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by Jill_Monier from Fox 13 News-Memphis

Last Post 145 days, 6 hours Ago


State Rests-Tues. Night
May 13, 2008 | 10:41 PM
Category: News
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The state rested around 5:30 Tuesday night. Defense attorney, Blake Ballin said he wasn't calling any more witnesses. It appears he's trying to decide if he'll put Gauna on the stand in the morning.

Once Ballin is done, closing arguments begin. Judging by other trials i've covered, each side could take up to 30 minutes for closing arguments. Then it goes to the jury.

Gauna is charged with 1st degree murder but the jury will have other options to consider. I'll go over those Wednesday.

If convicted of 1st degree murder he's facing life in prison without the possibilty of parole.

Stay tuned! It's going to be a hectic day!

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Member Comments Total Comments: 5
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baieai1
May 13, 2008 | 11:26 PM

Thanks for the wonderful job that you are doing with this blog. It helps me feel a connection with my niece Sarah even though I am unable to be there.
Jill_Monier read my blog
May 14, 2008 | 9:23 PM

Well I appreciate you reading! When Sarah took the stand today (Wed.) for the sentencing phase there wasn't a dry eye in the room. Sarah said Calvin was her best friend. She talked about the night he was killed and all the things they had planned. I'm a newlywed and can't imagine what the last year has been like for her.
baieai1
May 15, 2008 | 12:20 AM

I hope the verdict brings some closure. We are so thankful for the hard work of the jury, prosecutors, witnesses, news reporters and the many law enforcement officers and others who supported the family during this horrific ordeal.

My heart hurts that such a young man will spend all of his life or most of it in prison. However, is seems obvious that he needs to be segregated in order to keep others safe.

I work with youth with serious emotional disturbances and their families. This experience has made my commitment even stronger to reach children early, support the families in obtaining the help they need to keep their children mentally healthy, fight the gang control over our innocents and to encourage those who have achieved success in spite of obstacles to be mentors.

Prior to Calvin's death, I would sit in my home in a safe neighborhood and think about how awful it was for those that lived in the high crime rate areas with gang violence, drive-by shootings, rampant drug activity, etc. Now, I know that my family wasn't any safer than those that I pitied. Youth violence is everyone's problem. I hope that we can do a better job reaching others before they take that life changing turn chosen by these young men.
baieai1
May 15, 2008 | 12:22 AM

I hope the verdict brings some closure. We are so thankful for the hard work of the jury, prosecutors, witnesses, news reporters and the many law enforcement officers and others who supported the family during this horrific ordeal.

My heart hurts that such a young man will spend all of his life or most of it in prison. However, is seems obvious that he needs to be segregated in order to keep others safe.

I work with youth with serious emotional disturbances and their families. This experience has made my commitment even stronger to reach children early, support the families in obtaining the help they need to keep their children mentally healthy, fight the gang control over our innocents and to encourage those who have achieved success in spite of obstacles to be mentors.

Prior to Calvin's death, I would sit in my home in a safe neighborhood and think about how awful it was for those that lived in the high crime rate areas with gang violence, drive-by shootings, rampant drug activity, etc. Now, I know that my family wasn't any safer than those that I pitied. Youth violence is everyone's problem. I hope that we can do a better job reaching others before they take that life changing turn chosen by these young men.
sadheart
May 15, 2008 | 4:53 PM

I wish as part of the jury I could have done more. We were deadlocked 11 to 1 with no chance of getting the one to change their mind. I am sorry to the Jenks family for I wanted life without parole and put up a fight for it until the end.
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Jill_Monier

Jill Monier is an award-winning journalist who's worked for Fox 13 for 2 years. Jill breaks stories, lands exclusives and has covered everything from high-profile murders to miracle babies.

Member Since: 4/6/2007


 

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