State rests in Coonrod case
By
Brandy Chandler-brandychandler@gmail.com
The State of Ohio has rested in the presentation of its case against Wesley Coonrod. The jury was removed from the court room at approximately 2:50 p.m. while the defense and state addressed matters before Judge Rocky Coss. Defense attorney William Mooney asked that the court dismiss the charges of aggravated murder with death penalty specifications and aggravated arson, saying the state had not met its burden of proof. The court overruled that motion. The defense will now go forward with presenting its case.
Lead fire investigator Trace Lawless from the Ohio State Fire Marshal's Office testified Tuesday that he concluded the fire at 150 Lafayette Street that killed Thomas and Stephen Coonrod was caused by an intentional human act.
During the capital murder trial of Wesley Coonrod Tuesday in Highland County Common Pleas Court, Lawless testified that he believed there was a pour pattern that indicated there was a liquid accelerant in the hallway of the apartment - the fire's point of origin. Lawless said the pattern trails to the living room where a cigarette lighter was found.
There were no laboratory tests that confirmed the presence of an accelerant, he said. Lawless testified that he found an empty can of charcoal lighter fluid in the yard outside of Coonrod's home.
Coonrod could face the death penalty if he is convicted of aggravated murder charges in the deaths of his two sons, Thomas and Stephen, who were killed in the fire on March 7.
Kevin Keaton, a fire investigation expert who testified Monday on behalf of the defense, told the jurors that the cause of the fire was "undetermined" and that it had either been set by "an intentional human act" or by one of the children.
Lawless testified that there were several factors that led him to believe it was not a fire set by a juvenile.
On cross-examination, defense attorney Jerry McHenry questioned Lawless on his educational experience regarding juvenile fire-setters. McHenry also questioned Lawless regarding the accelerant, and carpet and carpet padding.
The state, represented by the Highland County Prosecutor's Office, is expected to conclude the presentation of its case Tuesday afternoon. Highland County Common Pleas Court Judge Rocky Coss has said the jury could begin deliberations by Thursday.[[In-content Ad]]
Lead fire investigator Trace Lawless from the Ohio State Fire Marshal's Office testified Tuesday that he concluded the fire at 150 Lafayette Street that killed Thomas and Stephen Coonrod was caused by an intentional human act.
During the capital murder trial of Wesley Coonrod Tuesday in Highland County Common Pleas Court, Lawless testified that he believed there was a pour pattern that indicated there was a liquid accelerant in the hallway of the apartment - the fire's point of origin. Lawless said the pattern trails to the living room where a cigarette lighter was found.
There were no laboratory tests that confirmed the presence of an accelerant, he said. Lawless testified that he found an empty can of charcoal lighter fluid in the yard outside of Coonrod's home.
Coonrod could face the death penalty if he is convicted of aggravated murder charges in the deaths of his two sons, Thomas and Stephen, who were killed in the fire on March 7.
Kevin Keaton, a fire investigation expert who testified Monday on behalf of the defense, told the jurors that the cause of the fire was "undetermined" and that it had either been set by "an intentional human act" or by one of the children.
Lawless testified that there were several factors that led him to believe it was not a fire set by a juvenile.
On cross-examination, defense attorney Jerry McHenry questioned Lawless on his educational experience regarding juvenile fire-setters. McHenry also questioned Lawless regarding the accelerant, and carpet and carpet padding.
The state, represented by the Highland County Prosecutor's Office, is expected to conclude the presentation of its case Tuesday afternoon. Highland County Common Pleas Court Judge Rocky Coss has said the jury could begin deliberations by Thursday.[[In-content Ad]]