Local News
Closing statements due in TDCJ murder trial
The capital murder trial of Texas Department of Criminal Justice inmate Jerry Duane Martin continues at 9 a.m. Monday, with attorneys expected to offer closing statements in the punishment phase of the trial.
Martin was found guilty of capital murder early last week for his escape from the Wynne Unit in September of 2007, which resulted in the death of TDCJ officer Susan Canfield.
The trial began on Nov. 12, and continued with seven days of testimony from around 30 witnesses brought to the stand by Walker County District Attorney David Weeks and defense attorney William Carter.
After a week off for Thanksgiving, proceedings resumed on Monday, Nov. 30, where the jury announced their guilty verdict. The punishment phase began Dec. 1 and will conclude Monday with closing arguments from attorneys.
Once in deliberations, the jury will consider the options regarding Martin’s punishment, which could include life without parole or the death penalty.
During the punishment phase of the trial, jury members heard testimony from family members, including that of Canfield’s husband and daughter, as well Martin’s father and brother.
“The day I lost her, it was like someone reached inside of me and pulled everything I am out,” Canfield’s husband, Charles, testified. “All of a sudden the reason for what I was doing was just gone.
“I didn’t have what it took to fight the battles I needed to fight at work anymore,” he continued. “I retired one year to the day from her death.”
Law enforcement officers involved in a 1994 Collin County chase and standoff with Martin also testified, as well as two TDCJ Classification experts and an attorney involved in Martin’s appeal.
“The big issue of my appeal was the ineffective representation by the lawyer — and that it harmed his case,” attorney Eric Albritton said. “That was mostly in regard to Martin’s mental illness, which would have impacted issues related to the case.
“We did not succeed in any appeals.”
A psychologist was the last to take the stand for the defense Thursday, discussing Martin’s mental health status.
“Jerry Martin did suffer from severe depression, which is recognized as a mental illness,” Dr. Rogers Saunders said. “If the condition goes untreated, it would impair his mental development — in areas such as self esteem, academic functions and interpersonal relations.”
The trial of Jerry Martin is being held at the Leon County Courthouse in Centerville with State District Court Judge Kenneth H. Keeling presiding.
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