ORLANDO, Fla. – Impactful testimony took place on Monday as the David Tronnes murder trial continued.
Several witnesses were called to the stand to provide more insight into David Tronnes’ and Chanti Cooper’s relationship, in addition to more details on the contentious home renovation.
We also heard from the medical examiner in this case, who said some of Chanti Cooper’s injuries are consistent with strangulation.
“In this case the manner of death is homicide,” the medical examiner said. “It is almost classic for strangulation.”
Earlier in the day jurors heard from Shawn Johnson, who works for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement in the Biology/DNS section.
He said he took samples of blood from Tronnes’ pajama pants.
Prosecution: “Were either or both of the known samples in this case present in that mixture?”
Johnson: “Again, David Tronnes’ was expected to be there because they were his pants and Chanti Cooper Tronnes is included as a possible contributor to the mixture.”
Prosecution: “To what statistical significance?”
Johnson: “The observed mixed DNA profile is greater than 700 billion times more likely.”
Prosecution: “I’m sorry was that million or billion?”
Johnson: “Billion.”
The prosecution also called Samantha Adams, who at the time was working for Chanti Cooper part-time as a nanny and personal assistant.
Prosecutors said David Tronnes’ wanted to put their home on a reality TV show called “Zombie House Flipping.”
They said Chanti Cooper wanted no part of it — but when Adams was cross-examined by defense attorneys, she said Cooper was excited about it.
Defense: “You became aware they were going to be involved in the zombie house flipping show?”
Adams: “Yes ma’am.”
Defense: “Chanti was excited about that, wasn’t she?”
Adams: “Yes ma’am.”
Prosecutors also called Orlando Police Detective Teresa Sprague to the stand. Sprague recounted what she noticed about the crime scene.
“The bathtub floor was dry, the tub was dry, there was dry diluted blood on the walls, there’s dry diluted blood in the tub, the rug is pushed forward that’s not wet, the floor is not wet, carpet is not wet,” Sprague said.
The state did not rest their case on Monday. Court will resume at 9:30 Tuesday morning.
Orange County Judge Jenifer Harris said she expects the trial could wrap up sometime this coming week.
Defense attorneys still have to call their witnesses. It’s not known whether Tronnes himself will take the stand. Tronnes is charged with first-degree murder.
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