The prosecution and defense presented their final arguments Monday in the case of a 75-year-old grandmother who fatally shot her 17-year-old grandson. The prosecutor argued that the homicide was premeditated murder; the defense maintained the shooting was self-defense.
There is no question that defendant Sandra Layne shot grandson Jonathon Hoffman. The issue was her mind-set, which will determine the level of her criminal responsibility, if any.
Last week Layne took the stand in her own defense.
She testified that she bought the gun because Hoffman was bringing over strangers late at night, and her grandson had a history of drug use.
On the day of the shooting, Hoffman failed a drug test, a possible parole violation, and was very angry. He demanded $2,000 from Layne and her car so he could drive out of state.
Layne testified that he struck her as they argued about his demands.
The jury was allowed to question Layne, and some of the inquiries were unsympathetic.
They asked why she didn’t call 911 after she shot Hoffman the first time. She responded that she was “terrified.”
In his closing, the prosecutor asserted that Layne “hunted down” her grandson and continued to shoot him even as he begged 911 to save his life.
He replayed the 911 tape in which gunshots and Hoffman’s pleas could be heard.
The prosecutor also noted that Layne did not complain of any injuries to responding police.
The defense counsel urged acquittal, arguing that Layne’s only possible motivation was fear.
The jury will be instructed on the elements of first degree murder, second degree murder, voluntary manslaughter, involuntary manslaughter, and acquittal by reason of self-defense.
The case could go to the jury today.
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