CLEARFIELD---This morning, the Prosecution wrapped-up their case against Andrew Callahan for the murder of Micah Pollock back in 1997.

Callahan took the stand in his own defense today, and his testimony lasted for hours, with both the Defense and the Prosecution questioning him about every detail of the events surrounding Micah Pollack’s death.

Callahan was the only witness called by the defense.

Callahan said he did shoot Micah Pollack in the back, but that it was a careless mistake made when he was high on a hallucinogenic drug.

He said he only put one round into his 12 gauge shotgun that day, which he shot at a grouse while he and Pollack were out hunting, killing time before going to a party.

As they were leaving, Callahan says they were joking around and Pollack was walking in front of him. He said, at the time, he thought it would be funny to scare Pollack by firing what he called a “dry shot,” meaning there was no ammunition in the gun, so it would just make a clicking sound when the trigger was pulled.

However, there was ammunition in that gun, and the round struck Pollock in the center of the back, killing him.

Both the Defense and the Prosecution made closing arguments to jury members this afternoon.

The Defense stated that there is not enough evidence in this case to prove beyond the shadow of a doubt that the shooting of Micah Pollock was not an accident. He admits that Callahan’s actions were extremely reckless and negligent, but that is not enough to convict him of 1st Degree Murder.

The Prosecution responded in their closing arguments by saying every piece of evidence and witness testimony point to one conclusion, and that is that Callahan intentionally killed Micah Pollock.

Callahan testified that he was high on a hallucinogenic drug when he shot Pollack, and the District Attorney says that Voluntary Intoxication can be used as a defense to the charge of 1st Degree Murder.

However, the defendant would have had to have been so overpowered by drugs that he was unable to function. The Prosecution reminded the jury that after Callahan shot Pollack, he was able to devise a plan to conceal the body, and he was also functional enough to drive a car several times that day. Therefore, he said, even if Callahan did take drugs that day, it is not enough to claim Voluntary Intoxication.

Thursday morning, the jury will be presented with the charges and will begin their deliberations.

Court officials are being very careful about following all required procedures, because Callahan’s first two convictions were thrown out due to improper jury instructions.