Dale Hausner
Live from the courtroom: I am in the courtroom of the Dale Hausner trial again this afternoon, watching as prosecutors wind down their case against the Mesa man accused of leading the Serial Shooter killing spree. There have been no fireworks as the loose ends of the case continue to get tied up. The dramatic testimony is essentially over.
The numbers so far have been staggering. The trial began with jury selection about four and a half months ago. Today is the 57th day of testimony, with tomorrow, day No. 58, is expected to be the last one for prosecutors. Hundreds of people have sat in the witness chair. The case’s lead investigator, Phoenix police Detective Clark Schwartzkopf, himself has taken the stand nearly 30 times.
And there will be no time to breathe once prosecutors rest their case. Hausner’s attorneys have been given notice by Judge Roland Steinle that they should be ready to begin their defense almost immediately afterward. That defense will likely be vigorous, with attorneys Ken Everett and Timothy Agan showing the jury that Hausner had alibis on many of the occasions he’s said to have been shooting people. A parade of Hausner’s friends and family members are also on tap to vouch for the 35-year-old’s character.
This portion of the trial could itself take months.