By admin 
TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) – Closing arguments wrapped up Tuesday, May 12, in the retrial of Bariki Amani Hopkins.
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The 36-year-old Hopkins is accused of shooting his girlfriend, Anisa Moreno, and her 16-week-old unborn child in their home on Jan. 30, 2025.
He faces two charges of first-degree murder.
Hopkins stood trial several months ago, but jurors were unable to return a decision on first- or second-degree murder charges.
The first day of testimony began Tuesday, May 5.
The jury has heard from more than a dozen witnesses throughout that time, and Tuesday, May 12, the defense called their first and only witness to the stand.
Shortly after that, both parties made their final plea to the jury during closing arguments.
Prosecution’s case
The state of Arizona is trying to prove that Hopkins’ actions were premeditated and that he intended to kill Moreno and her unborn baby.
The prosecution asked the jury to consider Hopkins’ DNA on the murder weapon, witness testimony from neighbors and friends who lived near the couple, and evidence presented by the lead detective in the case.
During closing arguments, they suggested that Hopkins’ use of a gun and behavior following the incident according to witnesses and detectives on the scene, proved that his actions were premeditated.
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“A few seconds is long enough for Bariki Hopkins to actively choose to pick up a gun. A few seconds is long enough to choose to hold it to the back of the head, not to the floor, not to the window not to the wall, not to the roof. It is a choice to hold a gun to the back of somebody’s head. And it is more than enough time to decide to put your finger on the trigger and pull it,” said prosecuting attorney Shelby Aguallo.
Defense’s argument
Hopkins pleaded not guilty to all charges, and his defense is asking jurors to consider the possibility that someone other than Hopkins shot Moreno. The defense suggests the state jumped to conclusions and offered witness testimony that was not credible or contradictory to each other. They reminded jurors that Hopkins is presumed innocent until proven otherwise.
“The state has called witness after witness in this case. And their testimony is either not credible, not particularly relevant to the core issue of who killed Anisa, to base any conclusion on, much less a criminal conviction,” said Victoria Otto, defense attorney.
Before leaving on Tuesday, the 12-person jury decided on a foreperson. They will return on Wednesday, May 13, to begin deliberations and examine all of the evidence presented during the trial.
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