PORT TOWNSEND — The double-murder trial of Michael J. Pierce, who is accused of killing Pat and Janice Yarr of Quilcene, could go to the jury by early afternoon Wednesday.
Both the prosecution and the defense had rested their cases by midafternoon today in the trial that began March 11.
Pierce, a 35-year-old Peninsula College student from Quilcene is accused of killing the Yarrs and setting their home afire to cover up the killings on March 18, 2009.
The trial resumes at 9 a.m. Wednesday at the Jefferson County Courthouse, 820 Jefferson St., Port Townsend.
Before the nine-woman, three-man jury deliberates, Jefferson County Superior Court Judge Craddock Verser plans to read some 50 pages of jury instructions.
Also, Scott Rosekrans, Jefferson County chief deputy prosecuting attorney and Pierce’s defense attorney, county Public Defender Richard Davies, will give closing arguments before jury deliberations.
Patrick Yarr, 60, and Janice Yarr, 57, were a logging and cattle-ranching couple who had lived in Forks but were living on Boulton Farm Road north of Lake Leland. Janice Yarr also was a bookkeeper.
Pierce could be sentenced to life in prison if he is convicted.
