Quotes from trial in death of University of Vermont student
Quotes from the trial of Brian Rooney, 37, who was convicted Thursday of aggravated murder in the death of University of Vermont senior Michelle Gardner-Quinn.
"The truth is that Michelle had the misfortune of bad timing, dead cell phone and uttering the innocent words `Excuse me, sir, may I borrow your phone?' to the wrong stranger."
--Prosecutor Rosemary Gretkowski.
"If I did it, I deserve to die."
--Suspect Brian Rooney, to a police officer after his arrest.
"The state's failure -- intentional failure -- to examine the best evidence available, and doubts about the adequacy of the minuscule DNA collected at a single point, create a reasonable doubt in this case."
--Defense attorney David Sleigh.
"I think it's unfortunate that Brian Rooney encountered Michelle that night, but I am grateful that she's the last woman that he will ever harm."
--Gail Fendley, friend of the victim's family.
"Justice works once in a while."
--Diane Gardner Quinn, victim's mother.
"Justice served."
--Thomas Tremblay, former Burlington police chief, who oversaw the investigation into Gardner-Quinn's disappearance.![]()


