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Defense rests in Bachman trial

Closing arguments to begin at courthouse

Isaac Bachman

The defense rested its case Tuesday on the fifth day of testimony in the first-degree murder trial of Isaac Bachman.

Bachman, of Fort Dodge, is charged with shooting and killing 14-year-old Dakari James on June 17, 2023, in the 1200 block of First Avenue North.

Defense attorney Judd Parker recalled Bachman to the stand in which he showed a screenshot of James’ Snapchat QR code, which he said had not changed since the shooting in 2023.

The defense then called Paul Paradis, a retired criminalist from the Colorado Public Defender’s Office. Paradis testified that the firearm used in the murder was a Smith & Wesson .22 semi-automatic rifle. However, testimony beyond that was objected to by Webster County First Assistant County Attorney Brad McIntyre on multiple legal grounds which resulted in District Court Judge Christopher Polking taking a recess to determine what would be allowed.

Paradis was allowed to continue on the stand with parameters. He told jurors that he had provided video evidence to another expert that was not part of the trial. He stated that that expert had created still images from the video evidence. However, this was objected to by McIntyre as Paradis was unable to provide details about the expertise of the other individual, or the video editing program used. He also stated that the video had been manipulated.

The defense then rested its case.

Polking provided the jury with final instructions as the day closed out.

Closing arguments are expected to begin at 9 a.m. today at the Webster County Courthouse.

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