VERDICT: 11pm Coverage
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VERDICT / DAY 8 INFO
Amanda Barren reports from Putnam County Circuit Court that Michael Merrifield has been found guilty of murdering Logan Goodall, his ex-girlfriend's son. Merrifield was also found guilty of death of child by guardian or custodian and guilty of sexual abuse by a guardian. He was found not guilty of sexual assault. The jury recommends no mercy on the murder charge, which means Merrifield will spend the rest of his life behind bars. Goodall was two years old when he died at his home in Hurricane in 2005.
The jury deliberated through most of the day with a break for lunch. The jury asked three questions to the judge. They returned their verdict shortly after 5pm. They took a little more than one day to deliberate the case.
Amanda reports that Merrifield stayed calm with his head down while the verdict was read. There was no emotion from anyone in the courtroom, although Amanda says it was very tense. Dr. John Merrifield, Michael's father, put his head down during the verdict reading. Dr. Merrifield also faces charges related to this situation. That trial is expected to go to court in March.
Amanda spoke with Donna Goodall, Logan's paternal grandmother. Ms. Goodall said she finally feels justice is served in this situation. She felt some closure after this verdict.
Putnam County Prosecuting Attorney Mark Sorsaia spoke with Amanda Barren Thursday night on 530 Edition. Sorsaia said, "it's been difficult."
"We worked hard for two years. It's been a lot of work and a lot of stress because the nature of the case and certainly the evidence we had," Sorsaia said.
Sorsaia said he's satisfied with the recommendation for a life sentence without the possiblity of parole for Merrifield.
"It's a relief. Obviously the outcome is something that we had hoped for and worked for," said Detective Lisa Arthur, who testified in the case. "We're all relieved we can move on from this now."
DAY 7 INFO:
The jury started deliberating the case around 3pm Wednesday afternoon -- and has gone home for the night without a verdict. We tried to update Patrick Merrifield's condition at CAMC General, but a hospital spokesperson says the family has asked that no information be released to the media.
A spokesperson with CAMC says Michael Merrifield's brother, Patrick Merrifield was under evaluation earlier Wednesday at CAMC General. A check to the hospital at 9:00pm Wednesday says they no longer have him listed. A source close to the Merrifield family tells WSAZ Patrick Merrifield was on a ventilator. The young men's parents were not in the courtroom Wednesday afternoon.
The defense rested its case at around 9:00am. That means Michael Merrifield will not take the stand.
DAY 6 INFO:
Four defense witnesses took the stand. A forensic pathologist, two of Merrifield's friends and a complete stranger to Merrifield. The stranger told jurors that out of the blue Pepper Eren came up and started talking to him one night at a bar. According to his testimony she told the witness she "didn't have time" to take Logan to the doctor. He also testified it seemed like she was bragging that Michael was in jail and she wasn't. The witness says that he saw Pepper doing drugs that night.
Patrick Merrifield, Michael's brother, was supposed to take the stand Tuesday, but he didn't. He invoked his 5th Amendment Right. It's law that allows a person the opportunity to not testify for fear of self-incrimination.
The defense expert Forensic Pathologist today told jurors he couldn't say 100% that Logan Goodall was sexually assaulted. He says that it's a possibility, but he can't say for certain that is what caused some of Logan's injuries. The WV Chief Medical Examiner last week told jurors, without other evidence to say what caused Logan's injuries, he believes Logan was sexually assaulted.
DAY 5 INFO
WV Chief Medical Examiner James Kaplan explained the injuries to Goodall and showed the autopsy photos to jurors. Also on the stand, Mark Zeigler. He explained that in the summer of 2005 he spent an afternoon with Logan & Michael at a pool in Dunbar. He told jurors Michael was roughhousing with Logan to the point he became concerned. He said Logan was pale and gasping for breath, yet Michael kept throwing him in the water. Zeigler testified that he jumped in the pool got Logan out and told Michael it was enough. "It shook me up for days afterwards," Zeigler testified.
DAY 4 INFO
Day four of testimony came to a close with two people on the stand. Detective Lisa Arthur with the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department and a third paramedic. Detective Arthur talked about her investigation at the home where Logan died. On the stand she said there was no DNA or physical evidence to link Michael to a possible sexual assault in the case. She also said it didn’t mean there are other things that support a theory of sexual assault. Investigators say that sexual assault is a possibility because of the nature of Logan’s internal injuries. Those injuries are what caused the toddler to die.
