Defense Rests In Kerrigan Trial
WOBURN (CBS/AP) - The defense in the manslaughter trial of Olympic skater Nancy Kerrigan's brother has rested its case.
Mark Kerrigan is charged in the January 2010 death of his 70-year-old father, Daniel Kerrigan.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Carl Stevens reports
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Kerrigan's lawyers wrapped up their case Friday after a cardiologist testified he believes that Daniel Kerrigan's heart began to fail before he got into a physical struggle with his son.
WBZ-TV's Diana Perez reports
Prosecutors have tried to prove a fight between Mark and Daniel fractured the 70-year-olds larynx and precipitated a heart attack. Responding officers testified Mark was drunk, violent and confessed to grabbing his father's neck.
Mark Kerrigan flashed a smile before the last day started. It's the most relaxed he's looked all week.
It's been a long week for the Kerrigan family. Nancy and her mother have been in court every day this week.
The most compelling moments came from Brenda Kerrigan's desperate 911 call where she's heard saying, "oh my God, I hope he's not dead. Oh my God, oh my God, oh my god, sir...please come right now."
Then the defense called her to the stand. She recalled that January 2010 night after she saw her son and husband in a bear hug.
"He fell down just like feather coming out of the sky," she said struggling through her tears.
Mark Kerrigan allegedly told police that he grabbed his father around the throat. Prosecutors say he did so with such force that it broke cartilage in Daniel Kerrigan's larynx.
Brenda, who is legally blind, says she saw enough to know her son didn't choke his father. "(Mark) was kneeling telling Danny to get up, get up, get up dad. I love you, please get up," she testified.
Her version of events supports the defense position. Janice Bassil spoke to us after she rested her case today, "(Danny) died from the heart problems that he had for a very long time, and his son did not kill him."
The family says the father died because of a longstanding heart condition.
Nancy Kerrigan commented about the case for the first time on Friday. She was asked if she'll happy its over especially after a minor accident landed her in the spotlight again yesterday, "the commute to Woburn isn't the problem but yea we'd like it all over."
Closing arguments will be heard Monday morning starting at 9AM. The jury will then have Mark Kerrigan's fate in their hands.
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