A US woman has been convicted of murdering her husband after the husband’s last words were repeated by the pet parrot who witnessed the attack, reports The Independent.
Glenna Duram, 49, shot Martin Duram, 46, five times before turning the gun on herself in a failed suicide attempt.
Duram was found guilty of first-degree murder after eight hours of deliberation by Newaygo County jury in Michigan.
The deceased’s ex-wife Christina Keller claims the parrot repeated the pair’s final conversation to her.
Keller took the parrot in after the attack in May 2015, and said: “I believe with all my heart that those are the last words of Marty.” according to The Independent.
Keller took the parrot in after the attack in May 2015, and said: “I believe with all my heart that those are the last words of Marty.” according to The Independent.
“I recognise two different voices screaming and yelling and it always ends with ‘don’t f*****g shoot’.” The Independent also quotes.
The parrot has not been used in court proceedings, though this possibility was initially considered by the prosecutor.
The victim’s mother, Lillian Duram, reportedly said: "That bird picks up everything and anything, and it's got the filthiest mouth around."
Duram will be sentenced on 28 August on a murder and firearm charge.
Duram will be sentenced on 28 August on a murder and firearm charge.
African Greys are known for their ability to mimic human speech and can have the cognitive ability of a young child.
Parrots of this species are native to equatorial Africa and weigh 400g on average.
An African Grey was considered for use as evidence by the defence in a 1993 murder trial.
It repeated “Richard, no, no, no,” suggesting defendant Gary Joseph Rasp was not guilty, though Rasp was convicted and it was ruled the evidence could not be used.
