Ashley McArthur Trial Defense Opening Statement

Florida woman Ashley Britt McArthur, 42, stands trial in Pensacola, Florida for first-degree murder in the death of private investigator Taylor Wright, 33. If convicted, she is expected to get an automatic life sentence without parole. You can watch court in the player above.

The defendant was sentenced in February to seven years in prison for cheating clients of her family’s business. That was unrelated to the murder allegation, but they do have something in common besides the defendant: money. Wright was in the middle of a divorce and is said to have put $34,000 in McArthur’s safe deposit box, according to court records obtained by Law&Crime. She tried to get that cash back to no avail, authorities said. Investigators claim that she met up with McArthur on September 8, 2017, to retrieve it. That was the last anyone heard from her.

Authorities say the victim’s girlfriend reported her missing the following 14th. She told cops that she and Wright had been texting back and forth until about 11:20 a.m. on the 8th. Wright stopped replying. The girlfriend called McArthur, who said that Wright couldn’t come to the phone because she was riding a horse, according to the probable cause statement. Then, at 7:58 p.m., the girlfriend got a text from Wright’s phone. The text said she needed time to think and get life on track, according to authorities.

The defendant spoke with detectives on the 18th. She claimed to have driven Wright around on the morning of the 8th until the victim asked to ride horses on a property belonging to McArthur’s family. In this story, they were there for an hour and headed back to McArthur’s home. According to the statement, she said she went inside her residence, but Wright was gone when she stepped out again later.

Investigators claim this story didn’t stand up to scrutiny. The defendant’s phone records didn’t place her at the area she claimed to be. It showed her by a property her family owned in another area, authorities said. Investigators said they checked it out and found Wright’s secret grave just west of that property. She had been covered in concrete, they said.

According to officials, McArthur’s cousin said she had contacted him on September 8, and asked if he was going to be there that day. He said that he wasn’t there because he was at a funeral.

The defendant’s bank records allegedly showed that she deposited $34,000 in her bank account the month before. It was a cashier’s check in Wright’s name. The funds had been spent, investigators said.
#AshleyMcArthurTrial

[TruthSeekerVP]

If I'm on the jury I keep thinking about Ashley at Lowes buying cement and potting soil which ironically was found over the body. I can't move on from that.

[natalielawyerchick]

As a defense attorney, this is the opening you give when you don’t have a great case. He didn’t have a lot to work with here

[springhillgolfer]

Those damn cell phone towers. They will get you every time.

[aluvme]

She looks like shes in a nightmare of her own making and she knows it. She can hardly even look up. Her eyes look so guilty and her face is apathetic.

[politicalcorrectionfacilit]

When I start reading the comments whilst listening because I'm bored, realise I haven't heard a word he's saying then have to listen to the whole boring thing again.

[Hereforthisfoolery]

The defense isn’t convincing at all, he’s said absolutely nothing showing her innocence... prosecution has this one in the bag.. everything points to Ashley. What a wicked human.

[markramos]

I keep waiting for Ashley to stand up and say “enough, I did it... just stop”

[Juniper]

I hate this victim blaming nonsense! The “she had it coming because she did drugs” defense. So tired. 😩! The woman did not deserve to be murdered. This outta be good.

[modaz]

Is this it? Poor defense, you’re screwed.

[angelinaanderson]

The prosecutor rocks!! She is awesome! Clear headed and is an excellent orator!

[windsorcastle]

Another privileged young lady who thought she was above the law.

[johngunning]

I think this defense attorney put on the best defense he could with what he had. He made a solid effort to raise some reasonable doubt, as he continuously emphasized the lack of direct or forensic evidence. At the end of the day, however, there was just so much other evidence against his client. While it was still a circumstantial case at best, there were just too many coincidences and small pieces. The kind and extent of circumstantial evidence that was presented in this case can be overall more convincing than an eyewitness.

[Lotuslaful]

The grief and guilt are all over her face and body posture
What a horrible feeling it must be to live with ending another’s life and betraying their trust.
So sad

[monicavictoriagirl]

Guilty. And I've only heard the prosecution opening.

[itswhatyoumakeit]

I must admit, I like this defense attorney, great story telling! He should get into guided meditation, or audio books! Lol

[drfoxXx]

I like how this defense attorney says that no one noticed an area of cement or potting so what are you trying to say.... the cops planted the body? Lame! No defense whatsoever so let's get creative.

[STYLESBYLIFEBEAUTYNMORE]

I have no idea where he is going with this defense I’m always confused with defense attorneys like these, they dig their own clients grave

[muchsunshine]

If Ashley is so rich, why did she have to steal her friend's money?

[vickiekasafirek]

Oh here we go. Try to blame the victim for her own murder. Give it up your clients GUILTY.

[rabiaihadrine]

Only by hearing these 2 opening statements? No need 4 a trial. No need 2 waste tax payers money. McArthur = GUILTY !