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Yoknapatawpha County Sheriff's Department
Oxford Mississippi
CAPS/Homicide Division
Detective Terrence Nelson
Case #: 129152-36A-1998 -- Taylor
Evidence Records #: HYC - 013395
Submitted: 3/21/98
Examiner: David Vogel

Evidence Items Submitted:

Item# 013395-0001 -- Ruger .12 gauge shotgun
Item# 013395-0002 -- 4 Bismuth/Winchester 3" Shotshells
Item# 013395-0003 -- One full box - Winchester AA 2 3/4" Steel Target shells

Results of Examination:

Item# 013395-0001 -- Ruger 12 gauge shotgun, straight stock, 28" barrel length, 3" chamber, 45" overall length.

Shotgun has no prints, has been fired and not cleaned.

Firing tests with Bismuth/Winchester 3" shotshells (#2 Bismuth) performed 3/23 and 3/24:

Shot charge (ounces): 1 5/8 oz.
Velocity @ 3 ft. (ft/sec): 1,250
Total shot energy @ 3 ft. from muzzle (ft. lbs.): 2,465
Pellet energy in ft. lbs @ 3 ft.: 17.9
Total pellets in load: 138
Pellet diameter (in): .159
Hardness on Brinnell: 18

Analysis of wound channel is consistent with a shot from muzzle to target of 3.0188 feet with this shell.

Item# 013395-0002 -- Bismuth/Winchester #2 shotshells

The performance of bismuth pellets is comparable to lead. Bismuth pellets are dense, high velocity and high energy retention shot.

Comparison with the 42 pellets and wad sample received, evidence item # 012873-0006, result in the conclusion that the pellets and wad recovered from the scene of homicide case 129152-36A-1998 (D. Taylor exhumation) are consistent with #2 Bismuth/Winchester 1 5/8 oz. 138 pellet shotshells #013395-0002 recovered from 17 Virginia Street.

Conclusion:

Shot to the head of victim D. Taylor in case no. 129152-36A-1998 is consistent with being fired from shotgun #013395-0001 Ruger .12 gauge, using Bismuth/Winchester 3" #2 shells item #013395-0002 138 pellet (42 and wad comparison) at distance muzzle to target range of 3.0188 feet.

//David Vogel
Senior Examiner