By By Adam Prestridge
The state has rested its case following rebuttal of Atmore Police Department Investigator Chuck Brooks.
Presentation of evidence in the case has been completed and closing arguments will begin at 8:30 Thursday morning.
A jury charges conference was held between the state and the defense to discuss if either side felt any evidence supported giving a lesser charge, such as manslaughter. Judge Rice said the court would decide this evening what jury charges he would bring before them tomorrow morning.
Posted at 3:30 p.m.-
The defense has rested after the questioning of defendant, Milton Simpson Jr.
The state began its rebuttal, calling Investigator Chuck Brooks back to the stand.
Posted at 2:30 p.m.-
After returning from lunch recess, the defense asked for an acquittal following the state resting its case and was denied by Judge Rice.
The defense asked for the acquittal based on what they called a lack of evidence to prove Simpson guilty.
The defense has begun calling witnesses, including two character witnesses and one witness who was with Simpson and McNeal on the day of the murder.
Posted at 1:15 p.m.-
Following key testimony for the state from Atmore Police Department officer Jeremy Conn and investigator Chuck Brooks, Escambia County District Attorney Steve Billy informed the court that the state rested its case Immediately following a lunch break, the defense will begin to call witnesses.
Posted at 11:45 a.m.-
Proceedings continued this morning in the murder trial of Milton Simpson Jr. after a 45 minute delay following a request for a mistrial by the defense.
Simpson's attorney, Jerome Carter, advised Circuit Judge Bert Rice of an apparent conversation between a juror and the victim, Teoria McNeal's mother, Carlie Felder, in the hallway of the Escambia County Courthouse in Brewton.
Rice called for both the juror in question and Felder to the courtroom and under oath both denied any contact.
Rice ruled that there were no "improper contact" and called the jury into the courtroom to begin the second day of the trial at 9:47 a.m.
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