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Burch takes the stand in homicide trial

Posted at 6:39 PM, Feb 28, 2018
and last updated 2018-02-28 19:39:16-05

George Burch has heard from dozens of people now about the events leading up to Nicole VanderHeyden's death.

Wednesday, Burch got to share his side of the story.

He said VanderHeyden's boyfriend, Doug Detrie, knocked him out and ordered him to put VanderHeyden's body in a field.

Burch said that before that he and VanderHeyden met that night at the bar.

He said the two drove to outside her home and started having sex.

Burch said the next thing he remembers is waking up with Detrie pointing a gun at him and telling him what to do.

Burch said Detrie told him to put VanderHeyden's body in a car and get in.

He said Detrie then got in and told Burch to drive to a field area and carry Nicole's body out into the field.

Burch then described getting out of the field by lunging at Detrie and getting to his car and drove home.
He said he then showered and went on a fishing trip the next day.

That led to intense cross examination from District Attorney David Lasee, who asked why Burch never told anybody about what happened despite viewing so many news articles about it.

He also questioned Burch about his telling of the events.

Closing arguments are expected Thursday.