INTRODUCTION
Michael Merrifield is on trial in the death of Logan Goodall in Putnam County Circuit Court. Goodall died at his home in Hurricane and was the victim of abuse, according to prior testimony. His mother, Pepper Eren, is already in prison in relation to his death.
Here are mobile updates from our reporter, Amanda Barren, who will be sending text messages to keep you informed.
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DAY ONE UPDATES
08:47 AM January 14, 2008
The trial is set to start in 20 minutes.
09:14 AM January 14, 2008
Michael Merrifield's parents are in the front row.
09:54 AM January 14, 2008
27 prospective jurors have been seated. 15 men. 12 women.
10:15 AM January 14, 2008
9 men 6 women selected
10:30 AM January 14, 2008
Opening statements to start in 15 minutes. Should take a little more than hour.
10:43 AM January 14, 2008
Openings underway
11:21 AM January 14, 2008
Prosecutor told jurors they will be angry at witnesses and might even cry when they hear the abuse Logan suffered.
11:27 AM January 14, 2008
Prosecutor says the explanations Merrifield had for Logan's injuries were bizarre.
11:28 AM January 14, 2008
Defense is giving its openings now.
11:42 AM January 14, 2008
Defense says Pepper is the one who wouldn't take Logan to hospital the day he died. Michael called the ambulance.
11:51 AM January 14, 2008
Defense says Merrifield was more of a dad to Logan than Pepper was a mom.
12:09 PM January 14, 2008
Opening statements are over. Things get underway tomorrow at 8:30.
DAY 2 UPDATES
09:52 AM January 15, 2008
Trial day two is underway.
09:56 AM January 15, 2008
A second paramedic is on the witness stand.
10:00 AM January 15, 2008
Both paramedics say Logan was dead when they arrived at Logan's home.
10:05 AM January 15, 2008
The emergency room nurse that had observed Michael punching the walls at the hospital is on the stand.
10:08 AM January 15, 2008
The nurse is crying describing Logan's wounds. She says he looked like an abused child.
10:17 AM January 15, 2008
Merrifield was overheard by the nurse saying my life is over.
10:27 AM January 15, 2008
Another ER Nurse from Putnam General is on the stand. She says Logan's injuries were both old and new.
10:40 AM January 15, 2008
Amy Anderson is on the stand. She is Peppers cousin. She is active with West Virginians Against Abuse.
10:46 AM January 15, 2008
Amy says Logan became timid when Michael came into his life.
10:49 AM January 15, 2008
Amy says Logan looked yellow a month before he died.
11:16 AM January 15, 2008
Break until 12:15.
12:26 PM January 15, 2008
Back in session.
12:59 PM January 15, 2008
Logan died on a Tuesday. Robert says when Logan left his house Sunday his wounds were healing, he was happy and healthy.
01:23 PM January 15, 2008
Frank Chapman is on the stand. He is the Director of the Putnam 911 Center.
01:26 PM January 15, 2008
We are listening to the 911 call Merrifield made.
DAY 3 UPDATES
08:53 AM January 16, 2008
Day 3 underway and Logan's mom Pepper Eren is on the stand.
08:56 AM January 16, 2008
Pepper says she failed as a mom.
08:59 AM January 16, 2008
Pepper says she used cocaine and crystal meth. She also drank.
09:04 AM January 16, 2008
Peppers mom Melissa is crying while her daughter is on the stand.
09:04 AM January 16, 2008
Pepper is crying now.
09:09 AM January 16, 2008
There are two female corrections officers here with Pepper.
09:15 AM January 16, 2008
Pepper says burns to Logan's lower half were so bad he couldn't sit down for days.
09:26 AM January 16, 2008
Michael called Logan 'little man' according to Pepper.
09:43 AM January 16, 2008
Logan never said he was being abused. Pepper also says she never asked.
10:19 AM January 16, 2008
Pepper is being cross-examined now.
10:28 AM January 16, 2008
Logan called Michael Daddy Mike
11:30 AM January 16, 2008
Pepper admitted she wanted to marry Michael. She also wrote him a letter saying she loved him days after his arrest.
11:28 AM January 16, 2008
Pepper says she has many regrets.
