Campbell's Reaction to Missing Girlfriend 'Not Normal,' Detective Testifies

Isaac Campbell did not appear "overly concerned" at the news his girlfriend had gone missing, the lead detective in the case testified Monday in Campbell's trial on murder charges.

Detective James Just of the San Gabriel Police Department said the defendant acted strangely during a meeting with investigators that took place shortly after a relative reported Liya "Jessie" Lu missing.

"He seemed concerned, but not overly concerned," Just said. "His response was not normal for someone who had a significant other missing. He just asked what I knew and who I had spoken with."

Campbell is charged with one count of murder in Lu's death.

The couple, who met in nursing school at Pasadena City College, dated for three years and lived together in Alhambra. Lu moved into her own apartment in San Gabriel just days before she died in the early morning hours of Aug. 12, 2007.

Just said Campbell told detectives that Lu slept over at the Alhambra apartment the night of Aug. 11, 2007. The defendant left in the morning to study for finals with a classmate, and Lu was gone by the time he returned that afternoon.

When detectives inquired about Lu's demeanor before her disappearance, Campbell said that "she seemed upset because he wasn't ... giving her enough attention," Just testified. "I asked if there was an argument about that. [Campbell] said there was, but it was nothing out of the ordinary."

Investigators eventually searched the apartment with Campbell's verbal and written consent, Just told the court.

Campbell became visibly agitated during the search, the detective said.

"He asked if he needed an attorney," Just testified. "I told him, 'Why do you need an attorney? You're not under arrest.'"

The court also heard testimony from forensic computer expert Thomas Fortier, who said Campbell's computer contained multiple files related to martial arts.

Prosecutors say Campbell killed Lu by putting her in a martial arts hold designed to compress the carotid arteries in the neck. This induces cardiac arrhythmia, causing death within 10-30 seconds.

However, this is only a theory. The medical examiner was .

Just's testimony continues Tuesday at 11 a.m. Check Patch later for more.