First posted September 9, 2009
Pathologist who studied the wounds on Tammy’s body determined and testified in court that Tammy didn’t die accidentally, but was deliberately killed at the hands of another.1
Out of all the suspects who could have potentially killed Tammy, only one would confess to this crime while Tammy was still missing (courtroom testimony of this confession will be revealed in future posts) and only one would fail a polygraph administered by law enforcement (the results of which will also be later revealed.)
With these facts in hand, law enforcement quickly impounded Eric Stukel’s automobile.3,4,5,6
There they found physical evidence indicating that Tammy’s body had been placed in Stukel’s trunk.4,5,6
Here they detected bodily fluids on the steering wheel, dashboard, and front seat. Two sources of urine would also be found on Tammy’s body, one matching Eric Stukel’s blood and secretor type on the back of her underwear.4,5,6
In the end, according to the prosecution, the physical evidence would indicate that Tammy was assaulted and killed, that she was placed in Eric Stukel trunk, that she was dragged and dumped into a ravine.3,4,5,6
Oddly, a witness came forward with information that a friend of his had urinated in Stukel’s car on the night of Tammy’s murder.7
Stukel would be seen the next day cleaning out his vehicle. All his doors would be open, including his trunk.7
Did this have anything to do with Tammy’s death…or is this all just mere coincidence? Why when asked about all of this did Stukel keep changing his story?3,4,5,6,7
Though the defense produced witnesses to back up Stukel’s alibis, all of these witnesses claimed to see Tammy after her most likely time of death.2.8
Physical evidence indicated that somebody returned to Tammy’s body after the night of the murder…3,4,5,6
Stukel’s behavior, like his trip to the car wash, Friday, September 18th, would become more and more peculiar during the days Tammy was missing.7
Stukel’s testimony on the stand continued on Oct. 2nd, 1996, as reported in the Yankton Press and Dakotan, Oct. 3rd edition.2
Haas and Stukel had plans for dinner at the Black Steer in Yankton the next night, Sept. 18, 1992, to celebrate Stukel’s upcoming 18th birthday on Sept. 24th.
Stukel went to school on Friday, Sept. 18th, 1992, getting out early for homecoming celebrations. He then went to a car wash to clean his Chevrolet Beretta and went home.
“Around 5 p.m., I began calling Tammy’s aunt’s house,” Stukel said. “I called her a few times and no one ever answered. My friends showed up and we watched the (Yankton High School) football game from my back yard. We ate at my house and I figured Tammy would cruise by with somebody else. She never stood me up for a date before.” 8
So — let me strap myself in for this ride — a person has birthday plans with his supposed girlfriend to eat at a fancy restaurant, but gets…stood up?
Wasn’t Stukel the one with the car, not Tammy?
(Tammy did not own a car.)
Wouldn’t Stukel have gone to check up on Tammy at her aunt’s house if nobody was answering the phone, considering she had never before stood him up?
Maybe Tammy was just in the shower when he was trying to call. There could have been any number of reasons the phone wasn’t answered. Wouldn’t it have made sense, on a big night like this, that Eric would be a little more concerned that he couldn’t get a hold of Tammy?
If it was so unlike Tammy to stand him up, wouldn’t he have driven over to Tammy’s aunt’s house and knocked on the door?
Tammy had introduced him to her aunt the night before, so this shouldn’t have been much of a problem.
Instead, his friends arrive at his house (did he invite them short notice?) and he cooks them a meal — chili, I have been told.
According to Eric Stukel, he first learned Tammy was missing late the next morning, Saturday, when Tammy’s aunt phoned him looking for Tammy.2
According to Stukel, she told him she had not seen Tammy since Thursday and asked if he knew her whereabouts.2
According to his own testimony, Stukel drove out to a party spot north of Yankton by the airport.2
But why on earth would he look for Tammy there of all places?
According to his own testimony, Tammy left his house Thursday night/Friday morning between 12:30-1:00 am to walk southward from his house toward her aunt’s.2
WORKS CITED
1. Rothanzl, Lorna. “Experts Testify in Stukel Trial.” Yankton Press and Dakotan, Oct. 1, 1996
2. Rothanzl, Lorna. “Stukel Takes Stand: Prosecution Rests, Stukel Denies Knowledge Of Death.” Yankton Press and Dakotan. Oct. 3rd, 1996.
3. O’Neill, Colleen. “Haas was in car trunk before ditch.” Yankton Press and Dakotan. Jan. 11, 1993
4. Rothanzl, Lorna. “New Clues Revealed: Sufficient Evidence Binds Stukel Over To District Court.” Yankton Press and Dakotan. Oct. 31, 1995
5. Rothanzl, Lorna. “Testimony Begins in Stukel Trial.” Yankton Press and Dakotan, Sept. 27, 1996
6. Rothanzl, Lorna. “More Evidence Offered In Stukel Trial.” Yankton Press and Dakotan, Sept. 28, 1996
7. Rothanzl, Lorna. “Friends Testify at Stukel Trial.” Yankton Press and Dakotan. Oct. 2, 1996
8. Rothanzl, Lorna. “Stukel’s Sister Back Up Alibi At Trial: Prosecutor Questions Testimony Of Sister, Clerk”. Yankton Press and Dakotan, Oct. 4, 1996
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