Jury begins weighing Entwistle's fate

My first impression was that the mother killed herself and her baby.................and still think thats what happened.

Was his motive only that he wanted to cut his ties to his family here in America and return to England to his family there? Did not want to pay child support and did not want an ex-wife. I am sure Rachel Entwistle would have rather have her life and baby and cut her ties with him, had she known the real Neil Entwistle.

Defense closing very convincing...............................guilty as charged

So far Lisa bloom and Ashleigh Banfield,and myself are on the same page if you both read all my comments,the verdict should be handed down by end of day today or tomorrow,charge murder 1st degree with malice,life no parole,the state did a heck of a great job putting forth their case,again lisa and ashleigh you and i on same page,defense had no chance in this case

I been watching open court and best defense on tru,tv since day 1 of trial,plus on computer through cnn.com live that i got 100% of case cnn.com was my major watchings tru,tv was to defense oriented for my taste

Plus beth karas has done a great-great job on reporting true facts when she on

you should have my email,i leave 1 town away from where it happen in ashland ma.,the prosecuter fabbri lives in the same town we know each other for over 5 years

When I heard the defense yesterday, I thought I missed something??? It doesn't add up.
Ann
Woodstock, Ga

No I do not believe that Rachel killed her baby and herself. I believe it was more like Neil killed her and he didn't have the guts to kill the baby so he put the gun in her hand and he assisted her in killing the baby. Thats how the residue got on her hand. Anybody agree??

The defense said the best girlfriend of Rachel probably new something and that is why she was worried to the point of keeping vigil outside the home all night. Why didn't the defense put her on the stand if she knew something?

Also did any of the Entwistle family come to MA for the funeral?

I'm sorry but I feel like the Defence is reaching for a movitate, I being a mother could not even fathom pointing a gun at my child let alone killing my child, think about what it would take to pull the tigger to kill your own baby do you not think this mother would have not shown some kind of signs of depression or emotional or mental problem.
I believe the the theory the police came up with, he was destaught all right not because he found his wife and daughter dead, it was because he killed them, then didn't have the nerve to kill himself.

the reason the defense did not put on a defense argument is because they did not have one. Entwhistle shot and killed his wife and child and then ran.

It really is ashame that this Defendant would be so cowardly to say that his wife would murder their daughter and then herself, when we all know that he is guilty of commiting this sensless crime!!!!

This guy is basically Scott Peterson only dumber.

Regarding the defense's explaination that Rachel comitted suicide and killed her baby: the defense HAS to come up with SOME explanation. The fact that their story is so ridiculous is a reflection on the prosecution's powerful case. The defense is grasping at straws because it is all they have.

There is no way a woman going to shoot her self to in the head to commit suicide I'm not a lawyer or a head doctor but threr one thing as woman I know that is Mrs.Entwistle is not going to shoot her baby than shoot her self in the head. If you look back at some of the crime that been commited you will not see that a woman shot her self in the head just to commited a suicide. Where's the letter to mother and father or family or even to her husband. So the defense is tring to get him off with that"she commited suicide.

It pains me to admit this, but if I were sitting on the jury at this point, I don't know that I could produce a 'Guilty' verdict. I believe without even calling a single witness, the Defense has put enough reasonable doubt out there. I cannot fathom why this would have been a murder-suicide by Rachel Entwistle, but I think the police overlooked that possibility right from the beginning, therefore limiting their sights on one person. Why a husband would act the way he did if in fact he was not responsible for the murders is I think beyond what any rational person can comprehend. But until put in that situation, I don't think anyone can speculate on how they would react. I don't know that I believe he is innocent, but at this point, I don't know that he can be found guilty based on the evidence presented.

If I was a member of this jury, I would be seriously offended by this defense team suggesting that I am not intelligent enough to see through "suicide" defense. They offered no reasonable explanation as to how they arrived at this conclusion or why the authorities should have even investigated the idea of suicide. It boils down to, there is no defense for Entwistle.

This guy sickens me

This has got to be the most rediculously stupid and unbelieveable defense ever.

Neil's story has more holes than swiss cheese...but the one thing that really puzzles me is... what happened to the $7 and change lattes that he purchased for he and his wife...did he leave them by the computer or take them into the bedroom? Enquiring minds want to know...you don't leave your loveones dead and go to England

Entwistle= guilty
Defense= no witnesses=guilty
no 911=1 way ticket to London = guilty

I know there are much more important things, but I'm concerned as to what happened to the Basset Hound Sally. He left her in the cage to starve. I understand that it was Rachel's beloved dog.

