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Closing Arguments Heard In Tracy Torture Case

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) -- The defense and prosecution made their final arguments to jurors in the trial of a man accused of torturing a teen boy in a Tracy home for more than a year.

San Joaquin County Deputy District Attorney Angela Hayes shows pictures of the victim, then 16, huddled on a hospital bed with a lock and chain around his ankle, reminding jurors that Anthony Waiters is charged with beating, burning and torturing the teen boy.

Defense attorney Alan Jose attacked the victim's testimony in his final plea, saying the victim's testimony was inconsistent and arguing there's no physical evidence linking Waiters to the crimes.

The other three suspects -- Kelly Lau, Michael Schumacher and Caren Ramirez -- accepted plea deals to avoid trial, and received sentences of more than 30 years each.

If Waiters is convicted of torture, he faces life in prison.

The defense will wrap up their closing arguments Thursday morning and prosecutors will issue their rebuttal before the jury begins deliberation.

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