Jesse Davis, who has already pleaded guilty and been sentenced for his role in killing two Winter Park High School students, refused to testify Tuesday for his friend, who is on trial after being charged in connection with the killings.
Earlier Tuesday, the state rested their case against Hector Rodriguez, who is accused of helping Davis kill and then burn the bodies of Nicholas Presha, 16, and Jeremy Stewart, 18.
Presha's and Stewart's bodies were found burning on the Cady Way Trail in April 2012.
Davis was expected to take the stand for the defense, claiming Rodriguez had nothing to do with the killings. Shortly after he was sentenced to life in prison, Davis told investigators Rodriguez had nothing to do with the killings and that he had acted alone.
Defense attorneys are now calling Davis' attorney to the courthouse, according to Channel 9's Jeff Deal.
WFTV legal analyst Bill Sheaffer said he doesn’t believe Davis can be forced to testify because he’s not in violation of any plea deal and that it wouldn’t hurt the state if he doesn’t take the stand.
Prosecutors contend Davis is trying to protect Rodriguez, and protect himself from being viewed as a snitch in state prison.
Earlier, a Florida Department of Law Enforcement forensic investigator talked about the bullets found in Presha and Stewart.
Jurors heard a muffled last call made from Stewart's phone at 4:17 a.m.; a detective called it an unintentional call.
The only controversial issue came just before lunch, when the mother of Rodriguez's child, Brandie Loder, who is a possible witness in the case, was caught listening to live stream of testimony on a mobile phone.
"I've been keeping an eye on it pretty closely because it's affecting somebody I love," said Loder.
WFTV legal analyst Bill Sheaffer said it doesn't appear that what she heard will have much impact on her testimony, since she's not expected to be an alibi witness.