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

[imstilla.grandma]

Unfortunately I can not access this article - can you give a bit more. Was a jury selected yet? And I have a Kevin Russo as judge. Who is Murphy?? TIA!

A panel of 12 jurors and four alternates will hear the case when it goes to trial March 18, over five years later.

On Tuesday, before jury selection started, Judge Shari Murphy made another decision about what evidence will be allowed at trial. Murphy denied a motion from the defense to exclude anything recovered from Morales’ two cellphones or clothing, which Ansonia police seized after finding Holloway beaten to death in her home Dec. 2, 2019. Data from Morales’ phones put him in Holloway’s neighborhood, despite Morales telling police otherwise, according to his arrest warrant. Tissue-like material and a reddish-brown stain on Morales’ shoes came back as Holloway’s DNA, the warrant said.

Jury selection continues at the Milford courthouse Wednesday.

One juror seated on 1st day of jury selection for Jose Morales; judge allows DNA, cellphone evidence at trial

On Tuesday, before jury selection started, Judge Shari Murphy made another decision about what evidence will be allowed at trial.

connecticut.news12.com

 

[Niner]

A panel of 12 jurors and four alternates will hear the case when it goes to trial March 18, over five years later.

On Tuesday, before jury selection started, Judge Shari Murphy made another decision about what evidence will be allowed at trial. Murphy denied a motion from the defense to exclude anything recovered from Morales’ two cellphones or clothing, which Ansonia police seized after finding Holloway beaten to death in her home Dec. 2, 2019. Data from Morales’ phones put him in Holloway’s neighborhood, despite Morales telling police otherwise, according to his arrest warrant. Tissue-like material and a reddish-brown stain on Morales’ shoes came back as Holloway’s DNA, the warrant said.

Jury selection continues at the Milford courthouse Wednesday.

One juror seated on 1st day of jury selection for Jose Morales; judge allows DNA, cellphone evidence at trial

On Tuesday, before jury selection started, Judge Shari Murphy made another decision about what evidence will be allowed at trial.

connecticut.news12.com

Thanks! I can read this one!

 

[Niner]

Wednesday, February 26th:
*Jury Selection continues (Day 3) (@ am 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. [2/24/25: 1 juror selected.]
Trial set to begin on 3/18/25.
Superior Court Judge Sherri 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 reference post #696 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...d-ansonia-28-nov-2019-arrest-2.490240/page-35
2/24/25 Monday, Trial Day 1: Only 1 juror was selected today. On Monday, the judge ruled against a suppression motion from the defense that aimed to keep any mention of Vanessa or her disappearance out of the trial. Murphy said the investigations into Holloway’s death & Vanessa’s disappearance were simultaneous & so intertwined that eliminating any mention of Vanessa would confuse & mislead the jury. She also said the probative value outweighs any prejudice. However, the judge told Supervisory Assistant State’s Attorney Howard Stein that if he plans to introduce evidence that Vanessa has been harmed in any way, he must bring that to the court beforehand outside of the jury’s presence. Murphy said that includes any testimony that Vanessa is still missing.. Trial continues on Tuesday, 2/25/25.
2/25/25 Tuesday, Trial Day 2: On Tuesday, before jury selection started, Judge Shari Murphy made another decision about what evidence will be allowed at trial. Murphy denied a motion from the defense to exclude anything recovered from Morales’ two cellphones or clothing, which Ansonia police seized after finding Holloway beaten to death in her home Dec. 2, 2019. Data from Morales’ phones put him in Holloway’s neighborhood, despite Morales telling police otherwise, according to his arrest warrant. Tissue-like material & a reddish-brown stain on Morales’ shoes came back as Holloway’s DNA, the warrant said. No other info available. Trial continues on Wednesday, 2/26/25.

 

[imstilla.grandma]

 

[Niner]

Oops - not available in my country.... any articles? TIA!

