Closing arguments expected soon in Sarah Hartsfield’s insulin murder trial
We’re in the second week of the Sarah Hartsfield insulin murder trial, and jurors have heard testimony from over 30 witnesses so far.
Closing arguments will soon begin in the insulin murder trial for Sarah Hartsfield, who is accused of murdering her husband in 2023.
Sarah is accused of killing her fifth husband, Joseph, by injecting him with insulin. Prosecutors have presented evidence to jurors throughout the trial, which consisted of text messages, voicemails, and written explanations that Sarah has sent to various people and media outlets over the years.
On Tuesday, jurors heard a bombshell day of testimony as the case’s lead investigator, Detective Skyler Rocz took the stand for more than six hours, delivering testimony about Sarah’s behavior after her husband was hospitalized, and also showing data from her cellphone that was pulled on the morning Joseph was found unconscious.
Rocz testified that cellphone data from Sarah Hartsfield’s phone contradicted her claim that she was asleep while her husband’s blood sugar was dropping dangerously low on the morning of Jan. 7, 2023. Investigators found that between 6 a.m. and 1 p.m., her phone recorded between 9 and 124 steps per hour, along with activity on banking, grocery, and social media apps, even though she told authorities she didn’t call for help until 2 p.m.
As the trial entered its eighth day, prosecutors and the defense both wrapped up their case against Sarah just before 11 a.m.
Sarah decided not to take the stand, as advised by her attorney, Case Darwin. The jury will soon be charged, and closing arguments will begin.
10:24 a.m. - The defense rests its case
The defense has rested in Sarah’s insulin murder trial on day 8. Sarah will not testify. Closing arguments expected soon.
9:40 a.m. - Detective Rocz was dismissed. The state rests its case. Court goes on a 15-minute break
9:08 a.m. - Jury enters the courtroom. Detective Skyler Rocz called back to the witness stand
Detective Rocz returned to the stand Wednesday morning as cross-examination by defense attorney Case Darwin continued.
Rocz testified that Sarah told her that her husband, Joseph, was inconsistent with taking his insulin. She said that as a former pharmacy technician, Sarah would have known the dangers of insulin. Rocz told jurors that Sarah said in a message that “Joseph’s current insulin dose would kill him,” indicating she had an extensive level of knowledge about insulin.
Rocz testified that Sarah told Dr. Enakuaa what Joseph’s dosing was and what medication he was taking. She also said Sarah told a friend that she was worried about Joseph “going low” while he was lying there dying. Rocz said she didn’t find it necessary to search for phrases like “how to kill husband with insulin,” explaining that Sarah “knew about this info from her pharmacy tech time.”
According to text message evidence, Rocz said Sarah and Joseph argued “almost daily.” She testified that Sarah told her Joseph would take insulin after meals.
Rocz said medical staff appeared suspicious of what happened to Joseph and of Sarah’s behavior. Rocz also said Sarah had access to Joseph’s accounts and could change things.
“She’s only been consistent about not killing Joseph in all of her versions of the story,” Rocz said.
When cross-examination by attorney Darwin continued, Rocz reviewed a search warrant return from Sarah’s house. She noted that she didn’t put anything in her report about a suitcase, but said it was captured on body camera video.
9:00 a.m. - Court back in session
