Still Missing CT - Vanessa Morales, 1, missing after mother found deceased, Ansonia, 28 Nov 2019 *arrest* #2

[Niner]

Monday, March 24th:
*Jury Selection continues (Day 18) (@ 10am ET) – CT - Christine Marie Holloway (43) (last seen Nov. 27, 2019, found deceased on Dec. 2, 2019 during a welfare check, Ansonia) & Vanessa Morales (17 mos.) (last seen Nov. 29, 2019, reported missing Dec. 3, 2019, Amber Alert on Dec. 4, 2019-not found) - *Jose Luis Morales (43/now 48) (BF) arrested (12/3/19), charged & arraigned (2/7/20) with felony murder, tampering with physical evidence & 2 counts of criminal possession of firearm (see below). Plead not guilty. Bond $5M. CT Superior Court in Milford Superior Court
Jury selection began 2/24/25. A panel of 12 jurors & 4 alternates will be selected. [as of 3/12/25: 12 jurors selected.] 3/18/25 4 alternates selected. 2 jurors (1 juror & 1 alternate have dropped out as of 3/20/25.
Trial was set to begin on 4/7/25 was continued on 5/7/25.
Superior Court Judge Shari Murphy. Prosecutor Supervisory Assistant State’s Attorney Howard Stein & Defense attorney Edward Gavin.
First arrested (12/3/19), charged (1/22/20) & arraigned (3/5/20) with 2 counts of criminal possession of a pistol (2 stun guns). Plead not guilty. Bond $25K. CT Superior court in New Haven/transfer to Milford Superior Court
Court info from 12/4/19 thru 2/18/25 & Jury Selection Day 1-14 (2/24-3/13/25) reference post #731 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...d-ansonia-28-nov-2019-arrest-2.490240/page-37
3/14/25 Friday, Trial Day 15: No info available. Trial with jury selection continues on Monday, 3/17/25.
3/17/25 Monday, Trial Day 16: No info available. Trial with jury selection continues on Tuesday, 3/18/25.
3/18/25 Tuesday, Trial Day 17: Jury selection is complete. The final 4 alternates were chosen this morning. A status conference will be held in 2 weeks during which a jury panel will be brought in just in case they lose more jurors. Per prosecutor they just lost one juror. Next a status conference hearing on 3/27/25 @ 10am during which a jury panel will be brought in just in case they lose more jurors.
3/21/25 Update: Jury selection will resume Monday after two people picked to serve during a trial next month dropped out. A regular juror & one of the alternates has since dropped out, Morales' defense lawyer Edward Gavin said Wednesday. Court officials said potential jurors would be called back in for the case Monday, 3/24/25. The trial, before Judge Shari A. Murphy, is scheduled from 4/7/25 to 5/7/25.

 

[Niner]

Not finding any updated articles - so will keep posting this.

Tuesday, March 25th:
*Jury Selection continues (Day 19) (@ 10am ET) – CT - Christine Marie Holloway (43) (last seen Nov. 27, 2019, found deceased on Dec. 2, 2019 during a welfare check, Ansonia) & Vanessa Morales (17 mos.) (last seen Nov. 29, 2019, reported missing Dec. 3, 2019, Amber Alert on Dec. 4, 2019-not found) - *Jose Luis Morales (43/now 48) (BF) arrested (12/3/19), charged & arraigned (2/7/20) with felony murder, tampering with physical evidence & 2 counts of criminal possession of firearm (see below). Plead not guilty. Bond $5M. CT Superior Court in Milford Superior Court
Jury selection began 2/24/25. A panel of 12 jurors & 4 alternates will be selected. [as of 3/12/25: 12 jurors selected.] 3/18/25 4 alternates selected. 2 jurors (1 juror & 1 alternate have dropped out as of 3/20/25.
Trial set to begin on 5/7/25.
Superior Court Judge Shari Murphy. Prosecutor Supervisory Assistant State’s Attorney Howard Stein & Defense attorney Edward Gavin.
First arrested (12/3/19), charged (1/22/20) & arraigned (3/5/20) with 2 counts of criminal possession of a pistol (2 stun guns). Plead not guilty. Bond $25K. CT Superior court in New Haven/transfer to Milford Superior Court
Court info from 12/4/19 thru 2/18/25 & Jury Selection Day 1-17 (2/24-3/18/25) reference post #741 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...d-ansonia-28-nov-2019-arrest-2.490240/page-38
3/21/25 Update: Jury selection will resume Monday after two people picked to serve during a trial next month dropped out. A regular juror & one of the alternates has since dropped out, Morales' defense lawyer Edward Gavin said Wednesday. Court officials said potential jurors would be called back in for the case Monday, 3/24/25. The trial, before Judge Shari A. Murphy, is scheduled from 4/7/25 to 5/7/25.
3/24/25 Monday, Trial/Jury Selection Day 18: Jury selection continues for 2 more jurors. Jury selection continues on Tuesday, 3/25/25.

