Patterson News Flash: State and defense rest
EDINBURG – In a surprise move Monday morning, the state rested its case, as expected, but so did Patterson's defense team without calling any witnesses to the stand, which took most people by surprise.
Courtroom speculation was that the defense would at least call one paid-for-hire forensic pathologist to refute testimony delivered last week by Hidalgo County Chief Forensic Pathologist Norma Jean Farley who ruled Marty Knell's death a homicide by asphyxiation.
The jury will re-convene this Wednesday morning to begin deliberations with regard to the four counts facing Monica Melissa (Palacios) Patterson, which include capital murder; two counts of theft; and one count of misapplication of a fiduciary.
Monday's close brings to an end five weeks of court testimony which began Sept. 25th.
Still waiting in the wings, Patterson's accused accomplice, Angel Mario Garza, who already confessed to his part in the capital murder of Marty Knell Jan. 28, 2015.
After 2015, he has subsequently pled not guilty to the crime.