COVENTRY, R.I. (WPRI) — The state and both defense attorneys rested their case Wednesday in the dual-jury trial of two men accused of murdering a pregnant woman in Coventry two years ago. The body of 34-year-old Leila Duarte Da Luz was discovered on Dec. 21, 2022, in Carbuncle Pond, showing signs of extensive head injuries. Gary Gromkiewicz, 37, and Michael Lambert, 47, are charged with murder and conspiracy in connection with Da Luz’s death. Prosecutors said she was eight to ten weeks pregnant with Gromkiewicz’s child at the time. BACKGROUND: Joint trial begins for suspects in 2022 murder of pregnant woman The men were indicted on Sept. 7, 2023, after detectives linked them to the crime through cellphone data analysis. Investigators later determined Da Luz's cause of death to be a combination of blunt force injuries and drowning, ruling her death a homicide. On Wednesday, R.I. State Police Detective Col. Robert Hopkins returned to the stand, presenting surveillance footage from police questioning Lambert in the days following Da Luz’s death. One video appeared to show someone in Lambert's Jeep discarding an item on the side of the road. Investigators later found a black Puma sneaker in that spot, which Hopkins said closely resembled the pair Lambert was seen wearing in surveillance images from a Lincoln gas station hours after the alleged murder. A week later, Lambert confirmed to police during questioning that the images were of him. Hopkins also testified that cellphone data placed Lambert near the crime scene, but his attorney challenged the evidence. "Another distinctive feature from that Puma sneaker found on the side of the road is that there was no blood on it, was there?" Lambert's attorney, Kara Manosh, asked. "I'm not aware of any blood being found on the sneaker that we seized from the side of the road, no," Hopkins replied. "You're not aware of any of Leila Duarte De Luz's DNA being on that sneaker, either?" Manosh continued. "I'm not aware of that, no," Hopkins said. When questioned by the prosecutor, John Corrigan, Hopkins said the sneaker had been at the location for weeks before it was recovered by troopers. TARGET 12: Court documents provide timeline of 2022 murder of pregnant woman The footage also showed the men driving through parts of Providence, Cranston and Pawtucket the day after the alleged killing. Investigators allege the defendants attempted to withdraw large amounts of money from Da Luz’s account. The prosecution emphasized that the cellphone records tracked the suspects' movements, showing they were near key locations, including a trip to Buttonwoods and a visit to Macy’s, where the engagement ring found on Da Luz’s left hand was purchased. Additionally, there was no communication between Da Luz's phone and the suspects after Dec. 21, 2022. The prosecution argued that the actions pointed to a purposeful attempt to make money, noting the victim’s DNA was found in the cargo area of Gromkiewicz’s Jeep and that both men tried to withdraw large sums of money from Da Luz’s account following her death. Gromkiewicz’s defense called two witnesses, including Gromkiewicz’s sister, Kattie Rose, who testified that Gromkiewicz and Da Luz were in a relationship and had been engaged. She also mentioned that Gromkiewicz had been looking forward to becoming a father. During cross-examination, Rose clarified that she did not know much about the couple's relationship dynamics. Closing arguments are scheduled for Thursday. The jury will be instructed jointly before hearing the closing arguments separately. MORE: Google searches, call logs examined in murder suspects’ joint trial Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Breaking News SIGN UP NOW