Attorneys make closing statements; jury can’t come to verdict Mo - FOX 25/48 - WLAX/WEUX La Crosse & Eau Claire News

Attorneys make closing statements; jury can’t come to verdict Monday

A double murder trial is now in the hands of a jury.

Reporter Alyssa Fenske says the media has been told there will be no decision from the jury in the Eric Koula double murder trial Monday night.

The jury will return Tuesday and continue deliberating.

During closing statements Monday, the state called him a lying murderer.

"His lies confirm we know he's guilty and he knows he's guilty," said D.A. Tim Gruneke.

The defense started out its closing statement accusing the state of not finding the truth about what happened, when it happened, and why Dennis and Merna Koula were killed.

"For 2 years I've been waiting for Mr. Gruenke to answer these questions," said Koula's attorney Jim Koby.

Gruneke said he thought it had been made very clear.

"What happened? Koula murdered his parents. When it happened? I thought I made that very clear at 4:51PM when Merna stuck the last key on the computer. Why did it happen? Because the defendant was desperate and he did need money," said Gruneke.

The defense accused the state of trying to make Eric Koula into a criminal mastermind, committing the perfect crime.

But Gruneke said he never thought Koula was a mastermind.

"If it was a perfect murder he wouldn't have gotten caught," said Gruenke.

But in the end both asked the jury to take care in its deliberation.

"I'm not asking to convict an innocent man just to find justice for Dennis and Merna Koula," said Gruenke.

"Do not use the sword of justice to convict an innocent."

It is now up to the 12 jurors to unanimously decide Koula's fate.