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.
COURTROOM UPDATES - 6/4/08
posted at 1:26 p.m.: Neil Entwistle's lawyer said comments by jurors such as "fry him" prove that a fair trial is impossible.
Elliot Weinstein addressed the media after Judge Diane Kottmyer called for the lunch break.
"There is no possibility - no possibility at all - Neil Entwistle can get a fair trial," Weinstein said.
Weinstein also said the overheard comments of "fry him" and "send him away" from one juror and another juror overhearing others say "that's the guy who killed his family" are proof the jury is biased.
He also said Kottmyer should have allowed his motion to question other potential jurors about those comments.
posted at 12:30 p.m.: A potential juror, who has since been dismissed, told Judge Diane Kottmyer that other potential jurors said "fry him," and "send him away" while waiting in line before the start of the Neil Entwistle trial on Monday.
Lawyer Elliot Weinstein immediately moved for the suspension of the jury selection process because there "is an impermissably infected pool of jurors."
Kottmyer denied the motion.
posted at 11:20 a.m.: Judge Diane Kottmyer has questioned 13 more potentional jurors, excusing all but one.
The one woman not excused is checking to see if her employer will pay her the entire time she would hear the case. Employers are required by law to pay for three days. This case is expected to last several weeks.
Among those excused was a police detective who knows prosecutor Mike Fabbri and an immigration lawyer who interned in the Manhatten district attorney's office, in the murder and manslaughter division.
posted 10:25 a.m.: WOBURN - Jury selection continued this morning with several prospective jurors eliminated by lawyers.
So far, Neil Entwistle's defense lawyers have used seven of their 16 allotted challenges, while the prosecution has used five.
Judge Diane Kottmyer has called a recess and will begin qualifying more potential jurors after the break.
Prior to jury selection, one woman was excused because she knows one of the court officers.
Also, defense lawyer Elliot Weinstein again moved for a change of venue. Kottmyer denied the motion.
- Compiled by Norman Miller
A dismissed juror from Medford speaks to reporters today after telling Judge Diane Kottmyer that other potential jurors said "fry him" and "send him away" while waiting in line before the start of the Entwistle trial.
DAILY NEWS PHOTO BY KEN MCGAGH