 

[Niner]

https://www.wtnh.com/news/connecticut/new-haven/jury-selected-in-trial-of-man-accused-of-killing-ansonia-mother/

11 hours ago - March 25, 2025
MILFORD, Conn. (WTNH) — The jury is now set in the murder trial of Jose Morales, the man accused of killing an Ansonia mother five years ago.
[.....]
Testimony is expected to start in the murder trial in early April.

Actually the trial was moved to 5/7 - not in April...

 

[Seattle1]

Actually the trial was moved to 5/7 - not in April...

^^rsbm

Where is this May date being reported? The Court site still shows April 7 and nothing tweeted by Marisa. OP's link does not cite 5/7 so I'm curious. Thanks!

Pending Criminal/Motor Vehicle - Search By Defendant Name

Activity: Jury Trial Next Court Date: [td] 4/7/2025 9:00 AM​ ​

Current Charges Statute Description Class Type Occ Offense Date Plea Verdict Finding 53a-54a MURDER [td] A​

12/2/2019	Not Guilty
53a-155	TAMPERING-PHYSICAL EVIDENCE	12/2/2019	Not Guilty

​

[td]
Felony

[/td]

[td]
1

[/td]
[td]
D

[/td]​

[td]
Felony

[/td]

[td]
1

[/td]​

[/td]

[/td]

 

[Niner]

snipped...

Where is this May date being reported? The Court site still shows April 7 and nothing tweeted by Marisa. OP's link does not cite 5/7 so I'm curious. Thanks!

From this article -below

MSN

March 20, 2025
MILFORD — Jury selection in the case of a New Haven man charged with beating the mother of his infant child to death in Ansonia more than five years ago will resume Monday after two people picked to serve during a trial next month dropped out.
[.....]
But a regular juror and one of the alternates has since dropped out, Morales' defense lawyer Edward Gavin said Wednesday.

Court officials said potential jurors would be called back in for the case Monday, March 24. The trial, before Judge Shari A. Murphy, is scheduled from April 7 to May 7.

Judge changed it to 5/7 - guessing cause the jury selection took so long.

 

[Seattle1]

From this article -below


Judge changed it to 5/7 - guessing cause the jury selection took so long.

I don't believe the trial date changed but that the duration of the trial is scheduled for four weeks or April 7 to May 7:

The trial, before Judge Shari A. Murphy, is scheduled from April 7 to May 7.

 

[Niner]

I don't believe the trial date changed but that the duration of the trial is scheduled for four weeks or April 7 to May 7:

The trial, before Judge Shari A. Murphy, is scheduled from April 7 to May 7.

AH! Thanks for clarifying that! I shall put him in April then. Must have read that wrong....

 

[imstilla.grandma]

In late February 2025, Jose's attorneys argued before a judge that the trial should not mention Vanessa as it could "mislead the jury."

Senior Assistant State's Attorney Howard Stein, however, stated that the two incidents -- Vanessa's disappearance and Holloway's murder -- were connected and should be used for trial.

The judge ruled that prosecutors could mention Vanessa but had to be careful regarding actions or testimony regarding the child. The trial is set to begin April 7.

