Defense team builds its case in Scott trial

By Staff
Jonathan Willis
The husband and father of a Russellville woman accused of killing her six year-old son in August testified Friday in her defense.
Don Bray, whose daughter Christie Michelle Scott stands trial on capital murder charges, told jurors that his daughter received several bruises at the hands of fire investigators and he denied making any comments that led witnesses to believe he suspected his daughter was responsible for the fire that killed Mason Scott.
Christie Michelle Scott, 30, of 180 Signore Drive in Russellville, is charged with capital murder in the death of her son. If convicted, she could receive the death penalty.
Fire investigators believe the fire began on a bed in Mason Scott's room where his younger brother, Noah, usually slept. Noah was in the bed with his mother on the night of the fire on Aug. 16.
Defense attorney Robert Tuten contends an electrical problem started the fire and has argued that two outlets that were lost before his investigators had an opportunity to inspect them hamper his ability to defend Scott. He has repeatedly asked that the case be dismissed.
Defense testimony began Thursday with a video showing Noah Scott about 10 days after the fire.
Speaking with a forensics interview expert from the Cramer Children's Center in Florence, Noah Scott repeatedly said a "robot power vampire" started the fire. He also said on one occasion that robbers started the fire.
During one segment of the tape, Noah Scott told interviewer Monica Haddock that his mother dropped him out a window, along with his brother, to escape the fire.
When Haddock told Noah that Mason didn't get out of the house, she asked if that was what he had wanted to have happened. The four-year old simply answered "yeah."
During Friday's testimony, Bray denied making statements to his daughter on the morning of the fire that led some eyewitnesses to believe he held Scott responsible.
Her husband, Jeremy Scott, admitted that he separated from his wife when he first learned that she was a suspect in the case. During questioning by District Attorney Joey Rushing, Scott said that he looked at changing bank accounts and seeking protective custody of his children based on advice from Rushing and other investigators.
He later changed that stance and has stood by his wife's side throughout the ordeal.
The trial is scheduled to resume Monday morning and last throughout the week. Court officials believe it is the longest trial in Franklin County history.