12/15/12 - The case of a Highland Township man accused of murdering his mother is now in the hands of a jury. 22-year-old Jeffrey Pyne is accused of bludgeoning and stabbing his mother to death on May 27th, 2011 in the family garage. Jurors began deliberations on Friday afternoon following closing arguments and what was said to be an emotional morning in court. The eight women and four men requested several photos of the Pyneâs home and crime scene, including those of wounds on Pyneâs hands taken the day of the killing. Oakland County Circuit Court Judge Leo Bowman allowed all photos submitted into evidence to be provided to the jury but denied a request for a two-by-four board, and warned the jury against performing any experiments. Jurors were then dismissed for the weekend and will reconvene on Monday. Prosecutors say Pyne killed his mother in a fit of rage after years of dealing with abuse resulting from her mental illness. They claim injuries on his hands were sustained in the act of beating his mother. Defense Attorney James Champion called no witnesses in the case, saying there is no evidence tying Pyne to the murder and that the prosecutors failed to prove their case. He said Pyneâs injuries were sustained at work, and that the trial was a âwitch huntâ based on emotion rather than fact. Pyne faces life in prison if convicted of first-degree murder, and jurors are being allowed to consider an alternative charge of second-degree murder. (JM)
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