By David in TN
As in other trials, the facts of the murder were worse than previously thought.
Murray’s killer, Brittany Norwood; WTOP.com: “Norwood is charged with first-degree murder. Prosecutors intend to seek life without possibility of parole. (Montgomery County Police Department)”Prosecutor: Multiple weapons used in Lululemon murder
By Neal Augenstein, wtop.com
Tuesday, October 25, 2011, 11:41a.m. ET
WTOP.com
ROCKVILLE, Md. - Jayna Murray was found with a rope around her neck, hammer and knife wounds to her head, and had been repeatedly struck with a metal stand from the Bethesda Lululemon yoga store, prosecutors say in Brittany Norwood's murder trial.
In a motions argument, after 300 potential jurors had been sent home for the evening, Montgomery County State's Attorney John McCarthy insisted he be allowed to show several photos in a slideshow presentation during opening statements.
Defense attorney Douglas Wood argued against allowing the photos to be displayed to jurors before they're introduced into evidence, because "these pictures are as graphic as you can get."
McCarthy argued for the ability to use the pictures, saying "this case turns on identity and premeditation."
"This is critical, your honor. She did it, and it was premeditated," McCarthy told Montgomery County Circuit Court Judge Robert Greenberg.
With Norwood quietly sitting at the defense table in a tan sweater, with her hair pulled back, Wood countered the pictures would be prejudicial, especially at the beginning of the trial.
Norwood is charged with first-degree murder. Prosecutors intend to seek life without possibility of parole.
"I think the prosecution can get its point across without pictures," Wood countered.
"Nobody disputes there are defensive wounds on Ms. Murray's hand and front part of her body. Pictures of her skull are extremely graphic -- you might as well show the pictures during voir dire," Wood argued.
Judge Greenberg said he would consider the arguments, and rule Tuesday morning.
Most of the Monday court session involved voir dire of 150 potential jurors. Asked if they had heard of the Lululemon murder case, all but 18 responded in the affirmative.
Thirty-eight of the juror candidates said they had already made up their mind as to Norwood's guilt or innocence. None was immediately excused for that reason, although it's unlikely they will be selected as one of the 12 jurors or five alternates.
Greenberg estimated the trial will last eight to 10 days. Sources say opening statements likely won't occur before Wednesday morning.
[Previously, at WEJB/NSU:
“Bethesda Cops: Black Yoga Store Worker Murdered White Colleague, Made Up Story about Masked Rapist-Killers, in Order to Avoid Jail for Thefts”;
“Black Bethesda Yoga Store Worker Brittany Norwood is Charged with Killing Her White Colleague, Jayna Murray: Five Videos”;
“Trial Date Set For Britanny Norwood, in Non-Hate Crime Murder in Bethesda, Maryland, lululemon athletica Store”;
“Reader Who Claims to Have Known Jayna Murray, Whose Killer Smashed Her Skull in for 20 Minutes in lululemon athletica, Has Compassion for the Killer, but None for Those Who Would Judge Her”; and
“In Web Posts and Emails, Friends of Brittany Norwood, the Racist Lululemon Killer of Jayna Murray, Paint Mutually Contradictory Portraits of Norwood”; and
“In 2007, Ex-Boyfriend Charged That Lululemon Murderer Brittany Norwood was Stalking Him.”
“Already in August, Lululemon Killer Brittany Norwood’s Lawyer was Playing the ‘Crazy Card.’”
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