Monday, it was the defense's turn to show the jury what could have happened the night Ana Trujillo allegedly killed her boyfriend, University of Houston professor Stefan Andersson.
Trujillo and her attorneys walked into court thinking closing arguments could take place, but it was not to be. Instead, prosecutors and defense attorneys argued away from the jury on whether to allow martial arts expert Chris Martinez to testify.
The defense wanted to show that Andersson was the aggressor the night Trujillo allegedly killed him with a stiletto shoe.
"Experts can raise reasonable doubt, but that's where the judges have to be the gatekeeper," said KTRK legal expert Joel Androphy.
After some discussion, the judge allowed Martinez and another man to demonstrate to the jury how Trujillo and Andersson may have fought the minutes before his death.
Jurors stood up from their seats to get a better glimpse of the two men rolling around on the courtroom floor.
It was dramatic, but our legal expert says it may not be very convincing.
"Juries generally don't like experts," said Androphy. "They like to hear factual testimony. Juries don't like to be snowed by experts."
On cross examination, prosecutors pointed out that Martinez is much younger than the victim, reminding jurors that Andersson was 59, drank often and was not in the best of health, trying to tamp down any assertion that Trujillo acted in self-defense.
"That's what this case is about," said Androphy. "Was she abused? And did she try to defend herself within the bounds of the law? Was it overkill on her part?"
We expect both sides to wrap up their cases Tuesday, followed by closing arguments.
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