In Santa Ana, California, jurors will begin deliberations in the re-trial of a Washington man accused in the cold-case murder of his estranged wife. William Gregory Mordick, 64, maintains he is innocent of the Jan. 22, 1983, slaying of Katherine O'Connell Mordick, a 28-year-old mother of two young girls. Katherine's body was found partially nude inside her Anaheim Hills home. Her throat had been slashed. There was no evidence of sexual assault and nothing was stolen from the home.
Authorities charged Mordick, who eventually moved with the couple's two daughters to Washington, with the crime in 2008. They said DNA technology not available in 1983 linked him to physical evidence at the crime scene. Deputy District Attorney Dan Wagner accuses Mordick of killing his wife that morning when he dropped by to pick up his daughters, ages 2 and 4 at the time, to bring them to a birthday party.
Mordick, who is charged with special circumstances murder for financial gain, was worried about paying approximately $124,000 in child support over a span of 16 years, Wagner said. By killing Katherine, Mordick could avoid the payments and gain full custody of his girls, he said. Forensic evidence – specifically blood found in several areas the home – links Mordick to the killing, Wagner said. He also accused Mordick of staging the crime scene, such as taking off his wife's clothing to make it appear she was sexually assaulted.
Mordick, who testified in his own defense, said he didn't kill his wife. He said Katherine was alive that morning when he picked up their children. Katherine's body was found the next day, when her brother and boyfriend came to the home, worried because Katherine wouldn't pick up her phone.
His defense attorney said his client is innocent, and that some of the forensic evidence was tainted or inconclusive. He pointed out that a deputy coroner's estimate of Katherine's time of death was in the afternoon, and Mordick last saw his wife that morning. Mordick was first tried for Katherine's murder last year. That first jury deadlocked 6-6.
Jurors in the re-trial, which is being held in the courtroom of Orange County Superior Court John D. Conley, heard closing arguments and were read jury instructions. The panel is tasked with deciding if Mordick is guilty of first-degree murder, meaning a killing made willfully, deliberately or with premeditation, or second-degree murder, a non-premeditated killing. If they convict him of first-degree murder, they also have to decide on the truth of the special circumstance of financial gain. Mordick's maximum penalty would be life in prison without the possibility of parole.
If you have been accused or charged with homicide, it is important that you obtain a highly qualified Los Angeles homicide criminal defense lawyer immediately to begin planning of your defense. A conviction for murder can result in a lifetime sentence in a California penitentiary or even the death penalty.
Los Angeles Police will conduct an intensive and thorough investigation following a murder. Therefore, if you are charged, you will need an experienced homicide attorney from Marks & Brooklier. Attorney's Donald Marks and Anthony Brooklier have been representing clients for murder charges for three decades and have the experience necessary to provide you with an exceptional criminal defense. It takes a dedicated legal team to fight a homicide charge, and with our firm you can feel condifent that we will provide you with the highest quality criminal defense team possible. Our Los Angeles murder criminal defense attorneys are aggressive and are well-versed in a court room setting and look forward to assisting you with your case. Contact us for a free consultation, 24/7.