11-08-2013, 10:02 AM
FINAL PROSECUTION WITNESSES
Final jailhouse snitch
A fourth inmate testified this week. He said MacNeill admitted drowning Michele. On cross, the defense introduced communications with his family indicating that the inmate hoped his testimony would help him get out of prison. He admitted making the statements, but claimed it was just a hope, not something that he was promised in exchange for his testimony.
Mistress called again as last prosecution witness
Gypsy Willis was called to the stand again yesterday. Letters that she and MacNeill exchanged while they were incarcerated for identity theft were introduced to the jury. "I will always love you", "you're worth all that I'm going through" kinda stuff was exchanged between the couple. Gypsy said she was so lonely in prison that the letters were very welcomed.
Gypsy admitted that she and MacNeill had taken out a marriage license, that they pretended to be married and lived together...But, she says that even though she never told him so explicitly, the relationship has been over for her as of 4 years ago when she got released (HOTD: No contact with MacNeill was part of her release agreement). Gypsy contends that she is not trying to protect MacNeill and that she's in another relationship. Martin MacNeill shed a few tears during her testimony.
The prosecution rested its case yesterday.
I think the biggest challenge in getting a "guilty of first degree murder" verdict is the MEs' autopsy rulings. The first ME ruled "natural causes". The second one ruled "undetermined" and testified that Michele could have died from drug toxicity mixed with pre-existing conditions.
Dr. Berber, the state's expert witness, testified that he believed the water in Michele's lungs and other factors he gathered from the medical reports led him to believe that Michele died as a result of drowning. I think he held up well under a long intense cross-examination, but not sure how the jury will weigh his paid opinion against the state-employed MEs.
Final jailhouse snitch
A fourth inmate testified this week. He said MacNeill admitted drowning Michele. On cross, the defense introduced communications with his family indicating that the inmate hoped his testimony would help him get out of prison. He admitted making the statements, but claimed it was just a hope, not something that he was promised in exchange for his testimony.
Mistress called again as last prosecution witness
Gypsy Willis was called to the stand again yesterday. Letters that she and MacNeill exchanged while they were incarcerated for identity theft were introduced to the jury. "I will always love you", "you're worth all that I'm going through" kinda stuff was exchanged between the couple. Gypsy said she was so lonely in prison that the letters were very welcomed.
Gypsy admitted that she and MacNeill had taken out a marriage license, that they pretended to be married and lived together...But, she says that even though she never told him so explicitly, the relationship has been over for her as of 4 years ago when she got released (HOTD: No contact with MacNeill was part of her release agreement). Gypsy contends that she is not trying to protect MacNeill and that she's in another relationship. Martin MacNeill shed a few tears during her testimony.
The prosecution rested its case yesterday.
I think the biggest challenge in getting a "guilty of first degree murder" verdict is the MEs' autopsy rulings. The first ME ruled "natural causes". The second one ruled "undetermined" and testified that Michele could have died from drug toxicity mixed with pre-existing conditions.
Dr. Berber, the state's expert witness, testified that he believed the water in Michele's lungs and other factors he gathered from the medical reports led him to believe that Michele died as a result of drowning. I think he held up well under a long intense cross-examination, but not sure how the jury will weigh his paid opinion against the state-employed MEs.