Testimony Begins In Wells Trial
By: Jackie Smith
Updated: March 24, 2011
ODESSA -- His first trial ended in a mistrial, after it was discovered that one of the jurors couldn't read English. Now, Johnny Lee Wells was back in court for his new murder trial.
Jurors were ready Wednesday morning over at Ector County Courthouse to hear the facts about the cold case from 1990. The prosecution started the day off. Ector County District Attorney Bobby Bland, gave jurors a look back to the night Odessa Police found Virginia Washelesky stabbed to death in her home.
The video shows the front door where newspapers began to pile up, and envelopes stuffed in her mailbox that Washelesky never got to open. It only got worse. Inside, jurors saw Washelesky's bloody body lying down in her bedroom. Her underwear was put on backwards. Former Lieutenant Rob Inge -- who was on the stand -- said because of that it looked like sexual assault might have been involved.
This is what Wednesday's testimony was all about --pPainting a picture, of what happened 20 years ago. No motive was announced. We do know that Johnny Lee Wells' mother was an acquaintance of Washelesky. That's why Washlesky hired Wells to fix her air conditioning.
However, the day was cut short. Larry White -- who is accused of murdering three Odessa Police officers in September 2007 -- had a hearing Wednesday afternoon in the same courtroom where the Wells trial is going on. That hearing focused on whether or not White is competent enough to stand trial.
The Wells Trial will continue bright and early Thursday morning. Big 2 will be there bringing you the very latest.
Jurors were ready Wednesday morning over at Ector County Courthouse to hear the facts about the cold case from 1990. The prosecution started the day off. Ector County District Attorney Bobby Bland, gave jurors a look back to the night Odessa Police found Virginia Washelesky stabbed to death in her home.
The video shows the front door where newspapers began to pile up, and envelopes stuffed in her mailbox that Washelesky never got to open. It only got worse. Inside, jurors saw Washelesky's bloody body lying down in her bedroom. Her underwear was put on backwards. Former Lieutenant Rob Inge -- who was on the stand -- said because of that it looked like sexual assault might have been involved.
This is what Wednesday's testimony was all about --pPainting a picture, of what happened 20 years ago. No motive was announced. We do know that Johnny Lee Wells' mother was an acquaintance of Washelesky. That's why Washlesky hired Wells to fix her air conditioning.
However, the day was cut short. Larry White -- who is accused of murdering three Odessa Police officers in September 2007 -- had a hearing Wednesday afternoon in the same courtroom where the Wells trial is going on. That hearing focused on whether or not White is competent enough to stand trial.
The Wells Trial will continue bright and early Thursday morning. Big 2 will be there bringing you the very latest.
