Jury Hears Emotional 911 Call In Kerrigan Trial
WOBURN (CBS) - Monday was an emotional day in court for Nancy Kerrigan and her family as her brother Mark's trial got underway. He's facing manslaughter charges in the 2010 death of their father.
The first few hours of his trial focused on the last moments of Daniel Kerrigan's life.
WBZ-TV's Diana Perez reports.
The 911 call Brenda Kerrigan made was played in court as Nancy quietly spoke to her mother, seemingly trying to comfort her.
"Oh my God, I hope he's not dead," Brenda's desperate voice pierced the silence in the courtroom, "oh my God, oh my God, oh my God…please come right now."
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Carl Stevens reports.
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Prosecutors said that call came just minutes after Mark violently choked his 70-year-old father, precipitating the heart attack that ultimately killed him.
They pulled out the bottle of scotch they say Mark drank that night and asked the emergency responders who testified just how drunk he appeared when they got to the family's home.
Prosecutor Elizabeth Keeley established what direction she planned to take during this trial in her opening statement: "Yes he (Daniel) suffered from heart disease, but that's not what killed him...(pointing at Mark) that man killed him."
The defense team argued the elder Kerrigan's heart was sick for years. Neighbor Douglas Meahl and Daniel's sister Jean Bergeron backed up the claims,
"He looked kind (of) gray off and he didn't have the get up and go he always had," testified Bergeron.
Mark sat quietly as his aunt testified. She said she'd been subpoenaed and didn't want to be there.
Before the day started, Nancy slipped by reporters without saying anything. Her mother did the same after the days proceedings wrapped up.
Defense attorney Hank Brennan explained how this trial has affected the entire Kerrigan family, saying "this is a very close family and I think this is a tribute to the family that they support each other in such a significant way."
Mark's trial is expected to last a week.
