Posted
on Fri Jul 18, 2008
Last updated
Jul 19, 2008
The former prosecutor in a Mid-Missouri murder case turns into a witness to keep the case from going back to trial.
In day three of Ryan Ferguson's attempt to get a new trial in the killing of former Columbia Daily Tribune sports editor Kent Heitholt former prosecutor, and current Boone County judge Kevin Crane took the stand.
The courtroom was packed all week but when the former prosecutor took the stand people were literally cramming in.
The state's plan was to use Kevin Crane to prove everything in the trial was done correctly, but the defense had its own plan and that was to show Crane lied.
When Crane took the stand, one of the first things addressed were the witnesses on day one that said they had information that someone else killed Heitholt. Crane says he had never her of him.
On the stand Crane said "I didn't deal with anybody representing Ron Hudson or Ronald, or Ron Hudson." Prosecutor Stephanie Morrell asked him "So you weren't informed about him having info." Crane said "That's right."
But when the defense got its crack at the former prosecutor the answers weren't so straight forward. Defense attorney Valerie Leftwich asked Crane what color hair Ferguson's alleged accomplice Chuck Erickson had. While looking at a color photo Crane said, "I can't tell you what color it is. If you have another photo I'm not playing games but I can't tell what color hair it is there."
The defendants father Bill Ferguson says Crane's testimony was expected. He says "We knew he would side step it with that issue. He's an attorney....you think he's going to admit to doing anything wrong. No.
Once Crane was off the stand the hearing was over. I spoke with both Attorneys and they say they are happy with the way it all went.
The state says it proved he received a fair trial, but the defense says it got all the evidence it wanted to get out there and it shows a new trial is needed.
As for Ferguson's family, his father Bill says he couldn't be happier and is confident the judge will rule in their favor.
The attorneys have until September 30th to turn in their findings and from there judge will make her decision.
