By Hugh Fisher
hfisher@salisburypost.com
SALISBURY ó Attorneys in the trial of Robert Douglas Earnhardt are expected to begin their closing arguments this morning.
Earnhardt is charged with first-degree murder in the Sept. 17, 2009, death of his stepfather, Billy Tommy Elmore.
He is also charged with assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury for allegedly shooting Tiffany Marie Barbee.
The prosecution rested its case Monday.
Attorney Jay White, representing Earnhardt, began presenting evidence that afternoon.
The defense called Patty Elmore, Perry Kesler, Doug Earnhardt, Renee Ritchie, Dennis Williams, Calvin Byerly and Terri Settlemyer to testify.
White said the trial was nearing its end. ěI would anticipate it going to the jury tomorrow,î he said Wednesday.
Attorneys conferred with Superior Court Judge Kevin Bridges on Wednesday morning regarding the instructions to be given to jurors.
Closing arguments were originally expected to begin Wednesday afternoon.
Then they were deferred to this morning, reportedly so that jurors could hear arguments from both the prosecution and defense on the same day.
The trial is set to resume at 9:30 today.
Contact Hugh Fisher via the editorís desk at 704-797-4244.