Testimony is now complete and a verdict is likely tomorrow in the trial of Jonathan Gunter, who’s accused of brutally robbing Jimmy Lee Dean last July in Oak Lawn.
The district attorney’s office rested its case this afternoon, and the defense chose not to call any witnesses, meaning Gunter will not testify on his own behalf in the guilt/innocence phase of the trial. Those who testified on behalf of the state included Dean, eyewitnesses Michael Robinson and Norman Draper, two security guards from Caven Enterprises who apprehended the suspects, and several Dallas police officers.
Closing arguments are scheduled to begin at 8:45 a.m. Wednesday, before the case is turned over to the jury. If Gunter is found guilty, the attorneys said they expect about two hours worth of testimony in the punishment phase of the trial, before Judge Ernest White hands down a sentence.
Only three people from the LGBT community who aren’t directly involved in the case attended today”s proceedings. They were Jesse Garcia, Elizabeth Pax and Tisha McDaniel. Pax told me she was very disappointed that more poeple didn’t attend, but tomorrow likely will be the best day for a show of support from the LGBT community. Again, tomorrow’s proceedings begin at 8:45 a.m. in the 194th District Court, which is on the seventh floor of the Frank Crowley Courts Building.
