GUILTY Wesley Hadsell guilty after retrial on murdering adopted stepdaughter, A.J. Hadsell #3

[MsMarple]

He [Corey] told jurors he gave police everything they asked because he did not murder AJ. Corey said police interrogated him, took his phone and made him take a lie detector test as well as give investigators a DNA sample. He said detectives also searched his and his mom’s home and they found AJ’s Longwood University jacket.
...
The second person to take the stand Monday was a woman by the name Rita. Rita is Corey’s mother.

In 2015, she worked as a Navy contractor and confirmed that Norfolk Police searched her home. She told jurors she never personally met Wesley Hadsell and only met AJ once.
...
Joshua Hathaway, who worked as a homicide detective in AJ’s disappearance, said Hadsell randomly told investigators that he would never plant evidence.

Hathaway also told jurors Hadsell said “I’m screwed” while alone in the investigation room.

Hathaway showed jurors several pictures of Hadsell’s red pick-up truck and work van going past a 7-Eleven gas station in Norfolk. The detective also showed a video from a 7-Eleven in Suffolk. You could see Hadsell get out of his work van, go inside and buy something with a credit card. He gets back in his van and leaves. Hathaway pointed out that you could see the GPS mounted to his front video of the van.

A former Norfolk homicide detective also provided key testimony. He said he found heroin in Wesley Hadsell’s hotel room. The medical examiner said AJ died from heroin poisoning.
...
The last person to testify on Monday was an FBI agent who analyzed Hadsell’s work GPS. He said the GPS showed a vehicle behind a home for 22 minutes on Smith Ferry Road on March 4th, which is where investigators found AJ Hadsell's body in April.
Prosecution witnesses take the stand in Wesley Hadsell trial | 13newsnow.com

 

[MsMarple]

SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY, Va. — Former Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam took the stand today in the Wesley Hadsell trial.
…
Northam testified because he is also a child neurologist at the Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters in Norfolk. He treated AJ Hadsell for migraines.
…
After testing some medicines and they didn’t work for AJ, he prescribed her Nortriptyline. In the 1970s, scientists created the drug to treat depression, but Northam said it’s now commonly used to help with migraines.
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Wesley Hadsell’s attorney, James Ellenson, asked Northam about a Mayo Clinic report that said the medication AJ took could cause suicidal thoughts. Northam said every medicine, including cough syrup, has potential side effects.
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In other testimony on Tuesday, the lead Norfolk Police detective on the case, David Benjamin, told jurors that call records confirm Hadsell lied about receiving tips about people finding AJ’s clothes on the side of the road.
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Benjamin also said the day AJ disappeared, Hadsell told him AJ called him and asked for money. He said the phone records show AJ never called Hadsell.

Two FBI agents also testified on Tuesday.
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The FBI agent said on March 4, Hadsell’s GPS showed up in Franklin and went to the North Carolina line. They also tracked his phone, which was in that location at the same time.
Ex-Gov. Northam testifies in Wesley Hadsell murder trial | 13newsnow.com

 

[Ontario Mom]

SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY, Va. — Former Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam took the stand today in the Wesley Hadsell trial.
…
Northam testified because he is also a child neurologist at the Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters in Norfolk. He treated AJ Hadsell for migraines.
…
After testing some medicines and they didn’t work for AJ, he prescribed her Nortriptyline. In the 1970s, scientists created the drug to treat depression, but Northam said it’s now commonly used to help with migraines.
…
Wesley Hadsell’s attorney, James Ellenson, asked Northam about a Mayo Clinic report that said the medication AJ took could cause suicidal thoughts. Northam said every medicine, including cough syrup, has potential side effects.
…
In other testimony on Tuesday, the lead Norfolk Police detective on the case, David Benjamin, told jurors that call records confirm Hadsell lied about receiving tips about people finding AJ’s clothes on the side of the road.
…
Benjamin also said the day AJ disappeared, Hadsell told him AJ called him and asked for money. He said the phone records show AJ never called Hadsell.

Two FBI agents also testified on Tuesday.
…
The FBI agent said on March 4, Hadsell’s GPS showed up in Franklin and went to the North Carolina line. They also tracked his phone, which was in that location at the same time.
Ex-Gov. Northam testifies in Wesley Hadsell murder trial | 13newsnow.com

Thank you so much for these updates from the trial. As angry as it makes me to hear these details (which we all knew at the time Hadsell was lying through his rotten teeth all along, about all of it, from the meeting at lunch, to AJ asking for money, to Corey, the jacket in the couch, the anon tips from strangers about her clothes, etc.), I'm sure glad you're keeping the thread updated with the day's proceedings leading to justice for AJ.

