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by Bob_Ward from Dedham

Last Post 7 days Ago


Entwistle On Tape
Jun 20, 2008 | 9:50 PM
Category: News
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We still don't know if Neil Entwistle is going to be called to take the stand in his own defense. But in a sense Neil has already testified in this internationally watched double murder trial.

As its final piece of evidence, the state is presenting long, tape-recorded statements Neil Entwistle gave to the Massachusetts State Police just days after the horrific murders of Neil's wife Rachel and their infant daughter Lillian.

The tape is nothing short of amazing. MA State Trooper Robert Manning was masterful in drawing Entwistle's story out of him, and then challenging him on key points. Trooper (now Sgt.) Manning is superb in gaining Neil Entwistle's trust and keeping him on the telephone long enough to explore the sad events of January 2006.

The first tape played for the jury today was two hours long. And it seems like Neil Entwistle couldn't stop talking.

The key is that Neil's statements here, and to others, set in stone where he was and when. By Neil's account, the murders had to have happened between 9 and 11 am on Friday January 20, 2006 when he was running errands.

Even Neil Entwistle himself comments that he can't imagine this being done with such a narrow window of time. He also can't imagine who would do this because no one knew where he lived. These murders took place just ten days after Neil and Rachel moved to Hopkinton. So I guess this rules out an unsatisfied customer from Entwistle's Ebay business looking for some vengeance.

This almost certainly leaves the suicide theory that was first raised in cross on Thursday.

Trouble is, Neil never mentions Rachel committing suicide in this or any other statement. And of course there's the trouble with how the gun ends up locked in Carver at the home of Rachel's step father.

Neil's defense lawyer has warned jurors not to make snap judgments. To listen to all of the evidence, to keep an open mind before reaching a verdict. After today, that's got to be a tough task for jurors.

And I'm left wondering if Neil will be forced to take the stand and try to explain inconsistencies in his stories.

But I want you to make up your own mind about this. We have posted Neil's statements to Mass State Police and you can find the first hour here.

For the second hour of the tape, click here.

And let me know what you think.

As for what's next. There is another MA State Police tape that will be presented to jurors on Monday. Then the state will rest its case.

We'll see who Elliott Weinstein and Stephanie Page, Entwistle's lawyers, will call to the stand very, very soon.

Talk to you soon,

Bob Ward

10 Comments |  Add a Comment

Member Comments Total Comments: 10
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Kelldog
Jun 21, 2008 | 9:34 AM

Hello Bob,
I know that all the experts say that there is no way that they would put him on the stand,I don't see how they can't.If I am a juror,I need to hear him try to explain this,otherwise,Guilty as charged
sirB read my blog
Jun 21, 2008 | 12:50 PM

Elliott Weinstein and Stephanie Page should go to jail with Entwistle.
TheEliteOne read my blog
Jun 21, 2008 | 6:30 PM

I cannot see this guy going on the stand. His lawyer has to realize from the tapes that Entwhistle cannot shut up.
The last person I saw take the stand was the Harvard grad student, Pring-Wilson. In addtion to being Ivy League,, he grew up with both parents lawyers and one also a judge. It got him a mistrial but he eventually plead out.
It very seldom works to take the stand.
Chip read my blog view my photos
Jun 22, 2008 | 7:30 AM

Cross examination could be done by a dunce....or myself, whichever comes first.
Tenn read my blog
Jun 22, 2008 | 11:24 AM

I don't think it matters if he takes the stand or not. He allegedly finds his wife and daughter dead,doesn't call 911,drives straight to his inlaws (where the murder weapon came from and is found) Then he hops the pond. HE'S GUILTY!!!!! If he didn't do it I'm a monkeys uncle
Tenn read my blog
Jun 22, 2008 | 1:34 PM

I don't think it matters if he takes the stand or not. He allegedly finds his wife and daughter dead,doesn't call 911,drives straight to his inlaws (where the murder weapon came from and is found) Then he hops the pond. HE'S GUILTY!!!!! If he didn't do it I'm a monkeys uncle
ChristineM
Jun 23, 2008 | 11:41 AM

The defense is insisting Rachel killed herself and Lillian because of the gunshot residue on Rachel's hands. Is it possible that he could have placed the gun in her hands and fired?
fairbrit
Jun 23, 2008 | 12:46 PM

After hearing those closing statements I am now of firm opinion that NE is guilty. The suicide scenario does not make sense and there is nothing to support it. What does add up, though, is prosecutor Fabbri's chilling walk-through of the morning of Jan 20: NE has had it, he wants "out" and knows there are guns at Joe's place. He leaves that morning, gets the gun, returns home, kills Rachel (I always thought he shot her first) then shoots Lillian. Everything from there on is one big fat "cover-up". What kind of man leaves the corpses to decompose? What kind of man trawls sex websites just days following the deaths of his wife and baby? I feel so badly for Priscilla et al, but also terribly for the Entwistles. They seem ordinary people who somehow created this monster. It's not easy being a juror...but I have made my mind up.
bostonrob
Jun 23, 2008 | 12:48 PM

If he placed the gun in her hands and fired it, her dna would have been found on the handle. One of the three reasons she could have gunshot resude is "in the area of a gun when it was fired". Dah, do you think being murdered by a gun at close range is within the area?

The suicide theory is trying to pull one of the fire. It has no credibility but the only thing the defense could make up that hasn't already been answered 100%. I trust this jury is smart enough to see right through this hogwash and CONVICT the SOB of 1st degree murder.
ChristineM
Jun 23, 2008 | 1:16 PM

Yeah, they were better off saying a mystery person did it! Then again, would a random killer cover the bodies up? I think not, they would want to get out ASAP!
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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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