Brandon Sanders Takes The Stand

In fact he says he took April Loves virginity and their sex life became something he referred to as kinky. Lowering his voice, Sanders said he and Love tried sexual asphyxiation. He told the jury they watched it on TV and wanted to try it. This is what Sanders said led to her death. He described in detail the night she died. Sanders said they were in the middle of having sex in her car when she wrapped a belt around his neck and he put a trash bag around her head. It was then, Sanders told the jury Loves body relaxed. He says he called her name and tried patting her on the face, but was not able to revive her. Sanders said he did call 911 but the call on the cell phone never went through. Sanders told the jury it was panic that led him to take Love back to her apartment. The defendant says he slept next to her dead body that night, and wrapped her up the next day so others wouldnt find her naked. Sanders told the jury he didnt tell police because he didnt think they would believe him. Brandon sanders took the stand telling the jury it was sexual asphyxiation that led to Loves death, but his best friend tells a different story. Ryan Morbley said after Sanders got back from Fayetteville wanted to talk him, and was acting like it was urgent. When the two finally got to talk, Morbley said sanders told him Love was dead. Morbley testified Sanders told him Love tried to hit him with her car, and then tried choking him. In defense Sanders choked her back, and Love fell to the floor. According to Morbleys testimony, when Lovce fell, Sanders told him she said, "Baby help me, baby help." Some in the courtroom began crying during this part of the testimony. Morbley went on to say Sanders told him "dead weight is dead weight." Morbley also testified, Sanders told him he cleaned Loves fingernails with alcohol, and wrapped her in bedding with cotton balls inside. The defense tried to blow a hole in Morbleys credibility. Morbley, over time has recanted this story, telling Brandon Sanders family the defendant never admitted to Loves death. However, on the stand today, Morbley admitted he told Sanders family the story wasnt true because he felt guilty for telling on his best friend. The medical examiner who performed April Loves autopsy also testified. He told the jury sexual asphyxiation is usually not consensual and that it usually occurs on a homicidal basis.