Defendant Kicked Out Of Court After Taking Stand
Closing Arguments Made In Quadruple Murder Trial
POSTED: Thursday, September 4, 2008
UPDATED: 11:09 pm EDT September 4,
2008
GREEN COVE SPRINGS, Fla. -- Closing arguments were made Thursday afternoon in a quadruple murder trial in Clay County, but not before the defendant caused some trouble on the witness stand.
Day three of Gary McCray's trial was not a quiet one. The accused killer's trial has been repeatedly delayed, and once it began was riddled with courtroom outbursts that forced the judge to have McCray remove from the room.
McCray is accused of killing Phillip Perrotta, 53, John Whitehead, 37, John Oliver Ellis Jr., 51, and Robin Selkirk, 45, in what is thought to have been a drug-related crime because three months before the slayings, three of the victims were arrested in a drug raid along with McCray at the same home where the crime was committed.
On Thursday morning, McCray was called to the stand to testify. When he returned to the stand after lunch to answer questions from the state the judge told the defendant that he was not on the stand to argue his case but only to answer questions by the state.
However, McCray repeatedly spoke out of turn insisting he was not finished with his testimony before accusing the prosecution of lying to the jury.
"The defendant's testimony has not been finished yet, at this time," McCray said. "If you would please have a seat Mr. Skinner so the jury can come in. Objection. If you could please have seat Mr. Skinner so the jury could come in. I would like to -- finish giving my testimony."
After McCray made that statement, the judge ordered him from the courtroom.
The state attorney decided not to proceed with a cross-examination, saying it was pointless because McCray was not cooperating.
The defendant was allowed back in the courtroom for closing arguments; but moments after sitting down next to his attorney, McCray was kicked out again for speaking out of turn.
The case is expected to go to the jury on Friday morning.
Previous Stories: - September 3, 2008: Murder Trial Resumes Without Incident
- September 2, 2008: Murder Trial Restarts With More Fireworks
- July 29, 2008: Quadruple Murder Trial Delayed, Again
- July 28, 2008: Bailiffs Pull Quadruple Murder Defendant From Courtroom
- December 7, 2006: Man Ruled Competent To Stand Trial In 4 Killings
- February 2, 2006: Judge: Man Accused Of Killing 4 In Orange Park Not Competent
- August 17, 2004: North Florida Man Charged In Quadruple Homicide
- May 27, 2004: Quadruple Orange Park Killing Suspect Caught In Tallahassee
- May 25, 2004: 3 Orange Park Slaying Victims Had Been Arrested With Suspect
- May 24, 2004: Manhunt Continues For Suspect In Orange Park 'Mass Killing'
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