Coonrod takes stand in own defense

 Wesley Coonrod took the stand in his own defense Wednesday, telling jurors that his children were his life and he would never do anything to hurt them.

 However, on cross-examination, Coonrod told Highland County Prosecutor Jim Grandey that he used childproof cigarette lighters that his children were unable to use. Through the course of the trial, the defense has alleged one of the children could have set the fire that led to their death.

 For more on the story, check back to highlandcountypress.com.

The defense of Wesley Coonrod has asked the Highland County Common Pleas Court to allow the jury to deliberate on lesser charges of involuntary manslaughter and reckless homicide.

 On Wednesday, Judge Rocky Coss had asked the state and defense to review the jury instructions that he will read to jurors prior to the start of deliberations in Coonrod's capital murder trial. He is facing charges of aggravated murder, aggravated arson, murder, and child endangering stemming from a March 7 fire that killed his two young sons, Thomas and Stephen. 

 After considering the matter, Coss said the court "agreed it was appropriate."

 If Coonrod is convicted of the charges of aggravated murder, he could face the death penalty. 

 The defense continued with the presentation of its case Wednesday, calling the defendant's son, Wesley Coonrod, Jr., to the stand. He testified that he had lived with his father and his two younger half-brothers, Thomas and Stephen, in the months before the fire that killed the children. He said that there was an occasion in which his overnight bag was set on fire, and another occasion when he saw the children putting items in a gas heater.

 While the state has alleged Wesley Coonrod, Sr. set the fire that killed Thomas and Stephen, the defense is alleging the fire could have been set by one of the children. On Tuesday, some witnesses testified they had seen Thomas playing with cigarette lighters and fire. 

 Paint Creek Joint Fire District Chief Bradley George testified about a fire and investigation at Coonrod's former residence on Milburn Street. 

 Three expert witnesses also testified for the defense regarding evidence that was collected and tested from the Milburn Street residence and the Lafayette Street residence.

 Wesley Coonrod took the stand in his own defense Wednesday, telling jurors that his children were his life and he would never do anything to hurt them.

 However, on cross-examination, Coonrod told Highland County Prosecutor Jim Grandey that he used childproof cigarette lighters that his children were unable to use. Through the course of the trial, the defense has alleged one of the children could have set the fire that led to their death.

 For more on the story, check back to highlandcountypress.com.

The defense of Wesley Coonrod has asked the Highland County Common Pleas Court to allow the jury to deliberate on lesser charges of involuntary manslaughter and reckless homicide.

 On Wednesday, Judge Rocky Coss had asked the state and defense to review the jury instructions that he will read to jurors prior to the start of deliberations in Coonrod's capital murder trial. He is facing charges of aggravated murder, aggravated arson, murder, and child endangering stemming from a March 7 fire that killed his two young sons, Thomas and Stephen. 

 After considering the matter, Coss said the court "agreed it was appropriate."

 If Coonrod is convicted of the charges of aggravated murder, he could face the death penalty. 

 The defense continued with the presentation of its case Wednesday, calling the defendant's son, Wesley Coonrod, Jr., to the stand. He testified that he had lived with his father and his two younger half-brothers, Thomas and Stephen, in the months before the fire that killed the children. He said that there was an occasion in which his overnight bag was set on fire, and another occasion when he saw the children putting items in a gas heater.

 While the state has alleged Wesley Coonrod, Sr. set the fire that killed Thomas and Stephen, the defense is alleging the fire could have been set by one of the children. On Tuesday, some witnesses testified they had seen Thomas playing with cigarette lighters and fire. 

 Paint Creek Joint Fire District Chief Bradley George testified about a fire and investigation at Coonrod's former residence on Milburn Street. 

 Three expert witnesses also testified for the defense regarding evidence that was collected and tested from the Milburn Street residence and the Lafayette Street residence.