Caretaker’s murder trial goes to jury

A Cobb County jury is weighing murder charges against a former Smyrna live-in caregiver after lawyers presented their closing arguments in the case Wednesday.

Madonna Whitus, 43, is accused of murdering Kathie Durant in December 2007 by depriving the 63-year-old disabled woman of food and giving her Doxepin, an anti-depressant drug that was prescribed to Whitus.

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Cobb County Sheriff's Office

Madonna Ann Whitus is accused of killing Kathie G. Durant in December 2007.

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“The Doxepin is the murder weapon. It’s the smoking gun,” Cobb Assistant District Attorney Jesse Evans told the jurors. “She [Whitus] left the murder weapon in the victim’s body.”

The jury deliberated for about 90 minutes before Superior Court Judge Dorothy Robinson sent jurors home for the evening. They are scheduled to continue deliberations Thursday.

Evans argued the nearly 300 pieces of evidence presented to the juror during the two-week trial should convince them of Whitus’ guilt. Whitus faces seven felony counts, including murder.

Defense lawyer T. Bryan Lumpkin argued that prosecutors presented a one-sided picture of Whitus. “She is not a killer,” Lumpkin said. “She is not a murderer.”

The prosecution said Durant lay dead on the floor of her bedroom of her Smyrna townhouse in a diaper and pullover shirt for several days. Her body was discovered by members of her church.

Whitus was arrested after depositing in her bank account $55,000 stolen from Durant and going on a shopping spree, according to prosecutors.