 

[Tricia]

Join cold case investigator and author of Unmasked: My Life Solving America's Cold Cases Paul Holes.
Paul will be answering your questions on our Ask Me Anything forum Thursday, February 27th, at 8:00 PM Eastern.
If you want to ask Paul a question, post it on THIS THREAD.
Then, on Thursday, watch THIS THREAD as Paul answers your questions.
We'll be giving away a couple of copies of Paul's book. The way to enter is to post your question.
See you Thursday at 8 PM Eastern on Websleuths first ever Ask Me Anything

 

[Niner]

Thursday, February 27th:
*Jury Selection continues (Day 4) (@ am 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. [2/24/25: 1 juror selected.]
Trial set to begin on 3/18/25.
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 1-2 (2/24-2/25/25) reference post #703 here:\
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...d-ansonia-28-nov-2019-arrest-2.490240/page-36
2/26/25 Wednesday, Jury Selection Day 3: No info available yet. Trial continues on Thursday, 2/27/25.

 

[Niner]

Well - not finding any updated articles for Day 3 or 4...

Friday, February 28th:
*Jury Selection continues (Day 5) (@ am 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. [2/24/25: 1 juror selected.]
Trial set to begin on 3/18/25.
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 1-2 (2/24-2/25/25) reference post #703 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...d-ansonia-28-nov-2019-arrest-2.490240/page-36
2/26/25 Wednesday, Jury Selection Day 3: No info available yet. Trial continues with jury selection on Thursday, 2/27/25.
2/27/25 Thursday, Jury Selection Day 4: No info available. Trial continues with jury selection on Friday, 2/28/25.

 

[Niner]

Still nothing on the previous days jury selection.... so guessing it is still going on?

Monday, March 3rd:
*Jury Selection continues (Day 6) (@ am 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. [2/24/25: 1 juror selected.]
Trial set to begin on 3/18/25.
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 1-2 (2/24-2/25/25) reference post #703 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...d-ansonia-28-nov-2019-arrest-2.490240/page-36
2/26/25 Wednesday, Jury Selection Day 3: No info available yet. Trial continues with jury selection on Thursday, 2/27/25.
2/27/25 Thursday, Jury Selection Day 4: No info available. Trial continues with jury selection on Friday, 2/28/25.
2/28/25 Friday, Jury Selection Day 5: No info available. Trial continues with jury selection on Monday, 3/3/25.

 

[Niner]

Jury selection still going on? All I am finding is the CT Post - and of course I can not access this. Anyone??

Tuesday, March 4th:
*Jury Selection continues (Day 7) (@ am 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. [2/24/25: 1 juror selected.]
Trial set to begin on 3/18/25.
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 1-5 (2/24-2/28/25) reference post #709 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...d-ansonia-28-nov-2019-arrest-2.490240/page-36
3/3/25 Monday, Jury Selection Day 6: No info available. Trial continues with jury selection on Tuesday, 3/4/25.

 

[Niner]

I guess I shall continue this - until someone tells me different!

Wednesday, March 5th:
*Jury Selection continues (Day 8) (@ am 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. [2/24/25: 1 juror selected.]
Trial set to begin on 3/18/25.
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 1-5 (2/24-2/28/25) reference post #709 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...d-ansonia-28-nov-2019-arrest-2.490240/page-36
3/3/25 Monday, Jury Selection Day 6: No info available. Trial continues with jury selection on Tuesday, 3/4/25.
3/4/25 Tuesday, Jury Selection Day 7: No info available. Trial continues with jury selection on Wednesday, 3/5/25.

 

[Niner]

from a FB post - from 2/27/25 - and I shall correct my notes.

COURT UPDATE: Jury selection is underway. Only 2 jurors have been selected so far out of 16.
Judge denied motions from his defense regarding throwing out evidence and mentioning Vanessa at trial.
Next court date for jury selection will be Monday 3/3/2025.

That is ALL I could find - I did ask on comments on FB - if there were any updates since 3/3.

 

[Niner]

Thursday, March 6th:
*Jury Selection continues (Day 9) (@ am 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 2/27/25: 2 jurors selected.]
Trial set to begin on 3/18/25.
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 1-4 (2/24-2/26/25) reference post #711 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...d-ansonia-28-nov-2019-arrest-2.490240/page-36
2/27/25 Thursday, Jury Selection Day 5: Only 2 jurors have been selected so far out of 16. Judge denied motions from his defense regarding throwing out evidence and mentioning Vanessa at trial. Jury selection continues on Monday, 3/3/25.
3/3/25 Monday, Jury Selection Day 6: No info available. Jury selection continues on Tuesday, 3/4/25.
3/4/25 Tuesday, Jury Selection Day 7: No info available. Jury selection continues on Wednesday, 3/5/25.
3/5/25 Wednesday, Jury Selection Day 8: No info available. Trial continues with jury selection on Thursday, 3/6/25.

