Fisk case in jury's hands

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - The jury began deliberating whether Robert Fisk is guilty or not guilty of murdering Norma and Robert Bean, after a day that began with Fisk testifying he didn't kill the Howard City couple.

Fisk took the stand Wednesday and claimed Tim Stephan - who has already been sentenced to life in prison for the murders of Norma and Robert Bean of Howard City - pressured him into killing Norma Bean.

But when closing arguments began, Judge Dennis Leiber ruled duress cannot be used as a defense in this case. However, defense attorney Damian Nunzio can still argue Stephan threatened to kill Fisk if Fisk didn't go through with the crime.

Prosecutor Helen Brinkman said that every case is a puzzle, and when the pieces are put together, the picture will point to Fisk being a killer. She said the Beans were targeted for money because they owned a business. And, she said, Stephan was not he mastermind. This crime's MO is Fisk's.

Brinkman reminded the jury what Robert Bean said just before he was shot to death. "You said you wouldn't shoot (Norma,)" he was quoted as saying. That, Brinkman said, is proof the murders were planned.

When Nunzio began his closing argument, he asked the jury if Fisk masterminded the crime, why didn't he have anything from the robbery to show for it?

Shortly after noon, Leiber gave the jury their instructions. They picked a foreperson and began deliberations. But they wanted to see some of the evidence.

The jury asked the judge to review the 911 call Fisk made after he left the scene where the Beans' bodies were found, and a video tape from inside the police car that was taking Fisk to the county jail for questioning.

On the tape, Fisk is seen pulling something out of his pocket. Detectives say it was a mask Fisk used to cover his face when he helped rob, kidnap and kill the Beans.

The jury will look at that evidence when they reconvene Friday morning.

Follow the trial through Joe LaFurgey's tweets .