Closing arguments to begin in murder trial over death of Angels pitcher in DUI crash

Murder trial over Angels pitcher’s death nears end

SANTA ANA, Calif. — Jurors will soon begin deliberations in the murder trial of a man accused of driving drunk and causing a collision that killed a promising Los Angeles Angels pitcher and two others.

Closing arguments will begin Thursday in the trial of Andrew Gallo, who has pleaded not guilty to three counts of second-degree murder and other felonies in the April 2009 crash.

Rookie pitcher 22-year-old Nick Adenhart, 20-year-old Courtney Stewart and 25-year-old Henry Pearson died in the crash.

The 23-year-old Gallo did not take the witness stand, but the jury watched a videotaped police interview with him in which he sobbed and appeared shocked when told of the fatalities.

Defense attorney Jacqueline Goodman told jurors Gallo drove while intoxicated but did not intend to kill anyone.