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.
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Click on the headline above or see more below for courtroom updates posted throughout the day.
Neil Entwistle stands for a recess after a juror did not arrive at the court house on time during his murder trial at the Middlesex Superior Court in Woburn this morning.
PHOTO BY ADAM HUNGER/pool
COURTROOM UPDATE - 6/23/08: Jury to deliberate
posted at 3:54 p.m.: A jury of six men and six women were chosen today to determine if Neil Entwistle is guilty of killing his wife and daughter more than two years ago.
The jury will begins its deliberations tomorrow at 9 a.m.
Judge Diane Kottmyer chose a man in his 30s as the foreman.
Two men and two women were chosen as the alternates.
The jury will now have to sift through the testimony of 46 witnesses over 12 days. Also, more than 100 exhibits were entered into evidence.
The prosecution has claimed Neil Entwistle became dissatisfied with his sex life and was swimming in debt when he stole a gun from his in-laws' Carver home and killed Rachel and Lillian Rose on Jan. 20, 2006.
The defense argues that Rachel killed Lillian Rose and then herself with the gun. They say Entwistle found the gun and returned it to Carver to protect Rachel's memory.
posted at 12:55 p.m.: Closing arguments are over. The court is on a lunch break.
posted at 11:05 a.m.: Closing argument are expected to start at 11:15 a.m.
Judge Diane Kottmyer said the jury will then be charged after the lunch break at 2 p.m.
The jury will be given the option of first- or second-degree murder.
Defense lawyer Stephanie Page requested that the jury be given an instruction of involuntary manslaughter, but Kottmyer said the presented evidence did not support such a charge.
Page also objected to the jury being told that if they convict Neil Entwistle, they must convict of the highest degree that was proven by the prosecution.
Kottmyer said that instruction is required by law.
Kottmyer said she will instruct the jury that two different forensic pathology books used by the defense while questioning the state medical examiner last week may be used as evidence.
posted at 10:15 a.m.: Prosecutors and defense lawyers rested their cases this morning.
After a 45-minute audio phone interview between Neil Entwistle and Trooper Robert Manning was played for the jurors, defense lawyer Elliot Weinsten asked no questions.
Prosecutor Michael Fabbri then rested, as did Weinstein. The defense called no witnesses.
Closing arguments are expected today.
- By Norman Miller