Husband of slain East Georgia College professor takes stand in murder trial

TOOMBS CO., GA (WTOC) - The trial continues for the Emanuel County man accused of murdering East Georgia College professor, Emily Pestana-Mason, back in 2002.

Thursday, the victim's husband took the stand. Walt Mason testified that he found his wife dead of knife wounds in the floor of their Swainsboro home. He said he'd gone to the store at his wife's request.

Investigators arrested Mason and a grand jury even indicted him before new DNA evidence pointed to Phillip Kirby, who had done repair work in the house weeks before and now stands accused of killing Pestana-Mason.

Kirby's defense attorney grilled Mason about what he said were inconsistencies in his statements to authorities. He also brought up what Mason had previously described as marital problems between the two.

Mason listened to his own voice shriek as he called 911 to report his wife Emily dead inside their home. He recalled where he went and went before coming home to find her murdered.

He said his discussion with investigators of possible split personalities was not something he really believed.

"I said if I did this, it had to be another me that did it. That's where the second one came from," said Mason.

Under cross examination, defense attorney Matt Hube grilled Mason on whether he was capable of killing his wife and using multiple personalities to throw authorities off the trail.

"Do you remember saying Walt 1 wouldn't remember it if Walt 2 did it?" asked Hube.

"Walt 1 might not remember what Walt 2 did, but there is no Walt 2," said Mason.

Hube also questioned Mason about their relationship and her temperament away from school.

"I loved my wife, but there were some things she did that were wrong," said Mason.

Earlier in the day, a woman testified that years before this murder, Phillip Kirby attacked her in the convenience store where she worked and tried to rape her. Kirby went to prison for that crime.

Kirby became a suspect in this case two years after the crime. By then he was serving time in prison. Investigators waited until his release to charge him in this one. Of course, we'll keep you updated on this case as it goes.

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