Opinion ID: 771185
Heading Depth: 6
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Third Party Testimony

Text: 38 Whelchel argues that the testimony of his alleged confessions to third parties was also not overwhelmingly powerful. The prosecution presented seven different witnesses to whom Whelchel allegedly admitted committing the murder or said that he planned to do so. Turina Liebrecht testified that Whelchel said, We killed [Margo]. Audrey McClelland also testified that Whelchel told her that we killed  Margo. Whelchel contends that these statements are consistent with his story that he was involved in the conspiracy to cover up the murder after the fact. 39 Likewise, Whelchel argues that Tracy Weaver's testimony only implicated Whelchel in the conspiracy. Weaver testified that Whelchel had come and said [that] him and his friends killed Jerry's [McKee's] wife [Margo].  Mary Mosley's testimony was to the same effect. Mosley testified that she heard Whelchel, referring to Margo, say, We're going to kill her. 40 Steve Kirkendoll testified that Whelchel told him,Margo was going to be killed, and, he [Whelchel ] wanted her killed. On cross examination, Kirkendoll stated that Whelchel never told him that he was going to kill Margo himself. Kirkendoll also testified that he had previously been injured by Whelchel; Kirkendoll characterized it as a sucker punch to the head, which led to a three-day hospital stay. Obviously, Kirkendoll could have been viewed by the jury as having grounds for a grudge against Whelchel. 41 Two people testified that Whelchel actually said he committed a murder. Douglas Crozier testified that Whelchel said he had killed someone, though Margo's name was not mentioned. According to Crozier, Whelchel told him he had killed somebody and that he would do it again if a friend asked [him] . . . . On cross-examination, Crozier admitted to animosity towards Whelchel. David Joy, a former cell mate of both Whelchel and McKee, testified that Whelchel told him that he killed Margo. This testimony was substantially the same as Joy's testimony earlier at McKee's trial. On cross examination, Joy said that he had testified at McKee's trial at McKee's request after meeting McKee while incarcerated. 42