 

[MsMarple]

Thank you so much for these updates from the trial. As angry as it makes me to hear these details (which we all knew at the time Hadsell was lying through his rotten teeth all along, about all of it, from the meeting at lunch, to AJ asking for money, to Corey, the jacket in the couch, the anon tips from strangers about her clothes, etc.), I'm sure glad you're keeping the thread updated with the day's proceedings leading to justice for AJ.

It’s good to see you @Ontario Mom and all the others who are here for AJ. Hugs y’all and here’s hoping the lying murderer will spend the rest of his days in a 4x6 cell on a lumpy mattress.

 

[MsMarple]

FRANKLIN, Va. — The prosecution has rested its case in the trial against Wesley Hadsell.
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For the past eight days, jurors listened to key testimony from several people including AJ’s mom, sister, several detectives, and even former governor Dr. Ralph Northam.

The last person to take the stand on Wednesday was Norfolk Police Sgt. David Benjamin. Benjamin testified several times during this trial because he is the lead investigator on AJ’s Hadsell’s case.
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Benjamin said recorded phone calls between Hadsell and his sister talked a lot about AJ and heroin. Benjamin said these conversations happened before the medical examiner determined AJ died from a heroin overdose.
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The defense plans to call its first witness on Thursday, which will include Wesley Hadsell’s mom and a neighbor who lived near the Hadsell family.

Wesley Hadsell’s attorney, James Ellenson, said he’s still unsure if Hadsell will take the stand in his trial.
Prosecution rests its case in trial against Wesley Hadsell | 13newsnow.com

I really hope Wesley’s ego will compel him to testify!

 

[MsMarple]

On Wednesday, the detective talked about a police interrogation of Hadsell on March 20, 2015. Benjamin said during this interrogation, police presented Hadsell with the piles of evidence against him.

According to the detective, Hadsell’s responses were “It makes me look pretty [expletive] guilty,” and “It makes me look like I’m hiding something.”
...
It was in this context, according to the detective, Hadsell said “People get caught up in emotion and do things they wouldn’t normally do and I understand that now.”

During the cross-examination, the defense showed home videos of Hadsell with his daughters in an attempt to humanize his client to the jury.

One video was of Hadsell and AJ doing the ice bucket challenge together.

The other videos were of Hadsell and his daughter Abby who was just 4 years old at the time. The two were at Chuck E. Cheese.

The Chuck E. Cheese videos were from the day before AJ disappeared.
Prosecution rests its case in murder trial of Wesley Hadsell | WAVY.com

Defense witnesses start tomorrow (Thursday).

 

[MsMarple]

The defense rested its case Thursday afternoon in the Wesley Hadsell trial.

This comes just a day after the prosecution rested its case. Court officials say closing arguments will begin tomorrow.
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Thursday, the defense called a handful of witnesses before resting its case. The first person to take the stand was Wesley and AJ Hadsell's former neighbor.

The day AJ disappeared, he said he noticed a white car in the Hadsell's driveway — but didn’t pay much attention to it.

During cross examination, the former neighbor said he installed a camera after AJ’s disappearance, but a few days later, Wesley told him to turn it off because people coming to his home didn't want to be filmed.

The neighbor told Hadsell no.
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Jurors also heard from another nearby neighbor who said he saw AJ driving a pickup truck, but he couldn’t remember the exact day.

He told jurors Wesley Hadsell told him, "If you find something, come to me, not police.”

A man who lived on Smith Ferry Road (where AJ’s body was found) also testified. He said he saw a van go into the abandoned home’s driveway, but didn’t know the date. He said it happened around 3:30 in the morning.

The witness also told the defense he doesn’t remember talking to a Southampton County deputy. He claimed it isn’t unusual to see people come and go from the abandoned home, because they go there for other purposes.

Defense rests case in Wesley Hadsell's murder trial | 13newsnow.com

The last person who testified for the defense was AJ’s ex-boyfriend. He said he and AJ made plans to see each other, but that never happened. Then defense showed about 15 pictures of quotes about AJ talking about suicide. He said they found them on AJ’s phone.

Ali Weatherton 13News Now
@13AliWeatherton
BREAKING: Defense rests in Wesley Hadsell trial. Hadsell acted like he was going to testify, but then told the judge he would not testify. #13NewsNow

 

[katydid23]

is it closing arguments today?

 

[MsMarple]

is it closing arguments today?

Closing arguments will start Monday. Today the prosecution called a couple rebuttal witnesses regarding a defense witness who testified they saw AJ the day she disappeared.

Also, the second-degree murder charge was dropped by the judge.

