Defiel Acquitted of First Degree Murder

On September 20, 2016, Mr. Defiel was indicted by a grand jury for 1st Degree Murder of his father. On February 23, 2017, after a 7-day trial and more than six hours of deliberation, the 12-person jury found Mr. Defiel not guilty of Murder in the 1st Degree.

After the acquittal of the 1st Degree Murder charge, a second phase of the trial commenced on whether Mr. Defiel was not guilty of 2nd Degree Murder by reason of mental illness or deficiency. On March 1, 2017, after more than six hours of deliberation, the same jury acquitted Mr. Defiel of the 2nd Degree Murder charge as well.

“This was one of the most difficult cases I have ever had to litigate. There were over 2,800 pages of evidence in this case, five experts, and dozens of witnesses. I cannot thank Ms. Burghart, Ms. Wolfe, and Ms. Sterzinger enough for all of their hard work and dedication. I could not have done it without them.”