OJAI : Expert Disputes Murder Case Theory

A county toxicologist testified Thursday that a Simi Valley man slain with his dog at the Middle Lions Campground did not smoke marijuana the day he died, a conclusion that disputes the defense’s theory of the murder case.

Renee Artman, toxicology supervisor at the Sheriff’s Department crime lab, said Andy Lee Anderson had marijuana in his urine but not in his blood when he died, indicating it had been several days since he had used the drug.

Artman’s testimony contradicts claims by the defense attorney for Timothy E. Chrestman of Port Hueneme, who is charged with murder, robbery and other charges in the March 4 death of Anderson.

Attorney Steve Pell told jurors at the onset of the trial that Chrestman, 20, and Anderson, 24, smoked marijuana together at the campground and even did a little fishing before two Latino gang members killed Anderson and framed the defendant.

The prosecution contends Chrestman shot Anderson and his dog in the mountains above Ojai to steal Anderson’s truck.

Artman testified that marijuana can be detected in urine for as long as 30 days after it is smoked. It does not stay that long in the blood, she said, so her best estimate was that it had been between seven and 30 days since Anderson had smoked marijuana.

On cross-examination, Pell argued that there is scientific disagreement over how quickly marijuana can be detected in the blood after it is smoked.

Artman agreed that there had been disputes, but said that was because there was no test sensitive enough to detect marijuana in the blood soon after it is smoked.

Artman said that a 1992 scientific study shows that marijuana enters the blood very quickly and that the test she used on Anderson’s blood can detect the drug after a person has had just one puff.