ELKHART COUNTY, Ind.--- The jury is now deliberating its verdict in the murder trial of Nicholas Stanley. Trial began Monday morning, and kicked off its fifth day with closing arguments.

Because it has the burden of proof, the prosecution got to have the first and last word. Elkhart County Deputy Prosecutor Ashley Faire went first, telling the jury that Stanley's admissions on the stand Thursday make their case. She argued that while Stanley's hate and rage for Cogswell may be understandable, that does not make murder legally justifiable, and noted Cogswell is not the one on trial.

Vincent Campiti, Stanley's defense attorney, was significantly hampered Thursday when Elkhart Circuit Court Judge Michael Christofeno ruled that he will not include a voluntary manslaughter jury instruction. Campiti had argued a "sudden heat" defense Thursday, which could lower a murder conviction to voluntary manslaughter. Ultimately, the jury will not have the option to lessen Stanley's conviction if found guilty.

Campiti's closing arguments lasted about 20 minutes, and he repeatedly reminded the jury, "You are the judges of the law and the facts." He said the state did not prove Stanley's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt because they didn't prove he "knowingly" committed the crime, saying Stanley was on "auto-pilot" at the time of the shooting.

He also chastised the prosecution's cross-examination of Stanley's young relative who took the stand in his defense Thursday, saying it was highly insensitive.

Elkhart County Prosecutor, Vicki Becker, gave the state's rebuttal, lasting nearly 30 minutes. She reminded the jury that Stanley lied to police about the shooting on June 24, 2025, but came clean in his interview with ABC57. She said he did so to control the narrative from the beginning, gain support, and influence potential jurors.

She accused Stanley of fabricating his testimony that the young relative told him she was scared of Cogswell hours before the shooting. She also said it was his fault she had to take the stand at all. Finally, she said Stanley acted as judge, jury and executioner, shooting Cogswell not once but twice, and should be found guilty of murder.

Christofeno then read the jury their instructions and sent them off for deliberations. ABC57 will update this article when a verdict is in.