12/14/12 - The defense attorney for a Highland Township man charged with the murder of his mother will make his closing arguments today before sending the case to the jury. 22-year-old Jeffrey Pyne is accused of bludgeoning and stabbing his mother to death on May 27th, 2011, in the family garage on Burwood Court. During his closing argument yesterday, the Detroit Free Press said Assistant Prosecutor John Skrzynski likened the case against Pyne to a puzzle and said that the pieces to convict him of murder fit together. Prosecutors contend Pyne killed his mother in a fit of rage after years of dealing with her mental illness. Skrzynski pointed out that Pyne's alibi, that he was at a former teacher's home planting lilac bushes when his mother was killed, was disputed by the neighbor who previously testified the bushes had been planted several days before. He also tried to knock down the defense theory that a stranger killed Ruth Pyne, reminding them that her blood was found on the faucet handles in the laundry room, telling jurors, "The defendant knew he had enough time to clean up. He knew what time his father and sister would be home. Would an intruder know that?" Defense attorney James Champion presented no witnesses during trial and has argued that the slaying could have been carried out by a serial killer or a hit man. Championâs motion that the jury only be allowed to consider first-degree murder or acquittal was denied yesterday by the judge, who ruled the jury could also consider a conviction of second-degree murder. (JK)
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