SEATTLE, Wash. — The fate of accused killer Joe McEnroe will soon be in the hands of a jury as deliberations begin Tuesday morning. Closing arguments in the Carnation murder trial wrapped up Monday afternoon.
McEnroe is charged with six counts of aggravated first-degree murder in killing Wayne and Judy Anderson, Scott and Erica Anderson and their young children Olivia, 5, and Nathan, 3.
If convicted of the Carnation murders on Christmas Eve 2007, McEnroe could face the death penalty.
Both sides gave their closing arguments on Monday. The trial lasted more than two months. Jurors heard from 43 prosecution witnesses and three defense witnesses.
Investigators played Joe McEnroe’s taped confession where he admits to murdering six members of his girlfriend’s family
Prosecutors say McEnroe planned the killings and is guilty of six counts of aggravated first-degree murder.
“Today is the day Joe McEnroe gets held accountable,” said Sr. Deputy Prosecutor Scott O’Toole. O’Toole spent much of his closing argument discrediting defense witness, Dr. Donald Dutton. He told the jury that Dutton, a psychologist, was not a credible witness. O’Toole claimed Dutton repeated what every defense attorneys told him to say, even quoting them in his final report when he claimed to be quoting McEnroe. “What you heard from Dr. Dutton was a desperation defense,” said O’Toole, ”I would suggest Donald Dutton is the answer to what you get for $80,000 dollars.” O’Toole mentioned how much defense paid for Dr. Dutton’s testimony several times in his closing argument.
In closing arguments the defense said McEnroe is guilty of second-degree murder, not first. They say he is not capable of premeditation because he suffers from diminished mental capacity. “This case is about two people with impairments and mental illness,” said defense attorney Leo Hamaji. The defense claims McEnroe was under the control of his girlfriend Michele Anderson. “The lack of evidence put on by the state is glaringly apparent,” added Hamaji.
If the jury returns a guilty verdict, the same jury will decide McEnroe’s punishment. If McEnroe is convicted of six counts of aggravated first degree murder, he could face the death penalty. If McEnroe is convicted of second degree murder, he would still face a sentence of more than 91 years in prison.
Michele Anderson’s trial will start in the fall.
KIRO
