Closing arguments wrapped up today in the second degree murder trial of a Liverpool man after a sudden development in Nova Scotia Supreme Court. Defence lawyers for 33 year-old Jamie Leopold decided not to call any witnesses this morning in the court case. The move comes after the jury heard the end of a nine-hour police interview on Monday where Leopold told police he fatally struck Laura Lee Robertson in the neck but it was an accident. Leopold has pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder in the death of Robertson last April. Crown attorney's argue Leopold intended to kill Robertson based on testimony from a forensic expert who determined she was killed by some form of asphyxiation. However, defence lawyer Chris Manning says Leopold had no choice but to act quickly after Robertson bit his penis during a drunken sexual act on April 13, 2011. Manning presented photos of Leopold's injury to the jury today which still had not healed when the photos were taken five weeks after the alleged incident last year. The twelve member jury is expected to begin deliberations tomorrow morning.
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
UPDATE: Closing Arguments Conclude In Leopold Trial
Closing arguments wrapped up today in the second degree murder trial of a Liverpool man after a sudden development in Nova Scotia Supreme Court. Defence lawyers for 33 year-old Jamie Leopold decided not to call any witnesses this morning in the court case. The move comes after the jury heard the end of a nine-hour police interview on Monday where Leopold told police he fatally struck Laura Lee Robertson in the neck but it was an accident. Leopold has pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder in the death of Robertson last April. Crown attorney's argue Leopold intended to kill Robertson based on testimony from a forensic expert who determined she was killed by some form of asphyxiation. However, defence lawyer Chris Manning says Leopold had no choice but to act quickly after Robertson bit his penis during a drunken sexual act on April 13, 2011. Manning presented photos of Leopold's injury to the jury today which still had not healed when the photos were taken five weeks after the alleged incident last year. The twelve member jury is expected to begin deliberations tomorrow morning.