November 20, 2009 6:35 PM
ODESSA AMERICAN
An Ector County jury of six men and six women decided to acquit Christopher David Lyson of murder shortly after 3 p.m. Friday.
Lyson was cleared on one count of murder in connection with the May 2008 stabbing death of 26-year old Ryan Adam Moon, who was killed in a fight over owed money on Bunche Avenue.
Both the prosecution and defense delivered powerful and lengthy closing arguments Friday morning, urging the jury to vote their way in the case.
Lyson’s defense attorney Dusty Gallivan asked jurors to believe Moon, who according to two nurses implicated Terrance L. Jackson as the stabber. Jackson testified he heard Lyson admit to the stabbing.
“Why would you believe a word that (Jackson) says?” Gallivan asked, alluding to Jackson’s long list of felony convictions.
Gallivan also criticized the Odessa Police Department’s investigation of Moon’s death, saying detectives tested only three knives — none of which were linked to the crime — and based their entire investigation on one witness.
“There is too much doubt in this case and too many unanswered questions for you to vote guilty,” he argued. “You have to vote not guilty.”
But Assistant District Attorney Justin Cunningham pointed out three eyewitnesses to the fight implicated Lyson.
“The most telling evidence in this whole trial is that there are no defensive wounds,” Cunningham said. Several witnesses testified Lyson snuck up on Moon during the fight to help Jackson.
“The only way that justice will be served today is if you find the defendant guilty of murder,” Cunningham said.
The jury was charged and began deliberating at 10:44 a.m.
This morning’s proceedings drew the best attendance by far in the four-day trial as family members of the victim, defendant and attorneys filled most of the 70th District Court chambers.
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