Cal Harris Jury Completes Third Day of Deliberations

The jury completed its third day of deliberations yesterday in the third Cal Harris murder trial. The jury asked Schoharie County Judge George Bartlett to re-read the definitions of reasonable doubt, circumstantial evidence and direct evidence. It also requested an easel, paper and markers to use in the jury room. Bartlett told the jurors this murder trial includes circumstantial evidence. He reminded jurors the law draws no distinction between circumstantial evidence and direct evidence in terms of weight or importance. The jury deliberated for another four hours, then requested a 20 minute break to go outside Monday afternoon. The jury submitted another note requesting to hear testimony read back from New York State Police Investigator Mike Myers. Specifically, the jury asked to hear Myers’ testimony regarding police interviews with Cal on Sept. 12, 2001 and Sept. 14, 2001 — just days after Michele disappeared. The jury also requested to hear portions of the Harris’ former babysitter Pam Barnes’ testimony read back. Bartlett said it will take the court reporter about an hour to compile these testimonies, so he discharged the jury at 4 p.m. The jury will reconvene Tuesday at 9:15 a.m. to begin its fourth day of deliberations. As of yesterday, the jury has deliberated for nearly 13 hours over three days.