The trial of the man accused of killing two women in Huntingdon County more than 15 years ago is now in the hands of the jury.
After nearly two weeks of hearing testimony, Today the jury heard closing arguments from both sides and just about an hour ago began deliberations to decide whether 50-year-old Morico Johnson, accused of double homicide, is guilty or not.
50-Year-old Morico Johnson is accused of killing 22-year-old Christine McWhorter and 31-year-old Beatrice Daniels in Mount Union in January of 2009.
After years of not having any suspects, Pennsylvania State Police say new DNA technology led them to arresting Johnson in 2022.
During closing arguments Today, the defense emphasized mistakes made by state police during the investigation, including a lack of fingerprinting at the scene, and discrepancies in reports and pictures taken.
The defense claiming quote investigative malpractice. They say the defendant had no motive and had never previously been to McWhorter’s house in Mount Union, where the murders occurred.
The prosecution focused their closing argument on the 3 bloodstains found at the scene that matched Johnson’s DNA profile. An expert DNA witness on Tuesday saying it’s virtually impossible for this DNA to belong to someone other than Johnson.
They say Johnson was linked to the crime in many ways, including visiting Mount Union several times when engaged to his ex-fiance, who was one McWhorters good friends.
They finished by saying to the jury that quote the blood doesn’t lie.
Now the families of both the victims and the defendant are here waiting at the Huntingdon County Courthouse eagerly waiting for the result, which officials say could take hours. We will update you as soon as we know more.
