Friday, January 21, 2011

Portland, ME: Closing Arguments Made in Gurney Murder Trial

Story Created: Jan 21, 2011 at 7:28 AM EST
Story Updated: Jan 21, 2011 at 7:28 AM EST
Justice Roland Cole says he'll need several days to review testimony before issuing a verdict in the jury-waived trial of Chad Gurney, the Portland man who strangled his girlfriend, Zoe Sarnacki, cut off her head, and set her body on fire.

Prosecutors and defense lawyers clashed Thursday in closing arguments. Assistant Attorney General Lisa Marchese told the judge that Gurney was not suffering from a major mental illness at the time of the gruesome killing on May 25, 2009. Defense lawyer Sarah Churchill contends Gurney was delusional and says Maine law that applies to an insanity defense makes no reference to "major mental illness."

Cole said Thursday that because of his schedule and the complexity of the testimony, he would need four or five days to reach a decision.

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