Closing statements get underway

What a long journey we've had together. Clearly the end is in sight. But it's the journey along the way that counts - Those were Robert Campbell's closing words this morning. He spoke from 9:45 to 10:55. We just braked for the mid-morning break. Campbell talked about pressure - the pressure the sheriff's office was under to solve this case and the pressure to win. He talked about how much evidence was ignored. Investigators ignored the medical examiner's opinion Emily died 2 to 4 days before her body was found. They ignored the phone calls Jerry made from the dairy the morning Emily went missing. They ignored Jerry's cell phone records that said he was in and around Sawmills all of Dec. 29, 2005. They ignored witnesses in South Carolina - not showing Bruce Bomar a lineup until a month before the trial and never speaking with Betty Dillard or Tammy Beltcher. Campbell talked about Roy McNeil's inconsistent testimony and the inconsistent emails he sent to Eric Bellas - one email says there was not hit of decomp on the tractor, a second email says there was a hit. Campbell used illustrations. He talked about things the prosecution wanted "left in the box," such as evidence like the rape kit that was never tested or the weather in Duncan, S.C., while Emily was missing and hair samples found in the truck that were never tested. He talked about the burden of proof and the state has not met that. He said the state has not proven behind a reasonable doubt Jerry did this. He said jurors should find Jerry not guilty. He said it is impossible Jerry committed this crime: Phone calls were made from the dairy in the 8 o'clock hour when Antonio Reyes originally said he saw Emily and Jerry go into the woods. Emily was seen with a man that morning, according to Steve Killian. Her truck was last seen at her house by a neighbor at 9 a.m. Jerry sent a fax to McCombs Oil at noon. He made phone calls that hit cell phone towers in the area throughout the day and he was seen at 4:30 at the local gas station by Walter Moore. It is impossible he got to South Carolina and did all those things, Campbell said.

Lisa Dubs will go next. I figure she will talk at least an hour. I bet Bellas goes (if he even gets started before lunch) into the afternoon. The judge said instructions will take 30 minutes. I still believe the jury will begin deliberation today. Hopefully, I will have a better idea at lunch. Be back then. Jerry just stares forward, listening and waiting. Man, this is exciting. It's a packed house. Every row is full. In fact, the deputies said no one else can come into this courtroom. I think everyone wants to know... Guilty or not guilty?