Prosecution could rest its case soon in Mitchell murder case
DURHAM (WTVD) -- Prosecutors are close to wrapping up their case against the Durham father accused of suffocating his 4-year-old son. However, the boy's mother would be the focus of testimony in the Joseph Mitchell murder trial Monday during the defense cross examination.
During a videotaped police interview, Mitchell's wife, Christine, would tell investigators the death of her son at the hands of her husband was "mind boggling."
She and her father would describe Mitchell as a loving father who would coach his children's sports teams and often take family photos. She would also tell investigators that extreme financial stress had robbed them both of much needed sleep leading up to their son Blake's death.
"The last couple of months have been the worst," said Mitchell during a taped police interview played for the jury.
Prosecutors continue to portray 50-year-old Joseph Mitchell as a desperate father facing foreclosure who was capable of killing his son because of it. They called a lead investigator and bank officials to the stand on Monday.
After two years of unemployment, Mitchell's attorney said his client had a promising job interview before the murder. During cross examination, the defense revealed that Mitchell would later learn he'd been hired.
The prosecution could rest its case as early as Tuesday. The defense could present a day of evidence by mid-week.
