Polk triple murder trial warping up

Today in Polk County, a triple murder trial is expected to wrap up. T.J. Wiggins is accused of killing three co-workers in Frostproof in 2020, and our Heather Haley is live on this. And Heather, we know the families of these victims have been waiting a long time for justice here, right? That's very true, Russell. Good morning to you. It is a long time coming, DNA on shell casing, surveillance timelines, and a car wash visit. Those are all the center of this Frostproof triple murder trial. Prosecutors have spent two weeks piecing together a timeline that they say proves Tony Lee or T.J. Wiggins Jr. that he executed three friends on Lake Street Road in July of 2020. Now, the state says Wiggins spotted Damian Tillman at a Dollar General, then followed him to meet Brandon Rollins and Kevin Springfield for night fishing. And prosecutors contend Wiggins punched Springfield over a truck engine dispute before opening fire about 10 or 11 times, and the medical examiner testified at least one victim was beaten with the butt of a gun. The state's case rests on DNA found on nine millimeter shell casings matching those outside of Wiggins' home, plus blood on a seatbelt. Surveillance tracked Wiggins' white pickup to a McDonald's drive-thru just 13 minutes later, followed by footage of the truck being washed the next morning. Jurors also heard a jailhouse call where Wiggins bragged to investigators that there were no fingerprints linking him to the crime. The defense pushed for an acquittal, arguing premeditation was never proven, but the judge denied that motion, and Wiggins chose not to testify in his own defense. So the defense, rather, maintains that the state never proved Wiggins actually pulled the trigger. In closing arguments, they're going to begin this morning, and Russell, we're going to keep a very close eye on this as this is happening, so we'll definitely keep you updated as this proceeds. All right, Elliott, thank you.