Hollister – Witnesses finished testimony and final evidence was submitted Friday morning in the second-degree murder trial of Rachael Marie Menchaca.
Menchaca, a 28-year-old Hollister mother, has been tried on charges of second-degree murder, involuntary manslaughter and child endangerment, all felonies, in connection with the death of her 9-month-old daughter, Isabella Menchaca, in September 2006.
Judge Alan Hedegard told the court Friday morning it would take him through Monday to prepare jury instructions.
On Tuesday, attorneys will make closing arguments and jurors will then decide verdicts, Hedegard told the court.
Deputy District Attorney Stephen Wagner called several medical doctors to testify about the death of Isabella Menchaca.
Jurors heard about the pronouncement of death and effects of methadone during Friday’s testimonies.
Forensic pathologist Raymond C. Kelly told jurors methadone is an opiate that can cause respiratory depression.
Both attorneys have said Isabella Menchaca ingested methadone.
Medical personnel testified that Isabella Menchaca was not breathing when they arrived at Rachael Marie Menchaca’s apartment after her 911 call at 3:11am Sept. 11, 2006.
Wagner and Menchaca’s attorney, Greg LaForge, submitted toxicology lab results as evidence showing the defendant had methamphetamine in her system on the day of her daughter’s death and that pills found in her apartment contained methadone.
Hollister Police Department officers took photographs of methadone prescriptions belonging to Menchaca’s uncle.
LaForge did not call any defense witnesses during the trial.
Menchaca faces 15 years to life in prison if convicted of second-degree murder, according to the California Penal Code.
