WARSAW — Closing arguments in the Dr. Mark Soto trial were presented this afternoon, Tuesday, Aug. 8, in three parts — two by the prosecution and one by the defense. The jury was excused to begin deliberation at 2:35 p.m.

Matthew Sarber, special deputy prosecuting attorney, presented how the defendant benefited from acquiring and maintaining participation in Young Dragon Enterprises LLC. He presented the proof of evidence both sides agreed upon and the threats made to David Baker and Nate McLaurin highlighting excerpts from the emails.

Sarber went through each of the six counts — three counts of corrupt business influence and three counts of intimidation. He also spoke of the need of being beyond reasonable doubt, the credibility of witnesses where jurors are the sole judges, the need to consider a witness’s bias, motive or intent for testifying and corroboration to other witnesses and the facts.

He went over the proof presented and why it was proved beyond reasonable doubt. He went over various testimony from individuals to prove why this was so. Several phone conversations presented earlier were replayed for the jurors and he made points on areas of contradiction by the defense. He closed by stating, “the curtain has been ripped back … what you need to do is go back and when the vote comes for each element and charge, vote guilty as charged.”

Scott Lennox argued Bronson’s plea agreement included testifying in Soto’s trial to “sell Mark Soto out.” He stated Soto is a man of faith, educated, given his life to God, a person who is a loving husband and father, spent years teaching, an Army veteran and “unshakeable in his belief. He is not a fraud.”

Lennox noted Bronson, who was obnoxious, a bully, egotistical and self-centered, is someone who once he gets his mind set on something, you don’t change it or if he doesn’t get his way he “stomps on you.” He spoke of the original plan and there were several ways to look at the case.

The reason Soto was still connected to Bronson was also reiterated by Lennox — “he is a stout man in his faith, many gave up … promised his father, who he respected … entirely wanted Kevin Bronson to be redeemed … live a Christian life … (if accomplished) validated the accomplishment of Mark Soto.” Lennox noted everything Bronson touched turns to poison and everyone he comes in contact with. That is why Soto was there today.

He encouraged the jurors to look at and believe Mark Soto and the facts presented, if what you heard was not beyond a reasonable doubt, they needed to find him not guilty. “Soto is a trusting, naive man who believed he could change a man.”

Tami Napier, special prosecutor, closed telling jurors their instructions will not be to base the decision on sympathy, but on evidence. She noted more than 60 exhibits were presented and days of testimony. She argued Soto wanted the money, that is why he is in Bronson’s wills and his father’s will, why he didn’t give back the $5,000 given to him with the memo of cabinets.

“In my opening statement I stated how people in socially upstanding positions use a curtain to hide the truth. We’ve been able to have the curtain pulled back, with Soto using his association to get money.”