Jury Finds Stephano Culbreath Guilty of Murder Despite Conflicting Testimony and Lack of Evidence

SAN ANGELO, TX - The past three weeks, a jury of 12 men and woman and two alternates listened to conflicting testimony in the Stephano Culbreath murder trial. Despite this conflicting testimony, and despite a lack of evidence connecting Culbreath to the death of David Titus, the jury found Culbreath guilty beyond a reasonable doubt for first degree murder, and for Possession of a Controlled Substance, a third degree felony enhanced to a second degree.

The jury spent the morning hearing final testimony from a Defense expert witness, and by 12:30 p.m., the Defense and State began closing arguments. For more than an hour, Defense Attorney Jessica Skinner dissected all of the issues with the evidence, or lack thereof, and with witness testimony.

"Stephano Culbreath is not guilty," Skinner told the jury. "The State has not proven its case."

In less time, District Attorney Allison Palmer reiterated the argument that Culbreath was looking for David Titus the night he was murdered because Titus owed him money for a drug transaction. Culbreath was in the vicinity of the murder, and his actions on July 25, 2015 spoke of a man guilty of murder (for our previous stories, visit here, here, here, and here).

Palmer also told the jury they were in a unique position, but by finding Culbreath guilty, they would find justice for David Titus.

At 3 p.m. both the Defense and State rested their final arguments, and the jury set off to deliberate.

As time rolled on, the jury requested to review the audio clips and the video recorded interview of Culbreath by police. Close to 9 p.m., talks of a possible "hung jury" took place because of the wording in a statement made by the jury to the court. As a result, the Defense and State had to determine an appropriate response should the jury not be able to come to a verdict. However, after Judge Woodward, with the approval of Palmer and Skinner, responded to the jury, deliberations continued. At 9: 40 p.m., the jury came back with a verdict.

"Ladies and gentleman, have you reached a verdict?" Judge Woodward asked the jury.

"Yes, sir," a jury member responded.

Prior to that point, and throughout the day, Culbreath had spent time joking and laughing in the courtroom. However, when Judge Woodward said, "Mr. Culbreath, please stand," the Defendant was no longer smiling.

In the presence of Culbreath's family, and in the presence of David Titus' family, Judge Woodward handed down the jury's verdict of "guilty as charged." Culbreath had a look of disappointment, but proceeded to look over the forms provided by Judge Woodward for an appeal.

Because it took almost six hours for the jury to deliberate, Judge Woodward told the jury the next phase of sentencing would start at 9 a.m. At that time, Defense Attorney Skinner plans on bringing up family to testify on behalf of Culbreath.

LIVE! will provide more details on today's final arguments and the sentencing once the case finalizes.