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No defense witnesses in trial in officers' murder

PITTSBURGH — A defense attorney says she will not call any witnesses in the trial of a Pittsburgh man accused of killing three police officers who responded to the suspect’s home after a reported argument that the suspect had with his mother.

Instead, Public Defender Lisa Middleman says she will introduce only a collection of photographs from the home of 24-year-old Richard Poplawski and diagrams that describe the wounds of two officers, Paul Sciullo II and Stephen Mayhle.

Middleman has told the jury that some physical evidence in the case contradicts the official police version and she is expected to use the photos and diagrams to make that case during closing arguments later today.

Allegheny County Deputy District Attorney Mark Tranquilli presented 41 witnesses and about 500 exhibits during the trial.

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