By Cynthia Hubert
chubert@sacbee.com
A man accused of abuses that left his girlfriend paralyzed for life decided to forgo testifying Monday in Sacramento Superior Court.
Joe McCoy took the stand, but Judge Lloyd Connelly stopped him when he began ranting about his lawyer. After a lengthy delay, the jury returned and McCoy exercised his right not to testify. The defense then rested its case without calling a witness.
McCoy, 51, is facing charges of attempted murder, torture, spousal abuse and penetration with a foreign object for injuries to a woman who The Bee is identifying as Jane Doe. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Doe testified via videotape that McCoy beat her in their apartment on La Riviera Drive in September 2009 after accusing her of being with another man. While she was face down on the floor, she said, he bent her legs backward over her head and snapped her neck.
The woman, 50, is now paralyzed from the chest down and lives in a care home.
Closing arguments are scheduled for Tuesday, after which the case will go to the jury.
Call The Bee's Cynthia Hubert, (916) 321-1082.
Previous coverage:
Sacramento jury hears woman describe night of torture - Dec. 2, 2010
Trial opens in Sacramento domestic abuse and torture case - Dec. 1, 2010









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