Former Rochester homicide investigator's testimony marks start of Timothy Williams trial
Gary Galetta was a young Rochester police patrol officer when he was called to a crime scene at School 33 on Webster Avenue.
There, shortly before 11 p.m., he and other officers found 14-year-old Wendy Jerome, the victim of what police decided to be a fatal beating. Investigators would also determine she was raped in this criminal case nearly 40 years ago.
Decades later, in 2020, Galetta, then a longtime homicide investigator, traveled to Florida with others to bring back Timothy Williams, a former Rochester resident who prosecutors now say was linked to the 1984 homicide by genetic testing. And, on Tuesday, Galetta was the first witness in Williams' murder trial.
The trial of Williams is unusual in multiple respects.
Why is the prosecution for Wendy Jerome's killing unusual?
For one, Williams is the first person to go on trial in New York after being connected to a crime by what is known as "familial DNA." By this process, investigators match crime-scene DNA against that in a state data base to see whether a relative can be discovered and more information garnered from there.
Prosecutors say that's why they suspected Williams murdered and raped Wendy Jerome, by using the familial DNA as a starting point. From there, they were able to make a more definitive connection with the homicide, according to evidence.
Also, this trial is a second for Williams. A retrial was necessary after his first trial was halted last year because of allegations of juror misconduct.
What's next in the Timothy Williams trial?
Tuesday was much like deja vu, with similar opening statements and the likelihood of a parade of similar witnesses in the days to come.
Among those are expected to be a former Monroe County medical examiner who now lives in South Africa, and Florida police who assisted with the investigation there. They were in Rochester ready to testify when the mistrial was declared in December.
While little information was given about the alleged misconduct, apparently there was evidence of improper conversations between jurors, who are not supposed to discuss the case until deliberations.
"We're just going to make sure we get the evidence before a jury," District Attorney Sandra Doorley said about the retrial. "... To me this is a fresh start."
More: Rochester man admits to drug trafficking in conspiracy that led to murder of police officer
On Tuesday, Galetta told of the blood around Jerome's body, the signs of a suspected beating. He recalled the blue jeans and hooded jacket she wore.
The day was memorable not only because of the tragedy but it was also Thanksgiving Day, Galetta testified. Jerome was at a friend's house that evening but never made it home after she left the house.
The state's Court of Appeals, New York's highest court, last year approved familial DNA evidence in criminal trials, likely setting the stage for similar cases in the future.
— Gary Craig is a veteran reporter with the Democrat and Chronicle, covering courts and crime and more. He enjoys arts coverage as well, recognizing its richness and vitality to the Rochester region. He is the author of two books, including "Seven Million: A Cop, a Priest, a Soldier for the IRA, and the Still-Unsolved Rochester Brink's Heist."
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Testimony begins in Timothy Williams murder trial in Rochester NY