I laughed out loud at Elliott Weinstein's "theory." What a jerk. What a way NOT to disparage your "beloved" wife's memory.

I would love to be a fly on the wall in the jury room right now! It is going to be so interesting to hear what they thought about that idiotic version the defense came up with to explain away Rachel and Lilly's murders.

I don't know how some defense attorneys sleep at night. I guess all that money keeps them warm.

The Entwistles must be paying the attorney a fortune to float the murder-suicide theory! They should have plea bargained and saved the taxpayers money. His defense theory is despicable and a tremendous offense to Rachel and Lillian's family and friends.

I believe there is a reasonable doubt...

morning from florida. guilty before 3 pm eastern time PLEASE. Elliot had nothing to work with of course, but Neil okayed the suicide 'theory' so blame goes to him. Defense did a great job, prosecution not so great. Closing was boring, could have been much, much more dynamic. However, no doubt in this mind that Neil is 100% guilty. Bring it on.. (Go Ashleigh..) Dan in Naples

It seems odd that if Neil was so consumed about "honoring" Rachael that he wouldn't call 911 because he had to hide the gun, that he would destroy her honor by labeling her a "baby killer" now in front of the world!

If he killed his wife,why is there gunshot residue on both hands and why is there evidence that the baby died first? What did she do just lay there while he shot the baby and then said"please dear put one in my head"? Something doesn't add up. So there is rasonable doubt. The police messed up the investigation by not even looking at the possibilty that she did it.

I'M INNOCENT! – This is what he is saying; and that he never touched the bodys'. If this is true, then when he was interviewed by the police he mentioned the fact that when he was standing there looking at the bodies he saw that both his wife and the baby were shot. How could he have known this unless he did the shooting! Even the police when they came in didn't know the baby was shot until the mothers arm was removed from the baby! Besides what loving father would not check to see if his wife and baby were still alive in case they needed an ambulance or CPR or what ever! He's so full of it his eyes are turning brown.

i think the md what testified on this case has not looked at all the facts and brushed them under the table it makes you wonder how many cases he has given his oppinion on he as not had all the facts ive been watchin this case and i thought he was guilty but after watching the doctor im in 2 minds now

Only thing I have to say is I hope he rots!!!

The defense went too far saying that Rachel killed the baby & then herself. Neil Entwistle said he couldn't get into the in-laws house because he didn't have the key. So exactly how did the gun get back into the locked box? How dare the defense say that Rachel committed murder & suicide without any evidence to substantiate such an outrageous accusation. I am so angry at such a defense against the victim. I hope the jury sees it as it is – when you have no defense blame the victim.

I PREDICT JURY WILL GIVE GUILTY VERDICT \CHARGES:MURDER 1ST DEGREE WITH MALICE,SENTENCE TO LIFE IN PRISION NO PAROLE,SHOULD GET THAT VERDICT BY END OF DAY THURSDAY OR FRIDAY\DEFENSE WILL APPEAL,BUT WILL LOSE APPEAL

What a pittiful thing to do to turn to a suicide theory. Niel doesn,t even look remorseful.

If and when Neil Entwisle is found guilty in the first degree for the murders of his wife and baby daughter, I feel that he should spend his time back in his homeland, England, thus, not spending anymore of the massachusetts tax monies.Otherwise I would hate to see what might happen in our prision. Do they still run the old dungeons and prison at The Tower of London? Talley HO if they do. Stiff upper lip ole'man!

I believe that we have heard it all now! If Entwistle was so careful to cover up a "murder/suicide" committed by his wife, then why is he allowing his defense team to blurt it out now for the whole world to hear. The defense obviously had nothing else to hang their hat on, so go ahead....blame the victim(s). That is not going to work in this case!! I hope the jury is as offended as I am by this ridiculous theory and finds him guilty as charged.

Weinstein looked as though he wasn't convinced of his own theory. I think this should be a quick verdict....it's so obvious that he did the deed and now he needs to face his actions.

I think that an attorney should not be permit to tell lies in front of the juries. I know that he has to defend his client but LIE?????
too much is too much!!!

I think the defense should be disbarred to even bring this up! Why would he wait 2 1/2 years then just tell this to save his life!! I do not think enyone in the jury would een consider this if they had an IQ of 0. Neil's actions speak for themselves and its all self serving.

