Defense begins in Griffith trial
By Kat Russell, Reporter
The Paducah Sun
February 13, 2015
http://www.paducahsun.com/news/local/defense-begins-in-griffith-trial/article_3790158a-5ad7-11e7-a933-10604b9f0f42.html
Kat Russell / The Paducah Sun
With the prosecution's case wrapped up, defense attorney Mark Bryant called his first witnesses Thursday in the trial of Keith Griffth of Reidland, who is accused of killing his wife and setting fire to their home with her and their two dogs inside.
Making for a short day in court, Bryant called three character witnesses who testified about their relationships with Keith Griffith and his wife, Julie Griffith.
Bryant's questions aimed to undermine the prosecution's contention that financial gain and Griffith's desire for other women drove him to kill his wife.
First up was Craig Bradley, who had known the Griffiths about 15 years through their mutual love of golf. Bradley's wife Temple testified later that morning.
Bradley characterized Keith and Julie Griffiths' marriage as a happy one where they did things together as a couple and often spent time with other married pairs.
Bradley said he and his wife often traveled with the Griffiths, and the four had participated in numerous couples golf tournaments.
"If we were with one of them, we were with the other," he said.
Bradley also said the Griffiths were involved in his children's lives, often supporting them at sporting matches and spending time at the Bradleys' home.
When Julie was found dead in the Griffiths' burned home, Bradley said he had immediately tried to call Keith Griffith to see if he was OK. The two met at Griffith's home later that day.
"I left work to be there for him," Bradley said of Griffith. "We hugged, and he was glad I was there. He was upset, subdued. He wasn't his normal self â ¦ and we just sat there and looked at the house."
When asked if he was aware of Griffith's girlfriend Deanna Cloe - who testified Wednesday - or his extramarital affairs, Bradley answered, "Never. Never once did I know or did he speak of these other women."
Bryant also questioned Bradley about Julie Griffith's job at JCPenney, and her husband's reaction when she decided to quit.
"She felt that she had been taken advantage of to a certain extent and was frustrated with the job and chose to leave," Bradley said of Julie Griffith.
"Keith encouraged her to since she wasn't happy, and he did well enough with his job."
Bryant also asked about the Griffiths' dog, Cleo, an elderly Great Dane who was described as very protective of both Griffith and his wife.
"That was his baby," Bradley said of Griffith and Cleo. "She was just like family. The kids were gone, and Cleo was like another child to them."
Bryant asked similar questions of the other two witnesses called: Murray Looper, a city employee who had known Keith Griffith about 40 years, and Bradley's wife, Temple Bradley, who gave emotional testimony.
Both echoed Bradley's remarks.
"I loved him," Temple Bradley said tearfully of Keith Griffith. "I still do, love him dearly."
Of Julie Griffith, she said she "loves her and misses her greatly."
After each of their testimonies, Commonwealth Attorney Dan Boaz and Assistant Commonwealth Attorney Raymond McGee took turns cross-examining the witnesses.
They asked about lies Griffith allegedly told his friends about his whereabouts the night his wife died, his double life and about a pair of white sneakers the police were looking for.
Police contend Griffith was wearing those white sneakers when he allegedly killed his wife.
"I remember your interview with Detective Morris; you said there were a couple of things Keith had lied to you about," McGee said to Bradley.
Bradley confirmed Griffith had lied about not leaving the hotel he had used as his alibi. As for the sneakers, Bradley said Griffith told him the shoes were at the house and burned in the fire.
While questioning Temple Bradley, McGee asked about the dog Cleo, hinting the animal would have tried to protect Julie Griffith.
Temple Bradley also confirmed Griffith allegedly lied regarding his whereabouts the night his wife died and the sneakers.
McGee finished his questions by asking, "So if (Griffith) had his white shoes on in Indiana, and if those white shoes really did burn up in the house, then he would have had to go back to his home in Reidland wouldn't he?"
After a moment's pause, Bradley answered, "I don't know."
