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June 18, 2008

Defendant's friends testify at murder trial

Posted: 10:07 AM ET

WOBURN, Massachusetts – A very strong day for the Commonwealth as a DNA analyst testified that Rachel Entwistle’s DNA was on the muzzle of her stepfather's gun, and the defendant's DNA was found on the gun’s handle.

A florist from Plymouth testified that Entwistle sent flowers and a card to his wife’s and daughter’s funeral instead of returning from his parent's house in the UK, where he went after he says he discovered them dead.

Entwistle is charged with the murder of his 27-year-old wife and baby daughter in January 2006. He has pleaded not guilty.

Two of Entwistle’s friends from York University, Dashiel Munding and Benjamin Prior, told jurors that they knew Rachel and Neil Entwistle to be a loving couple, and detailed conversations they both had with the defendant over dinner in the days before his arrest – including some apparent inconsistencies in his actions after he found his family murdered.

Finally, a forensic computer specialist said that just four days before the murder, someone did a Google search from Entwistle’s laptop for “how to kill with a knife.”

–In Session staff

Filed under: Trials


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Leslyn   June 18th, 2008 11:03 am ET

Ok, if the defendant wasn't guilty as some of you have suggested why on earth would he lie to his friends about the details surrounding his wife and baby's deaths? It was astounding to hear how he spent time with the Mattarazzo's grieving but didn't feel like he was getting the support he needed so he left to be with his parents. But wait – he didn't go see his parents first did he? Oh and he didn't spend anytime with the Mattarazzo's either except to drop by and pick up and gun to kill their daughter and granddaughter with...

ANN   June 18th, 2008 11:36 am ET

I have been following this case. This Entwistle guy should have left
this family and return to England with out killing them., Families would have helped to provide and help them through the difficult time.............NOT HE HAD TO KILL HIS FAMILY SAD LET HIM PAY.

Klaatu   June 18th, 2008 11:59 am ET

I hope this jury has the kahonas to sentence this yuppie puke to death

Jack   June 18th, 2008 12:02 pm ET

Entwhistle was not looking for escorts in Worcester England (as stated on Jami Floyd) because he was thinking of returning to England. He was looking for escorts in Worcester (pronounced Woosta), MA which is the 2nd largest city in New England. It is about 20 minutes from Hopkington and where Rachel went to college (Holy Cross).

Jack
Worcester, MA

Teresa   June 18th, 2008 1:21 pm ET

Has the defense looked into the insanity plea? He had to be at time of crime,at least not in the right mind at time.

Nora LaFlure, NY   June 18th, 2008 1:42 pm ET

Plastic! Neil Entwistle has the same plastic smile in all the photo's shown on tv. No one knew the real monster, until it was to late! Remember Ted Bundy? Nora, NY

jim collins   June 18th, 2008 1:48 pm ET

can anyone tell me why all the witnesses are required to where gloves while handling evidence when lawers touch them freely with their bare hands moving about the courtroom?

jan henry   June 18th, 2008 1:52 pm ET

he looks like such a nice guy...how do ever know who is going to turn out to be a murderer...scary...

marla   June 18th, 2008 1:55 pm ET

i think the letter he wrote in jail is very important.
it sounds like maybe a suicide letter.
i think he intended to kill his family and then kill himself.
thats why he said scatter my ashes over their grave.
"if you're reading this then i guess it got worse."

Dianne   June 18th, 2008 1:56 pm ET

I can't help comparing him to Scott Peterson. They both were very big story tellers, had a great life ahead of them, and neither seem to really showed any real remorse.

Debbie Pell Dunning   June 18th, 2008 2:02 pm ET

An innocent man would want to be buried with (or have his ashes interred with) the wife and daughter he had so tragically lost. Requesting that his ashes be scattered over their graves shows that he doesn't feel worthy to lie with them as a reunited family for eternity.

Linda in Crescent City, CA   June 18th, 2008 2:11 pm ET

Any chance Neil's mother-in-law did the computer searches to frame him?!

DARLENE MARTIN   June 18th, 2008 2:11 pm ET

I JUST HAVE A SIMPLE QUESTION. I REALIZE THIS WOULD BE INADMISSIBLE IN COURT BUT, WAS THERE A LIE DETECTOR TEST TAKEN BY MR. ENTWISTLE AND IF SO, DO YOU KNOW THE RESULT?

SUSAN SCRUGGS   June 18th, 2008 3:17 pm ET

I JUST CAN'T BEL THAT SOMEBODY CAN LEAVE THEIR LOVED ONES LIKE HE DID AND FLY OFF TO ENGLAND. THAT IS JUST BEYOND ME.

Cheri   June 18th, 2008 3:39 pm ET

There have been several postings as to the lack of evidence in this case. Quite frankly, the DNA evidence all but speaks for itself as well as Mr. Entwistle's inconsistant stories. I would think that if I was to walk into my bedroom and find my husband and daughter brutally murdered, providing I didn't do it, my first order of business would be to call 911. Who stands around and thinks about guilt? Unless of course, they are guilty.

Rosey   June 18th, 2008 3:59 pm ET

No matter how the defense tries to discredit the police, they will never get passed the fact that he ran, didn't even call the police when he found them dead. He's a 27 yr old man, give me a break....needed to run home to mom and dad without doing the appropriate thing. Also the fact that he has told several different stories doesn't cry "innocent" to me.

Stacey C   June 18th, 2008 4:59 pm ET

People decide to kill their spouses these days instead of the easy way out which is DIVORCE.
And how anyone can shoot an innocent baby is disgusting, but then again only in AMERICA !! and I am sure somehow he will get off like everyone else does.

Theresa   June 18th, 2008 6:10 pm ET

No evidence!!! How about two bodies and a missing "loving" husband/father? Sounds like "evidence" to me....

kathy   June 18th, 2008 6:22 pm ET

i can't help but notice the simelarity of this case to the scott peterson case both of them looking for outside partners, searching the internet for stuff, killing wife and babies,, trying to flee, acting like lifes grand afterward, and even there parents look somewhat similar,,, SCARY

Louisa   June 18th, 2008 10:55 pm ET

He is so guilty. All of his actions are NOT that of an innocent man. He deserves the death penalty, which he will not get.

keith snyder   June 19th, 2008 9:21 am ET

The investigator was incorrect with regard to access to Outlook. One can have your password stored so that all one,any one,needs to do is click on the Outlook icon and the mail will be viewed. It is not necessary to enter the password each time the e-mail is utilized

Denice   June 19th, 2008 2:45 pm ET

Dr. William Zane seems very comfortable when testifying for the prosecutor but he hestitates many times and doesn't answer questions when crossed by the defense. Seems to be a medical examiner for hire. I don't like this testimony at all. The defense is doing a great job here.

Sheila Beers   June 20th, 2008 8:19 pm ET

Benjamin Prior and Dashiel Munding gave excellent testimony about Entwistle's actions and their past friendship with Mr. and Mrs. Entwistle, but it would be helpful to know more about their background and character.

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