09/25/2002

By KYLE IBOSHI and TERESA BELL, KGW Staff

The grand jury considering charges against Ward Weaver took a break Wednesday, a day after it convened for deliberations expected to last through the end of the week.

Weaver is a suspect in the murders of Ashley Pond and Miranda Gaddis, the Oregon City girls whose bodies were found in his backyard.

The Grand Jury is hearing the testimony in the Clackamas County Courthouse. (KGW Photo)

A somber-looking Lori Pond, along with her boyfriend and newly born baby, walked into the Clackamas County courthouse for the first day of the hearing.

Also seen entering the courthouse were several FBI agents involved in the investigation and one of the lead detectives from Oregon City, Greg Fryett. He handled the Gaddis case.

Testimony before the grand jury will be given behind closed doors. Legal experts say there is no way of knowing what witnesses will say.

“Grand jury cases are not reported, there’s no court reporter, there's no tape recorder, there's no videotape. We just don't know,” expert Kenneth Stewart explained.

Investigators appear for questioning by the Grand Jury. (KGW Photo)

Prosecutors haven’t said if they will seek the death penalty if it does go to trial.

The grand jury will hear testimony for at least three days.

One of the witnesses, Weaver’s former landlord, Steve Hopkins, confirms he’s been scheduled to appear Thursday morning.

Pond did not speak to KGW as she left the courthouse. She was escorted out a back door after testifying.