Closing arguments - UPDATED 1:10 PM
9:40 AM - Defense Attorney Julian Wray opened court Wednesday morning with the defense’s closing argument.
He said his client, Dameon Romell Early, shot Paras Samuel out of self-defense.
"This is a tragedy for both parties, there’s no question about that but he’s not guilty of a crime," said Wray. "The evidence in this case says my client is not guilty. Dameon Early has said’ I’m not guilty’ from the beginning. All of his statements to law enforcement say he’s not guilty. He said it in his hospital bed, he said it voluntarily."
He said the state waited 30 days before the trial date to start gathering evidence in the case. He said they didn’t talk to Sherwin Allen until July, more than a year after the shooting.
Dameon early didn’t get a complete and thorough investigation from law enforcement. It’s something he’s entitled to and didn’t get.
Wray said a lot of the prosecution’s evidence focused on the distance between Early and Samuel before the shooting. He said none of the witnesses gave similar distances.
"Perception of distance and time differ in the heat of the moment," said Wray. "Don’t chase a rabbit. It’s not relevant. My client didn’t have a tape measure."
He said again this is a case of self-defense.
"Dameon had all the good reason to fear for his life," said Wray.
11:04 - Court is in recess for 15 minutes.
11:21 - Defense continues closing argument. Wray is going over the laws regarding self-defense.
11:39 - Defense wraps up closing argument. Prosecution begins closing argument.
Assistant District Attorney Bill Young said the defense was simply trying to muddy the water and distract the jury from the real issues of the case.
Young said the witnesses are consistent on the key issues, such as who fired the first shot. He said the defense witness, Sarah Thompson's testimony about the number of shots and the sounds of the shots, were not consistent with the physical evidence. He also mentioned that Early and Thompson were good friends.
He said Early changes his testimony to attempt to make him look better.
"The defendant is not telling the truth," said Young. "He's not a believable man."
12:38 - Young is going over the laws.
12:48 - Prosecution wraps up closing argument. Court is in 10 minute recess.
12:58 - The jury has decided not to take a lunch. The judge is now giving the jury instructions.
He said his client, Dameon Romell Early, shot Paras Samuel out of self-defense.
"This is a tragedy for both parties, there’s no question about that but he’s not guilty of a crime," said Wray. "The evidence in this case says my client is not guilty. Dameon Early has said’ I’m not guilty’ from the beginning. All of his statements to law enforcement say he’s not guilty. He said it in his hospital bed, he said it voluntarily."
He said the state waited 30 days before the trial date to start gathering evidence in the case. He said they didn’t talk to Sherwin Allen until July, more than a year after the shooting.
Dameon early didn’t get a complete and thorough investigation from law enforcement. It’s something he’s entitled to and didn’t get.
Wray said a lot of the prosecution’s evidence focused on the distance between Early and Samuel before the shooting. He said none of the witnesses gave similar distances.
"Perception of distance and time differ in the heat of the moment," said Wray. "Don’t chase a rabbit. It’s not relevant. My client didn’t have a tape measure."
He said again this is a case of self-defense.
"Dameon had all the good reason to fear for his life," said Wray.
11:04 - Court is in recess for 15 minutes.
11:21 - Defense continues closing argument. Wray is going over the laws regarding self-defense.
11:39 - Defense wraps up closing argument. Prosecution begins closing argument.
Assistant District Attorney Bill Young said the defense was simply trying to muddy the water and distract the jury from the real issues of the case.
Young said the witnesses are consistent on the key issues, such as who fired the first shot. He said the defense witness, Sarah Thompson's testimony about the number of shots and the sounds of the shots, were not consistent with the physical evidence. He also mentioned that Early and Thompson were good friends.
He said Early changes his testimony to attempt to make him look better.
"The defendant is not telling the truth," said Young. "He's not a believable man."
12:38 - Young is going over the laws.
12:48 - Prosecution wraps up closing argument. Court is in 10 minute recess.
12:58 - The jury has decided not to take a lunch. The judge is now giving the jury instructions.
posted by Pete DeLea at
9:57 AM
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