Panel Weighs Fate of California Man Accused of Killing Missing Spouse

A California jury has begun deciding whether Larry Millete murdered his wife Maya, who disappeared over five years ago and was never seen again.

Panel Weighs Fate of California Man Accused of Killing Missing Spouse

Panel Weighs Fate of California Man Accused of Killing Missing Spouse

After nearly two dozen court sessions spanning five weeks, a jury started weighing evidence Wednesday in the trial of Larry Millete, charged with the slaying of his wife Maya, who vanished in January 2021. NBC 7 San Diego covered the proceedings.

The case against the defendant contains no direct proof — no remains, no confession, no weapon, and no witnesses to any killing. Prosecutors instead built their argument around hundreds of documents and numerous exhibits suggesting Larry orchestrated Maya's demise.

According to the state, Larry's behavior grew increasingly obsessive as his marriage crumbled. He allegedly resorted to unconventional methods to maintain control, including paying strangers online to cast spells, planting hidden audio recordings, and transmitting covert messages. The prosecution also introduced evidence of Maya's romantic involvement with a work acquaintance, including medical records showing she ended a pregnancy conceived during that relationship.

Closing arguments concluded Wednesday morning. Deputy District Attorney Christy Bowles spent Tuesday arguing that only an extraordinary run of bad luck could explain away the mounting evidence. Defense counsel Liann Sabatini countered that prosecutors were asking jurors to fill gaps with speculation, portraying her client as a distraught husband grappling with rejection and possible suicidal thoughts rather than a calculated killer.

The twelve-member panel faces five possible outcomes: four degrees of unlawful killing ranging from premeditated murder to involuntary manslaughter, or a not-guilty verdict. They need not agree on exactly how Maya perished, only whether her husband caused her death.

Deliberations opened around mid-afternoon Wednesday.

Source: Google News MT — Crime (en)