Sapiano

Mighty-Osborne admitted on a previous occasion she called Sapiano a "bitch" and accused him of collecting "blood money."

Thestar.com - Home Page Betsy Powell 2010

Mighty-Osborne admitted on a previous occasion she called Sapiano a "bitch" and accused him of collecting "blood money."

Thestar.com - Home Page Betsy Powell 2010

During the two-month trial, Sapiano, who represented Sappleton, portrayed Thomas as a liar who boxed herself into a corner after initially telling police Eubank and Sappleton fired at each other on either side of a short tunnel at the complex.

Thestar.com - Home Page Betsy Powell 2010

Sapiano told jurors Thomas's testimony was "riddled" with "inconsistencies, deficiencies and outright prevarications."

Thestar.com - Home Page Betsy Powell 2010

Sapiano argued there was no corroborating evidence that shots were fired through the tunnel and that Thomas feared she would be prosecuted if she recanted.

Thestar.com - Home Page Betsy Powell 2010

During the two-month trial, Sapiano, who represented Sappleton, portrayed Thomas as a liar who boxed herself into a corner after initially telling police Eubank and Sappleton fired at each other on either side of a short tunnel at the complex.

Thestar.com - Home Page Betsy Powell 2010

She continues to stick to the story, albeit wavering on many points, because she fears being prosecuted for perjury - not because of alleged gang threats, Sapiano said.

Thestar.com - Home Page Betsy Powell 2010

"She knows there was no shooting through the tunnel," Sapiano said.

Thestar.com - Home Page Betsy Powell 2010

When she was first interviewed by police, hours after the shooting, she tailored her story to fit that assumption, Sapiano said.

Thestar.com - Home Page Betsy Powell 2010

Sapiano argued there was no corroborating evidence that shots were fired through the tunnel and that Thomas feared she would be prosecuted if she recanted.

Thestar.com - Home Page Betsy Powell 2010