Defense continues to sow doubt in alleged in-law killer's trial
TAMPA (fOX 13) - Sowing the seeds of doubt, Marisol Best's defense team got the lead detective in the case, Mike Blair, to admit they zeroed-in on Robert Best for the murder of his parents at the beginning of the investigation.
"We just had more questions after talking to him," said Detective Blair.
It started with the first police interview when Detective Blair asked Robert Best if he got along with his parents.
"It was good. I mean, I was the black sheep of the family. I got in trouble early in life but I've been trying to make it up and do right," explained Best.
The morning Robert Best discovered his parents dead in the living room he was set to go to court in Polk County for allegedly having sex with an underage girl. But he never made it so a warrant was issued for his arrest.
Public Defender Dana Herce reminded Detective Blair of the lack of emotion Robert Best showed for his dead parents.
"He's upset, he's being arrested, and I think he makes a statement about missing his son’s birthday." Herce recalled.
According to Herce, Best said, "I can't believe they’re doing this on my son's birthday. I can't believe they are doing this to me on the day my parents die."
Detective Blair said he did recall Best making such statements.
But Robert Best is not on trial. His wife, Marisol is.
She is facing two counts of murder for killing her in-laws, Virgil and Shirley Best.
She admitted to shooting them during a prayer session. But her defense team claims Marisol had blind loyalty for her husband, Robert and would do anything for him, including taking the fall on murder charges.
Herce says Marisol tried to save him in the past.
"She attempted suicide to postpone his trial in Polk County," said Herce.
But Herce had one message for the jury, with detective Blair’s help: "You think she knows more than she's told you up to that point? And you also tell her that she’s covering for Robert and 'I don't know why?'"
Detective Blair replied, "That’s exactly right."