Joseph BanisLOUISVILLE, KY (WAVE) - An unexpected development in the murder trial of
Joseph Banis. On the same day they started their case, Banis' defense attorneys
rested after calling three witnesses.
It came as a surprise because just one week ago, on February 26, defense
attorney Justin Brown said to the jurors, "I'm going to tell y'all right
here from the beginning, from the very beginning, from the very start of our
portion of the case that Joey -- we talked about this yesterday, about this
long walk -- and Joey is going to take that walk. He's going to sit right here
in this witness stand and you are going to hear from Joey Banis. Yes you are."
On Wednesday Brown wouldn't comment on why they changed their minds.
Banis could get the death penalty if convicted of killing Jamie Carroll in
December 2009.
For two days, jurors heard from Jeffrey Mundt, the other man charged with
killing Carroll and burying his body in the basement of Mundt and Banis' Old
Louisville home. Mundt is Banis' former boyfriend. He told jurors that Banis cut Carroll's
throat and shot him twice, then threatened Mundt if he didn't help dispose of
the body or told anyone what happened.
Brown said it was Mundt who killed Carroll out of jealousy and that it was
Mundt who threatened Banis into burying the body. Brown told jurors during
opening statements that they would hear that version of the story.
"He is going to testify to each and every one of you about these
horrific and terrible and unimaginable accusations and allegations that the
government has put against him," Brown said on February 26. "On that witness
stand, Joey is going to testify about precisely what happened in that
bedroom."
Closing arguments are set for Thursday morning.
You can continue to get updates on the case on Twitter by following reporter
@JaimieWeiss.
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