Murder trial recesses until Friday morning

Shortly after 6 p.m., a jury, made up of five women and nine men, was sent home for the evening and ordered to report back at 8 a.m. Friday when the murder trial of Britt Deckert is set to continue in Crittenden Circuit Court.

Deckert is accused of killing his half-brother in August 2013 during an altercation inside their home.

Thirteen witnesses were called to testify for the prosecution Thursday during the first day of testimony. The day's final two witnesses – the victim's widow and stepdaughter – provided emotionally-filled accounts of what happened on the day A.J. Vasseur was killed. They were inside the home and witnessed part of the incident.

Next week's printed edition of The Crittenden Press will have complete details from the trial.