10-12-2017, 07:24 PM
Defense focusing on 'blame the name' strategy ...
Jessica Chambers was so severely burned she may have had difficulty speaking, D.A. Champion said, offering a possible explanation for why first responders heard her say "Eric" or "Derek."
But defense attorney Darla Palmer cautioned jurors against discounting the victim's own words. Palmer said at least eight first responders heard Chambers say the name "Eric," and also reported she said she didn't know his last name.
"She knew Quinton," Palmer said Tuesday. "She knew his name is Quinton Tellis. But she did not say that that day."
Palmer argued that the case is "full of reasonable doubt" and said evidence would show that Tellis was in Bateville, miles away from the crime scene, buying a pre-paid debit card to send to his girlfriend during the time prosecutors allege he was killing Chambers.
Firefighters who responded to the scene testified Wednesday they wrapped Chambers in blankets to keep her warm. She was wearing nothing but underwear when she was found, and she had trouble saying more than a few words at a time, firefighters said. One testified she said, "Thirsty" and "Cold."
One of the first firefighters on the scene, Daniel Cole, said Chambers had soot around her nose and mouth. Cole said he asked her, "Who did this?" Cole said he heard her say, "Eric set me on fire."
Multiple first responders who testified Wednesday also said they heard Chambers say the name "Eric." Several also said she was difficult to understand.
Firefighter Shane Mills said he was horrified to see her condition. Mills said he knew Chambers, but did not recognize her at first.
"One of the worst things you could imagine," Mills said. "I can't picture it for y'all. Her hair was, you know, beautiful blonde. You look at it at the time, her hair is just fried."
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/jessica-cha...s-testify/
Jessica Chambers was so severely burned she may have had difficulty speaking, D.A. Champion said, offering a possible explanation for why first responders heard her say "Eric" or "Derek."
But defense attorney Darla Palmer cautioned jurors against discounting the victim's own words. Palmer said at least eight first responders heard Chambers say the name "Eric," and also reported she said she didn't know his last name.
"She knew Quinton," Palmer said Tuesday. "She knew his name is Quinton Tellis. But she did not say that that day."
Palmer argued that the case is "full of reasonable doubt" and said evidence would show that Tellis was in Bateville, miles away from the crime scene, buying a pre-paid debit card to send to his girlfriend during the time prosecutors allege he was killing Chambers.
Firefighters who responded to the scene testified Wednesday they wrapped Chambers in blankets to keep her warm. She was wearing nothing but underwear when she was found, and she had trouble saying more than a few words at a time, firefighters said. One testified she said, "Thirsty" and "Cold."
One of the first firefighters on the scene, Daniel Cole, said Chambers had soot around her nose and mouth. Cole said he asked her, "Who did this?" Cole said he heard her say, "Eric set me on fire."
Multiple first responders who testified Wednesday also said they heard Chambers say the name "Eric." Several also said she was difficult to understand.
Firefighter Shane Mills said he was horrified to see her condition. Mills said he knew Chambers, but did not recognize her at first.
"One of the worst things you could imagine," Mills said. "I can't picture it for y'all. Her hair was, you know, beautiful blonde. You look at it at the time, her hair is just fried."
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/jessica-cha...s-testify/