Prosecution Rests In The Jarvis Murder Trial

Man Charged In Death Of Estranged Wife

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Jurors returned to court Wednesday to hear more testimony in the case against William Jarvis, a former air-traffic controller charged with first-degree murder in the death of his estranged wife, Lillian Jarvis.

William is accused of planting a bomb disguised as a Christmas gift on the doorstep of Lillian's parents' home. She took the package to the bathroom, where it exploded as she opened it, killing her and injuring her mother and boyfriend on Jan. 6, 2001.

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In testimony Wednesday, an FBI computer expert said agents found bomb Websites had been accessed on the computer Jarvis used at the FAA. The defense pointed out seven people had access to that computer.

The computer expert also testified the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office went to Jarvis' home and saw a computer inside. When they returned with a warrant to seize it, the computer was gone. He will be back on the stand Wednesday afternoon.

Lillian Jarvis' friend and former roommate, Wendy Lucas, testified Tuesday. Lucas lived with Lillian in an apartment on the Westside in 1999, while the two women were separated from their husbands. She testified that on two separate occasions, Lillian received packages from Jarvis, including lilies with the heads cut off. Lucas also saw Jarvis deliver another package containing a paring knife.

Prosecutors pointed to a large alimony order and animosity as Jarvis' motive. But his attorney countered that Jarvis still loved his former wife and did not make or deliver the bomb that killed her almost three years ago.

Jarvis had deposited $28,000 as part of the lump-sum payment with his attorney and was paying off the other $16,000 at $500 a month.

If Jarvis is convicted of first-degree murder, the state will seek the death penalty.

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