Griffith, 56, is on trial for murder, first-degree arson, tampering with evidence and two counts of first-degree animal cruelty. The trial will resume at 8:30 a.m. today in McCracken Circuit Court.
Contact Kat Russell, a Paducah Sun staff writer, at 270-575-8653.
Making for a short day in court, Bryant called three character witnesses who testified about their relationships with Keith Griffith and his wife, Julie Griffith.
Bryant's questions aimed to undermine the prosecution's contention that financial gain and Griffith's desire for other women drove him to kill his wife.
First up was Craig Bradley, who had known the Griffiths about 15 years through their mutual love of golf. Bradley's wife Temple testified later that morning.
Bradley characterized Keith and Julie Griffiths' marriage as a happy one where they did things together as a couple and often spent time with other married pairs.
Bradley said he and his wife often traveled with the Griffiths, and the four had participated in numerous couples golf tournaments.
"If we were with one of them, we were with the other," he said.
Bradley also said the Griffiths were involved in his children's lives, often supporting them at sporting matches and spending time at the Bradleys' home.
When Julie was found dead in the Griffiths' burned home, Bradley said he had immediately tried to call Keith Griffith to see if he was OK. The two met at Griffith's home later that day.
"I left work to be there for him," Bradley said of Griffith. "We hugged, and he was glad I was there. He was upset, subdued. He wasn't his normal self â ¦ and we just sat there and looked at the house."
When asked if he was aware of Griffith's girlfriend Deanna Cloe - who testified Wednesday - or his extramarital affairs, Bradley answered, "Never. Never once did I know or did he speak of these other women."
Bryant also questioned Bradley about Julie Griffith's job at JCPenney, and her husband's reaction when she decided to quit.
"She felt that she had been taken advantage of to a certain extent and was frustrated with the job and chose to leave," Bradley said of Julie Griffith.
"Keith encouraged her to since she wasn't happy, and he did well enough with his job."
Bryant also asked about the Griffiths' dog, Cleo, an elderly Great Dane who was described as very protective of both Griffith and his wife.
"That was his baby," Bradley said of Griffith and Cleo. "She was just like family. The kids were gone, and Cleo was like another child to them."
Bryant asked similar questions of the other two witnesses called: Murray Looper, a city employee who had known Keith Griffith about 40 years, and Bradley's wife, Temple Bradley, who gave emotional testimony.
Both echoed Bradley's remarks.
"I loved him," Temple Bradley said tearfully of Keith Griffith. "I still do, love him dearly."
Of Julie Griffith, she said she "loves her and misses her greatly."
After each of their testimonies, Commonwealth Attorney Dan Boaz and Assistant Commonwealth Attorney Raymond McGee took turns cross-examining the witnesses.
They asked about lies Griffith allegedly told his friends about his whereabouts the night his wife died, his double life and about a pair of white sneakers the police were looking for.
Police contend Griffith was wearing those white sneakers when he allegedly killed his wife.
"I remember your interview with Detective Morris; you said there were a couple of things Keith had lied to you about," McGee said to Bradley.
Bradley confirmed Griffith had lied about not leaving the hotel he had used as his alibi. As for the sneakers, Bradley said Griffith told him the shoes were at the house and burned in the fire.
While questioning Temple Bradley, McGee asked about the dog Cleo, hinting the animal would have tried to protect Julie Griffith.
Temple Bradley also confirmed Griffith allegedly lied regarding his whereabouts the night his wife died and the sneakers.
McGee finished his questions by asking, "So if (Griffith) had his white shoes on in Indiana, and if those white shoes really did burn up in the house, then he would have had to go back to his home in Reidland wouldn't he?"
After a moment's pause, Bradley answered, "I don't know."
Griffith, 56, is on trial for murder, first-degree arson, tampering with evidence and two counts of first-degree animal cruelty. The trial will resume at 8:30 a.m. today in McCracken Circuit Court.
Contact Kat Russell, a Paducah Sun staff writer, at 270-575-8653.
