MILWAUKEE, Wis. (WTAQ) - The prosecution rested its case today in the trial of Desmond Laster, a Milwaukee man accused in the murders of two women and two children last February.

Meanwhile, defense witnesses Natasha Pope and David Fletcher said they would refuse to testify if they’re called to the stand. Both said they would cite their 5th Amendment rights against self-incrimination. And 3 other potential defense witnesses were meeting with their lawyers late Tuesday morning.

Media reports said Laster contacted all 5 of them from his jail cell in recent days. Laster and co-defendant Anthony Barnes are accused of killing 23-year-old Rachel Thompson, her 3 and 4-year-old sons, and 19-year-old Brittany Robertson.

Laster and Robertson were dating, and Thompson had moved in with Robertson a few weeks before the murders. Prosecutors said the two women both had children by another man who’s in prison – and Robertson helped killed Thompson before Robertson was slain later the same day.

Barnes was given a plea deal for testifying against Barnes a few days ago. Laster’s attorney says his client plans to testify in his own defense.