Wendy Howard’s Trial concludes Week 3 in Bakersfield, CA as jury deliberates

Closing arguments concluded October 19th and the jury is currently deliberating. The Wendy Howard Defense Committee held a successful press conference prior to court yesterday and we filled all 15 seats the court allotted us, with advocates spilling outside the courtroom.

DA Eric Smith's closing argument included an acknowledgment of Pitts's abuse, saying “He should be in a six-foot by eight-foot cell. That's where he should be right now." (Although they failed to put him there). The DA has never denied Pitt's violence, knowing what a bad look it would be to deny the truths of the 5+ survivors who offered emotional testimony during the trial, but despite believing those survivors, refuse to believe Wendy's story of survival. With no direct evidence, the DA's argument literally hinges on a few text messages where Wendy expressed anger upon discovery of Bayley's sex abuse, and are labeling the shooting as "vigilante justice". By the end of their closing argument, however, they urged the jury to select second-degree murder or voluntary manslaughter, notably dropping first-degree from their list of charges.

In the defense's closing arguments, Wendy's attorney, Tony Lidgett, focused on the fear Wendy faced when she acted in self-defense, a fear built on past DV experiences with Kelly Pitts that included strangulation, attempted rape, and being beaten with a baseball bat while pregnant. The defense highlighted the DA's lack of evidence and stressed their inability to prove murder beyond a reasonable doubt.

Lacking content to deliberate, we expect the jury to deliver a verdict in the next couple of days and are hopeful for an acquittal.

Please visit our press coverage page and make sure to watch ABC23's video and click through The Bakersfield Californian's photos. You can also review our Twitter feed from yesterday for live updates of the closing arguments.

Wendy's attorney is requesting to be paid and we are still $8k short of the funds required for her legal fees. If you are able, please make a donation to the fundraiser below.

Thank you for your continued support of Wendy and her family! Please keep them in your thoughts and let us hope the jury does the right thing. #NotGuilty #JusticeforWendy