SAN ANGELO, TX ‚— District Attorney Allison Palmer rested the state’s case against capital murder defendant Isidro Delacruz at 9:35 a.m. Wednesday and defense attorneys called only two witnesses before the trial recessed for lunch.
Defense attorney Will Boyles told District Judge Ben Woodward that they planned to call only one final witness; Tanya Bermea whom Boyles warned might be hostile toward the defense.
Bermea is the mother of 5-year-old Naiya Villegas who was murdered Sept. 2, 2014 at her home on Houston St. Delacruz was arrested at the scene and charged with capital murder. Bermea shook uncontrollably as she testified for the prosecution Tuesday. Jurors over the last six days heard testimony from dozens of witnesses and viewed hundreds of crime scene photos and video including the surveillance video from SNG Satellite which shows Tanya Bermea rapidly walking down North St. and Delacruz following shortly after.
Defense attorneys Wednesday morning called Tom Green County Sheriff’s Deputy Sgt. Gary Cole who testified that he performed a cell phone extraction on Tanya Bermea’s cell phone. They then recalled San Angelo Police Department Sgt. Kelly Lajoie to the stand. Lajoie had earlier testified that she collected Facebook messages from Delacruz and Bermea in the days leading to the murder.
After the state rested, defense attorney Rob Cowie moved for a directed verdict of not guilty because the state had failed to prove its case. Judge Woodward immediately denied the motion. Testimony is expected to conclude Wednesday and then the judge will prepare instructions for the jury. It is possible that they could reach a verdict as early as Thursday.
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Mrs. Palmer, you allow this mother to not only be in the courtroom, but to testify as well. Even if you have sold your soul to the devil, Karma will eventually pay you a visit
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PermalinkThe mother is the only witness, of course she will be called to the stand. And by all that I have read on this site, it seems that there is not enough or a lack of evidence to convict. I have not been in the courtroom, but it seems that unfortunately Mrs. Palmer was not ready with enough evidence that could be used for a conviction. There is always evidence that may be thrown out that could help with a conviction that the jury will never hear. That is why it is so very important to study each and every aspect of the case and be prepared prior to trial instead of another life lost without justice. This is not the only time this office has been so unprepared and justice was not served do to incompetence. We still have not heard if there were fingerprints on the murder weapon. To that sweet young girl who perished so violently and so very soon, may you rest in peace.
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