UPDATE – WEDNESDAY, MAY 7 9:00 AM
The defense rested its case without calling any additional witnesses, with T. Hunter Shelton saying the State had not presented its case beyond a reasonable doubt. Ritchie Collins is now presenting closing arguments.
UPDATE – WEDNESDAY, MAY 7 4:00 AM
The state has rested its case in the first degree murder trial of Lavelle Scott. The defense for the 29 year old Greeneville man charged with the death of his 31 day old daughter will present its case beginning today.
After the state rested around 5:40 Tuesday afternoon, Defense attorney T. Hunter Shelton made a motion for acquittal on all counts which was denied by Judge John Dugger, Jr. Although he had said Monday Lavelle Scott would not testify in his own defense, Shelton confirmed that again in open court with his client before court recessed for the day.
MEDICAL EXAMINER TESTIFIES TO CAUSE OF DEATH
Medical Examiner Dr. Matrina Schmidt testified late Tuesday afternoon that infant Sophia Flora Fields “died by homicide as a result of multiple blunt force injuries”. Her description of the internal and external injuries included graphic autopsy photos of the infant. One of the two women who have been sitting in court with the girls mother throughout the week left in tears as the first photo was shown. The mother, Brandi Fields and another person along side her , cried as the photos were shown to the jury of eleven women and one man. It’s a jury that has appeared, at least to this reporter, very engaged and stoic as they have listened to the testimony this week. However, as might be expected, several jurors were seen wiping tears during and soon after the pictures were shown on the big screen next to them.
