Jury Deliberates Paige Birgfeld Murder Case

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (CBS4) - Jurors in the Paige Birgfeld murder trial deliberated Tuesday morning after they received the high-profile murder case on Friday.

Lester Jones was arrested in November 2014 for the June 2007 murder of Birgfeld.

Paige Birgfeld's sedan (credit: CBS)

Authorities allege he killed Birgfeld, dumped her body and torched her car. He has been charged with first-degree murder, kidnapping and arson.

Lester Jones, Paige Birgfeld (credit: Mesa County/CBS)

The jury had a question for the judge on Tuesday morning. Jurors asked for a CD player and recordings of messages left on Birgfeld's cellphone. The judge granted their request.

Although Jones did not testify, his wife, Elaine testified three times and continues to stand by her husband's side. She told the court she believes he is innocent.

Medical professionals have testified earlier in the trial that they couldn't tell for sure how Birgfeld died. Her skeletal remains were found in 2012, in a dry creek bed in neighboring Delta County county.

Lester Jones in court on Thursday (credit: CBS)

Investigators say Birgfeld, twice divorced and living in Grand Junction about 200 miles west of Denver, led a double life as a paid escort with many unsavory clients.

Jones was arrested after detectives questioned -- and ruled out -- at least eight other men, including Birgfeld's former husband and several other clients.

The defense has presented five other men they claim could have killed Birgfeld.

(credit: CBS)
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