Defense rests its case in Bennie Adams’ murder trial; deliberations to begin Tuesday

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Bennie Adams

YOUNGSTOWN — The defense rested its case today in the murder trial of Bennie Adams, calling one witness who testified for less than five minutes.

Detective William Blanchard of the Youngstown Police Department testified about the height and skin color of Adams and Horace Landers, a man arrested with Adams on Dec. 30, 1985, at Adams’ apartment. The defense says most of the prosecutor’s office evidence against Adams is circumstantial, and there is little direct evidence against him.

Tenney’s body was found in the Mahoning River on Dec. 30, 1985, near the West Avenue bridge.

The closing arguments will be given Tuesday morning in the courtroom of Judge Timothy E. Franken of Mahoning Common Pleas Court. The jury will begin deliberations later Tuesday.

Adams, 51, could face the death penalty if convicted.

For the complete story, see Tuesday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com.