Additional funds approved for Coonrod defense WATCH THE VIDEO

Highland County Common Pleas Court Judge Rocky Coss approved additional funds for expert investigation and testimony in the capital murder case of Wesley Coonrod. 

Coonrod, of Greenfield, was indicted in April on two charges of aggravated murder and two charges of endangering children, after his two sons died in a fire in March. 

In court on Tuesday, William Mooney, counsel for Coonrod, said that experts, which had been approved by the court in a previous hearing, had accompanied defense counsel and defense aides to the crime scene. The court had also previously approved a psychologist for the defense. Additionally, Mooney said that earlier this week he had become aware of "a third category of expert."

"We were researching a wide variety of topics and found one that might be somewhat interesting to the court," Mooney said. 

"You're braining-storming," Coss said, and Mooney indicated it was part of the research into the case.

Coss said to Mooney that the court had already approved the cost of experts for the defense, and Mooney said they had gone over that amount. 

Earlier this month, Coss informed the Highland County commissioners that the cost of Coonrod's trial, slated for October, could cost the county between $80,000 to $100,000. Coss said that was a conservative estimate, and included postage for mailings to the jury pool, jury fees, costs for bailiffs, stenographer fees, and indigent fees - which would include the fees for additional investigation.

The state, on Tuesday, represented by Assistant Highland County Prosecutor David Henry, said there was no objection to the additional experts, but requested that as soon as it was determined if the experts will be used as witnesses during the trial, that it be disclosed as soon as possible.

The court recessed for approximately 10 minutes to meet in judge's chambers with a stenographer for an ex parte hearing - which is a hearing in which a decision is made by a judge without requiring all parties to be present. The state was not a part of that hearing, and Coss sealed the stenographer's transcript of that hearing. Mooney waived his client's right to be present at that hearing, and Coonrod remained in the courtroom. 

When court was called back to order, Coss granted the motion for additional fees for experts, and increased the amount from $3,000 to $10,000, which he said would include testimony through trial. 

Coss said that additional motions that have been filed by the defense would be addressed during the next hearing. 

A pretrial hearing is scheduled for July 22.