Overview
- Witnesses told the court Wednesday that Kalman Tal had offered cash to several people months earlier to cut off his leg, describing repeated requests in December 2021 and January 2022.
- Prosecutors said Tuesday that Tal agreed to pay John Yalu $5,000 for the procedure, and police reported finding a bloodstained envelope labeled “Kalman” holding that sum.
- Jurors viewed Tuesday’s CCTV that prosecutors say shows Yalu using a battery-powered circular saw, Tal hopping toward his car before collapsing, and Yalu helping him into the passenger seat before walking away.
- At Monday’s arraignment, Yalu pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter, and the judge told jurors the case turns on whether he intended to kill or cause grievous bodily harm.
- A forensic pathologist testified that Tal died from blood loss shortly after the amputation and had heart disease that may have hastened his death, with no alcohol detected.