Overview
- A five-day evidentiary hearing in Orange County ended with closing arguments after dueling forensic testimony on clothing, guns, and bloodstains tested with newer DNA methods.
- The defense argued new DNA results and blood-pattern analysis undercut the original theory and indicate a struggle with Charles Mays, noting no significant blood on Zeigler’s clothes and no gunshot residue.
- Forensic analyst Richard Eikelenboom testified a blood dot on Eunice Zeigler’s sock matched her father and suggested her shoe may have been removed and replaced, while blood on Zeigler’s shoes was a mixed sample with no clear donor.
- Prosecutors challenged the defense expert for not reviewing all crime-scene photos before reporting and maintained Zeigler killed his family, bludgeoned Mays, and shot himself, pointing to recent life insurance policies on his wife.
- Judge Leticia Marques outlined next steps, with a transcript due by mid-January, 30 days for proposed orders from attorneys, and an anticipated decision by roughly mid-March.