Truck stop employee describes Keller covered in blood
One of the day’s most significant witnesses was Cody Thomas, a former cashier at PoJo’s Truck Stop.
Thomas testified Keller entered the store covered in blood, particularly on his hands and neck, and paid for a soft drink using money that was ‘covered in blood.’ blood-covered currency.
Thomas said:
- Keller initially declined a rag before returning minutes later to request one.
- Thomas told Keller he could shower, but Keller repeatedly walked in and out of the bathroom every 30-45 seconds, looking out the window.
- His manager told him not to call the police.
- Blood was left throughout portions of the store.
- Keller appeared frightened.
- Keller later left riding a bicycle.
- Thomas eventually called 911 after realizing Keller’s condition might be connected to reports from Interstate 16.
Security camera images shown to jurors depicted Keller inside the convenience store wearing a green hoodie as described by the state in what was later recovered by investigators.
During cross examination, attorney Que’andra Campbell of the Public Defender’s Office asked Thomas if he did not immediately notify law enforcement because he initially did not believe Keller was connected to the interstate incident. She also questioned Thomas extensively about his description of Keller’s clothing, backpack, and blood, though Thomas’ story was consistent throughout.
Troopers testify injuries inconsistent with crash
Georgia State Patrol Troopers Keith McCarty and James Turner described responding after hearing multiple emergency calls suggesting a vehicle crash.
Both testified they quickly realized Dupree’s injuries did not resemble injuries typically seen in vehicle crashes. Dupree suffered severe wounds concentrated on his face, neck and upper body with apparent defensive injuries to his hands. Both indicated an absence of broken glass, lower body trauma, or other evidence consistent with being ejected from a vehicle.
McCarty testified that he was running code to the scene and traveling at a high rate of speed, so he passed what he believed to be a body, but could not stop in time. He alerted Turner, who was behind him, and McCarty continued on to the next exit to see if he could locate anyone else or a possible involved vehicle. He got off on Exit 111, then back to Exit 116, before traveling westbound again to assist Turner.
Turner, the first Trooper to exit his patrol car on scene, testified that he was made aware of the location where McCarty had possibly spotted a person. Turner slowed down, but was in the right lane and had to pull off on the right shoulder while Dupree lay on the fog line on the left shoulder. Jurors watched Turner’s vehicle dash camera footage as Turner called for EMS, then kept his spotlight on Dupree while vehicles and semi-trucks flew past. Turner drove in reverse on the shoulder until he was far enough back that he could cut across the interstate and block the left lane behind Dupree. He exited his vehicle and approached Dupree who was shirtless, shoeless, covered in blood, and largely unable to speak.
The defense alternatively contended that Dupree did communicate with troopers as he was able to point to the exit, he answered that there were ‘other people’ in the vehicle, and had initially yelled for ‘help.’ Both troopers lamented that most of the noises were ‘guttural noises’ and hand gestures.
Investigator Reid Odom of the Bulloch County Sheriff’s Office
Investigator Reid Odom of the Bulloch County Sheriff’s Office spent the better part of the afternoon describing his investigation, which began around 11:15 p.m. and included a lengthy process of logging physical evidence.
Jurors viewed hundreds of photos documenting Dupree’s injuries, a blood trail from the east bound side of I-16 to the westbound side, Dupree’s vehicle, evidence recovered from PoJo’s Truck Stop, Keller’s discarded wallet and other evidence dumped at the gas station, and injuries on Keller. He also discussed the process of obtaining a search warrant for Keller’s DNA.
Most notably, Odom testified investigators recovered a knife from the interstate median and collected numerous biological samples for laboratory testing.
The defense lasered in on investigators decision to send off specific evidence and only conduct DNA analysis on a limited portion of that evidence. Odom said the GBI Crime Lab limits, by policy, the number of DNA items routinely analyzed because of laboratory resources, requiring investigators to prioritize the evidence most likely to yield meaningful results.
Odom spent over two hours on the stand between direct and cross examination.