Cannot understand the jury taking so long. The defense did the best they could, but the certain facts are:

dead family found by defendant
no emergency 911 call by defenant who found family
no gun present for murder/suicide theory
murder weapon found miles away in a family home
no evidence of forced entry or robbery
defendant's flight to England without contacting anyone
defendant absent from family's funeral

This piece of work needs a little time under the care of someone alright..someone being the State Corrections people on the East Coast..maybe a lifetime without parole will give him some time to consider how many lives he has shattered besides that of his immediate family..I have no sympathy for sociopathes like this character..being a father of a 20 month old little boy the thought of killing him and my wife for financial gain repulses me to my core. Good riddance to this waste of skin

The defense trying to present a 'suicide' explanation, is absolutely ridiculous. I almost have to wonder how the defense attorney can think that would have been the best way to go. If anything, that defense will have a negative effect on the jury – more so then the basic evidence of the prosecution's case.

Awful, awful, defense case presented by the defense attorney.

I hope this guy gets what he he deserves. First he kills his wife and baby but then as a final insult to not only her parents but Rachel and Lilly's memory they paint her as the guilty one. The actions of a loving husband would be to call 911 and do everything you can to make sure they get to a hospital, not cover up their bodies with a pillow and blanket and leave the country.

After hearing the defense "theory" I think they would have been better
off accusing the Entwistle's Bassett Hound !

Wow! That defense is a real, "shot in the dark" isn't it?

How dare the defense in the Neil Entwistle trial say that the breast is fatty tissue and the pain receptors are nill. When did he go to medical school? The truth is there is some fatty tissue but there is also muscle tissue . Only a man would make sush a preposterous statement. Ask any woman and she will tell you it hurts like the dicken when you get struck in the breast.

If this guy goes free, it won't be long and another jury will be facing the same task. I feel really sorry for his next family, their fate will be sealed too.

Is he FOR REAL??? a murder suicide?? His lawyer must be the Biggest Idiot on the planet if he thinks for one minute anyone would believe that pile of crap he's trying to hand out.

For a man who is innocent, his behavior contradicts what most people would do in that situation. Makes him look guilty.

Neil Entwistle Was Protecting Rachel's Memory!

According to the defense, it never crossed Neil's mind that anyone would ever get the crazy idea that Neil had shot anybody. No, not at all!

But he was certainly very much afraid that the police would soon realize that Rachel had committed suicide after murdering her own baby – and his only concern was "to protect Rachel's memory – to protect Rachel's honor," in Weinstein's words.

In fact, Weinstein informed the jury that "everything that Neil did, after finding Rachel and Lillian in that bed, he did because he loved them."

When Neil boarded the flight back to England without telling anyone what had happened to Rachel and Lillian, he had good reason to expect that their bodies would decompose for several days before anyone would find them.

But in fact, he was actually protecting their memory, by concealing from the world the terrible truth of Rachel's shameful deed! O noble Neil! A more loving husband has never lived!

During Weinstein's whole argument, I kept waiting for him to explain just how and when Rachel ever had the opportunity to get the revolver from the Matarazzo house and learn how to use it. Amazingly, he simply forgot to address this question in the slightest degree! Well, I guess sometimes it can be hard for a lawyer to remember every little thing he wants to say.

After all the physical, forensic, non-emotional, scientific evidence that has been presented, which the defense could not explain away with fairy tale theories; HOW can there be ANY doubt left in ANY reasonable & intelligent person's mind (including other viewers–how is it logically possible to have 11% who believe the Defense's closing was anything other than a desperate fairy tale?!)? The Defense's closing fairy tale simply DOES NOT MATCH the (unbiased) evidence!

What is taking the jury more than an hour to find a decision of guilty?!

Are they just getting a day's worth of free meals out of it, or are they TRYING to make it SEEM like they spent some magical amount of time that will relieve them of reproach or appeal?!

Would PAID; aka professional; jurors make a difference – especially in these type of cases?

i wonder if anyone can tell me if the steering wheel on the bmw was tested for gun shot residue, this is in regard to the enthistle case

It's a shame they can not kill him the same way his wife and daughter were killed.

Did Neil really have notes about selling his story? Was it looked into to try and see if he in fact did?

Entwistle Case – To me, it seems as though the gun shot residue might have gotten on his wife's hands by trying to defend herself from him. If she saw that he had a gun, her first reaction would be to grab his hands and try to keep him from shooting. The gun probably went off and that would explain the residue on both her hands, inside and out.

I hope this jury uses their common sense unlike the Spector juror's in California. Neil's atty's saw that BS fly when that jury came back hung and it's the only thing they had to hang their hats on.

Neil reminds me of Scott Peterson & that Longfellow guy who killed his wife and 2 children stuffing them inside suitcase's & put in the water, in that he presented a facade of sucess in his business and family life but when the jig is up and the bill's are coming due these men find it much easier to execute their family's that to be seen for what they are.

