Tuesday, October 21, 2008
STAFF REPORT
YOUNGSTOWN — Closing arguments will be given this morning in the aggravated murder trial of Bennie Adams with deliberations beginning after that.
On Monday, Adams’ defense team of Lou DeFabio and Anthony Meranto called one witness, Youngstown Detective William Blanchard, asked him a couple of questions and rested its case without calling Adams or any other witness.
Blanchard was asked about the height and skin color of Adams and Horace Landers, a man arrested with Adams on Dec. 30, 1985, at Adams’ apartment. It was not apparent why those questions were being asked.
Prosecution witnesses were questioned last Tuesday through Friday in the courtroom of Judge Timothy E. Franken of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court. The prosecution rested its case Friday afternoon.
Gina Tenney’s body was found in the Mahoning River on Dec. 30, 1985, near the West Avenue bridge. She had been either strangled or smothered.
Adams, 51, of Youngstown, could face the death penalty if convicted.