Marmolejo Retrial: Prosecution Rests, Key Witness Does Not Testify

In a stunning move, the state rested Saturday afternoon without calling Mariah Wilson to the stand.

David Marmolejo has been charged with murder int he July 2009 death of his mother, Gloria Marmolejo.

Prosecutors granted Wilson – David’s stepsister – full immunity. In exchange, she told an El Paso jury about a sexual relationship with David that started when she was just 14, an alleged confession from David detailing how he used a belt to strangle his mother, and how both of them covered up the murder and dumped his mother’s body in the desert.

The defense and the prosecution could still have her testify later in this trial before the jury begins deliberations.

Jurors heard from only one witness Saturday, an FBI agent and expert at analyzing cell phone records. Agent David Magnuson told the jury he followed the route David allegedly took from his mother’s home to Santa Teresa during the early hours of the morning, just hours after Gloria disappeared. He reiterated earlier testimony that a cell phone call at 1:37 am to David’s ex-girlfriend pinged from a cell phone tower in Anthony, Texas.

After working six straight days, the jury will get Sunday off. The defense will begin presenting its case Monday at 10:30 a.m.