FLETCHER: WE DIDN'T KILL WIFE'S 1ST HUSBAND.Byline: Dana Bartholomew Staff Writer SAN FERNANDO San Fernando, city, Argentina San Fernando (săn fərnăn`dō), city (1991 pop. 144,761), Buenos Aires prov., E Argentina. It is a district administrative center in the Greater Buenos Aires area. - Murder suspect Matthew Fletcher represented himself Tuesday at the opening of his trial, insisting he and his wife, Jennifer, did not murder her late husband for $1.1 million in life insurance money. In a stunning opening statement before a San Fernando Superior Court jury, the 45-year-old businessman said the Chatsworth couple is innocent and that police and prosecutors had it wrong in constructing a circumstantial EVIDENCE, CIRCUMSTANTIAL. The proof of facts which usually attend other facts sought to be, proved; that which is not direct evidence. For example, when a witness testifies that a man was stabbed with a knife, and that a piece of the blade was found in the wound, and it is found to fit case against them. ``The truth is, they have not caught the person or persons who killed Joel Shanbrom,'' Fletcher told the jury. ``All I ask is, at this point, you presume us innocent, just as the law does.'' The Fletchers are charged in the 1998 shooting death of Jennifer's then- husband Joel Shanbrom, a Los Angeles Unified School District The Los Angeles Unified School District (the "LAUSD") is the largest (in terms of number of students) public school system in California and the second-largest in the United States. Only the New York City Department of Education has a larger student population. policeman, who was found slumped in front of the television in his Northridge home with shotgun wounds to his head. Prosecutors allege To state, recite, assert, or charge the existence of particular facts in a Pleading or an indictment; to make an allegation. allege v. Matthew and Jennifer met at an insurance convention and had a ``torrid'' affair leading up to the killing. The two later married and were arrested in 2002 after a lengthy investigation. They are charged with murder, with special circumstances special circumstances n. in criminal cases, particularly homicides, actions of the accused or the situation under which the crime was committed for which state statutes allow or require imposition of a more severe punishment. , conspiracy to commit murder for the purpose of defrauding an insurance company and four counts of insurance fraud. Matthew Fletcher is also being tried for bigamy bigamy (bĭ`gəmē), crime of marrying during the continuance of a lawful marriage. Bigamy is not committed if a prior marriage has been terminated by a divorce or a decree of nullity of marriage. . Fletcher told jurors he considered Shanbrom a friend. ``Six years ago today, we buried Joel,'' said Fletcher, his lower lip The lower lip covers the anterior body of the mandible. It is lowered by the Depressor labii inferioris muscle. See also
quivering as his voice broke. ``When a kind and gentle person like Joel is killed in some senseless way, we want answers. But we're not going to get any answers at this trial.'' The Fletchers have been held without bail at Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. County Jail since their arrests. If convicted, they could serve life in prison without parole. Prosecutors say they will not seek the death penalty. The trial, heard by Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Ronald S. Coen, is expected to last from three weeks to two months. Throughout opening statements Tuesday, Jennifer Fletcher, dressed in a beige pantsuit, remained poised and self-assured. Her attorney, Barry O. Bernstein of Burbank, is expected to make his opening statement this morning. Michael Fletcher Michael Edward Fletcher (born February 17, 1977 in Compton, California) is a Canadian Football League linebacker for the Toronto Argonauts. College career Fletcher attended the University of Oregon and was a four-year starter at middle linebacker. , dressed in a beige sport jacket and crewneck sweater, remained calm throughout his entire delivery. In outlining the prosecution's case, head Deputy District Attorney Jeff Jonas said that Joel and Jennifer Shanbrom had a rocky marriage in which they struggled to make ends meet. ``What we're about to prove beyond reasonable doubt is murder, conspiracy to commit murder and conspiracy to collect insurance proceeds - and that conspiracy is proceeding right now,'' Jonas said. He noted numerous inconsistencies in the Fletchers' statements to police, such as why Matthew Fletcher was in possession of Shanbrom's police badge and a backyard padlock to the Northridge home, both of which Fletcher said he found days after the murder. Dana Bartholomew, (818) 713-3730 dana.bartholomew(at)dailynews.com CAPTION(S): 2 photos Photo: (1) Matthew Fletcher Acts as own lawyer (2) Jennifer Fletcher On trial for murder |
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