Witnesses refute day woman died

She was alive after the day prosecutors say she was killed, workers say

Saturday, July 7, 2007

By Marcie Young
Charlotte Observer Staff Writer

GASTONIA --Witnesses in the trial of a Caldwell County dairy farmer charged with killing his wife testified Friday that they saw Emily Anderson alive several days after the prosecution claims she was killed.

And a forensic anthropologist also testified that Anderson had been dead only three or four days when her body was found in South Carolina, further countering the prosecution's version of events.

The double blow came during the first day of testimony by defense witnesses in the trial of Jerry Anderson, 48, who is on trial for murder in the death of his wife, Emily, 49.

The prosecution wrapped up its case Thursday, arguing that Jerry Anderson shot and killed his wife on their Caldwell County farm on Dec. 29, 2005.

On Jan. 7, 2006, Emily Anderson's body was found in the parking lot of an S.C. restaurant and Quality Inn, about 100 miles from Caldwell County. Her body had been stuffed into the large tool compartment of her pickup.

But two witnesses testified Friday that they saw Emily Anderson alive in South Carolina days after her husband reported her missing on Dec. 29, according to the Observer's news partner, WCNC.

Betty Dillard and Tammy Beltcher worked at the Quality Inn in December 2005 and January 2006, and both women testified Friday that they had seen Emily Anderson in the parking lot Jan. 3, according to WCNC.

Forensic anthropologist Murray Marks also testified that Emily Anderson likely died just a few days before her body was found in the large toolbox attached to her pickup.

Prosecutors have argued that Emily Anderson was shot and killed Dec. 29 in a pasture behind her husband's dairy farm. But Marks testified that "there's no way she had been dead for nine days" when her body was found Jan. 7. "The body was pretty fresh," he said.

Marks estimated that Emily Anderson had been dead between three and five days.

Prosecutors spent nearly a month trying to show that Anderson was responsible for the murder of his wife.

Assistant District Eric Bellas argued that the Andersons' marriage had become loveless and that Anderson was overburdened by increasing debt and fixated on expanding his dairy business.

Court documents show that Emily Anderson's life was insured for more than $4 million, and authorities have said they believe at least part of the motive in her slaying was financial gain.

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