DECORAH, Iowa — The second day of testimony unfolded Tuesday in the Winneshiek County jury trial of James Bachmurski, a Georgia man charged with second-degree murder in connection with the disappearance of 15-year-old Jade Colvin. Bryan Bachmurski, the defendant’s son, was among the witnesses who recounted pivotal moments leading up to Colvin’s last known whereabouts.
Bryan testified that March 30, 2017, was the final day he saw Colvin, recalling that his father had driven them to his late-night job around 10 p.m. Colvin was in the vehicle with them at the time. When questioned by prosecutors about the details, Bryan confirmed that his father intended to drop her off in a different location.
Colvin faced a long history of challenges, having been removed from her mother’s custody by the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services in September 2015 due to domestic issues. Witnesses noted that she had repeatedly run away from the system’s oversight. In March 2017, Colvin came to Iowa with her mother to stay at Bachmurski’s farmhouse, where she was reportedly seeking a fresh start.
“There was supposed to be a new identity and a new life involved, but things started to raise concerns,” Bryan noted, indicating that he and Colvin had been in contact via text messages before her disappearance. When questioned about their plans for later communication, Bryan affirmed they had agreed she would reach out once she arrived at her intended destination.
Despite Bryan’s anticipation of a message, he never heard from Colvin again. In poignant testimony, he confirmed a special agent from the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation had established that Colvin had been using Bachmurski’s phone to communicate with him at the time.
A deputy sheriff from Winneshiek County also provided critical testimony, revealing that the vehicle used during the drive to Bryan’s workplace no longer exists, as Bachmurski sold it, and the new owner later disposed of it. The deputy added that the farmhouse where the trio stayed has undergone multiple changes in ownership and also no longer stands.
As the courtroom proceedings continue, the absence of solid leads remains troubling, with Colvin still unaccounted for. The jury trial is scheduled to resume Wednesday morning, as the case continues to unfold amid a backdrop of intense scrutiny and community concern.
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