Defense, prosecution make final cases ahead of deliberations in Stern murder trial

Jurors were sent home Friday evening after a long day in the Sarah Stern murder trial, with deliberations set to begin Monday.

News 12 Staff

Feb 23, 2019, 1:31 AM

Updated 1,879 days ago

Share:

Defense, prosecution make final cases ahead of deliberations in Stern murder trial
Jurors were sent home Friday evening after a long day in the Sarah Stern murder trial, with deliberations set to begin Monday.
Defense attorney Carlos Diaz-Cobo spoke for over two hours, making his case to the jurors inside the courtroom for why they should return with a not guilty verdict for accused killer Liam McAtasney.
Diaz-Cobo spoke spent a large portion of time trying to poke holes in witness testimony, including calling McAtasney's confession on a secretly recorded video a movie pitch.
He also spoke at length about the lack of evidence found inside Stern's home, contradicting what is heard in that secret video.
Meanwhile, Assistant Prosecutor Christopher Decker also spoke for more than two hours, meticulously showing what he calls corroboration between Preston Taylor's testimony early on in the case and McAtasney's words heard on the secret video.
Decker showed the jurors why he says McAtasney had to be the killer, despite a lack of a body -- showing Stern's tattered money and using pieces of the video to show McAtasney's words were no pitch, but a murder confession.
On Monday, Judge Richard English will charge the jury, reading and explaining each charge McAtasney faces, before jurors begin deliberations.
For his role in the alleged killing and cover-up, Taylor could spend 20 years in jail, while McAtasney faces life without parole if found guilty of first-degree murder.


More from News 12
1:56
Police: Student, 17, charged with multiple felonies for bringing unloaded gun and bullets to school

Police: Student, 17, charged with multiple felonies for bringing unloaded gun and bullets to school

2:29
Mostly sunny with highs near 70 for Tuesday; chance for rain by midweek

Mostly sunny with highs near 70 for Tuesday; chance for rain by midweek

2:23
State budget makes no change to foundation school aid; governor signals changes coming in 2026

State budget makes no change to foundation school aid; governor signals changes coming in 2026

1:43
Police: Several people hurt in Garden City bus crash

Police: Several people hurt in Garden City bus crash

1:32
Nassau Community College professors call on state to step in to help school survive

Nassau Community College professors call on state to step in to help school survive

0:58
Police: Man spray-painted antisemitic messages at homes, Jewish center in East Meadow

Police: Man spray-painted antisemitic messages at homes, Jewish center in East Meadow

1:56
State officials: More chemical drums could be buried beneath Bethpage baseball field

State officials: More chemical drums could be buried beneath Bethpage baseball field

1:33
Groundbreaking ceremony marks beginning of Jake's 58 Casino's $210M expansion project

Groundbreaking ceremony marks beginning of Jake's 58 Casino's $210M expansion project

1:32
Nassau residents deliver petition with more than 1,600 signatures against proposal to deputize residents

Nassau residents deliver petition with more than 1,600 signatures against proposal to deputize residents

Police: Driver arrested for fatal Brentwood hit-and-run

Police: Driver arrested for fatal Brentwood hit-and-run

0:26
Police: Central Islip business cited for violation after State Liquor Authority investigation

Police: Central Islip business cited for violation after State Liquor Authority investigation

1:39
Paws & Pals: Dogs up for adoption at Almost Home Animal Rescue

Paws & Pals: Dogs up for adoption at Almost Home Animal Rescue

4:39
Guide: Ways to help you identify and deal with work burnout

Guide: Ways to help you identify and deal with work burnout

1:49
Officials: Fire dispatcher's wife alerts him about blaze at their Centereach home

Officials: Fire dispatcher's wife alerts him about blaze at their Centereach home

0:32
State police: Trooper conducting traffic stop rear-ended on Meadowbrook State Parkway

State police: Trooper conducting traffic stop rear-ended on Meadowbrook State Parkway

0:52
Paws of War service dogs attend candlelight remembrance vigil in Farmingdale

Paws of War service dogs attend candlelight remembrance vigil in Farmingdale

2:04
CDC: Most women do not get a mammogram because of financial difficulties

CDC: Most women do not get a mammogram because of financial difficulties

0:38
'Pearls of Wisdom' tea event in Riverhead aims to empower young Black women

'Pearls of Wisdom' tea event in Riverhead aims to empower young Black women

0:52
Splish Splash hosts 8th annual Polar Plunge fundraiser for Special Olympics athletes

Splish Splash hosts 8th annual Polar Plunge fundraiser for Special Olympics athletes

0:24
Police: Car crashes onto guardrail, overturns on LIE in Brentwood; driver injured

Police: Car crashes onto guardrail, overturns on LIE in Brentwood; driver injured