AZ AZ - Alissa Turney, 17, Phoenix, 17 May 2001 *stepdad ARREST in 2020, acquitted*

[Noirdame79]

Defense may have one witness. I'm not clear on whether a witness will come forward for the defense once they're ready, and it's still up in the air if MT will testify. That would be a mistake, imo. Maybe someone else here knows. Moo

I don't think he'll testify, but if he does, I agree that would be a mistake. One witness? Hmm, not a good sign.

 

[arielilane]

The jury heard a phone call between Alissa Turney and her maternal aunt, during which the aunt repeatedly asks if Alissa is okay.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1679883872178262019

https://twitter.com/CourtTV

Missing Sister Murder Trial: Jury Hears Victim's Phone Call | Court TV Video

The jury heard a phone call between Alissa Turney and her maternal aunt, during which the aunt repeatedly asks if Alissa is okay.

www.courttv.com

MISSING SISTER MURDER TRIAL: JURY HEARS VICTIM'S PHONE CALL​

The jury heard a phone call between Alissa Turney and her maternal aunt, during which the aunt repeatedly asks if Alissa is okay. (7/13/23)

 

[arielilane]

DAILY TRIAL UPDATES

DAY 5 – 7/13/23

• The jury asked Det. Stuart Somershoe several questions, two of which inquired about why it took seven years for the police to act on Alissa’s case. The other two were about the surveillance tapes of Jon and Alissa on May 6, 2001.
  • WATCH: Missing Sister Murder Trial: Michael Turney’s Letter to Investigators
• Audio of a phone call between Turney and Michael Seth was played for the jury which showed Turney’s disdain for Alissa. In it, Turney is heard calling her names like a—hole and b-tch.
• Audio of a phone call between Alissa and her aunt is played for the jury. In it, Alissa sounds quiet and defeated. At one point her aunt asks why Turney is freaking out, to this Alissa says it’s her dad what do you expect, he’s always like that.
  • WATCH: Missing Sister Murder Trial: Jury Hears Victim’s Phone Call
• Missing Sister Murder Trial: The Prosecution’s Case

AZ v. Michael Turney: Missing Sister Murder Trial

UPDATE: The judge granted the defense's motion to dismiss the charges against Michael Turney, and ordered his release.

www.courttv.com

 

[SpicyFruit]

I don't think he'll testify, but if he does, I agree that would be a mistake. One witness? Hmm, not a good sign.

Do we know who their witness is? I think this is the first case I have ever really fully followed so I am learning more how this works.

I noticed they did not call her step-brothers Rhett or Michael as witness yet Michael was on one of the recordings they played. Could it be one of them? I cant see the defense thinking it would be a good idea to put MT on the witness stand but I could see MT pushing to have control & a word to prove his side.

 

[Noirdame79]

Do we know who their witness is? I think this is the first case I have ever really fully followed so I am learning more how this works.

I noticed they did not call her step-brothers Rhett or Michael as witness yet Michael was on one of the recordings they played. Could it be one of them? I cant see the defense thinking it would be a good idea to put MT on the witness stand but I could see MT pushing to have control & a word to prove his side.

I don't know, they didn't say who this witness may be, if he/she does testify.

From what I've read, all of Alissa's siblings have been in court every day, and Sarah has said that her brothers believed MT was responsible for Alissa's disappearance before she did. In a recording of a phone call with her father, she said, "I'm the last of your six children to think that you *bleep* did this. Mike, Rhett, James, John, they were all like, "Yeah!""

 

[Noirdame79]

So, according to the defense, Alissa lacked intelligence and was incompetent and irresponsible, but then they insinuate that she was some kind of mastermind who orchestrated her own disappearance (not another "Gone Girl" conspiracy theory!), left everything behind, including the money in her bank account that she was saving, didn't bother to contact anyone for over 20 years, and managed to leave no traces. I know they've argued that she could have met with foul play after running away, but much of what I stated still applies to that. The phone call that MT claimed to have received from Alissa after her disappearance doesn't make sense, why would she have called him and not her friends, her brother, etc?

They also brought up her having sex with adults (which would be statutory rape) but they still used that against her to make her look promiscuous. Very distasteful.

 

[retrometro]

Such a sad case. I think it's obvious that MT killed her, but I unfortunately wouldn't be surprised if the trial ends with an acquittal or hung jury. The state's case seems circumstantial at best.

 

[Noirdame79]

Such a sad case. I think it's obvious that MT killed her, but I unfortunately wouldn't be surprised if the trial ends with an acquittal or hung jury. The state's case seems circumstantial at best.

It's unfortunate that certain evidence hasn't been allowed in (MT's criminal history, for one) but the prosecution has done well with what they have been able to use. The letter, those contracts, the recorded phone conversations, etc, don't paint MT as the loving and concerned father that he pretends to be, and the defense's tactics are horrible and not very bright (I hope the jury sees through it). I do like that the jury is able to ask the witnesses questions.

It seems that the defense doesn't have much to defend their client with, which is probably why they come off as so aggressive and rude. I hope it doesn't end in an acquittal, but if the judge ends up declaring a mistrial I hope he can be tried again.

 

[Chelly]

I’m speechless. The State’s case is nearing an end. They just played a profanity-laced, berating&disgruntled audio recording of Mike Turney complaining to a friend about how horrible his life is bc of his *advertiser censored**hole, c***s*cking, b**ch of a daughter Alissa. Strongest evidence yet.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1679612619450208260

https://twitter.com/JuliaCourtTV

Listening to this phone call pushed me off the fence and convinced me of his guilt.