A failure.

What is taking these people so long?? Take 1 hour away for lunch, approx. 30 min. for breaks and they have been deliberating for 4 hours! There is nothing to consider because the defense presented nothing that leaves cause for doubt-the closing by the attorney is not EVIDENCE–it is his opinion.

I remember when this first happened. What a sad story. Lillian Rose was just beautiful as was her mother. Why can't people just leave or get a divorce? Why do people have to kill?

I think Mr. Entwistle is guilty but they thr jury will have to decide that . I can not understand how you can cover up your wife and child and then fly to England to be with your family and not be there for the funeral . Mr. Entwistle was very sloppy or he sly like a fox , either way I feel he should not see the light of day again and be made to see the pictures of the crime scene day after day for the rest of his life on this earth.

I can't believe that this guy thinks he stands any chance of being found not guilty. Why on earth did he not agree to a plea bargain?

fingers crossed for rachel and lilly and all those who miss them every day.

GUILTY GUILTY GUILTY. NOT EVEN ONE WITNESS FROM THE DEFENSE. DOESN'T THAT TELL IT ALL????

WAS HE CRYING OR LAUGHING??? LAUGHING OF COURSE. WHY U ASK? WHEN U LAUGH U COVER YOUR MOUTH – WHEN U CRY U COVER YOUR EYES. AND FURTHERMORE HIS MOTHER WAS SITTING RIGHT NEXT TO HIM – IF HE WAS CRYING WOULDN'T SHE HAVE TRIED TO CONSOUL HIME BY TOUCHING HIM, HOLDING HIS HAND OR SOME FORM OF AFFECTION. BUT DOING NOTHING IF HE WAS LAUGHING.

U BE THE JUDGE ON THE ABOVE.

guilty!

Yes, I to think everyone deserves a FAIR and UNBIASED trial, I don't understand why when all else fails the defense goes on the attack of the victims!!! Why? Is the defense doing this, not to just the distaste of their client, but to the common sense of any fair and true jury!!! Rhonda, IN.

Stupid...

What a slimeball........Not a man, I can't believe his defense attorney would try such a tactic. Shame on both of them.

Judy Statz

I understand that this is America...and we have the right to a competent defense...But, REAAAAAlllllyyyy. She shot the baby and then placed the baby on her chest and shot herself and then covered herself in a blanket? wow. that is one motivated dead woman. String this coward up.

I have been watching the Entwhistle trial and now the jury has been deliberating for over 5 hours the last time I heard. I cann't believe it has been this long, anyone with just a little sense would come back with a guilty verdict. People need use common sense and look at this case logically. He is guilty as sin and any man that comes home and finds their family shot calls the police. But maybe the Brits have a different way of dealing with this stuff. They should of given Neil some sort of mental test because just to look at him he looks crazy.

how could one commit suicide and shoot her baby and shot her in the chest then in the head? hello that sound really stupid to me heres how it went he come home snapped decided her was going to do a murder suicide when it came to him taking his own life he couldn't do it then flead thinking he wouldn't get caught he was too shellfish to kill him self and how dare he say she killed her self come on wake up hes trying to be the new OJ simpson we all know he did it so he thinks he can get away with murder!

NEAL SAID HE CAME HOME CALLED OUT TO HIS WIFE SHE DID NOT ANSWER, THE TV. WAS ON AND A RADIO UPSTAIRS HOW WAS SHE SUPPOSED TO HEAR HIM. ANOTHER THING HE WENT TO STAPLES THE CLERK ASKED HIM IF HE NEEDED HELP HE SAID NO HE LEFT THERE AND WENT TO WALMART TO BUY THE SAME THING HE WAS LOOKING FOR AT STAPLES WHY DID HE NOT LET THE CLERK HELP HIM AT STAPLES. MY GUESS HE WAS NOT THERE LOVE YOU SHOW I NEVER MISS A TRIAL

I hope he gets life without parole and is placed in general population. They should tatoo "Baby Killer" to his forehead!

It was really apparent that Neil's defense lawyer was lacking an ability to present a defense instead he decided all he could do was attempt to put a doubt into the jury's mind. There was nothing else that he could do. That is the way I saw it and I am sure that is the way the jury saw it. He was just doing his job as a defense attorney, because there really is no defense for Neil. I think what bothers me the most in this type of case is that the defense attorney will go out of their way to put the victom on trial. Your show "Best Defense" is one of the ones that I turn off because that is exactly what you do.

