JOHN MCCANN

jmccann@heraldsun.com; 419-6601

DURHAM -- Jurors on duty for Keith Kidwell's first-degree murder trial today are expected to hear closing arguments and begin deliberating the fate of the 25-year-old defendant who could go to prison for the rest of his life without the possibility of parole.

Kidwell is charged with the February 2005 killing of Crayton Nelms at the 4604 N. Roxboro St. Kangaroo location. Nelms, 44, was working the overnight shift at the store.

District Attorney Tracey Cline asked Superior Court Judge Orlando Hudson onMonday to read a stipulation with the specific dates in October and November 2004 that Kidwell worked at the Kangaroo store. Hudson obliged and told the jury to accept that as fact. The defendant last week didn't object to the move.

Hudson asked Cline if there was further evidence from the state.

Cline rested the state's case.

Hudson asked defense lawyer Lisa Williams if Kidwell would testify and whether she'd present evidence on his behalf.

Williams said no to both of the judge's questions.

And with that Hudson said, "Members of the jury, that concludes the evidence you will hear."

Cline has worked to link Kidwell to the murder by pointing out that both his and the victim's DNA were found on at least one of the defendant's shoes. And after Nelms' pickup truck was stolen from the crime scene, Kidwell was found behind the wheel of the Ford F-150 in Oklahoma after a highway patrolman stopped him for speeding.

Williams didn't make an opening argument when the trial began. The defense lawyer said she'd do that today.