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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The jury selection process in the Neil Entwistle case should prove to lawmakers that the process should be changed, his lawyer said this afternoon.
Above, defense attorney Elliot Weinstein speaks to reporters outside of Middlesex Superior Court.
DAILY NEWS PHOTO BY KEN MCGAGH
Defense attorney: Entwistle trial proves jury selection process should be changed
By Norman Miller/Daily News staff
WOBURN - The jury selection process in the Neil Entwistle case should prove to lawmakers that the process should be changed, his lawyer said this afternoon.
Elliot Weinstein has said since the beginning of the case in 2006 that it would be difficult to get a fair jury, and he said the past three days prove it.
"The bias in Middlesex County is real," Weinstein said.
He said the laws should be changed to allow lawyers to have more of a hand in questioning prospective jurors, instead of leaving it to the judge.
Today, the original jury pool of 165 was narrowed to 15. The defense team has one challenge left, while prosecutors have 10 of 16 granted to them.
Weinstein said it is impossible to know even if the remaining jurors are biased because Judge Diane Kottmyer is not asking all the needed questions.
"It's a challenge we can't beat. It's a challenge we can't overcome," he said.