Closing arguments have ended in the murder trial of the Tampa man accused of throwing a baby out of a moving car.
Richard McTear Jr., 26, is accused of causing the death of his ex-girlfriend's baby boy by throwing him out of his car window on Interstate 275 in May 2009. He is charged with first-degree murder, aggravated child abuse and other offenses in the death of 3-month-old Emanuel Murray.
The final arguments started just after 9 a.m. and wrapped up around lunchtime. Judge William Fuente said he will give jury instructions Thursday morning and deliberations will follow.
Assistant State Attorney told jurors evidence presented by prosecutors has "proven beyond every reasonable doubt that Richard McTear is guilty as charged."
Defense attorneys pointed to reasonable doubt. "The question is not 'do you think he did it?'" attorney Micheal Peacock said. "The question is, did the state of Florida prove that he did it?"
On Tuesday, the defendant’s father took the stand. Richard McTear Sr. told the jury his son never wanted to hurt baby Emanuel. Instead, he pointed at the baby's mother, Jasmine Bedwell. McTear Sr. said he saw text messages between his son and Bedwell that worried him.
Peacock argued there's no solid evidence linking McTear to the crime.
"Is it sad there's a dead baby? Yes. What’s more sad is that we don’t know how it happened," he said.
McTear could face the death penalty if convicted.