Colver's teen-lover murder trial lays out scenario

PLACERVILLE — The body of Joanne Witt was found in 2009 with more than 20 stab wounds in what has been described as a "vicious murder," but was she slain at the hands of defendant Steven Colver or by her own 14-year-old daughter?In opening statements on May 17 defense attorney Daine Weiner contends Joanne Witt was already dead when his client, Colver, arrived at the Witts' El Dorado Hills home the night of June 13, 2009."Tylar Witt (the victim's daughter) had the bloody knife in her hand when she met him at the door that night," Weiner said to the jury. "The evidence will show (Colver) is not guilty."Colver, 20, has been charged with first-degree murder and two special circumstances for the 2009 killing of his former girlfriend's mother. The bloody body of Joanne Witt was discovered Monday June 15, 2009. Tylar Witt was nowhere to be found. They allegedly fled, ending up in the San Francisco Bay area, when they were apprehended.Witt and Colver were both charged with first-degree murder. Witt, now 15, has since pleaded guilty to charges of first-degree murder and will testify for the prosecution. In exchange for her "truthful" testimony, Witt will be eligible for parole when she is 29, rather than 39.Prosecutor Lisette Suder said what began as a forbidden love affair ended in murder. She said Tylar Witt met Colver at a coffee shop. The two became friends. Eventually Witt's mother rented a room to Colver, who dispelled any concerns of a relationship by reportedly telling her he was gay.Tylar Witt and Colver's relationship became physical and Joanne Witt allegedly caught them. She kicked Colver out of her house, reportedly telling him she would not press statutory rape charges if he ended the relationship with Tylar.Suder told jurors in her opening statement that Colver saw Joanne Witt as standing in the way of his freedom and spending his life with his soul mate."He knew Joanne was the only person in his way," Suder said. "He violently and maliciously stabbed her to death."Suder said Joanne Witt found her daughter's journal that outlined in detail the sexual relationship between the two. She eventually turned the journal over to authorities.The possibility of going to jail and having to end his relationship with Tylar is what the prosecution contends was the motive for murder. "Tylar Witt can't bear the thought of being without him," Suder said. "They agree to kill Joanne Witt."Suder said that Tylar did have a hand in the murder plot, but did not go through with actually stabbing her mother.She said Colver left his job, taking a large knife from Rubio's restaurant where he worked. He drove to a nearby school parking lot and waited for the call from Tylar.Joanne Witt was reportedly passed out drunk in her room when Tylar called Colver telling him the "coast is clear."The pair walked to Joanne's bedroom, both armed with knives. However, Tylar fell to her knees outside the bedroom door while Colver entered and stabbed Joanne repeatedly, according to the prosecution.After the killing, the couple burned their clothes and set off to San Francisco where they planned to commit suicide.They were apprehended Wednesday, June 17, 2009.Weiner contends that the plan all along was for the couple to go to San Francisco and commit suicide on their anniversary. Murdering Joanne Witt was never part of the plan, he said."There was no conversation or plan to harm Joanne," Weiner said. "He was upset but he was going to kill himself so there was no reason to kill Joanne."The defense said the evidence will show there was a tumultuous relationship between Witt and her mother that pre-dated the relationship with Colver."Tylar Witt wanted her mother dead," Weiner said. "she threatened to stab her weeks prior to the sex allegations and that's what she did that evening."Colver is expected to take the stand in his own defense.