Jury Deliberates In Las Cruces Murder Trial
Posted: 7:47 pm MDT May 1, 2008Updated: 9:41 pm MDT May 1, 2008
LAS CRUCES, N.M. -- A Las Cruces jury heard closing arguments from both the prosecution and the defense as well as from Frankie Telles' grandfather, Ambrosio, who stood up in the alleged murderer's defense.“I just can't stand it anymore,” said Ambrosio Telles.In a room full of security, it wasn't long before the elder Telles was escorted from the room. Deputies said they consider his outburst an interruption and asked him to leave.The prosecution says Frankie Telles should be found guilty of the murder in first degree, meaning they are sure Telles willfully and deliberately killed 14-year-old Jorge Olivas in February of 2004.Second-degree murder would say it wasn't a deliberate death or voluntary manslaughter.“Voluntary manslaughter is a lesser included offense of those two which requires that you've been provoked, we think of it as heat of passion murder," said prosecutor Susan Riedel.The prosecution told the jury they won't go too far. “In this particular case, ladies and gentlemen, you're going to stop at first-degree because that's what it was. That's exactly what it was," said Riedel.The defense says there's a Frankie Telles that most people don't know. They said he’s a respectful, knowledgeable Frankie Telles.“He has worked hard. He has read every document. He has made notes for us. He can find stuff in his discovery first when we needed it. He's been a help in the courtroom, said Telles' attorney Gary Mitchell.Telles did not take the stand to show the courtroom that side, and did not defend himself on the stand.The prosecution said it speaks on behalf of the 14-year-old victim.“To stand up for Jorge Olivas, that's my job,” said Riedel. “One of the things that I find most satisfying in my job is giving a voice to either those who had their voices taken from them, or too young to have a voice to speak out or too scared,” she said.If he’s found guilty, Telles will face a mandatory life sentence. The jury meets again Friday at 8:15 a.m.
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