Friend Who Discovered Body Testifies in Campbell Murder Case

Accused killer Isaac Campbell gave strict instructions to acquaintance Michael Darby not to open the large, royal blue trash can stored in the garage of Darby's Arcadia home, Darby testified Tuesday in Alhambra court.

Campbell is on trial on one count of murder in the Aug. 12, 2007, death of his ex-girlfriend, Liya "Jessie" Lu.

Darby said he eventually acquiesced to Campbell's persistent requests for permission to store a number of items in the garage, which included a recycling trash can covered in tarp and taped shut.

When Darby asked what the trash can contained, Campbell became evasive.

"He said, 'What do you think?' I said, 'I don't know,'" Darby testified, adding that he didn't ask any more questions and never spoke to Campbell again.

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Several weeks later, Darby learned Lu had gone missing. Darby said he decided to open the trash can in the presence of his brother and a friend. 

In the trash can, Darby found Lu's body,

The court also heard more testimony from Lu's cousin and ex-husband Jermy Zhou. The couple, who were married from 1998-2003, remained "best friends" despite the divorce.

Zhou testified that he attempted to contact Lu several times after Aug. 12, 2007—the date investigators say she died. He filed a missing person's report when he received a phone call from Lu's work saying she had not shown up for several shifts.

Lu, a nursing student at Pasadena City College, worked part-time at Kaiser Permanante in Hollywood.

Michael Darby's testimony continues Thursday.