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Testimony over in Liam Gale trial, closing arguments still to come

By Tim Vandenack - | Aug 4, 2023

Tim Vandenack, Standard-Examiner

OGDEN — Testimony has concluded in the trial of Liam Gale, charged with aggravated murder in the Christmas Day shooting in 2020 that left Trevor Martin dead.

What’s more, 2nd District Court Judge Camille Neider on Friday went through jury instructions with the nine jurors who have been hearing the case.

However, the case hasn’t yet been given to jurors. Closing arguments by the two sides are to be presented in court in Ogden on Monday and then it will go to jurors for deliberations.

Among other charges, Gale faces a count of aggravated murder in the shooting death of Martin and a count of attempted aggravated murder in the shooting of Martin’s girlfriend Angela Rowley, who survived. Gale has pleaded not guilty.

The trial started on Monday, with continued testimony on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Gale didn’t call any witnesses and he didn’t testify, according to his lawyer, Bill Morrison.

Two others have already been convicted and sentenced in the incident — Rayburn Bennett, who prosecutors say fired the gunshot that likely killed Martin, and Brittany Rogers, Gale’s girlfriend and the driver of the getaway car after the violent confrontation.

Rowley said she was wrapping Christmas presents shortly after 3 a.m. on Dec. 25, 2020, when Bennett, then 16, knocked on her door, according to testimony from Monday. Bennett had never met Martin or Rowley and had been recruited by Gale, Weber County prosecutor Braden Miles charged, to help with a robbery at the couple’s home.

Rowley initially sent Bennett off, but he and Gale subsequently charged into the home at a mobile home park in Riverdale, leading to the chaotic exchange that left Martin dead and Rowley injured.