A murder trial that has spanned 3 weeks, and has seen 27 witnesses come forward, is nearing its culmination, with jury deliberations in the trial of 28-year-old Chad Alphonse are underway.
After hearing closing arguments from the crown and defence on Wednesday, as well as instructions from the judge on Thursday morning, the 12-person jury left the courtroom at around 11:20 AM on Thursday to begin deliberations.
This will determine whether or not Alphonse is guilty in the March 11th, 2016 stabbing death of 26-year-old Waylon Jackson.
During closing arguments earlier this week, the defence argued that Alphonse used self-defence in an altercation with Jackson during a party at a Rutland home on the evening of March 11th, 2016.
The crown, however, insisted that Alphonse stabbed Jackson out of anger after losing that same fight, and had the option of simply leaving the party and going home instead of going after Jackson with a switchblade.
As of Thursday afternoon, jury deliberations are still going on.