Canary

fact. I will prove that he acted Morrell. My father told

in self-defense and was with me he was going to get rid
the intention to stop his father of me for good. During

News
from beating him and his the cross examination,
mother. said Morrell. smith asked Dale, Whyd
you wait for our father if
Issued: December 10, 1999 you knew he was going to
Dale Reynolds: kill you? Dale responded,
To get him first. So you
Premeditated planned to kill him? I
Murder, or planned to threaten
him.
self-defense? Morells called her next
Author: Emily Corry witness, Pat Carroll, a
Mallard university
doctor specializing in
On November 19, Judge
battered child syndrome.
Kenna Draper called court
Dr. Carroll declared that
into session to determine the
Smith called his first Dale most certainly had
fate of 18 year old Dale
witness, Detective Nikki this disorder. However,
Reynolds. Dale was accused
Loo to the stand. Loo when questioned by Smith,
of shooting and killing his
testified to seeing Thomas How long have you
stepfather, Thomas Simpson.
Simpson lying dead at the known the defendant? Dr.
The incident occurred at the
front door with two bullets Carroll replied, I do not
Reynolds residence in
in his head. When asked know the defendant
Olympia, Washington.
about Dale, Loo said, he personally. Murmurs ran
Weston Smith, the prosecuting
was crying and i could through the court at this
lawyer began the session with
smell alcohol on his statement.
his opening statement which
breath. However, during Nikki Loo was again called
claimed that he would prove
the cross examination, to the stand. He clarified
Dale Reynolds guilt. He
Morrell asked, was the that he found Simpsons
claimed it to be premeditated
defendants alcohol level body at the doorstep.
murder of the first degree.
tested? to which Loo Finally, the twelve jurors
Ashley Morrell, Dales
answered very hesitantly, were sent to deliberate.
defense attorney, gave her
No. When they came back, the
opening statement which
Morrell then called Dale to foreman of the jury gave
stood by Dales side of the
the stand to explain his the verdict. Dale
story. Dale Reynolds is
side of the story. What Reynolds is guilty of first
innocent. His life was in
happened the night before degree murder.
danger, through testimony and
the incident? asked