Witnesses place Luong on DI Bridge

MOBILE, Ala. - Day Two of the capital murder trial of Lam Luong has begun. Luong is accused of throwing his four children off the Dauphin Island Bridge last January.

Three people testified Tuesday that they saw Lam Luong on the Dauphin Island bridge, on the day Luong's four children went missing. Two of those witnesses say they saw Luong, and at least one of the kids, who was still alive.

Jeff Coolidge identified Luong as the man he saw standing on the bridge next to a van. Coolidge says he saw the man throw what appeared to be a bag from the bridge. As he drove by the van, Coolidge says a girl inside smiled at him.

Another witness, Frank Collier, says he saw Luong straddling the guardrail of the bridge, as if he were about to jump. Collier also says he saw a little girl inside the van. A third witness, Alton Knight, also says he saw Luong, and the van, the day the kids disappeared.

The jury also heard Luong's taped interrogation from Mobile County Metro Jail on January 9, 2008. It's the first time the jurors heard any emotion from Luong since the trial began.

Bayou la Batre Police Captain Darryl Wilson testified Tuesday morning. He stated Luong kept sticking to his story that "Kim has the babies." Capt. Wilson says Luong later recanted, saying that authorities would need boats to find the children. When asked why they would need boats, Luong said he "would say anything to help find the babies."

Pictures of the spot on the bridge where Luong allegedly threw Ryan, Lindsey, Hannah and Danny were also presented as evidence in court.

Luong has changed his story several times since the alleged murders. Over a week ago, Luong pleaded guilty, then reversed that decision and now pleads not guilty. The jury consists of 10 men and 6 women, including alternates.

He's facing five capital murder charges; one for each child, and one collectively for all four. If convicted, he faces either life in prison or the death penalty.