Jose Morales Trial: The murder of Christine Holloway and disappearance of Vanessa Morales

While the trial is for the murder of Christine Holloway in 2019, a big question remains after all these years: Where is Vanessa Morales?

www.fox61.com

 

[sds71]

Jose Morales trial: The murder of Christine Holloway and mystery of their missing daughter

Jose Morales, 48, is charged with murder and evidence tampering in the death of Christine Holloway, 43, the mother of his baby daughter, Vanessa Morales. The little girl is currently still missing.

connecticut.news12.com

 

[Niner]

Monday, April 7th:
*Trial set to begin (@ 9am ET) – CT - Christine Marie Holloway (43) (last seen Nov. 27, 2019, found deceased on Dec. 2, 2019 during a welfare check, Ansonia) & Vanessa Morales (17 mos.) (last seen Nov. 29, 2019, reported missing Dec. 3, 2019, Amber Alert on Dec. 4, 2019-not found) - *Jose Luis Morales (43/now 48) (BF) arrested (12/3/19), charged & arraigned (2/7/20) with felony murder, tampering with physical evidence & 2 counts of criminal possession of firearm (see below). Plead not guilty. Bond $5M. CT Superior Court in Milford Superior Court
Jury selection began 2/24/25. A panel of 12 jurors & 4 alternates will be selected. [as of 3/12/25: 12 jurors selected.] 3/18/25 4 alternates selected. 2 jurors (1 juror & 1 alternate have dropped out as of 3/20/25. Final jury selection on 3/25/25.
Jury: 12 jurors & 4 alternates.
Trial set to begin on 4/7/25. (thru 5/7/25)
Superior Court Judge Shari Murphy. Prosecutor Supervisory Assistant State’s Attorney Howard Stein & Defense attorney Edward Gavin.
First arrested (12/3/19), charged (1/22/20) & arraigned (3/5/20) with 2 counts of criminal possession of a pistol (2 stun guns). Plead not guilty. Bond $25K. CT Superior court in New Haven/transfer to Milford Superior Court
Court info from 12/4/19 thru 2/18/25 & Jury Selection Day 1-18 (2/24-3/24/25) & 3/21/25 reference post #742 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...d-ansonia-28-nov-2019-arrest-2.490240/page-38
3/25/25 Tuesday, Trial/Jury Selection Day 19: Jurors have now been selected. Trial begins on 4/7/25.

 

[Niner]

I will not be able to watch - but some one here probably will!

CT v. Jose Morales: Missing Daughter, Murdered Mother Trial

Jose Morales is accused of killing Christine Holloway in 2019. Their 1-year-old daughter vanished the same night and remains missing.

www.courttv.com

 

[Cloudydiamond]

Watching this trial now on Law & Crime.

 

[imstilla.grandma]

“Christine was actually an excellent employee,” she said. “She was always on time. She did all the things she needed to do.”

Jones-Clarke said she and others at the day care became concerned after Holloway, the lead teacher in the day care’s infant room, didn’t show up to work as usual of Dec. 2, the Monday after Thanksgiving weekend.

“Even before 9, I was concerned,” she said. “It wasn’t like her…I was hoping that nothing had happened to her.”

https://www.newstimes.com/news/article/jose-morales-trial-day-1-holloway-ansonia-murder-20262316.php

 

[Niner]

Watching this trial now on Law & Crime.

Just in case I miss them in article - could you let me know "who" does opening - for DA & defense & any witnesses coming up! Thanks!

 

[Niner]

“Christine was actually an excellent employee,” she said. “She was always on time. She did all the things she needed to do.”

Jones-Clarke said she and others at the day care became concerned after Holloway, the lead teacher in the day care’s infant room, didn’t show up to work as usual of Dec. 2, the Monday after Thanksgiving weekend.

“Even before 9, I was concerned,” she said. “It wasn’t like her…I was hoping that nothing had happened to her.”

https://www.newstimes.com/news/article/jose-morales-trial-day-1-holloway-ansonia-murder-20262316.php

Drats! Need a subscription to read this...

