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by Bob_Ward from Dedham

Last Post 5 days, 15 hours Ago


Entwistle Trial: Graphic Testimony
Jun 11, 2008 | 10:15 PM
Category: News
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In my opinion, a very tough day for the Entwistle jury, and it's going to get tougher on Thursday.

This is the day the jury heard graphic testimony about the discovery of the bodies of Rachel and Lillian, they saw the condition of the master bedroom at 6 Cubs Path where the bodies were found, and they heard about a murder weapon with no identifiable fingerprints.

My colleague Ted Daniel has already blogged about the gun. I can only add that we have heard this same gun was used the day after the murders by Rachel's step father (he owns the gun) at a shooting range. Joe Matterazzo and his son say they cleaned the weapon after a day of shooting. Maybe that explains the lack of good prints? I'm expecting the defense will be making much of this in cross examination.

We've also heard that Rachel's DNA is on the muzzle of the gun, and Neil's is on the grip. But that has not come into evidence yet. So the jury will hear first about the lack of prints on the gun before they hear about DNA evidence.

Back to the scene of the crime, it was truly heartbreaking to listen to how Rachel's right arm was wrapped around Lillian. The medical examiner has not yet testified. But between opening statements and police testimony, we have heard that Rachel suffered a single gunshot wound to her forehead, just above the hairline.

Lillian suffered a gunshot wound to her chest, and remnants of that second bullet were found in Rachel's chest.

This means two shots, at least.

And up until now, I've always thought mother and daughter were shot to death while they were sleeping. First Rachel, then Lillian, very quick.

I'm not so sure about that anymore. And here's why.

Police have testified that a bathtub had water in it, as if the baby had just been given a bath. In the state's opening, Neil Entwistle was quoted as telling State Police he could see a hole on Lillian and bubbles. Remember that?

Wouldn't this mean that Lillian had just gotten out of the bathtub when she was killed? But weren't they both sleeping? How could Rachel and Lillian both nod off after a bath?

Also, we learn today that Rachel was under a sheet and a comforter, but the baby was on TOP of the sheet, and under the comforter. Does this make sense if they were napping?

I wonder if this means Rachel was shot in the bed, and then the baby was taken out of the bath, placed next to her mother and then shot. There's quite a bit of intent if that's the case. The question then becomes, who pulled the trigger?

And if Neil is to be believed, that he discovered the bodies Friday morning and saw bubbles on the baby, doesn't that suggest he walked into the bedroom shortly (minutes?) after the murders? If only he called police.

I don't know if the prosecution is going to try to connect those dots, but this occurred to me today as I listened to testimony.

Also today, we saw the bed in its condition during the failed wellness check. And after seeing it, I totally understand how Hopkinton police missed finding Rachel and Lillian. It just looked like an unmade bed to me.

Testimony resumes tomorrow. The jury is expected to see pictures of the bodies of Rachel and Lillian. Another tough day.

Also found out that the prosecution is expected to continue calling witnesses into next week. This trial still has a long way to go.

What do you think?

Click here to visit our page devoted to the Entwistle trial, which features live video, live chat, videos, blogs and an interactive timeline.

Bob Ward
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Member Comments Total Comments: 15
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foxfriend read my blog view my photos
Jun 11, 2008 | 11:28 PM

Hi Bob,
I agree with you re;the bed covers hindering the discoveries of the bodies. Rachel was just over 5' and if she was "spooning" with Lily she would be easy to miss. I'm puzzled why there were dirty DINNER dishes in the kitchen (NOT BREAKFAST),she was expecting company, they wouldn't have been left from the night before, also you would crate a dog over night not during the day. Rachel might be more likely to bath the baby and lay down with her before she put her to bed for the night. ( I think he killed them the night before).
fenwaydav read my blog view my photos
Jun 12, 2008 | 4:53 AM

