Suicide note revealed at murder trial

Knoxville, TN–The trial of accused murderer Eric McLean continued into its second day Saturday in Knox County Criminal Court. McLean is charged with the first-degree murder of Sean Powell, a former student and lover of McLean’s wife, Erin. He has pleaded not guilty.

One day after jurors got a glimpse into Erin McLean’s personality through audio recordings the day Powell was killed, jurors were given a similar chance to gain insight into Eric McLean’s state of mind through both his writings before he shot Powell, and video taken the day he was arrested.

McLean’s writings point to a lost and confused individual. In a tear-stained, four-page suicide letter addressed to Erin, McLean says “I need you, but you aren’t here for me anymore. You don’t want me at all. I never thought I would actually kill myself, though I’ve wanted to many times. Now I have to. I have nothing left to look forward to.” McLean also tells his wife that his “biggest regret is not showing you how much I care about you every day. You are my soul mate!”

A single-page letter to Sean Powell reads “You have had my wife for several months; now it is clear to me that I’ve lost my family. I hope you’re satisfied with Erin, Eric, and Ian.” McLean ends it “I’m sure Erin will make a fine mother/bride,” and is signed “kiss my ass for eternity, Eric McLean.”

Excerpts from his journal which he professes his unconditional love for Erin, his bewilderment as to why she doesn’t talk to him the way she talks to Powell, and his own desire to get his life organized once again.

McLean appears to be distraught and compliant as he sits in the back of a police car after his arrest.

The jurors also saw graphic video of Powell’s lifeless body covered with blood as it sat in his car. Blood spatter and possibly brain matter also covered the windshield, the center console, the passenger seat, and part of the inside of the sunroof.

–In Session staff