93.9 The Eagle – The News and Talk of Columbia, MO
Closing arguments are expected to begin Wednesday afternoon in Columbia in a high-profile murder trial involving the gruesome death of a Montgomery County snake breeder.
Lynlee Renick is charged with first degree murder for the 2017 death of her husband in rural Montgomery County.
Ben Renick was shot numerous times, including a bullet wound to the back of his head and one to his jaw.
Lynlee Renick’s father, Lyndell Gallatin, testified for the defense on Tuesday, telling the jury that his daughter isn’t violent. He also testified that Lynlee was genuine when she was hysterical after the murder. Prosecutors have suggested that she was acting.
Lynlee Renick is expected to take the witness stand today.
A Boone County judge presiding over the trial tells jurors he believes their work will end today, but says they likely won’t return to Clay County until Thursday morning. Judge Kevin Crane made his comments in open court, indicating that closing arguments should begin this afternoon.
The Missouri Highway Patrol’s lead investigator in the case testified on Tuesday that he considered Lynlee Renick to be the main suspect, as he worked the case.
Defense attorney Timothy Heseman said the Patrol should have looked at another man, who is not charged. Heseman also rejects suggestions that Lynee Renick would have killed her husband for money, saying he didn’t have a will and that his money would go to his descendants.
The prosecution’s main witness has been Michael Humphrey, who was convicted of murder in the case in October. Humphrey says Lynlee Renick shot and killed her husband. The defense says Humphrey is the killer.
The trial is being broadcast live on Court TV. “Dateline NBC” also has a producer in the courtroom.
