William Morva Trial Timeline

By Alison Matthiessen

Published: March 13, 2008

Tuesday, March 4th:
-Jury selection begins

Wednesday, March 5th
-24 people are chosen for a jury pool

Thursday, March 6th
-Jury pool narrowed down to 12
-Opening statements from the prosecution and defense
-Prosecution calls its first witnesses
-We hear from several people who were at Montgomery Regional Hospital when Morva escaped custody and allegedly shot and killed security guard Derrick McFarland
-Montgomery Co. Sheriff’s Deputy Russell Quesenberry described taking Morva to the hospital, being overpowered by Morva in the bathroom, and talking to Cpl. Eric Sutphin when he was revived later at the hospital.  Sutphin told him everything would be okay.
-Hospital patient Jennifer Preston testified that she saw Morva shoot McFarland, and that the security guard didn’t try to take Morva’s gun

Friday, March 7th
-Blacksburg Police officer testifies about the physical evidence found between the hospital and the Huckleberry Trail
-Seven bullet casings at hospital and the toilet paper dispenser investigators believe Morva used to knock out Deputy Russell Quesenberry
-Four other witnesses testified to seeing Morva in a white sheet or towel on the Huckleberry Trail, two of these witnesses say they heard gunshots later
-Another witness testified to seeing Cpl. Sutphin on the trail, asking for any information about Morva, later heard gunshots
-VT grounds worker Joe Walker testified that he was getting ready to mow some lawns when he saw what he describes as a large white plastic bag rise up from behind a fence and move away.  A few minutes later, he heard “pow pow” and knew it was gunshots.  A few minutes later, he saw the plastic bag again and saw a face inside.  Later that night when he was watching the news, he says he knew the face was Morva’s.
-David Carter testified.  His backyard butts up against the Huckleberry Trail.  He says he heard someone shouting in an authoritative voice right before he heard two gunshots.  That’s when he says Sutphin fell down the trail and into his backyard.
- Cpl. Sutphin’s widow Tamara emotionally testified.  She described messages he left her on the phone saying he thought Morva may be on the Huckleberry Trail so he was headed over there.  She didn’t hear the messages until 10 days after his funeral.

Monday, March 10th
-Three expert witnesses testified about DNA evidence.  They said the DNA found on the gun with Morva matched the suspect’s DNA.  They also said the bullets found in McFarland and Sutphin match the bullets found in the gun with Morva.
-Investigator Brad Roop testified about letters Morva sent to his mother from jail.  They describe his frustration with jail, his lawyer, and his medical condition.  It also had a brief message to his brother Michael.
-The defense called just one witness, Morva’s doctor Dr. Mark Ringold.  He testified about Morva’s struggles with IBS and the difficulty it caused him in jail.
-Morva briefly addressed the court saying he wanted to testify in his own defense, but didn’t on the advice of his lawyers.
-Closing arguments

Tuesday, March 11th
-Jury deliberates about the verdict for three and a half hours, before finding Morva guilty on all 7 charges, including 3 counts of capital murder.
-Sentencing phase begins, prosecution presents its witnesses

Wednesday, March 12th
-Sentencing phase continues
-Defense lawyers present their witnesses

Thursday, March 13th
-Closing arguments in sentencing phase
-Jury deliberates more than 3 hours, before recommending death penalty