93.9 The Eagle – The News and Talk of Columbia, MO
Closing arguments are set to begin at 8:30 this morning in Columbia in Joseph Elledge’s high-profile murder trial.
The 26-year-old Elledge is charged with first degree murder for the 2019 death of his wife, Menggi Ji. Boone County prosecutors say Elledge deliberately killed his wife, and had threatened to kill her before. Defense attorney Scott Rosenblum describes it as a tragic accident.
Ji’s remains were found in Rock Bridge state park in March.
Defense attorney Scott Rosenblum will tell the jury that Ji was not murdered, but died in a traffic accident from subdural hematoma, a buildup of blood on the brain. Boone County Prosecutor Dan Knight will say Elledge killed his wife, and had threatened her before. Knight has told the jury that Elledge played video games in the days after her death.
Elledge himself testified for about ten hours this week, over two days.
Rosenblum notes first degree murder requires the state to prove it was premeditated.
This is the tenth day of the trial.
