Prosecution: Human Remains Odor Found in Jennings’ Car

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO) – A bloody blanket and the odor of human remains were pieces of evidence prosecutors argued in court Wednesday morning in the case against Zinah Jennings. Jennings is currently charged with Unlawful Conduct Toward a Child in the disappearance of her now 2 year old son, Amir. Amir Jennings disappeared in late 2011 and hasn’t been seen since. Wednesday, Zinah Jennings appeared in a Richland County court room alongside her attorney Hemphill Pride, II as two witnesses took the stand describing first how a cadaver dog reportedly found the odor of human remains. Then a witness described how investigators say they were able to locate a bloody blanket in the trunk of Zinah Jennings’ car. The prosecution called Jaime Guntar, a Lexington County police officer and member of the S.T.A.R.R. K9 team of Swansea, she testifited how her dog ‘Mia’ found the odor in Jennings’ car. Pride would later cross examine Guntar calling into question the dog’s accuracy. Guntar replied that so far Mia hasn’t been wrong, not even once, stating her accuracy rate at 100%. The prosecution also called George Wise, a Columbia Police officer, to the stand. During Wise’s testimony the defense entered 15 photographs. The photographs, according to the prosecution, depicted a white comforter and blood stained baby blankets that prosecutors say were found in Jennings’ trunk. Pride cross examined Wise about how the evidence was found. It was expected that Judge Knox McMahon would rule on two motions filed in late July by Pride to prohibit the bloody blanket, so-called cadaver dog “hard hits” and medical records reportedly obtained by the prosecution, from being used in the trial. However, because the defense asked to file a written argument instead of giving an oral argument in court, the ruling was postponed. Pride has until Noon Thursday to file his argument, the prosecution will then have until Noon Friday to file their response. A ruling is expected sometime after the arguments are given to the judge. Jennings’ trial is set for August 27th. Neither the prosecution nor the defense are commenting on the case at this time. Jocelyn Jennings also appeared in court today with her Brother-in-Law and Sister, however none of them wanted to comment at this time.