Ali Weatherton 13News Now
@13AliWeatherton
BREAKING: One of the murder charges against Wesley Hadsell was dropped. Hadsell faced first and second degree murder charges as well as concealment of a dead body. Prosecutors agreed they didn’t have enough evidence to prove the second-degree murder charge. #13NewsNow

Judge dismisses lesser murder charge in Wesley Hadsell trial
Southampton Circuit Judge L. Wayne Farmer dismissed a second-degree felony murder charge, which is an unintentional killing committed during the commission of another crime, and carries a maximum penalty of up to 40 years in prison. In this case, the crime Hadsell was accused of committing during the commission of the murder of 18-year-old Anjelica “A.J.” Hadsell was administering drugs to her, defense attorney James Ellenson said.

Commonwealth’s Attorney Eric Cooke conceded at the end of his case that the state hadn’t presented enough evidence to win a conviction on that charge and agreed to dismiss it, Ellenson said.

 

[katydid23]

Closing arguments will start Monday. Today the prosecution called a couple rebuttal witnesses regarding a defense witness who testified they saw AJ the day she disappeared.

Also, the second-degree murder charge was dropped by the judge.

Ali Weatherton 13News Now
@13AliWeatherton
BREAKING: One of the murder charges against Wesley Hadsell was dropped. Hadsell faced first and second degree murder charges as well as concealment of a dead body. Prosecutors agreed they didn’t have enough evidence to prove the second-degree murder charge. #13NewsNow

Judge dismisses lesser murder charge in Wesley Hadsell trial
Southampton Circuit Judge L. Wayne Farmer dismissed a second-degree felony murder charge, which is an unintentional killing committed during the commission of another crime, and carries a maximum penalty of up to 40 years in prison. In this case, the crime Hadsell was accused of committing during the commission of the murder of 18-year-old Anjelica “A.J.” Hadsell was administering drugs to her, defense attorney James Ellenson said.

Commonwealth’s Attorney Eric Cooke conceded at the end of his case that the state hadn’t presented enough evidence to win a conviction on that charge and agreed to dismiss it, Ellenson said.

So that worries me a bit. The jury has to find him GUILTY of First degree or it is acquittal?

 

[katydid23]

I can't find any thing at all about the closing arguments.

 

[MsMarple]

No report on the closing arguments yet but the jury is probably deliberating now. Feeling a little tense: with 2nd degree murder off the table the jury is looking only at concealment of a dead body and first degree murder. I'm hoping this won't be a Casey A situation!

Ali Weatherton 13News Now @13AliWeatherton
4h
Closing arguments started less than an hour ago. The prosecution says overwhelming evidence proves Wesley Hadsell murdered AJ and then dumped her body behind an abandoned home in Southampton County. I’ll have more at 12 on #13NewsNow

Ali Weatherton 13News Now
@13AliWeatherton
5h
HAPPENING TODAY: Jury deliberations are expected to start today after jury instructions and closing arguments. The courtroom is packed with AJ’s friends and family. #13NewsNow

 

[MsMarple]

Wow, the closing arguments went on for a long time!

Ali Weatherton 13News Now
@13AliWeatherton
14m
BREAKING: Jury just started deliberating in Wesley Hadsell’s trial. #13NewsNow

 

[MsMarple]

Guilty on Both Charges!
45 minutes deliberation

Ali Weatherton 13News Now
@13AliWeatherton
14m
BREAKING: Jurors find Wesley Hadsell guilty on charges of first degree murder and concealment of a dead body. #13NewsNow

WAVY TV 10
@WAVY_News
#BREAKING Jury finds Wesley Hadsell guilty on all charges in the death of his adopted stepdaughter, AJ. Follow @KaylaGaskinsTV
for updates.

Kayla Gaskins
@KaylaGaskinsTV
16m
#BREAKING Jury finds Wesley Hadsell guilty on all charges. First degree murder and concealment of a body. It only took 45 minutes of deliberation.
@WAVY_News

 

[Smurfily]

Finally Justice for AJ

 

[MsMarple]

During closing arguments on Monday, prosecutors said overwhelming evidence proved Hadsell murdered AJ and then dumped her body behind an abandoned home.

The deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney told jurors, “we may never truly understand why this happened.”
...
The defense argued AJ committed suicide by using a medication she took for headaches. The medical examiner didn’t test for that prescription in her body.

Hadsell’s attorney, James Ellenson, told jurors they should be skeptical of what Norfolk Police detectives said while testifying.

He also called testimony from an FBI agent “worthless.”

Ellenson said many of the details in this case don’t match up and that the prosecution “cherry-picked” the information they wanted to show jurors.
Wesley Hadsell guilty of killing AJ Hadsell | 13newsnow.com

Sentencing scheduled for April 4, 2022. He could face life in prison. Be prepared for an appeal - MOO.

 

[sallye818]

Yes! Yes! Yes! waiting for a long time to see this!

 

[katydid23]

 

[Ontario Mom]

Wow, and wow and wow! FINALLY justice for AJ.

 

[Kittybunny]

Yes!!! Thank you jurors!!!
Justice at last for AJ!