Updated 03/18/2013 07:48 PM
Wells case goes to the jury
It's now up to a jury to decide who killed Eddie Stanley. The 15-year-old was shot at a Schenectady house party in June 2011. A Brooklyn man, James Wells, is on trial for the murder. Our Megan Cruz was there Monday as lawyers presented their closing arguments.
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SCHENECTADY, N.Y. -- "The proof has to be beyond a reasonable doubt. And it is," said Assistant District Attorney Philip Mueller.
"This bad guy took the stand and admitted to being a bad guy. But this bad guy didn't kill Eddie Stanley," said James Wells' defense attorney Cheryl Coleman.
The final remarks before a jury decides the fate of James Wells. The 33-year-old Brooklyn man is accused of the 2011 murder of 15-year-old Eddie Stanley.
Coleman spent much of her closing argument Monday attacking the credibility of prosecution witnesses.
"You never know if you're buying the truth or whether you're buying the lies the buyee thinks you want to hear," she said.
She argued that those saying they saw Wells shoot Stanley four times in the stairwell of 730 Bridge Street are only doing so in exchange for immunity or time off their own criminal cases.
Assistant District Attorney Philip Mueller defended each of his witnesses.
"Did a pretty good of describing the defendant's jacket again long before it was found wrapped around the two guns," he said.
Police say the murder weapon was a .44 caliber revolver and that it was found wrapped up in that jacket with a .357.
"He admitted to having the .357," said Coleman. "He admitted enough crimes to go away for a long damn time, but he didn't admit the murder because he didn't do the murder."
Wells took the stand last week saying he pulled the .357 out for protection when shots rang out, but that he didn't fire it. As for the .44, he said of a friend of his had that gun. When the guns were found, police said there were no fingerprints or DNA on either.
"Judge said only one reasonable doubt mandates acquittal," said Coleman.
Mueller said, "You (Wells) hit him four times. What other state of mind could you had but the intent to kill?"
Wells faces 25 years to life if convicted of second-degree murder. He also faces 10 other counts, including criminal possession of a weapon and reckless endangerment.
It's expected the jury will begin deliberating Tuesday.