11:32 AM January 16, 2008
Days after the arrest she told investigators she didn't think Michael could hurt Logan. She says shes now changed her mind.
12:52 PM January 16, 2008
Tony Khoury is on the stand. He is a childhood friend of Merrifield.
12:56 PM January 16, 2008
Khoury owned a pawn shop in Charleston for 13 years. He is awaiting sentencing on a money laundering charge.
01:00 PM January 16, 2008
Khoury says Merrifield wanted money from him for a lawyer.
01:14 PM January 16, 2008
Khoury says he always thought Michael was 100 percent guilty.
01:31 PM January 16, 2008
We are watching a taped interview with Michael the day Logan died. Detective Lisa Arthur from the Putnam Sheriffs Dept.
01:37 PM January 16, 2008
In the interview Michael says 'that kid is my life.'
01:51 PM January 16, 2008
Michael is explaining Logan's injuries as he saw them. He said he couldn't stand up, that he was freezing, throwing up and his eyes were in his head.
01:52 PM January 16, 2008
Michael said he 'freaked out'
02:03 PM January 16, 2008
When questioned about Logan's bruises Merrifield said he 'could never do something like that.'
02:05 PM January 16, 2008
Merrifield: I never laid a hand on that kid.
02:07 PM January 16, 2008
Merrifield: I feel like I am in a nightmare.
02:36 PM January 16, 2008
Merrifield: I don't know if I can go back there (to the home he shared with Logan and Pepper) there are too many memories.
02:39 PM January 16, 2008
Based on Pepper's testimony they'd lived in that home for less than a week.
02:41 PM January 16, 2008
We are listening to another taped statement.
DAY 4 UPDATES
08:54 AM January 17, 2008
Judge says no phones this am during three more video statements. Will update during the 1st break.
10:08 AM January 17, 2008
Video showed Pepper and Michael at the sheriffs department. Detectives left them alone to talk about Logan's injuries.
10:10 AM January 17, 2008
Merrifield's attorney Mike Clifford says they haven't decided if Merrifield will take the stand.
11:24 AM January 17, 2008
We are going to hear another audio tape with investigators. It will be the third hour of tapes today. The 6th total.
11:27 AM January 17, 2008
I will have a live update on NewsChannel 3 Midday.
02:15 PM January 17, 2008
We just heard 2 phone calls made by Merrifield.
02:50 PM January 17, 2008
Detective Lisa Arthur has been on the stand since yesterday afternoon, she is being cross examined this afternoon.
DAY 5 UPDATES
08:53 AM January 18, 2008
The lawyers are arguing about some evidence in the case.
08:57 AM January 18, 2008
Now the West Virginia Chief Medical Examiner James Kaplan is on the stand.
09:18 AM January 18, 2008
We are looking at pictures of Logan's injuries from the autopsy.
09:21 AM January 18, 2008
The jury was warned the pictures wouldn't be easy to look at.
09:29 AM January 18, 2008
It doesn't appear Michael is looking at the photos.
09:57 AM January 18, 2008
Dr. Kaplan says it appears Logan was struggling to get out of hot water based on the burns on Logan's lower backside.
10:02 AM January 18, 2008
Logan's grandma Melissa Eren is crying.
10:05 AM January 18, 2008
Some people in the courtroom are covering their eyes.
10:09 AM January 18, 2008
Tissues were brought out for the jury. Some members seem disturbed.
10:25 AM January 18, 2008
Dr. Kaplan says some of Logan's injuries are the result of sexual assault that happened within 16 hours of his death.
10:38 AM January 18, 2008
Kaplan: Logan had injuries to his head and belly that each could have caused him to die separately.
11:11 AM January 18, 2008
Cross examination of Dr. Kaplan underway.
01:25 PM January 18, 2008
Back from lunch break- Kaplan still under cross.
03:16 PM January 18, 2008
Kaplan is done.
03:33 PM January 18, 2008
Childhood friend Mark Ziegler is on the stand.
03:37 PM January 18, 2008
Ziegler says he jumped in the pool and got Logan out in July 2005 when he was with Merrifield. He said Logan was pale and shaking.
03:41 PM January 18, 2008
Ziegler: I was shaken for days afterward.
DAY 6 UPDATES
09:48 AM January 22, 2008
The defense is trying to get charges and testimony thrown out.