Bob, Your description of the days events went on like a movie in my head. (One day will surely be) I can see the scenes you laid out clearly. The bed has always been an issue with me. How could 2 sets of people miss them, making me think maybe they weren't there and placed after the fact. I look at my own unmade bed and think if I laid there could I be missed. I think impossible! But then I think back when I had the bed facing a different direction and think very possible. You and Ted are doing a great job. Both you blogs read like a novel. The 2 of you should maybe collaborate on a book.
Ed718
Jun 12, 2008 | 9:18 AM

Bob..
Can you verify .. Hopkington police sgt testified that on that sunday.. gately ..joe...priscilla came to police station ..prior to bodies being found.. sgt testified gately had the dog with her..i think he testified...which mens she want back in the house.. to get the dog on sunday.. again alone and unsupervised at crime scene... thanks..
Ed

BTW... you have a brother Ed that was a teacher?
justwondering67 read my blog
Jun 12, 2008 | 9:54 AM

Bob,

I agree that today will have much more graphic testimony that will be very hard to hear. I assumed that Rachel and Lillian were taking a nap when he first killed Rachel with the shot to the head and then shot Lillian in the chest. The bullet passing through Lillian into Rachel.

Neil may have left in the morning as he said to do errands. Rachel fed Lillian and then decided to give her a bath and then took a nap. Explaining why the water may have been left in the tub. The bubbles that were found on Lillian may have been what she secreted after she was shot in the chest. The only thing I can’t wrap my head around is the bruising they found on Lillian. Maybe he tried to knock Lillian unconscious before he shot her. Wouldn’t the sheet covering Rachel have had bullet fragments in them like the ones found on Lillian and Rachel?

In my opinion, I feel that the gun is going to be a problem for the prosecution unless they establish that Rachel or Lillian’s DNA was found on the gun. Neil’s DNA can be explained by saying that he shot that gun. I’m not surprised that they were unable to find finger prints because the gun had been used and cleaned the next day. If they still found Rachel or Lily’s DNA then that is substantive.

I find your blog to be very insightful. Thanks!

Jean
Bob_Ward read my blog view my photos
Jun 12, 2008 | 10:49 AM

Hi Foxfriend,

Good points about the timing of the murder. And I've thought about this too.

The main issue with this is that Rachel was on the phone until 10:30PM on Thursday.

That leads me to think the baby was already asleep at that point, but who knows?

If the murders were done on Thursday night and Neil is the killer, that's a very long time for him to get to Logan Airport.

Neil himself says he found the bodies Friday morning, and then immediately drove to Carver.

If Neil is lying in that statement I'm thinking
he's telling the truth about when he's in Carver because he doesn't know if someone saw him.

Maybe the ME will shed some light on when the murders likely happened, we'll see.

BW
Bob_Ward read my blog view my photos
Jun 12, 2008 | 10:53 AM

He Ed718,

Testimony so far indicates that Hopkinton police do the wellness check on Saturday. Ms Gately and her sister are there. Gately walks the dog but doesn't go upstairs. Police look through the entire house and they don't find the bodies.

Gately and sister wait outside in their car all night long waiting for the Entwistles to return. They only leave for bathroom breaks.

The next AM, she finds a neighbor who knows the security code to the garage, they go inside. Gately walks the dog, neighbor leaves. Gately walks the house, goes into the master bedroom and into a closet, misses the bodies.

Police come back later in the day on Sunday, the smell the odor, go to the master bedroom and lift the comforter.

And no, I don't have a brother named Ed!

BW
Bob_Ward read my blog view my photos
Jun 12, 2008 | 11:04 AM

Hi Jean,

We'll see what the bubbles on Lillian were.

But from the State Police description yesterday, there were no bubbles and other than blood pooling in the baby's back, I don't think there was any bodily fluid from the baby from the front of the child. The ME has to testify and we'll learn more.

But for me, the bubbles, while minor, is a telling piece of evidence. We wouldn't know about bubbles if Neil didn't mention them.

I don't have my notes with me, but I seem to remember there were some fragments found on that sheet.

