|
November 15, 2002
News Specialist Jed Boal reporting
Prosecutors say James Bottarini shoved his wife off a trail
five years ago in Zion National Park for investment and insurance
money.
Jurors rarely get to see the scene of the alleged crime. But
today they did.
Twelve jurors and two alternates hiked the Observation Point
Trail 2,000 feet up over three miles.
That's where James Bottarini allegedly pushed his wife off
a 500-foot cliff to pocket more than $1 million.
Members of the media were allowed to hike up ahead of the
jury.
James Bottarini hiked the steep canyon trail, as did the attorneys
and the judge.
Bottarini got another look at the ledge where his wife Patricia
plunged more than 500 feet to her death in May 1997.
According to testimony, the Bottarinis stopped to rest at
this spot and started to descend.
More blood was found eight feet down, but an expert on blood
patterns has testified the splatter was more consistent with
a bleeding person who was pushed or vaulted than a person
who fell.
A person could certainly fall to her death at that location,
but in 60 years, no one has accidentally died hiking on this
trail.
The jurors now have a clearer picture of the scene. Bottarini
is expected to take the stand next week.
|
