COEUR D'ALENE, Idaho -- Debate about witness testimony prompted a warning from the judge presiding over a teen murder trial.
Eldon Gale Samuel III, 16, is accused of killing his 46-year-old father, Eldon Samuel Jr., and his 13-year-old brother, Jonathan Samuel, on March 24, 2014 in Coeur d'Alene. He was just 14 at the time, but is being charged as an adult.
The prosecution rested on Tuesday, about a week after the trial began. Samuel III's defense lawyers then began calling witnesses. They have focused on a case of self-defense, citing his father's abusive behavior. At one point in the trial, Samuel III's lawyer said his father "trained him for the zombie apocalypse."
Neighbors who lived across the street told the court they witnessed Samuel III's dad pacing and muttering outside on the night of the shooting. The defense has claimed Samuel III's father was ranting about zombies the night of the murder.
The line of questioning prompted warning from the judge, who was asked to rule about what the defense's witnesses could testify to.
A neighbor said he was watching the TV show The Walking Dead on the night of the murder. The show features zombies, and essentially allowed the defense to bring up the topic of zombies in court.
The defense proceeded to ask the witness, "How do you kill a zombie."
Samuel III is accused of using a machete and guns to kill his father and younger brother. According to court documents, Samuel III confessed to the killings and did not show remorse when discussing them.
Court resumes with more witnesses testimony on Wednesday morning.
