Investigators, Medical Examiner testify in day three of Cpl. Glenn Hilliard murder trial

May 3, 2023

Han Cechini,

WICOMICO COUNTY, Md. – The trial of Austin Jacob Allen Davidson entered day three Wednesday. Davidson entered the courtroom with his hair up in a bun, wearing a white long-sleeve button-up shirt and black slacks, with his hands folded behind his back.

MSP Homicide Detectives Testify

The first person to take the stand was a Maryland State Police (MSP) Homicide detective, who responded to Talbot Apartments complex on June 12th, 2022 after Wicomico County Sheriff’s Corporal Glenn Hilliard’s death. The detective said he was immediately rerouted to assist with Davidson’s arrest, who was already in custody at that time.

The detective said Davidson had two cell phones on him at the time, and was wearing dark denim shorts and no shirt. He helped transport Davidson back to MSP Salisbury barracks for questioning; Davidson voluntarily offered a DNA sample, and was calm and cooperative, “having a normal conversation” said the detective.

Defense Attorney Archibald McFadden cross examined the witness, asking if he had personally filled out the investigatory forms. The detective answered in the affirmative.

Next, MSP Homicide Sergeant Stephen Hallman gave his testimony. Sgt. Hallman says he helped to search an abandoned home on Richland Road in Willards on June 14th, 2022; prosecutors say Davidson had stashed a rifle, and other belongings there before Cpl. Hilliard’s death.

Sgt. Hallman described the home as unlivable, and dilapidated; an old farm house with dozens of crumbling pallets outside, and weeds overtaking the property. The home had appliances and furniture strewn about inside, with a large stone in the middle of one room, balanced atop warped floors, said Sgt. Hallman.

Inside the home, investigators found a rifle leaning against a wall, a basket of clothing, shoes, and gold dental prosthetics- or grills. Sgt. Hallman says the grills were never sent for testing, due to administrative and financial restrictions.

McFadden questioned Sgt. Hallman on the chain of custody for the rifle, and how investigators could prove the items inside the abandoned home were actually Davidson’s. Sgt. Hallman said fingerprints were not recovered from the rifle.

CST Details Processing of Three Separate Scenes

MSP Crime Scene Technician Rebecca Roher was the third witness to testify. Prosecutors asked her several questions about how processing crime scenes and victims works, and how chain of custody is maintained.

Roher says on June 12th, 2022, she responded to Pittsville Volunteer Fire Company, and was immediately sent to TidalHealth in Salisbury to photograph Cpl. Hilliard. As the jury and courtroom observers took in the graphic pictures of Cpl. Hilliard’s injuries, several shed tears. Davidson would not look at the photos, keeping his head down.

Roher then described going back to Pittsville, to photograph and process the crime scene behind Talbot Apartments complex. The courtroom saw pictures that Roher took at the scene, and also had the opportunity to physically view the evidence collected there and at TidalHeatlth; Cpl. Hilliard’s service weapon, taser, vest, and gun holster, handcuffs, a taser prong with the wire attached, three spent bullet casings, bags of Cpl. Hilliard and Davidson’s clothing, and DNA swabs.

The jury was also shown the handgun allegedly used to kill Cpl. Hilliard, and the rifle found in the abandoned Willards home. McFadden carefully examined each piece of evidence brought into the courtroom.

Next, the prosecution turned its attention to pictures taken of an RV where Davidson allegedly hid during the manhunt following Cpl. Hilliard’s death. The pictures included Davidson’s distinctive backpack in the RV’s bathroom sink, which contained the handgun, an extended magazine with 29 rounds, another magazine with four rounds, two more magazines, a black t-shirt, a pair of shoes, and a handful of nickels and pennies. Also included, was a photo appearing to show muddy residue on the floor of the RV shower.

Roher explained that investigators had obtained a search warrant for the RV before entering. The jury also got to see the backpack and its contents, including the laser sight which had been accidentally turned on, shining red through the evidence bag. Also included in the evidence, a strand of hair found on the handgun, which Roher says was never tested.

McFadden asked how Cpl. Hilliard’s vest was handled and processed, and where it was taken and how it was stored. He also questioned how drying cabinets worked, and how secure they are; Cpl. Hilliard’s bloody clothing had been stored in one before it was processed. Roher says she was the only person with access to the cabinet.

McFadden also asked if the laser sight was taken off the gun by Roher, which she said was done at a firearms processing lab. He then asked if the handgun was fingerprinted before being sent for processing in the lab, and if the laser sight was calibrated. Roher said the firearm was fingerprinted, but none were recovered, and was unaware of if the laser sight was calibrated.

Medical Examiner Testifies

The below description of Cpl. Hilliard’s autopsy is detailed, and graphic. Readers may find it disturbing.

Assistant Medical Examiner Dr. Pamela Ferreira was named as an expert in the field of forensic pathology in the trial Wednesday. She explained how autopsies are carried out, and detailed Cpl. Hilliard’s, which she conducted.

Cpl. Hilliard’s autopsy was performed on June 13th, 2022. Dr. Ferreira says the cause of death was gunshot wounds to the head and torso, and manner of death was homicide. She called Cpl. Hilliard’s injuries a “rapidly fatal wound,” and said she found a bullet fragment in Cpl. Hilliard’s back.

As the courtroom was shown pictures of Cpl. Hilliard’s autopsy, several jurors teared up, and Davidson would not look at the photos, keeping his head down.

McFadden asked Dr. Ferreira why there was not any soot of gunpowder stippling around Cpl. Hilliard’s wounds. Dr. Ferreira explained that soot is found on gunshot wounds when the shot is fired from about one foot away, and gunpowder stippling is found on gunshot wounds when the shot is fired from between a half-inch or two feet away.

Closing Testimony

MSP firearm tool mark examiner Whitley Abrams was also named as an expert witness, in the field of firearm and tool mark identification analysis. Abrams processed the firearm-related evidence in this case. She extensively explained how the analysis works; saying that each firearm leaves unique markings on projectiles.

Abrams also told the jury that both of the firearms allegedly belonging to Davidson had their serial numbers obliterated. She also explained that the purpose of having an extended magazine, like the one Davidson is accused of having in the handgun, is to fire more rounds.

Davidson’s ex-girlfriend also took the stand, reading text messages and Snapchats shared between her and Davidson after the shooting, aloud. She is expected to be cross examined on Thursday.