Neighbors, family minister testify at Blagg trial

<p>A family minister who hosted Michael Blagg in his home the night after Blagg reported his wife and daughter missing testified at Blagg's murder trial Wednesday.</p><p>Prosecutors called Arthur Blankenship to discuss events surrounding Blagg's stay at his home.</p><p>Neighbors also testified, including a woman who said she noticed Blagg acting strangely around the time his wife went missing.</p><p>Blagg, 41, is charged with first-degree murder on accusations he shot his wife, Jennifer, before disposing of her body. The couple's 6-year-old daughter is still missing and presumed dead.</p><p>Blagg reported his wife and daughter missing in November 2001.</p><p>Jennifer Blagg's body was found in a Grand Junction-area landfill in June 2002. Blagg was arrested later at his mother's house in Warner Robins, Ga., 120 miles southeast of Atlanta.</p><p>Jurors already have seen physical evidence, including items taken from the Blagg home after the mother and daughter disappeared.</p><p>Prosecutors allege Blagg, a nuclear engineer, staged a burglary and killed his wife to get out of a troubled marriage. Defense lawyers say the two were happy and had no problems, maintaining that a burglar killed Jennifer Blagg.</p><p>The trial was expected to last a month.</p>

http://accesswdun.com/article/2004/3/173707