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After hearing the final instructions from Judge Rex Reed in Kosciusko Circuit Court today morning, members of the jury heard final arguments from the prosecution and defense in the Jason Ryan murder trial.
Ryan is accused of murdering Phillips in April 2001 and dumping her body in Turkey Creek near Syracuse.
Prosecutor Steve Hearn reconstructed testimony from witnesses in the trial, building the story of Jill Phillips' murder.
Hearn reminded the jury of the violent episode between Phillips and Jason Ryan that Rachel Ryan relayed to the court and a later telephone call between Rachel and Jason Ryan where he suggested that perhaps Phillips' boyfriend "offed her, put her in the trunk and dumped her in the river."
Hearn also pointed out discrepancies in Jason Ryan's stories about his whereabouts the night of the murder as well as "lies" Ryan told about other aspects of the case.
"We make difficult decisions in our daily life," said Hearn. He told the jury that "no one other that Jason Ryan" could have killed Phillips. "He had the inclination to kill Jill Phillips. He had the motive. ... He had the opportunity. ... On April 1, Jason Ryan went to Syracuse and killed Jill Phillips."
After Hearn spoke, defense attorney Mike Miner addressed the members of the jury.
"The defendant is cloaked with a coat of innocence," said Miner. Then he reminded the jury that since the case was based on circumstantial evidence, it must be convinced of the evidence.
"There are lots of other possibilities out there," said Miner. He also said that the possibility of accidental death or accidental drowning should not be considered speculation.
Miner questioned the feasibility of human memory, especially after a long period of time.
The validity of the polygraph and the type of polygraph test used also was called into question by the defense.
"Why would he (Jason Ryan) do this?" said Miner. "What is his motive?"
Then Miner reminded the jury that to make a decision, jurors must be so convinced that no other reasonable thing is feasible.
Hearn addressed the jury in his closing argument, saying, "What theory of his innocence is there?"
"I pray that you remember Jill Phillips as a mother ... and as a human being with as much right to live as anybody else."
Hearn reminded the jury that Phillips' partially naked body was dumped in the river and left to be exposed to nature for months before she was found. He reminded the jury of the lies Ryan told to his (ex-)wife Pam Pierpont and police.
Hearn finished by telling the jury that Ryan's guilty conscience overcame him four times: in the conversation with Rachel Ryan by saying that Phillips' boyfriend "offed her," when drinking with Adam Chrzan, in a telephone call to his ex-wife from the hospital after his suicide attempt and in another telephone conversation with his ex-wife when Ryan said he would not go fishing anymore because of the murder.
The case was turned over to the jury for deliberation just after 10 a.m. A verdict is expected sometime today.
