Ellington defense rests
The fate of Jonathan W. Ellington could be decided by a jury tomorrow.
This morning, after about an hour of testimony, the defense rested its case.
The prosecution rested its case yesterday.
Closing arguments will likely begin tomorrow morning at the Kootenai County Courthouse, and then it will go to the jury.
Ellington is charged with second-degree murder for running over and killing Vonette Larsen on New Year's Day 2006.
Ellington spent six years locked up for this incident before the Idaho Supreme Court overturned his conviction last spring after finding a prosecution witness lied on the stand. He faces many more years if convicted this time.
Jurors will have to decide whether Ellington ran Larsen over deliberately, or accidentally in the heat of a chaotic situation in which his Blazer was being shot at by Larsen's husband, Joel Larsen.
The re-trial, which started last week, is moving much faster than the 2006 trial, which lasted 11 days. The re-trial was expected to take longer, up to three weeks, based on the court schedule.
After the defense rested, Ellington appeared optimistic about the outcome of the case. He said, "I feel really good," to Press reporter, David Cole.
How do you think the jury will decide?
Links to earlier related stories published by The Press: