The prosecution has rested in the capital murder trial of John Thuesen in Brazos County District Court. Fewer than one-tenth of the more than 200 potential witnesses compiled by the District Attorney’s office testified. Many were listed as possible rebuttal witnesses to whatever is presented in Thuesen’s defense, which will start Thursday.
WTAW’s Chelsea Wade reports details of John Thuesen’s actions during the killings of Rachel and Travis Joiner were revealed to the jury Wednesday.
Thuesen’s lawyers continue to emphasize Thuesen did not intend to kill the brother and sister while Brazos County prosecutors maintain the murders were intentional.
During cross-examinations of Travis County Medical Examiner Dr. David Dolinak, defense attorney Billy Carter pointed out the wounds in both of the victims were away from their heads. In a dramatic courtroom illustration, Prosecutor Jarvis Parsons asks Dr. Dolinak to demonstrate the trajectory path of the bullets in both of the vicitms.
Using a wooden rod, Dolinak points to several spots on Parsons. The State argued, nonetheless, the bullets hit “important stuff.” “There’s no reason to think someone would shoot someone in the back to miss the heart or lung,” says Parsons. “These are examples of why you don’t shoot people.”
The medical examiner said none of the evidence showed a shot was fired within three feet of either of the victims.
Prosecutors also called an employee of the Houston gun shop where Thuesen purchased the .45 caliber pistol identified as the murder weapon.