The Megan Martzen murder trial is wrapping up. She's the Reedley woman accused of beating a 17-month-old girl to death, while the child was in her care back in 2009.
The defense rested it's case Wednesday and Megan Martzen took the stand one last time, before the jury decides her fate.
Martzen was back in the hot seat. She was asked about Ella Van Leeuwen's condition in the hours before the toddler was taken to the hospital four years ago.
Martzen reminded the jury she was 18-years-old in 2009. She said at the time she thought Ella was acting normal.
Then she broke out in tears and said, "Had I known what I know now, I would have made sure she was at the doctor's and not at my home," said Martzen.
The prosecution was quick to grill Martzen on inconsistencies in her story. The defendant originally told detectives Ella was playful and running around the morning of her accident. In previous testimony however, she said Ella was not running around. Martzen admitted her original statement to police was inaccurate. Defense attorney Jeff Hammerschmidt says he believes Martzen handled herself well.
Hammerschmidt says,"I thought she did very well on the stand but it's really for the jury to decide and they get to make the call. I thought she did great."
The defense claims Ella's death was a result of two accidental falls on two different days. They say the girl fell in her booster seat at her parents home, the day before she fell off Martzen's bed. Both of Ella's parents say that's not true.
Fresno defense attorney Michael Idiart says, "The jury will evaluate those two individuals and see who they believe is believable. If they believe the mother and that that was never said, then they'll hold that against the defendant."
The defense focused on inconsistencies as well. A doctor testified Deniele Van Leeuwen said her daughter bruised easily. In her testimony Wednesday, Deniele said she doesn't remember saying that.
In cross examination, that same doctor said in 30 years of practice, he doesn't recall ever seeing two minor falls lead to the types of injuries that took Ella's life.
The trial is expected to wrap up Thursday. Closing arguments will likely begin Friday morning. The case could be handed over to the jury for deliberation as early as Friday afternoon.
TXT 24
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