first day of trial constantly jotting down notes as attorneys argued. He
frequently conferred with Barnett.
On Thursday, Lloyd told the jury -- 10 women and four men, including
alternates -- that she will present evidence to prove that Bechler had
murdered his wife for a hefty financial gain -- a $2.5-million life
insurance policy. Lloyd said Bechler had no money until he met Pegye
Bechler, who ran a flourishing physical therapy business.
"His was really a 'rags to riches' story," she said. "He had a pair of
shorts to his name before he met his wife. He would wear the same shorts
every day. And when he had to go out, he'd wait for those shorts to get
out of the dryer."
But soon after their marriage, Bechler went from an old, faded pair of
shorts to slick Armani slacks, Lloyd said.
In contrast, Barnett said Bechler was a dutiful husband who pulled his
own weight financially.
"He paid more than what was required of him," Barnett said. "He wrote
checks for Pegye's Porsche, for his jeep and paid the mortgage every
month."
He added that before marrying, Bechler had $40,000 as a shareholder in
Bechler Corp., a company worth $15 million.
Barnett also said that Bechler lied to New about his wife's
disappearance to prove that he could be a bad boy -- spinning the "sick
tale" because of desire.
"Why did Eric do it? For sex with Tina New," Barnett said. "It's
nothing to be proud of. But it wasn't murder."
Barnett said he expects there will be at least 30 to 40 witnesses in
what he called a complex and unique trial. More prosecution witnesses are
scheduled to testify Monday.
"It's the case that has no body and secretly recorded tapes," Barnett
said. "It's about a man who lied because of his desire for a woman."
