Wells Trial: Day 3
By: Jackie Smith
Updated: March 24, 2011
ODESSA -- The Johnny Lee Wells trial continued in Odessa Thursday, as the prosecution continued to present their case.
Day 3 started off with testimony from victim Virginia Washelesky's neighbors. Washelesky was brutally murdered 20 years ago. The neighbors painted a picture about who Washelesky was. They said she acted as a grandmother to their two children. These neighbors were the ones who found Washelesky dead in her home.
But the real story of the day was when Rodney Terrell Gibbons took the stand. Gibbons is serving time in Ector County for aggravated sexual assault. Gibbons said that Johnny Lee Wells confessed to killing Washelesky while in prison. The defense argued that Gibbons was getting something out of this confession, such as a plea deal. But Gibbons said he wasn't getting anything. I looked over at Wells during Gibbon's testimony and he was looking through a manilla envelope, whispering things to his attorney. He has been very attentive throughout this whole trial, jotting down notes and so forth.
The day ended with an in depth look into Washelesky's autopsy. The first one was botched but another forensic psychologist said that it seems Washelesky was stabbed more than 15 times that night 20 years ago. The state and the defense say they will be done presenting evidence Friday -- then, jurors will begin deliberating. Big 2 will bring you the latest.
Jackie Smith can be reached via email at jsmith@kmid.tv.
