Sentencing hearing in Denise Amber Lee case: Michael King faces the death penalty (video)

After Michael King was found guilty of the charges facing him: first degree murder, rape, and kidnapping of Denise Amber Lee, Michael King’s sentencing hearing is under way. During this final aspect of King’s trial, statements and testimony are read in the courtroom, the emphasis is placed on how the brutal crime executed by Michael King has impacted the family members and loved ones of Denise Amber Lee. Victim impact statements by both Denise Amber Lee’s father, Detective Rick Goff, and Denise Amber Lee’s husband, Nathan Lee were read.

The jury did not listen to all of the impact statements; however, the judge ruled that certain statements, such as the impact of Denise Amber Lee’s children having no mother for the rest of their lives would be left out. Though the jury is present throughout this portion of the trial, the ultimate decision in the sentencing phase will be made by the judge. You may watch videos of both Detective Rick Goff’s and Nathan Lee’s victim impact statements below.

Michael King’s defense attorney, Carolyn Schlemmer, read an opening statement that pointed to an accident from 1978 as the reason for King’s actions. The accident, that occurred when a sled pulled by a snowmobile crashed into a shed, caused brain injury to the frontal lobe of King’s brain. Michael King was six years old at the time of the accident. The defense brought in a witness to provide expert testimony, Dr. Joseph Wu, who is a Clinical Director of the Brain Imaging Center at the University of California, Irvine, who stated that according to a PET scan, Michael King did show signs of a brain injury. The testing revealed damage to King’s frontal lobes. Dr. Wu stated that the effects of that damage could result in paranoia and difficulty controlling fantasies and impulses. However, Dr. Wu also stated that not all people with frontal lobe injuries become violent murderers and that he had never spoken with Michael King or examined him personally.

Other information being revealed by the Defense Attorney during the penalty phase is in reference to Michael King’s low IQ. On Monday, Carolyn Schlemmer held an emergency hearing to request that mental health experts for the prosecution not undergo any assessments of Michael King that day. The defense’s argument was that they were going to present the jury information regarding King’s brain injury and low IQ in an effect to show that Michael King could not differentiate between right or wrong or control his actions due to his brain injury. Judge Economou disagreed and allowed the prosecutions’ team of experts to examine King. The prosecution would need the examination to rebut the testimony of Dr. Wu and the PET scan.

Photo 1- Denise Amber Lee in family photo

Photo 2- Nathan Lee, Denise Amber Lee's husband, reads his victim impact statement to the jury

Photo 3- Detective Rick Goff, Denise Amber Lee's father, reads his victim impact statement to the jury