Heading to trial
Heading to trial
Pool of potential jurors grows in Brothers case
This story originally appeared January 17, 2007
The first phase of jury selection may finish today in the case of murder suspect Vincent Brothers.
Lawyer's injury brings further delay in court
This story originally appeared January 13, 2007
A defense attorney's dislocated shoulder could slow down -- or even bring to a screeching halt -- the Vincent Brothers murder case just as it nears trial.
Jury pool lacks diversity, defense says
This story originally appeared January 12, 2007
Defense attorneys for Vincent Brothers said Thursday the black population is under-represented in the jury pool.
Defense attacks rental car evidence
This story originally appeared January 11, 2007
Defense attorneys cast doubt Wednesday on a key piece of the prosecution's evidence that Vincent Brothers drove from Ohio to Bakersfield to kill his family.
First potential jurors summoned to court
This story originally appeared January 10, 2007
The first set of 50 jurors was summoned to court Tuesday as jury selection began in the Vincent Brothers trial.
Potential jurors face bevy of questions today
This story originally appeared January 9, 2007
Attorneys in the Vincent Brothers quintuple-murder case put the finishing touches on a 44-page juror questionnaire Monday.
Motion filed to move case to L.A. County
This story originally appeared January 6, 2007
Many people in Kern County know about the murder charges against Vincent Brothers -- and before the trial has started, some people have already made a decision about Brothers' guilt, according to a motion filed Friday by his defense attorneys.
Defense attorneys seek trial move for Brothers
This story originally appeared January 5, 2007
Defense attorneys representing Vincent Brothers said Thursday they plan to file a motion this week to move the trial out of Kern County.
No more delays: Brothers' trial to start in January
This story originally appeared December 21, 2006
A judge said Wednesday there will be no more delays in the Vincent Brothers' trial, meaning it will begin in January.
Defense seeks to delay trial
This story originally appeared December 19, 2006
Vincent Brothers' attorneys want to delay his trial at least six more months, saying they need additional time to line up witnesses after a string of incidents delayed them.
Brothers asks for death penalty pass if convicted
This story originally appeared December 19, 2006
Defense attorneys in the Vincent Brothers case tapped into a national controversy over the death penalty with a recent motion.
Brothers' marriage a cold one, statements say
This story originally appeared December 14, 2006
Those close to Joanie Harper before she was killed said her relationship with her husband, Vincent Brothers, was strained and distant, according to statements recently filed in Kern County Superior Court.
Brothers' affairs in focus
This story originally appeared December 13, 2006
Vincent Brothers' relationship with his wife and other women will go under the microscope on the eve of his quintuple murder trial.
Brothers' alibi argued
This story originally appeared December 9, 2006
Vincent Brothers' attorney said Friday that a person saw Brothers in Ohio around the time Brothers' family was murdered in Bakersfield.
Brothers' letter, claims of gay affair provoke response
This story originally appeared December 8, 2006
What took Vincent Brothers so long to break his silence about the death of his wife, three children and mother-in-law? That's the question that haunts those close to the victims of a quintuple murder more than three years ago.
Theories needed to aid defense, experts agree
This story originally appeared December 7, 2006
New defense theories in the Vincent Brothers case have left some angry and others hurt. But longtime criminal defense attorneys are quick to point out that lawyers in death penalty cases must explore all reasonable leads -- it's their obligation.
'SHE WAS NOT GAY'
This story originally appeared December 7, 2006
Vincent Brothers said the allegations that his slain wife was gay or involved in a lesbian affair are not true.
Brothers' attorneys challenge recordings
This story originally appeared December 5, 2006
Defense attorneys for Vincent Brothers questioned Monday whether tape recordings of Brothers from over the telephone or other conversations should be allowed as evidence in court, but the motion was postponed until Friday.
Sound Off for Dec. 3, 2006
This story originally appeared December 3, 2006
Reader: An article in Wednesday's Californian is a classic example of why your paper's circulation is diminishing at an unacceptably high rate. (Don't blame the Internet; the absence of a business section and quality reporting/editing are the real reasons.)
Lesbian allegations in Brothers case decried
This story originally appeared November 30, 2006
Friends of a witness who has come under scrutiny in the Vincent Brothers' case insist she is a not a lesbian or a murderer as Brothers' defense team has suggested.
Trial Blog
- Brothers' attorneys face contempt hearing
- Judge: Brothers deserves to die
- Jury recommends Brothers should receive the death penalty
- VERDICT IN DEATH PENALTY
- No Verdict This Week
- Jury begins deliberations in Brothers penalty phase
- Defense attorney finishes closing argument
- Defense continues closing argument
- Defense attorney begins his closing argument
- Prosecutor finishes closing argument
- More trial blog posts →
Featured Content
Photo gallery: Vincent Brothers
See a gallery of images of the man accused of murdering his wife, mother in law and three young children.
Photo gallery: The Harper family
See a gallery of the mother, grandmother and three children murdered in the summer of 2003.
Photo gallery: Murder and mourning
See a gallery of images from the day of the murder through the funerals and beyond.
Family of five slain
Read the first story on the killings from July 9, 2003.