Prosecution Rests in Owens Murder Trial, Defense Case Begins Today
The prosecution has rested its case in the murder trial of Marian Owens, the woman accused in the beating and stabbing death of an elderly Lavonia man.
This morning, the defense begins their case.
Owens’ attorney claims his client acted in self-defense after being raped by 71-year old Tommy Cleveland Janes on December 23, 2011 at his home on SR59 in the Fairview Community.
During testimony for the prosecution Wednesday, Owens became upset during the Wednesday morning session regarding the airing of a 30-minute audio tape.
The tape contained the voice of Ms Owens and statements she made while she was being held and treated at Cobb Memorial Hospital just after she allegedly attacked Janes.
Owens told the judge under oath she did not want to be present when the tape was aired for the jury.
Judge Jeffery Malcomb reminded Owens she had been present for all of the trial, including conferences between her attorney, Harvey Wasserman, the judge and prosecutor Parks White.
Owens said she understood she had the right to hear the tape as well as the right not to be present.
Owens was then escorted from the courtroom to a holding cell.
On Tuesday, two Franklin County Sheriff’s deputies testified they saw Owens holding a nutcracker as she stood, in a state of undress, over the body of Janes.
They said Owens became extremely combative when they tried to arrest her and had to be tazed several times to subdue her and get her into a patrol car.
She was then taken to Cobb Memorial Hospital in Royston where she was given Haldol to calm her.
During the 30-miinute recording Wednesday, Owens sang hymns and prayed to God, asking Him for help and asking Him to destroy her enemies.
At one point Owens told a hospital employee who wanted to put a blanket over her quote, “I’m not ashamed of my body. I’m only ashamed of what I did, but God forgives me.” End quote
Owens was indicted on charges of felony murder, malice murder and two counts of aggravated assault.
The trial continues today in Franklin County Superior Court in Carnesville.