Lawyer Presents Unique Defense in Hollywood Sex Therapist Murder Trial

In a courtroom drama that captivated Los Angeles, the trial of Gareth Pursehouse, accused of the 2020 murder of Hollywood sex therapist Dr. Amie Harwick, has taken an unexpected twist. Pursehouse's lawyer, Evan Franzel, opened the case with a novel defense, suggesting that the victim accidentally fell from her own balcony while attempting to escape from the defendant.

The accused, Gareth Pursehouse, now 45, is facing trial for the murder of his 38-year-old ex-girlfriend, Dr. Amie Harwick, a former partner of comedian Drew Carey and author of "The New Sex Bible for Women." The incident took place on February 15, 2020.

Franzel revealed that a defense expert would testify, using simulations, to propose the theory that Harwick may have fallen to her death while trying to climb down from the third-floor balcony of her Hollywood Hills residence. According to Franzel, in a state of panic, Harwick rushed through her bedroom to the balcony, attempted to climb over the railing, but tragically lost her balance and fell.

To support this argument, Franzel showed jurors a photograph of Harwick on the balcony ledge, highlighting her apparent comfort and agility. Franzel emphasized that Harwick was known to be athletic and acrobatic.

Harwick had returned home after a night out with friends around 1 a.m. on the fateful day. Pursehouse, her ex-boyfriend from 2012, had been waiting for hours, leading to a confrontation that escalated into a struggle in her third-floor bedroom. The police found evidence of the struggle, including a torn necklace, and her roommate heard Harwick's screams.

The roommate's testimony revealed that he yelled for Pursehouse to leave Harwick alone before calling for help from a neighboring residence. According to Franzel, Pursehouse's motivation was to speak to Harwick after a chance encounter had deeply affected him.

Franzel also addressed the presence of a syringe with a fatal dose of nicotine on the balcony. He implied that Pursehouse might have brought it intending to use it on himself rather than Harwick.

In contrast, Deputy District Attorney Victor Avila contended that Pursehouse's obsession with Harwick led him to murder her out of a desire for revenge. Avila argued that Pursehouse's actions were a result of his inability to accept the end of their relationship.

The trial has also brought to light the history between Pursehouse and Harwick. They lived together for a year in 2010, and Harwick obtained a restraining order after their breakup. The chance encounter at an awards event for adult film stars in January 2020 reignited Pursehouse's obsession, leading to a confrontation that worried Harwick and prompted her to block his number.

The prosecution claimed that on the night of the murder, Pursehouse strangled Harwick during a confrontation, and then, in a panic, carried her injured body to the balcony and dropped her. The fall resulted in fatal injuries, including a shattered pelvis and brain and liver damage.

As the trial unfolds, both the defense and prosecution narratives offer contrasting perspectives on the tragic events that led to the death of Dr. Amie Harwick.