Dentist may take stand in his trial

Turner is accused of killing his estranged wife

Credit: Journal Photo by Amanda Muschlitz

Kirk Turner (right) consults with one of his attorneys in Davie Superior Court. He could face life in prison if convicted.

By: By Michael Hewlett | JOURNAL REPORTER
Published: July 28, 2009

MOCKSVILLE

The Clemmons dentist accused of killing his estranged wife will take the stand in his defense, one of his attorneys said in Davie Superior Court yesterday.

Kirk Alan Turner, 52, is standing trial on charges of first-degree murder in the death of his wife, Jennifer Jean Wittwer Turner, 54, who was found dead Sept. 12, 2007, at the house that the couple shared at 627 Jack Booe Road. They were married for more than 20 years before separating in 2006.

Kirk Turner, dressed in a gray suit, fiddled with a pen and consulted with his attorneys, who include Joseph Cheshire, a Raleigh attorney who represented the Duke University lacrosse players.

Brad Bannon, another of Turner's defense attorneys, said in court that Turner intends to testify. Defense attorneys have filed notice that they will argue that he acted in self-defense.

Jury selection started yesterday afternoon.

Judge W. Erwin Spainhour of Davie Superior Court told potential jurors that after jury selection is completed, the trial will probably take two to three weeks.

The case has been high profile. District Attorney Garry Frank has said he has been contacted by the CBS news show 48 Hours.

Authorities responded to the Turners' house about 9:45 p.m. Sept. 12 and found the body of Jennifer Turner in the shop building.

Kirk Turner had gone there with a friend to pick up items from the shop building. Jennifer Turner was found with two gashes across her throat, severing her windpipe, and a pocketknife was found beneath her, prosecutors have said.

Her husband was at the house when she was found and had stab wounds on his thigh and groin that he later said were made by his wife when she stabbed him with a spear that had a 16-inch blade.

Three months after his wife's death, Kirk Turner was charged with first-degree murder. If convicted, he could face life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Prosecutors say that Kirk Turner killed his wife because he was angry with her over a hotly contested separation and her allegations that he cheated on her. Jennifer Turner had filed an alienation of affection lawsuit against the woman she believed her husband was having an affair with.

Jury selection continues today, and Spainhour said that opening arguments could begin later this week.

■ Michael Hewlett can be reached at 727-7326 or at mhewlett@wsjournal.com.