What Experts have to say
Our experts weigh in
Throughout the trial, the Daily News has invited a panel of experts to comment on what is happening in the courtroom. The panel members are: Wendy Murphy, a former Middlesex assistant district attorney and current victim/witness advocate; John LaChance, a former federal prosecutor and current defense lawyer based in Framingham, and Steve Huff, a professional crime blogger who runs two Web sites. Check back often for our experts' opinions. And if you want to share your opinion, visit our blog.
Timeline: So Far...
Jan. 16, 2006 -- Neil Entwistle visits the adult dating World Wide Web site "Adult Friend Finder."
Jan. 16 and 17 -- Entwistle views a Web site describing how to kill people. He also searches the internet on how to commit suicide, how to kill someone with a knife and euthanasia.
Jan. 18 -- Entwistle searches the internet for "escort services,'' including "Blonde Beauties Escort SVC.'' based in Worcester.
Coming Up
Neil Entwistle will serve his time at the Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center in Shirley. His conviction will be appealed. Under Massachusetts law, all first-degree murder convictions are appealed.
Poll
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Click on the headline above or "read more" below for brief updates from the courtroom throughout the day.
Neil Entwistle, above, reacts to watching a video of the bodies of his wife, Rachel, and baby daughter, Lillian Rose, which was presented as evidence today.
POOL PHOTO BY BRIAN SNYDER
COURTROOM UPDATE - 6/12/08: Entwistle attorney blasts media
posted at 4:39 p.m.: Neil Entwistle's lawyers lashed out after court today, blasting media reports that said Entwistle was laughing and smiling while watching a video of his dead wife and daughter.
Entwistle openly sobbed while watching the video, but lawyer Elliot Weinstein said some media outlets claimed his client was smiling and even laughing,
"We are offended by that type or reporting," he said.
Weinstein said, when thre video was being played, it was his job to watch it, while co-defense attorney Stephanie Page monitored Entwistle.
"Stephanie was to watch Neil to make sure he was OK to see this horror he did not commit," said Weinstein.
Page urged reporters to live up to their responsibility of reporting the news and not look for "the cheap headline, the cheap sound bite."
posted at 1:14 p.m.: Neil Entwistle repeatedly broke down into tears while watching a video of the crime scene at 6 Cubs Path two years ago.
The video was not shown to the public, only the lawyers, Entwistle, the jury, and State Police Sgt. Mary Ritchie, who was on the stand.
Although the video was not shown, Ritchie said yesterday that troopers took the video of the home, including of Rachel and Lillian Rose's dead bodies.
While Entwistle cried and covered his face with his hand, his mother, Yvonne Entwistle, audibly sobbed watching her son cry.
She was hugged throughout the playing of the video by her husband, Clifford, and her other son, Russell.
At the beginning of the video, loud classical music could be heard. Ritchie testified classical music was being played loudly in Lillian's room.
posted at 10:15 a.m.: The start of the trial has been delayed this morning.
Judge Diane Kottmyer said after a half-hour sidebar with both the lawyers and Neil Entwistle that one of the jurors had been delayed.
She did not say what the delay was or what the reason for the extended sidebar.
Massachusetts State Police Sgt. Mary Ritchie will continue her testimony when the trial starts. Photos from the crime scene are expected to be put in evidence.
- by Norman Miller