MD - Laura Wallen, 31, pregnant, Olney, 3 Sept 2017 #2 *Suspect found Dead during Trial*

[Niner]

Thank you NervousNellie!

Here's what he has to say:

Neal Augenstein
‏Verified account @AugensteinWTOP
3h3 hours ago

Laura Wallen was reported missing one year ago today. This morning, jury selection begins in Montgomery Co. murder trial of Tyler Tessier, charged with killing Wallen, who was 14 weeks pregnant with his child. He'd just gotten engaged to another woman. Trial begins for Md. man charged with murdering pregnant girlfriend | WTOP …

Prosecutors say Tessier changed story to detectives several times. Eventually he and Wallen got into a fight. She ran at him with a pair of scissors. He moved, she ran into a wooden porch pole and collapsed. He didn't call 911, but buried her instead.

When police found Wallen's body in a shallow grave, with an apparent bullet wound in the back of her head. Asked about it, Tessier said he was afraid he had buried her alive, so shot her in the head to make sure she wasn't suffering.

Jurors won't get to see videotape of Tessier's alleged confession, because it came after he'd demanded his lawyer. Remains to be seen how/if Montgomery Co prosecutors have another way for jurors to hear about the confession.

Prosecutors said Tessier knew he was the father of Wallen's unborn child. He also knew Wallen had recently texted his fiancee, saying she just wanted to clear things up, and wanted to talk, woman to woman.

Wallen's parents have been outspoken in attempts to change Maryland fetal homicide law, to allow prosecution for murder when mother is in first trimester of pregnancy.


more to type...

link: Neal Augenstein (@AugensteinWTOP) | Twitter

 

[Niner]

Neal Augenstein
‏Verified account @AugensteinWTOP
3h3 hours ago

Tessier's public defender hasn't telegraphed any possible defenses. Two themes that have been brought up in pretrial motions: 1. detectives continued to question Tessier after he'd asked for his lawyer, and 2. Tessier said they were in a fight, which could raise possibility....

...of death during heat of passion, which suggests 2nd degree murder, rather than premeditated 1st degree. Again, that's just my analysis, attempting to read tea leaves. As always, Tessier doesn't HAVE to put on a defense -- it's on prosecutors to prove him guilty.

Jury selection begins at 930. Will keep in touch. If you have any Qs, leave em here, and I'll get to them at breaks.

Jury selection is underway in the trial of Tyler Tessier -- charged w murder of pregnant girlfriend Laura Wallen. 175 potential jurors are in courtroom for this high profile case in Montgomery County.


last tweet 30 minutes ago - I'll keep any eye out on this one too!

 

[Niner]

2 hours in - no updates from either one...

 

[NervousNellie]

2 hours in - no updates from either one...

Thanks for following! Justice can't come fast enough, but I imagine they will be busy picking jurors for a while...

 

[Spartygirl]

Thanks Niner and Nervous Nellie for tweets, update, etc. I will check back later ..I am sure it will be awhile yet.

 

[Niner]

Checking out now - but will check the tweets first thing in (my) morning to see "what is going on" if there are any.

Good night all!

 

[YESorNO]

Kate Amara‏Verified account @kateamaraWBAL 8h8 hours ago
On first day of school in Maryland...trial gets underway for man accused of murdering Wilde Lake HS teacher Laura Wallen last year.

Kate Amara‏Verified account @kateamaraWBAL 6h6 hours ago
Jury selection now officially underway. 175 prospective jurors brought in to start. Judge Mason has repeatedly mentioned the intense media coverage..


Kate Amara‏Verified account @kateamaraWBAL 6h6 hours ago
jury pool so large, Judge Mason moved proceedings to largest courtroom in bldg. also, let half the jury pool take lunch, while other half noting calendar conflicts stayed behind for follow up at bench


Kate Amara‏Verified account @kateamaraWBAL 6h6 hours ago
Laura Wallen’s parents arrived early, and r sitting in back of courtroom listening attentively. Today is the 2nd, 1st day of school their daughter will not see.
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[YESorNO]

