Attorney Talks About Why Jury Convicted Colver
PLACERVILLE (CBS13) -- What was the evidence that convinced the jury Steven Colver killed his girlfriend's mother?
Today in a one-on-one interview, Colver's attorney told CBS13 what he thinks the turning point was in the trial, and whether he thinks Colver is really guilty.
In a couple of months Steven Colver will be transferred from the county jail to prison where he will spend the rest of his life without parole. Today we sat down with his attorney, who's still holding out hope the appeal process will set his client free someday.
"I hope he gets another shot at this," said Dan Weiner, Steven Colver's attorney.
For two years, defense attorney Dan Weiner has been fighting for Steven Colver, the young man who was arrested for murder at age 19 along with his 14-year-old girlfriend, Tylar Witt.
"It's the kind of case that does keep you awake at night, and even after the fact. What did I not do that I should have done? What did I do that I shouldn't have done?" said Weiner. "There's a lot of second-guessing that goes on."
Weiner says he is still losing sleep over the case because he believes that Tylar is really the one who killed her mother. Weiner tried to convince jurors by grilling Tylar on the stand. She couldn't remember key details about the night of the murder and admitted to pulling a knife on her mom at least five different times while they were fighting. Weiner also questioned the lack of proof regarding the alleged murder weapon: a knife from Rubio's, the restaurant where Steven worked. But after three and a half weeks, jurors didn't buy it. They refused to talk to reporters, but they did talk to Weiner.
"It seemed to be the consensus that it was the combination of evidence," said Weiner.
Jurors told him it all pointed to Steven, and the evidence that stood out the most was his confession.
"They did mention the writings, the statements that he made to his friends, the writings he had made [and] the various letters that he sent out," said Weiner.
When they reached their verdict after just a few hours of deliberation, Weiner says he assumed it would be guilty, and prepared his client.
As for Tylar Witt, she is being held in a juvenile facility in the county and will be eligible for parole after 15 years.
We also requested an interview with the prosecutor, but she declined to speak to us, that is, until Colver's sentencing on August 12.
