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Lead detective in Salazar murder case found no evidence of abuse
Jury and council heard from forensic examiner Matthew Bustamante about the gun and bullets in the case.
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As the David Salazar trial continued Thursday, there was a shift from the previous day.
Salazar, 46, was arrested in Ponderosa for the killing of Joseph Keleher, 59, a teacher for Jemez Valley Schools, on Jan. 30, 2023.
After last hearing testimony from Salazar's children Wednesday, Thursday was a return to material evidence with forensic testimony of the shotgun examination.
The state's forensic examiner, Matthew Bustamante, outlined what he noticed with the bullets and the gun. He specifically mentioned that the bullet casings found at the scene matched up to the shotgun found at Salazar's residence.
Detective Paul Linson with the Sandoval County Sheriff's Office was the next to take the stand.
Linson handled interviews, the search of the scene, the search of the Salazar's house and anything else related to the case.
"I was on duty, working on another case when Sergeant Griffin had contacted me. He advised me that he was in route to Ponderosa to a call on Salazar Lane to investigate a possible death or suspicious death. He went on to tell me that the primary deputy, Deputy Valencia, had arrived and was dispatched there in a suspicious situation and then located a deceased male who we later identified as Joseph Keleher in a cabin there," he said.
He said he was told Salazar had made some confessions to shooting Keleher and that he made allegations that his son was molested by the teacher.
"Any time an allegation is made, we take that very seriously," he said.
While the murder investigation was underway, he added, he also pursued the allegations of molestation.
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He told the jury he started with what's called a "safehouse interview," where trained professionals conducted a forensic interview with the child involved. In this case, it was Salazar's son. Linson stated bluntly that during that interview, for which he was present via virtual video, there was no indication from Salazar's son that those allegations were true.
The defense grilled Linson about the whole process, especially including the detective's follow-up on the allegations of abuse.
Defense lawyers asked him more specifically if kids always disclose abuse in that setting.
Linson said, "No, not always."
During redirect, the prosecution asked if there are specific mannerisms the professionals look for during the safehouse interview that would prompt them to ask more questions. Linson said that Salazar's son did not do or say anything that would prompt further investigation.
Linson also explained that while searching the crime scene, he also kept an eye out for items that would direct suspicion that way. "When searching, I am looking for child pornography or other sexually toned items," he said.
In the home of Keleher, he said he found no items or digital mediums that would indicate that kind of behavior from Keleher.
Prosecution prompted and objection from the defense during the redirect when they asked, "So in the defense council's final question they asked you about what Salazar's son had said on the stand yesterday, about his response to him crying and that he said that his dad made a big mistake, and then defense council asked your opinion about that," prosecution said.
Linson confirmed that was true.
"I'm not talking specifically here but let's just say OK, there's a big mistake that was made. Does that negate first-degree murder?" prosecution asked.
When the defense objected, the prosecution let it lie and rested its case.
Defense lawyers then made a motion for a mistrial on the grounds that prosecuting lawyers asked that question.
"He asked the detective if some fact in this case negates first-degree murder. That's not some subtle little trick," the defense said.
Judge George Eichwald denied the request for a mistrial.
Before Eichwald and the councils went over jury instruction, he introduced a "special guest," State Supreme Court Chief Justice David Thomson visited the courthouse for routine checkup on how things are running. He also thanked the jury for their service after proceedings were done for the day.
The trial is in recess until Friday morning. Friday will see jury instructions and closing arguments before the jury begins deliberation.
