Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Grand Junction, CO: Blagg, convicted in wife's death, seeks new trial

posted by: Sara Gandy Date last updated: 1/12/2010 8:39:56 AM

GRAND JUNCTION (AP) - A Mesa County man convicted in the slaying of his wife after she and their 6-year-old daughter disappeared in 2001 is seeking a new trial.

A judge heard testimony Monday on 46-year-old Michael Blagg's request. Blagg was convicted in 2004 of first-degree murder in the death of his wife, Jennifer. Their daughter, Abby, is presumed dead.

Deputy Public Defender Brian Connors says juror Marilyn Charlesworth didn't disclose her deteriorating vision during Blagg's trial or that she was prescribed anti-anxiety drugs, though she was specifically asked about such drugs. Blagg's attorneys have questioned whether she could clearly see trial exhibits.

Assistant District Attorney Rich Tuttle says Blagg's arguments are "much ado about nothing."

1 comment:

druneric said...

I want to know whether or not Michael Blagg ever denied the story told on the stand by his mother-in-law. Had I been in his shoes at the trial and heard her testimony (if it was indeed a story she suddenly invented) I'm sure I would have had an explosive reaction. He just seemed to hang his head and his attornies didn't object.