Apr 16, 2009 10:16 am US/Eastern
Closing Arguments Heard In Witness Murder Trial
BALTIMORE (WJZ) ―
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Closing arguments are heard in what could be a landmark case of witness intimidation.
Closing arguments are heard in what could be a landmark case of witness intimidation. Patrick Byers is on trial for ordering the murder of a witness from his jail cell.
Mike Hellgren has more on the evidence the jury must consider.
The trial has put the spotlight on the national problem of prisoners having access to cell phones.
The prosecution and defense made their final pitches to jurors Wednesday in one of Maryland's most brazen and notorious cases of witness intimidation. Prosecutors say Patrick Byers illegally obtained access to a cell phone while in jail and used it to order the murder of Carl Lackl just days before Lackl was set to testify as the star witness in a murder case against him.
"He was assassinated, pure and simple. He was trying to put someone away 'cause he just happened to be a witness," said a relative of Lackl's.
The prosecution has painted Byers as a cold-blooded killer who orchestrated it all, possibly with the help of correctional officers, who allowed him access to the phone. They say, despite extraordinary security during the trial, Byers was able to get a cell phone again and used it to silence a witness in this case.
Prisoners' easy access to cell phones has alarmed lawmakers and prompted new federal legislation that would allow prison officials to jam cell signals behind bars. The practice is currently prohibited by the FCC. There's a hearing on the bill next month.
For the first few hours of those closing arguments, the defense attorney focused on motive. He said that Byers didn't view Lackl or his testimony as a threat, so he didn't have a motive to have him killed. The attorney says the evidence against Byers is flimsy at best.
Prosecutors say Byers made more than 3,000 calls while in jail.
Prosecutors will make their rebuttal arguments Thursday. After that, U.S. District Judge Richard Bennett will give instructions to the jury, which will begin deliberations.
The names of jurors in the high-profile trial were kept from attorneys in a bid to protect their safety. Such a move is typically reserved for trials of defendants with ties to gangs or organized crime.
Byers faces the possibility of the death penalty if convicted in the slaying of Lackl.
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