Forensic Files - Season 7, Episode 11 - A Clutch of Witnesses - Full Episode

Summary

In Duluth, Minnesota, 27-year-old Erik Schrieffer goes missing after a fight with rival motorcycle gang member Joseph Wehmanen. Despite witnesses claiming Wehmanen ran Schrieffer over twice with his truck, police struggle to find evidence in the snow-covered crime scene. A blood trail and DNA match from the truck lead to Wehmanen's arrest, but the case is complicated by the disappearance of the witnesses. Wehmanen eventually confesses to unintentional murder, leading to a plea deal and a sentence of 12.5 years.

Takeaways

• 🚨 Two eyewitnesses claimed to see a man intentionally run over another with a pickup truck twice, but later disappeared.
• 🔍 Police could not locate the victim's body or the pickup truck, only finding blood stains in the snow.
• 👮‍♂️ Officer Ryan Temple was assigned to investigate the missing person case of Erik Schrieffer.
• 🏠 Erik Schrieffer was last seen at a party in a motorcycle club house after an altercation with a rival club member.
• 🚔 Witnesses from the party reported that Joseph Wehmanen ran over Schrieffer with his truck and then reversed over him again.
• ❄️ The investigation was complicated by heavy snowfall and the passage of time, making the crime scene difficult to analyze.
• 🩸 A blood trail and a large pool of blood were discovered, suggesting the victim was dragged and possibly still alive when moved.
• 🧬 DNA from the blood found at the scene matched a tissue sample from Schrieffer, who had previously undergone surgery.
• 🚗 Despite being impounded, Wehmanen's truck initially showed no forensic evidence of an accident.
• 🔎 A thorough second examination of the truck revealed a strand of hair and blood stains, which were key to building the case against Wehmanen.
• 🤝 Wehmanen led police to the body and confessed to the crime in exchange for a reduced charge of unintentional second-degree murder.

Q & A

What was the initial report that led to the investigation of Erik Schrieffer's disappearance?

A member of a motorcycle gang in Duluth, Minnesota called the police to report his roommate, Erik Schrieffer, missing after not having seen him for the last four days.

What was Officer Ryan Temple's initial approach to finding Erik Schrieffer?

Officer Ryan Temple attempted to contact all the area hospitals, county jails, the Duluth Detoxification Center, and Erik's family, employer, and friends to locate him.

What was the nature of the altercation between Erik Schrieffer and Joseph Wehmanen at the motorcycle club house?

Erik Schrieffer and Joseph Wehmanen got into a fight, which was separated by others, and then continued outside where Wehmanen allegedly ran over Schrieffer with his truck twice.

How did the weather conditions affect the investigation of Erik Schrieffer's disappearance?

The inclement weather complicated the investigation as there was a four-day time lapse during which approximately eight inches of slushy snow fell, making the crime scene difficult to examine.

What forensic evidence did the police initially find at the alleged crime scene?

Police found a blood trail leading from the alley to a parking area, nearly 80 yards away, and a large pool of blood in the snow at the end of the trail.

How did the police identify the blood found at the crime scene as belonging to Erik Schrieffer?

The blood DNA found in the snow was compared to the DNA from a tissue sample preserved from when Schrieffer had undergone hand surgery after accidentally shooting himself.

What was the significance of the preserved tissue sample from Erik Schrieffer's hand surgery?

The preserved tissue sample allowed for a DNA match with the blood found at the crime scene, confirming that the blood was Schrieffer's.

Why did the prosecution initially struggle to build a case against Joseph Wehmanen?

The prosecution struggled due to the lack of forensic evidence in Wehmanen's truck, the disappearance of the two eyewitnesses, and their initial inebriation which affected their credibility.

What led to the breakthrough in the case against Joseph Wehmanen?

The breakthrough came when police, after a meticulous search, found a single strand of human hair and small blood stains in the crevices of Wehmanen's truck.

How did Joseph Wehmanen's defense strategy change after the discovery of forensic evidence in his truck?

After the discovery of forensic evidence, Wehmanen agreed to lead police to Schrieffer's body and confessed to unintentional second-degree murder in exchange for a reduced charge.

What was the final outcome of the case against Joseph Wehmanen?

Joseph Wehmanen was sentenced to 12 and 1/2 years in prison for Erik Schrieffer's death, with eligibility for parole after eight years, due to a plea agreement.