Trial For Man Accused In Toddler Killing In Hands Of Jury

DENVER (CBS4)- After three weeks of testimony the trial of a man accused of killing a 3-year-old is in the hands of the jury.

Angel Montoya is charged with killing Neavah Gallegos in 2007 and then throwing her body in drainage ditch. His first trial ended in a mistrial.

Closing arguments began at about 12:30 p.m. Thursday. The judge gave jurors their instructions Thursday morning. The case went to the jury just before 5 p.m. Thursday.

The prosecution finished their closing arguments at 2:10 p.m. Thursday. The defense is expected to present their case after a short recess. The defense was expected to take at least 90 minutes for their presentation to the court.

Gallegos' mother, Miriam Gallegos, is currently serving a 12-year sentence for covering up her daughter's murder. She was the prosecution's key witness.

In the previous trial, Gallegos broke a gag order. While on the stand, she told the jury that Angel Montoya was a sex offender. Both the prosecution and defense agreed that information would not allow Montoya to have a fair trial.