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Man, acting as own lawyer, cross examines ex-fiancee
By Joe Gorman
YOUNGSTOWN
Judge John Durkin had to grant a short recess after a witness in the murder trial of David Hackett, who was also Hackett’s fiancee at one time, burst into tears when Hackett, acting as his own lawyer, tried to question her.
Testimony began Wednesday in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court before Judge Durkin in the trial of the 54-year-old Hackett, who is charged with the October 2013 murder of Collena Carpenter, 30, of Homeworth in Columbiana County.
She was found stabbed more than 70 times near West Avenue.
The witness, Ruth Weaver, lived with Hackett and Carpenter at his New York Avenue home at the time of the killing. She testified she planned on marrying him when her divorce became final.
When Hackett greeted her when he began his questioning, Weaver burst into tears and could not go on, so Judge Durkin granted a recess.
Hackett served prison time for a previous murder in 1979.
Opening statements began Wednesday after jurors viewed the crime scene. Jury selection was completed Tuesday.
Hackett faces charges of aggravated murder, kidnapping and rape. At one time he faced the death penalty, but prosecutors last year dropped death-penalty specifications in the case.
After court resumed, Hackett asked Weaver if he ever asked her to lie to police. He asked the question more than once but it was never answered because he moved into another question right away.
Hackett also referred to police Lt. Doug Bobovnyik, who was sitting at the prosecutor’s table and who helped investigate the case, as “Capt. Milstead,” a reference to former Capt. Mark Milstead, who was in charge of the detective bureau when Carpenter was killed.
Hackett also asked Weaver if Carpenter was afraid of him. Weaver said to her knowledge, Carpenter never discussed it with her.
The trial is well-attended, with several members of Carpenter’s family in attendance. Testimony continues today.