Retrial set in killings of Quilcene couple
PORT TOWNSEND, Wash. (AP) - The retrial for a man accused of killing a couple near Quilcene is set for March 4 in Port Townsend.
Michael J. Pierce was convicted of murder, burglary and arson in the 2009 deaths of Patrick and Janice Yarr. They were shot in their home which was set on fire. Pierce was arrested after surveillance video showed him using the victims' debit card at an ATM. He was given a 118-year sentence.
A state appeals court threw out the conviction because Pierce wasn't given a lawyer when he asked for one and because the prosecutor made inflammatory statements during closing arguments.
The Peninsula Daily News reports defense lawyer Richard Davies will ask to move the retrial out of Jefferson County.
Michael J. Pierce was convicted of murder, burglary and arson in the 2009 deaths of Patrick and Janice Yarr. They were shot in their home which was set on fire. Pierce was arrested after surveillance video showed him using the victims' debit card at an ATM. He was given a 118-year sentence.
A state appeals court threw out the conviction because Pierce wasn't given a lawyer when he asked for one and because the prosecutor made inflammatory statements during closing arguments.
The Peninsula Daily News reports defense lawyer Richard Davies will ask to move the retrial out of Jefferson County.
Guilty! Period!
Ok, accusing somebody of murder is pretty inflammatory no matter how you cut it. That's what prosecutor's are paid to do.
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On the other hand, if Pierce asked for a lawyer and was interrogated without one then he deserves a new trial. If he asked for a lawyer and kept talking, that's on him. He should have exercised his right to remain silent in that situation.
" ....because the prosecutor made inflammatory statements during closing arguments."
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Isn't that what the prosecutor is supposed to do?
 @Stu Pid Actually no. That is not what a prosecutor is supposed to do. A prosecutor, like the police, is supposed to use that mass located in the skull. You, like that prosecutor, are not thinking.
What total waste of taxpayer dollars. This guy is totally guilty and should have already been put to death. But not in this liberal state.
 @kangaroo Move to Texas, or better yet Saudi Arabia.
 @kangaroo Screw u and your "liberal" crap. Freaking morons want to blame the great flood on anyone not stupid enough to buy into McCain, Graham, Rush, Bush, Cheney, et. al.....
Police know better about the asking for an attorney bit. Just cops being idiots. The inflammatory remarks isn't a big deal. Closing arguments are not facts and all jurors are told this before the trial starts. Its a shame that now the tax payers have to pick up the cost of another expensive trial but police are paid to do a job. If they are not qualified then they shouldn't be doing it.