Neil is guiltier than sin. This is a no brainer. His lawyer's are delusional if they think Lillian shot her baby, and then herself. If this were the case, then how is it that she had her arm around her baby hiding the bullet wound, and then where is the gun? Wouldn't her prints and gunshot residue be on her hands? Oh.... the murder weapon was located at her parents house..... hmmmm.... how do you explain this? She shot her baby, then herself, then ran over to her parent's house, placed the gun back in the case, and then came back o die in the bed? And what makes this theory even more insulting was that Neil's DNA was found on the barrel of the gun. How could Lillian even do this? And what would be her motive to kill her loving baby, and then herself? How could this be a suicide? Give me a break! I would be surprised is the jury takes more than five minutes on this one. This is a unaminous decision. Throw the despicable guy in jail, and give him the death penalty. This is one of the most heinous crimes ever committed in Massachusetts, and therefore it should deserve the worst punishment allowable by law. If not, then what crime could ever top this? Exactly. None can. Death is the clear choice. End of story. Throw him in prison, and then throw away the key. The jury is only taking a little longer because they don't want to make it look like they didn't talk and deliberate about it. But in my eyes, there is nothing to talk about. See ya, Neil. You're a disgusting individual. Lillian and the little baby didn't deserve their life to be cut so short. This is such a tragedy. Hopefully the correct verdict will come out and justice will be served. Our thoughts and prayers go out to her family, friends, and loved ones.

Why would Rachel kill her own baby and herself if she loved them so much? If you ask me, she didn't have the same problems as Neil did. If you ask me, Neil must be guilty and I choose to believe the prosecutors!

I was hoping for maybe a 3 hour verdict decission but that's come and gone. I bet the jurors are arguing over who gets to pull the switch
on this selfish egomaniac! Someone needs to tell them there
is no death sentence in Mass. But it's too bad, anyone who can take a precious life as that baby and her mom deserves it.
On the otherhand... I hear that the inmates really hate baby killers.
I bet they'll take real good care of Neil for us.

Ashleigh, If Rachel Entwistle killed baby Lilly and then shot herself as defense contends, why the hell didn't Neil after discovering his wife and daughter dead from suicide in their master bedroom pick up the gun and "FINISH" the job by blowing his brains out ? I may be missing something wasn't it his intent to do himself in because he was so distraught over the death/suicide of his loved ones. The objective of his drive to Carver was to gain entrance to Rachel's parents house to do just that get the gun and kill himself. Where is the gun if it was a suicide ? I don't get it ,did the mysterious disappeaing gun run out of ammo? Perhaps Houdini has been re-incarnated. I truly am amazed it has taken 6 hours of jury deliberation and they haven't found this whacko guilty.

No Motive?? give me a break...he wanted to "hook up" with singles ...no job...a family to support ...this guy wanted to start over ..new life ... no baggage...sounds like motive to me...GUILTY

Has anyone asked the question if Rachel killed her child and then killed herself, how did the gun get back into the gun case at her parents home?

After shooting yourself A) in the chest through your baby you can then steady with two hands a long nosed gun and shoot yourself? or B) after shooting yourself in the head, then shoot the baby who is crying. Yep, either of those would definitely pose a real threat to beyond a doubt...beyond a doubt of doable! This is a tragic, tragic case of another social misfit who deserves jail. To kill his own daughter, I constantly ask myself in these cases...ummm are you just too cheap to get an attorney, because divorce is EASY!!!

Another thing, I think that the gun residue on Rachel's hands came from Entwistle messing with the bodies to make it look more like a suicide after they had been shot ...when he messed that up, he tucked her hands under the pillow and covered them up. Ugh! I think he deserves a fair trial, and pray he gets one, for everyone's sake.

Ashleugh Banfield started from the beginning of the Entwistle trial saying he was guilty. Please ask her where her presumtion of innocence is. Just present the facts and let the jury do their job. CNN is lhaving a real difficult time lately just presenting facts in most everything. Where did Ashleigh Banfield get her law degree, and where has she practiced law? She sounds like she thinks she is #1 lawyer.

Oh how I miss Court tv when it use to be on until 5pm....Now no matter how exciting the trial is at 3pm it's gone ...just like today here I sit on pins and needles waiting for the verdict of the Entwistle trial that's just minutes away and poof it's over at 3pm...So I try to go to the computer to see it but by the time I get into the computer ,not knowing where i was to go and not getting sound very clear after I did find it..and of course no where as good as watching it on a large screen tv...It's just not good .
Thank u
Barbara Thompson

what evidence supports premeditation in the entwistle case?

you are right about every one deserves to have the best defense but the defense attoney lied about only way to get gun shot residue is to have handled gun and you NEVER corrected him NOT fair