Jesse Lee Pitts was sworn in then declined to testify in his own murder trial on Tuesday.

After Madison County Prosecutor Tom Broderick rested the state's case, defense attorney Jason Childers had Pitts sworn in, at which time he declined to testify on the record.

"You've been here for every moment of this trial, you understand what all the evidence is," Childers said. "We've discussed the positives and negatives of testifying and of not testifying. Have you made this decision independently and voluntarily that you will not testify in this case?"

"Yes," Pitts replied.

Childers then rested his case for the defense. Closing arguments were expected at 12:30 p.m.

Pitts is charged with murder in the death of 14-year-old Anderson High School freshman Amanda Brinker.