Defense Rests In Nesler Murder Trial

By Bill Johnson Published May 20, 2005 07:55 am Updated Jan 31, 2009 02:23 pm

Sonora, CA — The defense in the Willy Nesler murder trial has rested its case.

Attorney Donald Martell declined to call a single witness during the trial in which his client stands accused of the beating death of 45-year-old David Davis last July.

The move opens the way for closing arguments to begin this morning. Also on trial is 39-year-old Dean Phillips who is accused of being an accessory to the murder.

Prosecutors say Phillips picked up Nesler from jail in the early morning hours of July 25th and drove him to the property on Shaws Flat Road where the murder allegedly occurred, then driving him away from the scene afterward. The prosecution also contends that Phillips helped Nesler evade authorities for ten days.

Phillips´ attorney Hal Channell asked the judge to dismiss the charges against his client saying the Deputy District Attorney Eric Hovatter failed to provide proof of Phillips´ involvement in the crime.