DARKE COUNTY -- Trial is underway for the Darke County parents who lost their 11 year-old child to a self-inflicted gunshot two years ago.
Opening statements began Tuesday for Melody and Michael Fisher. In August 2011, their 11-year-old son picked up a gun in their home and accidentally shot himself in the head. Now they face a first-degree felony charge of involuntary manslaughter and a third degree felony charge of endangering a child.
Melody and Michael Fisher wipe tears from their eyes as they listen to the opening statements from the prosecution and the defense..
"There were over 80 guns in the home, there were guns and ammo in the children's play room," said the prosecutor.
"These kids knew how to use guns they were trained at an early age," said the defense attorney. "Were the guns removed fro the house? No. Were the children removed? No.
Their 11 year old shot and killed himself in this home two year ago and now the question is do the parents need to be held responsible or have they suffered enough?
"I Think losing an 11 old child...I couldn't imagine so I think they have definitely suffered in that area," said Amber Neal of Greenville.
"I can understand that view I guess," said Darke County prosecuting attorney Kelly Ormsby. "But the problem is if we don't take action on something like this we are basically allowing it to happen to the next child in that situation we have to draw the line somewhere and let people know if you can have guns in your home fine but store them safely."
"It's a hard situation," said Neal. "It's torn. I can see both sides of the situation."
This trial is scheduled to last three days. If convicted, the Fishers could each face up to 14 years in prison and $30,000 in fines.
Connect with ABC 22/FOX 45 Reporter Wale Aliyu on Facebook and Twitter right now on whether these parents have suffered enough or if they should be tried in his death.
Opening statements began Tuesday for Melody and Michael Fisher. In August 2011, their 11-year-old son picked up a gun in their home and accidentally shot himself in the head. Now they face a first-degree felony charge of involuntary manslaughter and a third degree felony charge of endangering a child.
Melody and Michael Fisher wipe tears from their eyes as they listen to the opening statements from the prosecution and the defense..
"There were over 80 guns in the home, there were guns and ammo in the children's play room," said the prosecutor.
"These kids knew how to use guns they were trained at an early age," said the defense attorney. "Were the guns removed fro the house? No. Were the children removed? No.
Their 11 year old shot and killed himself in this home two year ago and now the question is do the parents need to be held responsible or have they suffered enough?
"I Think losing an 11 old child...I couldn't imagine so I think they have definitely suffered in that area," said Amber Neal of Greenville.
"I can understand that view I guess," said Darke County prosecuting attorney Kelly Ormsby. "But the problem is if we don't take action on something like this we are basically allowing it to happen to the next child in that situation we have to draw the line somewhere and let people know if you can have guns in your home fine but store them safely."
"It's a hard situation," said Neal. "It's torn. I can see both sides of the situation."
This trial is scheduled to last three days. If convicted, the Fishers could each face up to 14 years in prison and $30,000 in fines.
Connect with ABC 22/FOX 45 Reporter Wale Aliyu on Facebook and Twitter right now on whether these parents have suffered enough or if they should be tried in his death.