The more I think about it, I'm thinking this crime scene was staged. But I need to hear more.

I agree the lack of quality fingerprints on the gun is going to be an issue.

BW
Bob_Ward read my blog view my photos
Jun 12, 2008 | 11:06 AM

Hi Fenwaydav,

Your words are very much appreciated.

Did you see the photos of the bed with the comforters on top?

It's very easy to see how their bodies were not found during a wellness check. Don't forget, police don't have probable cause to search the house on Saturday. That doesn't come until Sunday with the telltale odor coming from the upstairs bedroom.

Very sad.

BW
bkapsalis
Jun 12, 2008 | 2:16 PM

Hi Bob;

I find it difficult to understand why Joanna was so concerned about "Rachel" and not the entire family. She was late for dinner and expected for them to be sitting there waiting for her. I understand that she could feel concerned but why at that very moment and not a day or two later?? She was very anxious to get into that house, why? Does she know something more than she is saying. I know if I was late for dinner at a friends house I would blame myself for them not being there and just go home. I'd have a feeling of concern if I could not connect with them the following day or days. Where was Neil during this time? He didn't leave for London until Sunday. Anxious to hear the rest of the testimony. Will check back in with you.
Jakethecat view my photos
Jun 12, 2008 | 5:43 PM

When we saw him crying, IMO, that was fake crying, to me looked like a man with no conscience.
Mitch67 read my blog view my photos
Jun 12, 2008 | 8:02 PM

I agree with Jakethecat. I saw that and I couldn't believe what I was seeing. I thought he was laughing and couldn't believe it. I watched that again tonight on TV and I wasn't seeing things, although on a constant news channel they said he was crying. When I cry, my face doesn't look happy. How come he can cry now and wasn't crying when he supposedly found him? I find this more intriguing every day and thankfully I have speakers on my computer at work so I can hear what is going on.
This is my favorite blog!
dbrown_33
Jun 12, 2008 | 9:22 PM

Hello all, I am married and have two children of my own and this whole trial is extremely hard to watch or even discuss. It sickens me to see Entwistle sitting in the court room a couple day's ago rolling his eye's and looking as if he is in court trying to get out of a parking ticket rather than being on trial for murder. Also, to see him today with what looked to me like a grin followed by covering his mouth as if he was hiding his grin and some fake crying sounds. I know everyone has a right to a fair trial but he has had guilt written all over his face from the day of the murder's. I know how I would react if I came home to find my family like he (supposedly) found his, I would lose it, wouldn't be able to walk, talk, move let alone not call the police and take off to another country. Unless I was one thing, GUILTY as I feel he is.
ladyheritage3
Jun 12, 2008 | 9:58 PM

You could see him smiling, and it sure looked like he was laughing not crying,, thats why his hand was in front of his face. He's guilty
herbdaniels read my blog
Jun 12, 2008 | 10:19 PM

Unfortunately the graphic testamony is crucial. I have been seeing a disturbing trend toward trivializing the victims in this and other cases, including rape and molestation as well as murder. I always have a difficult time with the news. I tend to empathize with victims. It's a test, but I get through it. I think the most difficult part is how people forget those things, and that is why ultimately I do not want them to sanitize these realities.
kayleisnana read my blog view my photos
Jun 13, 2008 | 12:19 PM

I feel so badly for both sets of parents--her parents, for obvious reasons, and his parents because they had no idea he was such head case! Who, as a parent wants to admit that they raised such a monster? And to think that his attorney is such a whack job that he has nothing to make a good defense for his client so he tries to infer that MAYBE her stepfather did it? Can he be real? He can't do better than that? So sick!!! I understand that he has a job to do, to ensure that his client receives a "fair" trial! His job is make sure his client's constitutional rights aren't violated, but to even insinuate that the step father could have been involved makes my stomach turn!!!!!!!!
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Bob_Ward

I am a reporter/anchor specializing in crime and regular features such as New England's Unsolved and Mass Most Wanted.

Member Since: 10/16/2006


 

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