Opinion ID: 4198315
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Guilt Phase Trial

Text: On April 28, 1982, Petrocelli was indicted on one count of robbery with a deadly weapon and one count of firstdegree murder. The guilt phase of the trial began on July 27, 1982, and ran through August 5, 1982. At trial, the State contended in support of the robbery count that Petrocelli went on the test drive with Wilson in order to steal the truck, that he used his gun to try to force Wilson out of the truck, and that he shot Wilson when Wilson would not cooperate. To bolster its theory, the State called Melvin Powell, an Oklahoma car salesman, to testify that Petrocelli had stolen a car in a similar manner (though without injuring Powell) during a test drive in February 1982. The defense contended, based on Petrocelli’s testimony at trial, that Petrocelli had been a bona fide prospective purchaser with no intent to steal, and that Wilson was accidentally shot in the midst of a heated argument and struggle that resulted from haggling over the price of the 10 PETROCELLI V. BAKER truck. To impeach Petrocelli’s testimony, the State introduced portions of the statements that Petrocelli had made on April 20 and 27. To undermine Petrocelli’s contention that the Wilson shooting was unintentional, the State impeached Petrocelli with his statement on April 20 that his earlier shooting of his girlfriend, Melanie Barker, was an “accident.” The prosecutor also impeached Petrocelli by confronting him with other inconsistencies between his trial testimony and his statements to the detectives. The jury found Petrocelli guilty of both charges.