Judge allows defense to raise Ana Walshe sudden death theory in closing arguments

Despite not calling a single witness, Brian Walshe ’s defense will be able to argue in its closing statement that his wife, Ana, died a sudden, unexplained death of natural causes.

Walshe’s defense first raised the claim of a sudden, unexplained death in its opening statement. The only evidence before the jury regarding such deaths came when defense attorney Larry Tipton cross-examined a medical examiner Thursday called by prosecutors, a fact Judge Diane Freniere pointed out.

“It seems to me that they could point out that there’s no evidence Ana died of any natural causes,” she said from the bench during a charge conference away from the jury Thursday morning.

Walshe, 50, is accused of killing his wife, Ana, in their home on the early morning of New Year’s Day 2023, then dismembering