Cal Harris Removed From Courtroom Following Outburst

Tempers continue to flare in the third murder trial of Calvin Harris of Spencer.

The former Tioga County car dealer, who is accused of killing his estranged wife in 2001, was removed from the courthouse in Schoharie County April 29 after yelling at the judge for what he said was “continuously siding with the prosecution! Shame on you!”

The jury was not present at the time of the outburst.

In more drama, one juror was dismissed for allegedly falling asleep during the prosecution’s closing arguments.

Harris has been convicted twice of murder in connection with the disappearance of Michele, who was reportedly last seen on September 11, 2001.  That timeline has since been disputed following the first trial by a witness who said he saw Michele alive, arguing with a man at the Harris compound on September 12.

Both of the previous convictions have been thrown out on appeal.

During the almost 12 weeks of the latest trial in Schoharie County, there have been about a half dozen motions by the defense for a mistrial and countless objections to various testimony.

An objection to the prosecution’s statement that no one other than Cal Harris had a motive to kill Michele resulted in the dismissal of the jury prior to Harris’ courtroom outburst.