The state yesterday wrapped up its case in Marshall County in the first-degree murder trial of Pedro Perez who’s accused of murdering Lori Ann Reyes of Marshalltown a little more than a year ago.
Doctor Jerri McLemore from the State Medical Examiner’s Office testified that the apparant cause of death was ligature strangulation from the electric cord around Reyes’ neck, and that the bruises and scrapes on the victim’s body were consistent with a struggle at the time of death.
Earlier in the day, the prosecution showed the videotape of Perez being questioned by Marshalltown police and outlined the inconsistencies in Perez’s answers. The defense is likely to argue that there were interpretation problems during questioning when they present their case Monday.