The jury in Montgomery County Circuit court saw more bloody images from the Bethesda Lululemon store, as the murder trial for Brittany Norwood enters a second week.
However, before testimony resumed on Monday morning, the judge decided some evidence that prosecutors wanted to present could not be heard.
Lawyers for the prosecution had hoped for jurors to hear testimony about a phone conversation between murder victim Jayna Murray and one of her coworkers. According to the coworker, Murray had told her over the phone on the night of her murder that she had discovered stolen merchandise inside Brittany Norwood's purse. The coworker says Murray confronted Norwood about the alleged theft that evening.
Testimony about the phone call would help the prosecution establish a motive, that Norwood murdered her coworker for discovering the shoplifting. But the judge decided since Murray is no longer alive to confirm the veracity of the conversation, it could only be considered hearsay. The prosecution was not allowed to present the testimony in court.
What jurors did get on Monday morning were more graphic images from inside the yoga store. A forensic expert was on the stand, giving testimony on blood spatter patterns on the scene. The expert told the court that the patterns of blood on the floor and other surfaces in the store indicate a substantial beating had taken place. He said the blood indicated strong force was used in landing many of the blows.
The expert said that Murray had been struck with a series of blows - while standing and while crouching on the floor. He also told the court that the pattern of blood indicated that Norwood had not been attacked in the bathroom where prosecution said she tied herself up, and where police found her the next morning.
News4's Megan McGrath said suspected killer Brittany Norwood has maintained a quiet and emotionless demeanor in the courtroom, even as bloody images are presented.
Stay with News4 for complete trial coverage.
No comments:
Post a Comment