Judge to weigh key witness testimony and Eve Carson case in Lovette trial
DURHAM (WTVD) -- Key pieces of evidence took center stage Monday in the Laurence Lovette murder trial.
Lovette is charged with killing Duke graduate student Abhijit Mahato in 2008.
The evidence is similar to that used against Lovette in the murder of UNC Student Body President Eve Carson. He is already serving a life sentence in her death.
Prosecutors are starting to piece together the circumstantial evidence against Lovette.
With the help of ATM surveillance video, they are trying to convince the jury that the video shows the exact moment $520 was removed from Mahato's bank account.
The color of the car is key.
"I observed a light colored car coming up to ATM machine," said Art Holland, a former Durham investigator. "I can't say I saw any money being withdrawn and then exiting the lane."
It's eerily similar to the other student murder for which Lovette is already serving a life sentence.
While driving Carson's car, Lovette and his co-defendant Demario Atwater made withdrawals at various ATMs.
Ironically, Atwater's mother would also take the stand Monday, confirming the color of the vehicle prosecutors say Lovette may have been driving in the Mahato murder.
"I told him I saw him driving a blue Mercedes," said Peggy Atwater. "An officer brought it to my attention that it was grey blue."
The next witness, however, would prove to be less cooperative.
The brother of Lovette's co-defendant changed his story -- initially telling police he was with Lovette the night of the murder. However, Monday, he told the jury he lied.
Prosecutor Jim Dornfriend: "You just changed your story because you didn't like the way they approached you?"
Phillip Maybrey: "Yes."
Dornfriend: "Would you consider yourself the same type of person as Laurence Lovette?"
Maybrey: "He's a pretty cool guy."
The people of Lovette's past will continue to play a role in his second murder trial.
Tuesday, the judge will consider the upcoming testimony of key witness Shanita Love, the ex-girlfriend of his co-defendant, who is also a key witness in the Carson case.
