders in the area DNA was obtained.

Engle stated that the highest crime rate was on College Hill and that evidence would have been run against the state's database, including sex offenders.

WSP Crime Lab Supervising Forensic Scientist Theresa Kemmerer testified there were no usable fingerprint impressions on the adult toy and knives.

WSP Crime Lab Forensic Scientist Tyler Staples testified Wilson-Spray's genetic makeup was found on Spray's hands and Wilson-Spray's and Breuer's DNA in Spray's underwear.

Forensic Scientist Anna Wilson testified Spray's DNA could be found on the left side of Wilson-Spray's neck.

Wilson testified two unknown sources were found on the right side of Wilson-Spray's neck along with Spray's. Breuer and Spray's DNA had been found in Wilson-Spray's vaginal sample.

According to LeBeau, witness testimonies were expected to wrap up on Tuesday. Whitman County Coroner Annie Pillars was to speak on Wednesday, Jan. 22, with a deliberation by jury members this week, after time of press.

Spray is being held on a $2,000,000 bond or $200,000 cash bail through Whitman County Superior Court.