Fate of convicted Carnation mass murderer McEnroe now in hands of jury
SEATTLE -- The jury that convicted Joseph McEnroe of killing six members of a family in Carnation on Christmas Eve 2007 will begin deliberating Thursday whether to give him the death penalty or life in prison.
Closing arguments in the penalty phase of the trial took all day Wednesday.
The defense contends McEnroe is mentally ill and was manipulated by his girlfriend, Michele Anderson, into helping her kill her family -- dad Wayne Anderson, mom Judy Anderson, brother Scott Anderson, Scott's wife, Erica, and the couple's two young children.
With photographs, the prosecution on Wednesday reminded jurors of the gruesome crime scene McEnroe left behind.
“This doesn’t do justice to the dozen wounds in her body,” prosecutor Scott O’Toole said of victim Erica Anderson.
The state says McEnroe’s "remorse" is a lie by an evil genius who killed the Anderson family over money. The prosecution said his dramatic testimony during the trial and his constant twitching and shaking in front of the jury were an act to gain sympathy.
“You decide if this is role playing ... whether you are getting played. The defendant has repeatedly lied, he didn’t want to get caught,” O’Toole said.
In its closing arguments, the defense pleaded for mercy.
McEnroe’s rough childhood stunted his emotional development, defense attorney Bill Prestia said, and he was molded into a killer by Michele Anderson.
“She made him into the tool she needed to get the job done,” Prestia said.
But it’s a mass murder so heinous, the prosecution argued, that McEnroe should have to pay the ultimate price.
“The victims were shot 14 times, there were 30 bullet wounds,” O’Toole said.
The Public Defender’s Office says it is costing $4.4 million to defend McEnroe.
The state says its costs to prosecute are about $1.2 million but that is for both McEnroe and Michele Anderson.
Michele Anderson's trial for the murders will be held later.