Trial News - this page covers Yarbrough's 2009 trial and Herring's 2010 plea.

Thursday

- WTOV 9 - video              - Herald Star

 - Observer-Reporter         - WTRF 7 -  video      - The Intelligencer

Further details (July 9):    - Observer-Reporter         - Herald Star

Former Prosecutor Questioned About Murder Case  Observer-Reporter

 Defense: prosecutors (PA & OH) were negligent so Herring should not face a new trial.

KDKA 2  includes video

Monday

Second Trial Upcoming   Observer-Reporter

University Murder Trial to Begin   Herald Star

Tuesday

Second Yarbrough Trial to Begin  Herald Star

Wednesday

Jury Selection Begins    Observer-Reporter

   General info

Jury Selection Begins For Yarbrough Murder Trial  WTOV 9

   Steubenville policeman recalls working the case at the time.

New Trial To Start For '99 Double Murder Suspect   Pitt KDKA 2

Thursday

Yarbrough Jury Selection Begins  Herald Star

  Has new details on the trial.  

Yarbrough Awaits Second Trial in Students' Death    Observer-Reporter

Friday

Jury Not Yet Seated  Herald Star

Sunday

Retrial Looms   Pitt WTAE 4

   Defense to argue Yarbrough is mentally retarded.

   Also in:  Philly Inquirer        Steubenville WTOV 9

Tuesday

Jury Selection Ongoing     Pitt Tribune

Wednesday

'Trial Delayed as Jury Selection Continues'   WTOV 9

'Selection Continues for Jurors'  Observer-Reporter

Thursday

'No Jury Yet for Yarbrough'  Herald Star  

  "the length of time is not unusual, considering the case..."

Friday

Trial Likely to Begin on Monday  Herald Star

  Judge intends to stay late Friday until finished.

Monday

Retrial begins Post Gazette

Yarbrough's Second Trial Begins  Observer-Reporter

Prosecutors Warn Of 'Graphic' Testimony...   VIDEO   WTAE 4 Pitt   

Steubenville police officers & roommate testified today

Defense Argues Yarbrough Didn't Kill Franciscan Students  WTOV 9

Witness Testifies In Yarbrough Re-Trial  KDKA 2 Pitt

  Defense argues Yarbrough did not "pull the trigger" but "may have done some bad things..."

   [is that what Yarbrough means when he says he's 'innocent'...??]

Defense: "Boo" was the triggerman  Steubenville Herald Star 10/27/09

'Ex-student' testifies   Observer-Reporter  10/27/09

Retrial Begins...   Post Gazette  10/27/09

Tuesday

Detective Testifies on Day Two   O-R  

  Detective Lelless testified most of the day

Yarbrough Trial in Second Day   Herald Star 

Retrial Resumes  Post Gazette

Day Two of Yarbrough Trial: Apartment Ransacked The State Journal WV

Friday

Interviews gave three versions Herald Star (10/31/09)

  Details may be disturbing  

Thursday

Pathologist Testifies  Details may be disturbing   Herald Star

   Also testimony on forensics and from witnesses.

Robbery Victim: Yarbrough Acted as 'Protector'   O-R

   Barbara Vey's testimony from 2000 read into the record; she has since passed away.

Wednesday

Forensics Evidence Dominates Trial  Herald Star

  Is the most comprehensive

DNA Expert Testifies   Post Gazette

Prosecution Details Evidence   Post Gazette

Former FBI Analyst Takes the Stand   O-R

Monday

Nov. 2, 2009

Jury has the Case  VIDEO   WTAE 4

  Kathleen: Yarbrough is "the face of evil" 

Deliberations Begin   2 VIDEOS & interview w/ Kathleen  KDKA 2

Jury Began Deliberations   Herald Star

Jury Deciding Fate  Wheeling, WV 

Closing Arguments Heard   WTOV 9

  Has some info on closing arguments 

Prosecution & Defense Rest  KDKA 2 

  Defense did not call any witnesses; Closing arguments this afternoon.

No Verdict Yet   VIDEO   KDKA 2  11/3/09, 7:00 am

No Verdict Reached in Yarbrough Trial    Observer-Reporter   11/3/09, 3:30 am

Jury Deliberations to Continue Today at 11:00   WTOV 9   11/3/09, 1:30 am

   "At 7 p.m. jurors asked...for clarification on the difference b/w first & second-degree murder."

Aaron Land's Best Friend Remembers Horrific Day in 1999  Charleston, WV State Journal
  Interview with Joe Berlucci (by Jim Forbes)  

Tuesday

Nov. 3, 2009

Yarbrough Found Guilty  Herald Star

   He 'sat slumped with his head down, did not react when the verdict was read.'

Yarbrough Faces Death Penalty   VIDEO  Separate VIDEO Interview   WTOV 9

Guilty Verdict Brings Relief   VIDEO   WTAE 4

   Includes email from Rachel Muha on 'Living with Murder'

Yarbrough Found Guilty   2 VIDEO Interviews   KDKA 2

Yarbrough Guilty of First Degree Murder  Observer-Reporter

  Kathleen O'Hara "The defense tried to create a fairy tale"

  Rachel Muha "Being without Brian is lifelong"

Guilty Verdict Reached in Franciscan Murders The State Journal WV 

Man Convicted in Deaths of College Students  Post Gazette  11/4/09

Jury Finds Yarbrough Guilty  Herald Star  11/4/09

Brief Articles:  Post Gazette    Associated Press    Pitt Tribune  

                          Philadelphia Inquirer    Columbus Dispatch 

Wednesday

Nov. 4, 2009

 Jury Hearing Testimony  Weirton Times

    Heard from: Kathleen O'Hara, Chris Muha & PA State Trooper; Defense called a psychologist

 Penalty Phase begins  Observer-Reporter

 Murder Victim's Brother Fights Tears   VIDEO   State Journal WV 

   Some details may be disturbing

 Jury Deliberates   VIDEO      WTOV 9

   Jury brought to tears

 Testimony in Sentencing Hearing Ends   VIDEOS   KDKA 2

   Chris Muha "We do not want him to be executed"   

    Kathleen O'Hara "Someone cut open my heart"

 Two Sides, One Killer: Families Testify   Herald Star  11/5/09

 Jury to Begin Deliberating   Post Gazette  11/5/09

 Even if Sentenced to Death, May Never Be Executed    WTOV 9  11/5/09

FLASHBACK:  Victim Impact Statements from 2000 Sentencing    More here

Thursday

Nov. 5, 2009

Yarbrough Sentence to Life   VIDEO interview with families  WTOV 9

Jury Hears Closing Arguments   KDKA 2

       Details on apology & families' response

A Sobbing Yarbrough Apologizes  Herald Star

       More details on his apology & families' response to him

Jury Spares Students' Killer   VIDEOS  WTAE 4

      Chris Muha: "That would kind of be Brian's final act of triumph"

Yarbrough Avoids Death Penalty   Post Gazette

Closing Arguments Over; Jury Deliberating After Lunch  KDKA 2

   Prosecutor: The defense is advocating for Terrell, "who advocated for those boys...?"

Defense Tactics Anger Mother    VIDEO   WTAE 4

   Kathleen O'Hara: "He minimized a brutal murder because Terrell had a bad childhood"

Friday

Life Sentence for Yarbrough  

    Will finish out 59 year sentence in OH then to PA for what's left of his life.