Both sides rest in Luis Toledo murder trial

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35) - On Wednesday afternoon, both state prosecutors and defense attorneys rested in the Luis Toledo murder trial.

Toledo is accused of killing his wife Yessenia Suarez and her two children, Michael and Thalia, in their Deltona home in 2013.  Toledo told investigators he killed his wife in self defense, but said neighbor Tyshawn Jackson killed the children. 

The defense said there's no way Toledo could have been wearing the black pants, shoes and shirt found at the bottom of a dumpster, arguing the timeline doesn't make sense. 

Investigators say Jackson was not involved in the murders or disposing of the bodies.  They think he was simply a "fall guy" for Toledo.

The prosecution wrapped up its case Wednesday morning with Sabrina Newell, Suarez's best friend.  She said she got a jailhouse phone call from Toledo a year and a half after Suarez and her kids disappeared.

"I wanted to hear his side. I wanted to see if he would open up to me," she said. 

Toledo talked how he discovered his wife was having an affair and how he confronted her.

"Leave me first before you cheat on me. I used to tell her that all the time."

Newell asked him what happened that night Toledo is accused of killing his family.

Toledo announced he would not be testifying.  Closing arguments will start Thursday morning. The jury will deliberate on Friday.