((HT: KWWL-TV))
Opening statements were delivered Friday morning at the Butler County Courthouse and testimony began in the murder trial of Mark Becker. Becker is accused of killing Aplington-Parkersburg ((IA)) head football coach Ed Thomas in the school's temporary weight room last June 24th.
The judge gave instructions to the jurors, explaining the state must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, and that they would be expected to take detailed notes to help remember the facts presented.
The prosecution explained a timeline of the morning events saying Becker broke into his parents' gun cabinet and practiced shooting a 22-caliber gun at a bird house.
They also maintain Becker went to the school and asked the junior high assistant principal where Coach Thomas was so they could talk about the Tornado Relief Fund. According to the prosecution, Becker went into the weight room, shot Thomas multiple times, then began kicking Thomas and swearing at him.
The prosecution says even if Becker suffered from a mental illness, it doesn't equal the insanity plea they have entered.
The defense argued during their opening statement that Becker suffered from mental illness that kept him from distinguishing right from wrong. They also say Becker had delusions the night before the murder and believed Thomas was Satan and was turning people into fish.
Jamie Grey of KWWL-TV in Cedar Rapids was outside the courthouse
Presumably, she was freezing...
The trial resumes Tuesday after a court furlough day Monday and could last up to a month...
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