Prosecution Rests Case Against 3 Suspects In Adams' Stabbing
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – The prosecution is expected to rest its case by mid-day in the trial for three men accused of stabbing Pittsburgh Steelers' offensive tackle, Mike Adams.
However, a defense attorney has raised the prospect that he might ask for a mistrial because the prosecutor intends to ask the three defendants to stand and face the jury as a means of comparing their physical characteristics.
When defense attorney Fred Rabner objected, it started a heated exchange between he and Judge Anthony Mariani, who questioned whether Rabner made the threat to force the judge to back down from his ruling.
Also this morning, the jury saw surveillance video from a nearby restaurant and a city detective admitted that a version of events Adams told him was different from what Adams testified to at a preliminary hearing.
Last week, lawyers for the three suspects continued to try to discredit his story about last summer's attack.
The defense continued its campaign to paint Adams as a liar who's trying to save his career.
In court Thursday afternoon, it was revealed that a toxicology test for illegal drugs was cancelled prior to Adams' surgery for his stab wound. Adams has been in trouble for marijuana in the past.
Suspects Dquay Means, Michael Paranay and Jerrell Whitlock are charged in the incident. They are accused of trying to carjack Adams' truck, punching him and stabbing him.
The prosecution rested its case Monday. The defense began with a toxicology expert who testified that Adams, given his height, weight and blood alcohol content, would have had to have consumed 28 to 29 drinks that night.
The defense also called a surprise witness, Shariea Cox who testified that she heard Adams say he wasn't paying for anything, aggressively asked, "Do you know who I am?" and "Go ahead and hit me ... I (expletive) want you to hit me," in a dispute with defendant Michael Paranay and another man over food.
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