Nov 20, 2006 6:47 pm US/Eastern
Juror Sheds Light On Worthington Murder Trial
by T.J. Winick
FALMOUTH (CBS4) ―
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Christa Worthington (File)
CBS/AP
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McCowen broke down moments after the jury read their verdict.
CBS
A juror in the Christa Worthington murder trial breaks his silence.
Eric Gomes sheds light on what happened behind closed doors in the jury room and how they came to a unanimous decision in the notorious murder case.
The guilty verdict didn't come easy in the murder trial of Christopher McCowen.
Initially, the 12-person jury was deadlocked.
"Ninety percent of the arguments were about that police report," said Gomes, or juror #9.
Gomes told CBS4's T.J. Winick the panel struggled most with McCowen's 6 hour police interrogation.
"We just didn't believe he would incriminate himself that much. There was nothing positive in his statements. There were just negative things that he may have and may not have said....Had the police taped that, recorded that, I think we would have come to a decision much faster."
The 40-year-old Falmouth resident spoke about juror number 4, who was kicked off the trial for discussing the case with her jailed boyfriend.
"I don't think that had anything to do with us moving faster. I believe that statement was what held us, that statement was what locked us for that time."
Ultimately, the jury decided to disregard the alleged confession, and to base their decision solely on the evidence, such as DNA, witnesses and alibis.
"That's one of the reasons we argued so much. We all wanted justice...for both sides."
Thru it all, Gomes thought often about Christa Worthington and her now six-year-old daughter Ava. But he also thought about Christopher McCowen.
"I feel sorry for him too. He's going to have to spend the rest of his life in prison."
Winick: And you feel bad for him? Even if he did infact commit this crime?
Gomes: "Ah sure. Sure. People do things they don't really mean to do."
McCowen's attorney Robert George said the issue of whether all interrogations should be recorded will be taken up on appeal of the verdict.
(© MMVI, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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