Accused Killer Weeps as His Stepson Testifies About His Mother's Murder

By MICHELLE WAYLAND

Updated 4:36 PM PST, Fri, Nov 14, 2008

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Keith Turner wiped back tears in court Friday as his stepson, Sean Turner, 25, took the stand and described seeing his mother's dead body.

Keith Turner is charged with murder for strangling his wife, Toby Turner, after the two argued in September 2005. He killed his wife and buried her in the backyard of their Ramona home, said prosecutors.

Sean Turner told jurors what he heard moments before his mother died, “based on what I heard it sounded like arguing and breaking dishes.” Turner told the court he heard his stepfather arguing with his Mom, then eventually silence, followed by the sound of something heavy being dragged on the floor.

A defense attorney suggested Turner wasn't guilty of murder because he was pushed to the breaking point by a wife who was mentally ill, often drugged out on methamphetamine and living off-and-on with another man.

The defense asked Sean what his stepfather told him about why it happened, “she pushed him into it and that she just kept coming at him and he didn't know what else to do," said Sean.

Sean Turner told investigators he was asked by the suspect to help bury his mother's body. He refused and didn't offer any information to authorities because he feared for his life. According to prosecutors, Turner dug up his ex wife's body because he thought that grave was not deep enough. Then, he buried her again.

Prosecutors said the son was the only person who saw what happened that night in their Ramona home between his mom and dad. He said he saw his father stepping on his mom's neck after an argument on Sept. 19.

The defense says Sean has a history of lying and drug abuse. "Do you think you might have been doing methamphetamine that night," asked the attorney in court Friday. "I don't think I was," said Turner. "What did you tell police," asked the attorney. "I think I told them I might have," said Turner.

Sean Turner was offered immunity Wednesday so nothing he says on the stand can be held against him, said District Attorney Kurt Mechal.

Keith Turner was first married in 1974. He and his wife Betty lived in Escondido. In 1983 Betty was found dead in the home's garage. The death was ruled a suicide.