Capital murder trial of Shane James enters day three in Austin, Texas
Day three of Shane James' capital murder trial is underway in Austin, where prosecutors seek conviction over four killings. The defence has claimed insanity.
Third day of testimony in Shane James murder trial, Austin
Testimony resumed Wednesday on the third day of Shane James' capital murder trial in downtown Austin, cbsaustin.com reports. Prosecutors are seeking a conviction linked to four killings committed in the city.
Investigators allege James killed six people in total — his parents in Bexar County and four individuals in Austin — with three further people wounded. The current proceedings focus exclusively on the four Austin deaths.
Jurors have so far heard from eyewitnesses and investigators, and have been shown surveillance footage as well as shell casing evidence.
Opening arguments were presented last week, with the defence advancing an insanity plea. Defence attorney Michael Watson told the court: "We're sending lights, we're sending sounds, we are sending elusive commands that he couldn't control and he did not understand what was right and what was wrong."
Second Assistant District Attorney Rickey Jones addressed jurors directly: "Me and my colleagues are going to get up here at the end, and we're going to ask each and every one of you. To find this defendant, Shane James, guilty. Capital murder, killing those four people in Austin, Texas."
The four Austin victims were killed at two separate locations: Shadywood Drive in South Austin and Austral Loop in Southwest Austin. Testimony was expected to continue through the day.
Source: Google News MT — Crime (en)