 

[imstilla.grandma]

Drats! Need a subscription to read this...

*Try this one:
"Dr. Frazer will testify that research shows that there is the frequent occurrence of amnesia among PCP users during acute states of intoxication, in which they have no recollection of what transpired during that acute state," Gavin wrote in a court filing.

"The data is most consistent with the belief that Mr. Morales was intoxicated on PCP around the time his partner was found dead. It is also likely that his absence of recollection of the events that transpired after he made his 911 call were also a consequence of his acute PCP intoxication."

https://www.ctpost.com/news/article/jose-morales-trial-day-1-holloway-ansonia-murder-20262316.php

 

[sds71]

.

 

[Niner]

Here's a good article with who the witnesses were.

Woman's employer, police take the stand in first day of Jose Morales trial

The jury trial for a man accused of murdering his girlfriend in December of 2019 began on Monday at Milford Superior Court. The state is charging Jose Morales with murder and tampering with evidence in the case of Christine Holloway, who was beaten to death. Morales is also the prime suspect in...

www.nbcconnecticut.com

 

[Niner]

Tuesday, April 8th:
*Trial continues (Day 2) (@ 10am ET) – CT - Christine Marie Holloway (43) (last seen Nov. 27, 2019, found deceased on Dec. 2, 2019 during a welfare check, Ansonia) & Vanessa Morales (17 mos.) (last seen Nov. 29, 2019, reported missing Dec. 3, 2019, Amber Alert on Dec. 4, 2019-not found) - *Jose Luis Morales (43/now 48) (BF) arrested (12/3/19), charged & arraigned (2/7/20) with felony murder, tampering with physical evidence & 2 counts of criminal possession of firearm (see below). Plead not guilty. Bond $5M. CT Superior Court in Milford Superior Court
Jury selection began 2/24/25. A panel of 12 jurors & 4 alternates will be selected. [as of 3/12/25: 12 jurors selected.] 3/18/25 4 alternates selected. 2 jurors (1 juror & 1 alternate have dropped out as of 3/20/25. Final jury selection on 3/25/25.
Jury: 12 jurors & 4 alternates.
Trial began on 4/7/25. (thru 5/7/25)
Superior Court Judge Shari Murphy. Prosecutor Supervisory Assistant State’s Attorney Howard Stein & Defense attorney Edward Gavin.
First arrested (12/3/19), charged (1/22/20) & arraigned (3/5/20) with 2 counts of criminal possession of a pistol (2 stun guns). Plead not guilty. Bond $25K. CT Superior court in New Haven/transfer to Milford Superior Court
Court info from 12/4/19 thru 2/18/25 & Jury Selection Day 1-19 (2/24-3/25/25) reference post #750 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...d-ansonia-28-nov-2019-arrest-2.490240/page-38
4/7/25 Monday, Trial Day 1: State prosecutor Howard Stein 7 defense attorney Ed Gavin skipped the opening statement portion & went straight to bringing in the state’s witnesses.
State witnesses: Rosie Jones-Clarke. Officer Paul Smith with the Ansonia Police Dept. Smith testified to being the one who conducted the first welfare check to Holloway’s home in Ansonia. Lieutenant Alexander Barreira of the Ansonia Police Dept. The state played Barreria’s body camera footage. George O’Mara, the former next-door neighbor of Holloway & Morales. Trial continues on Tuesday, 4/8/25.

 

[Seattle1]

Here's a good article with who the witnesses were.

Woman's employer, police take the stand in first day of Jose Morales trial

The jury trial for a man accused of murdering his girlfriend in December of 2019 began on Monday at Milford Superior Court. The state is charging Jose Morales with murder and tampering with evidence in the case of Christine Holloway, who was beaten to death. Morales is also the prime suspect in...

www.nbcconnecticut.com

Horrific details.... I don't recall reading before that CH's body was located in the bathtub-- or about wiped blood evidence located near the baby's crib when police first entered the home. Also, If this blood tested positive for baby Vanessa, I think we'd know about it.

Jose, where is Vanessa?