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Closing arguments start today in Koula murder trial

Posted: Mon 5:15 AM, Jun 25, 2012

(WEAU) - On Friday jurors heard from FBI agent Robert Morton who specializes in crime scene assessment, bringing the total number of witnesses to 57.

Morton's testimony said that he's never seen a murder like this done professionally, but doesn't eliminate the possibility. But let's rewind to the very beginning.

" I yell to him and run and grab his leg. I yell for my mom. No one answers or anything." said Eric Koula, accused of murdering his parents

From day one, prosecutors say 42-year old Eric Koula killed his parents Dennis and Merna Koula in their La Crosse County home in May 2010 for inheritance.

By day two he admitted forging a $50,000 check the weekend his parents were murdered.

"He handed me a check and said sign it after you fill it out and let me know," said Koula.

By day three he showed a receipt to help his alibi, but by day four a neighbor believes he saw a pickup truck like Koula's at his parents’ home the night of the murder.

By day eleven he admitted to planting note saying "Fixed You" in his mailbox to stop detectives from focusing on his family.

“You knew you were planting evidence with the intent to lead people who were working to find the person who murdered your parents,” said State Attorney Gary Freyberg.

“That’s what I did yes,” said Koula.

"You didn't know he was lying to you at the time did you?” asked District Attorney, Tim Gruenke.

“ No,” said Mike Genz, Koula’s friend.

“You didn't know that he was pretending to be upset did you?" asked Gruenke.

“No," said Genz.

Then by day thirteen a defense forensic expert said no evidence tied Koula to the murder

But, day fourteen revealed that evidence presented could reflect the possibility of a professional murder.

The judge said on Friday that after closing arguments the jury will be given a copy of those.

Then the twelve jurors will stay to deliberate.


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