Murder defendant: Killings helped victims' son (he thought his Sister & BIL were too liberal) [View All]

[Kadie]

Murder defendant: Killings helped victims' son
Henry K. Lee, Chronicle Staff Writer

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

(10-14) 11:36 PDT EL CERRITO -- The man accused of fatally stabbing and bludgeoning his sister and her husband in El Cerrito said in court today that the couple's son had "cleaned up his life" since his parents were "eliminated."

"How's your life been since all this happened?" Edward Wycoff, 40, who is acting as his own attorney, asked his nephew, 20-year-old Eric Rogers, during cross-examination in Contra Costa County Superior Court in Martinez.

"Incredibly difficult," Rogers said, looking squarely at his uncle.

The exchange came moments after Wycoff greeted his nephew by saying, "Hello Eric." Rogers simply nodded.

Wycoff is accused of killing Rogers' parents, Paul Rogers, 48, and Julie Wycoff Rogers, 47, on New Year's Eve 2006 at their home on Rifle Range Road.

Authorities say Wycoff killed the couple because he thought they were too liberal, were raising their children wrong and because they hadn't invited him over for Christmas. If convicted of murder with special circumstances, Wycoff could be sentenced to death.

snip...
When Kennedy asked, in the jury's presence, whether he wanted to explain the relevancy, Wycoff said, "Yes, I'll tell you why. The parents raised these kids wrong. Since the parents were eliminated, I think Eric has cleaned up his life."

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/10/14/BAGO1A5GMH.DTL&tsp=1#ixzz0TwFL4sLT