Closing Arguements today 1:30 PM

Today will be my last day in court, most likely before the verdict. I am told ADA Chris Lamiero will begin his closing arguements; the other attorneys will follow suit. Then, the case will go to the jury.

I will be up north when the verdicts are in, but my colleagues from TG Law Center and CUAV will keep you posted.

It is everyone's fervent hope that the jury will render fair and just verdicts this time around. The DA's Office did a fantastic job with presenting the physical evidence provided by the Newark Police Department, the Medical Examiner, FBI-- especially in view of the limited budgets/resources it seems that small police departments apparently have. Presenting this evidence--the portion of the wall, the 35' rope, the blood-stained carpet, and the rest--this really brought home the violent nature of the crime--this was a murder. It was not self-defense, or what any reasonable person would do under the circumstances--so I just can't see how this crime could be manslaughter.

This process of the investigations, the preliminary hearing, the first trial which resulted in a hung jury, up to today--has gone on nearly 3 years. All the families and loved ones involved want resolution. Think good thoughts, and I will, too.

--Connie Champagne
CUAV Speakers Bureau Program Director
connie@cuav.org