Forensic expert details firearm and evidence processing in Judsonburg apartment case

The trial for the State vs. Ashbaugh continued on July 11, 2025, in the 187th District Court, presided over by Judge Stephanie Boyd. The proceedings focused on the examination of evidence collected from a crime scene, specifically a firearm and various items linked to the case.

During the session, a law enforcement officer detailed the process of collecting and processing evidence found in an apartment in Judsonburg. The officer confirmed that a handgun was discovered in a case, loaded with a live round in the chamber and 17 additional rounds in the magazine. The firearm was processed for latent prints and swabs were taken for potential biological material.

The officer presented several exhibits to the jury, including the firearm and a holster, both of which were admitted into evidence without objection. Additionally, a baseball cap was examined, and a gunshot residue (GSR) test kit was introduced as evidence. The officer clarified that while they collected swabs from various items, they did not perform GSR tests themselves, as that would be handled by a crime lab.

The officer also attempted to lift fingerprints from several items, including the handgun and a cell phone, but reported no success in obtaining legible prints. The trial is set to continue as the prosecution presents further evidence and testimony related to the case.