California v. Markhasev
"The Ennis Cosby Murder Trial"
Markhasev friend stays silent
June 26 (Court TV) -- As they closed their case Friday, prosecutors brought the man Mikail Markhasev's defense attorneys claim to be Ennis Cosby's real killer into court for jurors to see.
Deputy District Attorney Anne Ingalls had Eli Zakaria brought to Superior Court Judge David Perez's Santa Monica courtroom in an orange prison uniform and handcuffs so that the jury in the case could compare him to sketches of the suspect in Cosby's killing.
Markhasev's defense team, which claims that Zakaria killed Cosby, was thrown into disarray by the appearance of Zakaria and asked for a delay of several days before presenting their case, which Perez granted. Markhasev's lawyers will begin their case Wednesday.
Earlier in the day, one of Mikail Markhasev's friends refused to testify for a second day, while another told prosecutors he risked death by taking the stand.
Michael Chang, who asserted his Fifth Amendment rights when put on the stand Thursday, continued his silence again Friday.
Both he and Christopher So, who testified for the prosecution Thursday, have expressed fears that they may be killed if they take the stand against Markhasev.
"If I'm ever incarcerated again," So told Superior Court Judge David Perez Thursday, "I may as well kiss my life goodbye."
After telling jurors Thursday how Markhasev reacted upon seeing news of Cosby's death, So described Friday how the Ukrainian immigrant admitted the shooting to Chang. So, convicted of embezzling and out on probation, explained how the three men searched unsuccessfully for the gun Markhasev allegedly used to shoot Cosby.
But on cross-examination, he admitted that his story has not been consistent.
So also said he saw a composite sketch of Markhasev on television the night after the shooting.
"That picture looked like him," So said.
He also discussed his widely-mentioned call to the National Enquirer, which offered a reward for information about Cosby's killer.
The Enquirer paid him $40,000 already, So told the court, and he could get another $100,000 if Markhasev is convicted.
Judge Perez offered Chang immunity Thursday and appointed a public defender to represent him. Chang is awaiting trial on multiple charges, including attempted murder.
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