 

[Niner]

Friday, March 7th:
*Jury Selection continues (Day 10) (@ am 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 2/74/25: 2 jurors selected.]
Trial set to begin on 3/18/25.
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 1-7 (2/24-3/4/25) reference post #713 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...d-ansonia-28-nov-2019-arrest-2.490240/page-36
3/5/25 Wednesday, Jury Selection Day 8: No info available. Trial continues with jury selection on Thursday, 3/6/25.
3/6/25 Thursday, Jury Selection Day 9: No info available. Trial continues with jury selection on Friday, 3/7/25.

 

[Niner]

Just read on FB - trial has been moved from 3/18/25 to 4/7/25. Guess they are having a hard time finding a jury. I asked how many so far have been picked, as I have only 2.... will let everyone here know!

 

[Seattle1]

Judge rules Vanessa Morales’ disappearance can be part of father’s murder trial; jury selection starts Tuesday

On the eve of that, both sides appeared in Milford Superior Court, where a judge made a critical ruling on what evidence jurors will hear.

connecticut.news12.com

Feb 24, 2025

Judge Shari Murphy denied a motion by the defense to exclude mention of Morales and Holloway’s daughter, Vanessa Morales, who disappeared at the time of the 2019 homicide.

Ansonia police named Morales a suspect when the 14-month-old girl went missing but never charged him. Morales’ attorney, Ed Gavin, argued in court that any mention of Vanessa would confuse the jury and be highly prejudicial to his client.

“Your Honor, that evidence, in my opinion, is not relevant or material to the crime charged—the homicide of Christine Holloway,” Gavin said in court. “What possible gain could the state have for introducing the fact that Vanessa is missing other than to get to the heartstrings of the jury?”
Supervisory Assistant State's Attorney Howard Stein countered that the investigations into Holloway’s death and Vanessa’s disappearance, “are thoroughly and inexplicably tied together.”

 

[Seattle1]

Just read on FB - trial has been moved from 3/18/25 to 4/7/25. Guess they are having a hard time finding a jury. I asked how many so far have been picked, as I have only 2.... will let everyone here know!

Thanks for update @Niner.

The Court site shows last activity was 3/7/25 but Morales is not on the docket for 3/10/25...

Activity:

Jury Trial

Hearing Date:

[td]

3/7/2025 10:00 AM​

[/td]​

Pending Criminal/Motor Vehicle - Search By Defendant Name

 

[Niner]

Thanks for update @Niner.

The Court site shows last activity was 3/7/25 but Morales is not on the docket for 3/10/25...

Activity:

Jury Trial

Hearing Date:

[td]
3/7/2025 10:00 AM

[/td]​

Pending Criminal/Motor Vehicle - Search By Defendant Name

and thanks for your update!

I tried the link you posted - but all it does is just circle - and ends with No secure connection....
I will go ahead & put him on Monday - and will look for articles tomorrow - maybe something will appear!

 

[Niner]

Well - no luck here finding any updated articles - they are all from February. And one said jury selection continued on 3/3/25...

Anyone local or in the U.S. - find anything? TIA if you do!

 

[Niner]

Monday, March 10th:
*Jury Selection continues (Day 11) (@ am 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 2/74/25: 2 jurors selected.]
Trial was set to begin on 3/18/25 continued on 4/7/25.
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 1-7 (2/24-3/4/25) reference post #713 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...d-ansonia-28-nov-2019-arrest-2.490240/page-36
3/5/25 Wednesday, Jury Selection Day 8: No info available. Trial continues with jury selection on Thursday, 3/6/25.
3/6/25 Thursday, Jury Selection Day 9: No info available. Trial continues with jury selection on Friday, 3/7/25.
3/7/25 Friday, Jury Selection Day 10: No info available. Trial continues ?? with jury selection on Monday, 3/10/25. **Trial date has been moved to 4/7/25.