Will the New Jersey father accused of abusing, and then murdering his 6-year-old son, testify in his defense?
Last week, attorney Mario Gallucci told Court TV that his client Christopher Gregor would be taking the stand at his murder trial in Ocean County. He is charged with endangering the welfare of a child and first-degree murder in the death of his son Corey Micciolo.
Gregor’s Testimony
Gallucci shared the news that Gregor would testify last week before a transcript emerged that allegedly showed the defendant coaching his mother ahead of her testimony in court. Carolyn Gregor had been expected to take the stand in her son’s defense last week. Two weeks earlier, she appeared before the judge once jurors had been dismissed for the day to determine what parts of her testimony would be admissible in the case.
New Evidence
That all changed, however, when Ocean County prosecutor Jamie Schron informed the court of new evidence in the case obtained over the previous weekend. “The state came into possession of a recording of a phone call between the defendant and his mother that took place I believe last Friday, subsequent to the testimony of Carolyn and David Gregor,” Schron said. In that call, “the defendant was coaching his mother with regard to her testimony,” Schron said. She then informed the judge that “subject to any rulings from the court,” she would be asking questions about this call during the cross-examination of both Gregor and his mother.
The Cross-Examination
Gallucci then addressed the court and said that after receiving a recording and transcript of the call, the prosecutor’s statement about the discussion between mother and son was “very accurate.” He then told the court that the “conversation does make me not want to call Mrs. Gregor as a witness in the trial.”
Ongoing Uncertainty
The prosecution made it clear that if either Gregor or his mother took the stand, they would be questioned about the transcript of the jail phone call. As such, it remains unclear if Gallucci is still committed to calling his client to testify in his defense.
Forensic Pathologist as Witness
The prosecution rested its case on Wednesday and jurors were excused until Friday, when the defense is expected to call its first witness. That witness will be forensic pathologist Dr. Michael Baden, the former medical examiner for New York City, who is expected to testify that Corey died from an infection.
Disputed Findings
The defense disputes the findings of this autopsy report and said in their opening statement that Corey died of pneumonia. It is a defense that Gregor’s lawyer first shared with Inside Edition Digital over a year ago.
Gregor’s Defense
Gregor is currently being held without bond at the Ocean County Jail. He entered a plea of not guilty to both charges and denies ever hitting or abusing his son. When asked about his son’s bruises, he allegedly told Bre that Corey needed to be “tougher,” text messages reviewed by Inside Edition Digital show. Gregor faces life in prison if convicted in what some are now calling the treadmill abuse murder trial.