Jurors have reached a verdict in the trial of Gareth Pursehouse, who is accused of killing his ex-girlfriend -- well-known marriage and sex therapist Amie Hardwick -- by throwing her off the third-floor balcony of her Hollywood Hills home.
During closing arguments Tuesday, prosecutors told jurors that Harwick was caught by surprise by Pursehouse, who broke into her home, waited for hours, attacked her and tossed her off the third-floor balcony. But a defense attorney countered that the woman could have fallen after climbing over the balcony following a confrontation with a man in a crisis.
"He didn't go there to talk. He's on a mission," the prosecutor said. "He's angry, he feels rejected." Pursehouse was "suffering a great emotional upheaval — one that interfered with his thought process" after seeing her in the "chance encounter" about a month earlier that "left him reeling." Pursehouse's attorney urged jurors to acquit her client of the most serious charge — first-degree murder and the accompanying special circumstance allegation.
An autopsy determined that the woman died from "blunt force injuries of the head and torso" and that there was evidence of "manual strangulation," according to records from thePolice responded to the home at about 1:15 a.m. that day in the 2000 block of Mound Street following a 911 call by Harwick's roommate, who reported hearing her screaming.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Amie Harwick case: Jury deliberations begin in Hollywood sex therapist's killingGareth Pursehouse is on trial for murder and burglary in connection with the death of Dr. Amie Harwick, a renowned Hollywood sex therapist and former fiancée of Drew Carey.
Read more »
Hollywood sex therapist murder trial jury deliberations beginJury deliberations are set to begin on Wednesday in the trial of a man accused of killing his ex-girlfriend -- a well-known marriage and sex therapist -- by throwing her off the third-floor balcony of her Hollywood Hills home.
Read more »
Jury deliberations begin for murder trial of Hollywood marriage and sex therapistJury deliberations are set to begin in the trial of a man accused of killing his ex-girlfriend by throwing her off the third-floor balcony of her Hollywood Hills home.
Read more »
Hollywood writers and studios reach deal with AI guidelinesWriters in Hollywood are set to return to work after top union officials reached a contract agreement with studios and streaming services, securing a 12.5 percent pay raise over three years and guardrails over the use of AI. NBC News’ Miguel Almaguer reports more on the end of the strike.
Read more »
Hollywood writers can return to work after union and studios reach agreement to end strikeThe deal would increase minimums, has rules about artificial intelligence, and has a bonus for viewership residuals on streaming. The strike is due to end at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday.
Read more »