BY JOHN MCCANN

jmccann@heraldsun.com; 419-6601

DURHAM -- After more than a week off from Keith Kidwell's first-degree murder trial, jurors returned Tuesday to hear more evidence against the defendant charged with the February 2005 killing of Crayton Nelms at the 4604 N. Roxboro St. Kangaroo convenience store where the victim was working the overnight shift.

The trial had been suspended since Oct. 15 because of illness and scheduling conflicts.

Before the hiatus, State Bureau of Investigation Special Agent Nikkola Russell was on the witness stand testifying as an expert in analyzing shoe impressions.

"The witness is still under oath," Superior Court Judge Orlando Hudson told the jury Tuesday.

"Good morning, agent Russell," District Attorney Tracey Cline said.

"Good morning," Russell responded.

Shoe impressions have been mentioned throughout the trial as Cline has contended that shoe prints at the crime scene came from Kidwell, who is 25 and facing life in prison without parole. In particular, Cline has talked about a Nike shoe print found on the back of Nelms, who was 44.

Russell explained how she analyzes shoe impressions to determine whether they square with evidence. Besides considering the outer soles and sizes of shoes, Russell said she studies designs, wear patterns and nicks and gouges on the soles.

Jurors got a chance to view a blue, fleece vest taken from the crime scene. That vest had a shoe print on its back, and Cline asked Russell to step down from the witness stand to display it for the jury.

It was not specifically stated that Nelms was wearing the vest on the night he died.

"Be careful because it has blood on it," Cline said as Russell showed jurors the vest. "Or what appears to be blood on it."

Days earlier, another SBI agent testified DNA on the shoe linked Kidwell and Nelms.

The defense will continue its cross-examination of Russell today.