WARREN Closings expected soon in double slaying trial

The defendant did not testify in his own defense during the murder trial.
By PEGGY SINKOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- Jurors will soon begin deliberating the fate of a Champion man, court officials said.
Prosecutors and defense attorneys are expected to give their closing statements in the Stanley Adams capital murder case to jurors Tuesday morning. After the closing statements, Judge Peter Kontos will instruct the jury on the law and then order jurors to begin deliberations.
Adams faces charges of aggravated murder in the deaths of Esther Cook, 43, and her 12-year-old daughter, Ashley. Their bodies were found Oct. 11, 1999, in their Dickey Avenue home.
Other charges: The charges carry specifications that the killings occurred in conjunction with other crimes. Adams also is charged with three counts of rape and one count each of kidnapping and aggravated burglary. If convicted of all the charges and specifications, he could face the death penalty.
Adams has maintained his innocence but did not testify during the trial.
Both the prosecution and defense rested their cases Friday.
The trial began Aug. 27 with jury selection.
Police officers testified during the trial that Adams became a suspect in the murders because he had blood on him when he was stopped by two detectives late in the evening of Oct. 11, 1999.
Adams had told police that he got bloody because he cut his hand. The officers testified that they were not suspicious at the time because they did not know anyone had been killed.
Esther and Ashley Cook's bodies were found the next day.