 

[Noirdame79]

Missing girl's stepdad gets 10 years in union hall bomb plot​

The man who was the last to see his teenage stepdaughter when she went missing nearly 10 years ago was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison on Tuesday — not in connection with her disappearance, but for possessing bombs to attack a local union hall.

Michael Roy Turney, 62, who was representing himself in U.S. District Court, was sentenced by Judge Susan Bolton for unlawfully possessing destructive devices — 26 pipe bombs, numerous firearms and a van rigged with combustible material to catch on fire and explode as he drove it through the front of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers union hall in Phoenix, according to documents.

<Modsnip - No more than 10% of an article may be copied and a link to the source must be provided to give credit to the author - please see the link for the remainder of the article>

Missing girl's stepdad gets 10 years in union hall bomb plot

The man who was the last to see his teenage stepdaughter when she went missing nearly 10 years ago was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison on Tuesday —

www.eastvalleytribune.com

 

[SpicyFruit]

Listening to this phone call pushed me off the fence and convinced me of his guilt.

I think the phone call was actually with his oldest son Mike. I could be wrong though.

 

[arielilane]

Listening to this phone call pushed me off the fence and convinced me of his guilt.

If you're into podcast I'd recommend listening to Alissa's sister Sarah's podcast Voices for Justice (it's about Alissa). It is heartbreaking and many times I had to break away from it. Imo, MT is a monster and am not sure how he was able to escape getting away with as much as he did. MOO

 

[arielilane]

Do we know who their witness is? I think this is the first case I have ever really fully followed so I am learning more how this works.

I noticed they did not call her step-brothers Rhett or Michael as witness yet Michael was on one of the recordings they played. Could it be one of them? I cant see the defense thinking it would be a good idea to put MT on the witness stand but I could see MT pushing to have control & a word to prove his side.

Imo, I don't think the defense needs to call a witness unless it's a witness that would be really favorable toward their client. Of course!

The defense is ahead thus far, moo. Other than the aggressive behavior toward some of the state's witnesses. If MT testifies? Possibly his own testimony would cause a conviction. Imo, he is that arrogant.

I don't believe that the state has made a strong case. I hope, hope I am wrong!

Justice for Alisa!

All MOO

 

[arielilane]

This is a helpful site. Arizona does it a bit different than some U.S. states.

Criminal Trial Process

www.azcourts.gov

 

[arielilane]

Day 6

 

[arielilane]

Tweet 12 hr ago

"F***king little c*** sucker." Words from defendant Michael Turney on a recording played in court in the Alissa Turney murder trial...and could he testify himself this week? It's possible. Alissa Turney went missing in 2001 and her stepfather is on trial for her murder. As we head into the last week of trial, I'm breaking down the testimony from 2 Phoenix PD detectives about a botched investigation from the start, the conversation about a missing surveillance tape, and a letter to Phoenix PD...

https://twitter.com/x/status/1680797085715824642

https://twitter.com/BrianaWhitney

 

[arielilane]

Law&Crime experiencing poor audio.

 

[arielilane]

Alissa Turney murder trial: What detectives testified, and what’s to come this week

Alissa’s stepfather, Michael Turney, is on trial for second-degree murder, accused of being the last person who saw Alissa alive 22 years ago.

www.azfamily.com

Published: Jul. 17, 2023 at 12:13 AM EDT|Updated: 5 minutes ago

PHOENIX (3TV/CBS 5) - After one week of testimony in the high-profile Alissa Turney murder trial, there’s now a chance the defendant himself, Alissa’s stepfather, Michael Turney, may take the stand on Monday. He is on trial for second-degree murder, accused of being the last person who saw Alissa alive 22 years ago.

Prosecutors have said he took hundreds of tapes and recordings of Alissa and tried to control her life. But the defense has pushed back, saying there is no evidence of a crime scene and no proof that Alissa is dead.

We’ve heard from Alissa’s family, including her sister Sarah, who told the court her dad said he would tell her what happened to Alissa on his deathbed.

 

[arielilane]

It’s unimaginable to think about growing up in a household knowing that everything you do is being recorded and filmed and phone calls are also being recorded. Alissa felt like she was being watched. How in the world would that affect a young girl … a child who had no parental support growing up. It didn't appear that Alissa received much support or love after her mom passed away. Seemed that Alissa’s concerns about her adopted father MT were being ignored. Ultimately did it cause her demise... she was trying to tell someone?

Last week there was a phone call played in court between Alissa and her aunt and the aunt seemed concerned. However, Alissa wasn’t able to talk freely...most likely because the call was recorded, Alissa knew this, and/or MT probably was right there at the time of the call.

Much appreciation and gratitude to Alissa’s sister Sarah for advocating for her sister Alissa and telling Alissa's story.

Whether MT is convicted or not, Alissa’s story has been told! Alissa, I am so sorry for your pain while you were here on earth. So sorry that for whatever reason this monster was able to get to you and ruin your life. You showed strength and you handled yourself well.

All of this is a matter of opinion. Speculation.

 

[arielilane]

TURNEY TRIAL DAY SIX: We are back in court and getting an early start. Defense is continuing with cross examination of Detective Anderson with Phoenix PD. Today there are a lot of unknowns with what will happen. We could see closing arguments start. I’ll keep you updated in this thread.

The defense is asking the detective about bank records, video recordings that have been brought up in the case, and now some of the statements Michael Turney has made about his step-daughter Alissa Turney.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1680992578286796800

https://twitter.com/ashleyvholden