Jury Begins Deliberations in Kowalski Murder TrialJury Begins Deliberations in Kowalski Murder Trial

1/24/13 - Closing arguments were heard and the jury began its deliberation in the murder trial of Jerome Kowalski yesterday. Prosecutors say Kowalski killed his brother Richard and sister-in-law Brenda in 2008 at the Oceola Township home. In her closing arguments, Chief Assistant Prosecutor Pamela Maas (left) went over the evidence and testimony put forward by the defense in the previous ten days of trial. It included Kowalski’s written and taped confessions, handwriting analysis of a sticky note at the scene with Kowalski’s name on it, and the presence of ammunition in the defendant’s home matching the caliber of the bullets at the crime scene. Maas also brought up details of the crime Kowalski told police that she says he could not have known unless he was there. Defense attorney Walter Piszczatowski (right) argued that the prosecution’s case was weak and had no physical or scientific evidence linking Kowalski to the scene. He said the handwriting analysis that identified the defendant’s handwriting on the sticky note was only a possible match and did not meet the criteria of conviction. He also claimed that Kowalski’s supposed grudge against his brother was no motive for murder, but Brenda’s son Michael Reilly saw large financial gain from the couple’s death. In rebuttal, Maas argued that Kowalski had enough motive to kill his brother and that accusations against Michael Reilly were a red herring. The jury deliberated for more than two hours before going home for the day. Deliberations will resume tomorrow. (TD)