CENTREVILLE (WKZO) - It didn’t take long for the defense to present its case in the Doug Stewart murder trial and now the jury is in deliberation. Short wasn’t the word as attorneys for the man accused of first degree murder in the death of his estranged wife Venus did not call any witnesses Thursday morning after the prosecution wrapped up its presentation.
Closing arguments were over by 4:30 p.m. and the jury began deliberations. The defense called for a mistrial over what they called prosecutorial misconduct during closing arguments, but it was dismissed, as was the request for a directed verdict.
Investigators believe Stewart abducted and murdered his wife last April, though they have yet to find a body since she went missing outside her parent’s home in Colon Township. Her disappearance followed a bitter custody dispute.
