Billy Chemirmir, the main suspect charged for the murder of 81-year-old Lu Harris in March 2018 was back in court on Monday after his trial in November ended in a mistrial due to one juror who refused to find him guilty. The 49-year-old Chemirmir is facing life imprisonment without the possibility of parole should he be found guilty in the capital murder of Harris.
According to NBC 5 DFW, Chemirmir’s retrial was also delayed for several hours by a juror who failed to show up for court. The missing juror was tracked down at his workplace and brought to the jury stand by sheriff’s deputies to explain his absence. The juror said he had forgotten his scheduled jury duty but was allowed by Judge Raquel Jones to remain on the jury provided he would assure showing up for the remaining period of the trial.
During the trial, the defendant’s attorney entered a not guilty plea for his client on all charges as Chemirmir maintained his innocence even as prosecutors presented a video showing two other victims with Chemirmir on different occasions in the same Walmart store. Phone records tracked Chemirmir from the store all the way to the victim’s house, after 9 minutes, he was traced to a Gold Exchange store selling his loot from the victim’s jewelry.
Chemirmir is charged with killing 18 elderly women around the Dallas area in a span of two years. But his retrial is meant for Lu Harris’ case only. Police on the case testified that they had seen Chemirmir throw her jewelry box in a dumpster near his apartment. Officers were already on his trail after his car was spotted in some of the crime scenes somewhere in Collin County.
Evidence presented by prosecutors included the pillow that was used to smother Harris with remaining lipstick smudges still visible. After killing Harris, Chemirmir allegedly sold her jewelry on the Offer Up app, with police managing to recover some of them.
In a testimony heard from another of Chemirmir’s victims, Mary Bartell, who sadly died after her ordeal -- a recorded testimony from her was also presented as evidence to the jurors. Police strongly believe Bartel may well have been the only victim of Chemirmir who survived the attack.
“He smashed a pillow on my face and chest, “ Bartell relayed.
Videos along with cellphone records and one of the victim’s house keys were found on Chemirmir. However, not enough forensic evidence links him to any of the said crimes.
Families of the victims said they are ready to give their testimonies again although they feel sickened having to come back to hear and retell evidence all over again.
