Jurors In Christina Morris Case See Car In Person
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MCKINNEY (CBSDFW.COM) - After nearly two weeks inside of a courtroom, the jury in Enrique Arochi's kidnapping trial walked outside on Friday. The suspect's car is a key piece of evidence in this case. Rather than just showing the jury some pictures of the vehicle, they saw it in person.
According to CBS 11 reporter Gabriel Roxas, jurors looked closely at the camaro. The judge told the jury they had as much time as they needed, but they weren't allowed to touch or climb into the car. They also weren't allowed to ask any questions when looking at the vehicle.
Arochi was the last person seen with Christina Morris before she vanished more than two years ago. The two had been former high school classmates. The 23-year-old woman disappeared from a parking garage at The Shops at Legacy in Plano. Cameras captured Arochi and Morris walking together inside of the garage.
After police found matching DNA samples in the trunk of Arochi's car, he was arrested for aggravated kidnapping. Arochi has denied having anything to do with the case. The location of the victim's body is still a mystery. Her friend and family members continue to search for any signs of her remains.
Prosecutors in this case wanted to bring the jury members to a location where they could view Arochi's vehicle for themselves, and get a better understanding of what is being alleged. But it is rare for any jury to leave the courthouse. "There's a lot more emotion tied to actually seeing the car," defense attorney Stephanie Holan said, comparing it to another high-profile trial. "It's very similar to the O.J. Simpson case, when they allowed the jurors to go through the home."
However, seeing the car was originally thought to be too difficult. The vehicle was brought to the courthouse early Friday morning, avoiding an off-site field trip. "There are the particular security concerns," Holan stated. "Number one, protecting the identity and the security of the jurors themselves. Also, it's very much a media draw, so keeping reporters back. Also, the logistics of having a court reporter set up, so that she can record exactly what happens."
A number of witnesses have already taken the stand in Arochi's trial including workers from the shopping center, technicians from Sprint and AT&T who discussed details of cell phone tracking, Arochi's ex-girlfriend and people who were partying with Morris on the night that she disappeared.