Kate Amara‏Verified account @kateamaraWBAL 6h6 hours ago
Jury Selection giving us a good idea of partial focus for both sides including 2 MD state laws that directly impact these proceedings: death penalty & viability of unborn child. I’ll explain tonight on @wbaltv11


Kate Amara‏Verified account @kateamaraWBAL 6h6 hours ago
1 more early observation: 1st time I’ve seen defendant in a suit. He also grew a sort of half beard below his chin. My view of him partially blocked, but he was fidgeting so much & rocking in chair he kept bouncing into view


Kate Amara‏Verified account @kateamaraWBAL 2h2 hours ago
Trial 4 man accused of killing teacher Laura Wallen: Day 1, 6 hours, no juror selected. Jury box empty. Enormous scope of jury selection process shows gravity of this case
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[Niner]

Thanks for posting the update YESorNO!

The 2 I'm following didn't post a thing.... I think I'll follow this lady today!

 

[Niner]

Wednesday, Sept. 5th:
*Jury Selection Continues (Day 2) (@ 9:30am ET) - MD – Laura Wallen (31, 14 wks pregnant) (Sept. 3, 2017, found Sept. 13, 2017) – Tyler Lewis Tessier (32) (BF) arrested & charged (9/13/17) with 1st degree murder, obstruction of justice, tampering with evidence & making false statements to LE. Plead not guilty. Held without bail. DA seeks life without the possibility of parole. *trial should last 10 days.
8/24/18 Update: Motions hearing; confession tape will not be played at trial; admitted shooting her in the head. All motions should be filed by 8/29.
9/4/18 Update: Pool of 175 jurors to be whittled down to 12 plus 4 alternates. Opening statements expect Thursday, 9/6 & trial could run thru 9/21.
9/4/18 Update: Day 1, 6 hours, no juror selected. Jury box empty. Enormous scope of jury selection process shows gravity of this case.

 

[JerseyGirl]

Jury selection underway in trial of boyfriend charged with killing pregnant Howard County teacher

 

[Niner]

I'm here and ready.

 

[DakotaMayi]

I'm here and ready.

Thanks @Niner!

 

[Niner]

and.... none of the 3 had bookmarked have tweeted NOTHING. I don't know "what" is going on.
Isn't it like - 11:40am there??

 

[NervousNellie]

and.... none of the 3 had bookmarked have tweeted NOTHING. I don't know "what" is going on.
Isn't it like - 11:40am there??

Yes, 11:43 now.

But I guess I'm not surprised we haven't received any updates... I think they hadn't selected one single juror at close of business yesterday, so I imagine that process alone is going to take a while.

 

[NervousNellie]

Mike Hellgren (@HellgrenWJZ) | Twitter
Jury selection continues this morning in the trial of Tyler Tessier—charged in the murder of his pregnant girlfriend—respected Wilde Lake HS teacher Laura Wallen. A jury could be seated later today. @wjz

BBM - I hope so!

 

[Niner]

Thanks - I'll bookmark him too! I'll keep an eye on all 4 now!

 

[Niner]

Finally an update!

Kate Amara
‏Verified account @kateamaraWBAL
5m5 minutes ago

Update from Montgomery County Circuit Court & trial of man accused of killing teacher #LauraWallen: trial day 2 = jury selection day 2. Some might say the process is like watching paint dry: I say it’s an early look at what’s to come & what’s at stake.

Initial pool of 175 whittled down to 120, then divided into 2 groups: judge & lawyers now in process of taking closer look at group 1, group 2 likely after lunch.

 

[Niner]

Kate Amara
‏Verified account @kateamaraWBAL
5m5 minutes ago

“afternoon session” of jury selection now underway in MoGo trial of man accused of murdering HoCo teacher Laura Wallen. Jury pool is large, judge is meticulous...

....and as Judge Mason just told this batch of about 60 prospective jurors...they need to distill 175 down to a pool that’s large enough to withstand strikes on each side #LauraWallen

 

[Niner]

Kate Amara
‏Verified account @kateamaraWBAL
22s23 seconds ago

to clarify, no juror has been picked yet. Questioning & narrowing down potential jurors continues. Jury box empty. in my experience...a rare sight 11 hours into jury selection..but speaks to gravity of this case: the murder of teacher #LauraWallen