Pocono News Section

Closing Arguments Set for Wednesday in Triple Murder Trial

Closing Arguments Set for Wednesday in Triple Murder Trial - Tuesday, January 27, 2009 at 10:45PM EST

TOWANDA, BRADFORD COUNTY- After six days of testimony and more than 80 witnesses, the triple murder trial of Steven Colegrove is winding down. Defense lawyers for the 32-year-old rested their case Tuesday afternoon. Steven Colegrove did not take the stand in his own defense. Instead his lawyers called several more friends of the three victims to the stand.
Colegrove left court Tuesday minutes after all the testimony in his triple murder trial wrapped up. Jurors will begin deliberating his fate after closing arguments Wednesday. Bradford County D. A. Dan Barrett said, “There's a lot to be covered. A lot to be explained to the jury. A lot of things to be discuss that either are important or are not important to the decision the jury has to make."

Nancy Townsend, a friend of victim Marlene Colegrove, was one of the last witnesses to testify. She recalled a conversation with Marlene right before the murders, where Marlene was fearful not of Steven, but of his brother Robert and his wife heather. “She wanted me to know that if something ever happened to her, I would know where to look."

Townsend also said Robert called her asking about Marlene’s bus, 48 hours after the crime. “I felt that was extremely strange. His demeanor. The way he spoke to me. He was calm, cool and collected and to me, that wouldn't seem to me -- to be appropriate when your parents have been murdered," added Townsend.

Steven Colegrove's friend Michael Manzer also took the stand Tuesday. He testified that Steven shoots shotguns left-handed. That contradicts the prosecution's case that Steven shoots right-handed.

Either way District Attorney Dan Barrett is looking forward to a verdict. “We worked very hard on the case. The troopers worked very hard on it. It’s been quite a load on the jury. We'll see where it goes,” he said.

Closing arguments in Colegrove's triple murder case are scheduled for 8:30 Wednesday morning despite the impending snow storm. The jury is expected to get the case after lunch.