09:49 AM January 22, 2008
So far the judge has denied one of the motions.
09:55 AM January 22, 2008
Judge denied the second motion.
09:57 AM January 22, 2008
The State rests its case.
10:03 AM January 22, 2008
The defense has called Dr. George Nichols to the stand. He is a forensic pathologist. He was chief medical examiner in Kentucky for 20 years ago
10:22 AM January 22, 2008
Dr. Nichols says he cannot say whether or not Logan was sexually assaulted.
10:23 AM January 22, 2008
Last week Dr. Kaplan said that Logan's injuries were the result of a sexual assault.
10:48 AM January 22, 2008
Robert Eren (Pepper's Dad) is in the courtroom for the 1st time since testifying. Both sides decided he could be released from his subpoena.
11:14 AM January 22, 2008
Some of Michael's friends are taking the stand.
11:17 AM January 22, 2008
Ken Campbell the maintenance man where Michael took Logan swimming is on the stand.
01:53 PM January 22, 2008
Only the attorneys and the defendant are allowed in the courtroom right now. It's not clear what they are discussing.
02:35 PM January 22, 2008
Patrick Merrifield will not testify. He invoked his 5th amendment right. For fear he would self-incriminate.
02:38 PM January 22, 2008
Patrick is Michael's brother.
02:51 PM January 22, 2008
The man who just took the stand says that on New Years Eve two years ago Pepper told him out of the blue about Logan.
02:54 PM January 22, 2008
The prosecution has called a rebuttal witness: an FBI Agent.
DAY 7 UPDATES
08:59 AM January 23, 2008
The defense rests.
09:02 AM January 23, 2008
The State has called a 2nd rebuttal witness. A forensic pathologist from Columbia, South Carolina.
09:07 AM January 23, 2008
He is a chief medical examiner in the county where he works. He does not normally testify out of his home county.
09:10 AM January 23, 2008
We are looking at pictures of Logan's injuries again.
09:18 AM January 23, 2008
The jury appears very attentive to the Doctors calculations.
09:38 AM January 23, 2008
The main point the doctor is discussing is whether or not some of Logan's injuries were caused by a sexual assault.
09:39 AM January 23, 2008
Both sides have rested.
10:57 AM January 23, 2008
The judge and lawyers are going over the jury instructions.
12:24 PM January 23, 2008
The judge is giving the jury members their instructions.
12:26 PM January 23, 2008
They will hear closing arguments next.
12:44 PM January 23, 2008
Michael's parents are not in the courtroom. They have been here the entire trial.
12:49 PM January 23, 2008
Logan's maternal grandparents are here. So is his paternal grandmother.
01:16 PM January 23, 2008
Closings arguments are underway.
01:18 PM January 23, 2008
Logan's autopsy photos are on the screen.
01:56 PM January 23, 2008
Many family members had to leave the courtroom because they got upset during the States closing statement.
02:09 PM January 23, 2008
Defense is giving its closings right now.
02:26 PM January 23, 2008
Defense is done.
02:45 PM January 23, 2008
Michael's parents are not here because they are at the hospital with a family member.
02:48 PM January 23, 2008
One juror is nodding while the judge tells them how to begin deliberations.
02:51 PM January 23, 2008
The judge says the jury will deliberate for as long as they'd like today.
04:27 PM January 23, 2008
Jury deliberations are done for the day. They've had the case since about 3pm.
Latest Comments
I agree with the verdict but I also think Pepper should serve life. I am so SICK of women letting men move in and abuse their children. My son is an adult now, but I told him from a very early age to tell me if ANYONE touched him inappropriately, even if it was his father or grandparents. and I would make it stop. Women need to stand up for their children and stop allowing this kind of abuse to continue. No "boyfriend" on earth is worth your child's well-being. I'm a Registered Nurse and I once had the mother of an abused child say to me, "You can always have more kids but a good man is hard to find." UNREAL! There is no excuse for the doctor's actions either. He should be banned from the practice of medicine. RIP Logan.
[ Report Abuse ]
The full name and birth date seems correct. I wonder what happened that he was arrested?
[ Report Abuse ]
Was Logan's real father arrested last night? There was a Jeremy Goodall listed on the daily incarcerations.
[ Report Abuse ]
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