DARKE COUNTY -- Trial is set to wrap up Thursday for the Darke County parents who lost their 11-year-old child to a self-inflicted gunshot wound two years ago.
In August 2011, Melody and Michael Fisher's 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 third-degree felony charge of endangering a child.
Wednesday, the prosecution called to the stand officers who responded to the shooting.
Emotions continued to pour as the family of 11-year-old Michael Fisher III had to relive the circumstances surrounding his death. The prosecution presented their case Wednesday showing pictures of the 86 guns and loads of ammunition found in the home on August 4, 2011, when young Mikey died.
"We followed a blood path to the master bedroom and noticed nothing but firearm and ammunition," said coroner Joe Van Vickle.
"I don't think we should put ammunition anywhere around children because children are curious," said a Darke County detective. "They will do things that maybe we as adults wouldn't."
"Of all those weapons, the only one that had a round and chamber was the 9mm that we now know was the gun that killed Mikey," responded a defense attorney.
The defense argued because Mikey's gun was the only one in the home that was in a position to be fired and because all 86 guns were legally registered, these parents should not be charged with involuntary manslaughter and child endangering.
"He keeps his magazines loaded but they are not chambered inside guns," said a detective on the stand. They argue the family consists of experienced shooters and hunters and that the house may have been unclean, but was not unsafe.
The trial is expected to end tomorrow. We plan to hear from the defense witnesses as well as closing arguments.
If convicted, the Fishers could each face up to 14 years in prison and face $30,000 in fines.
In August 2011, Melody and Michael Fisher's 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 third-degree felony charge of endangering a child.
Wednesday, the prosecution called to the stand officers who responded to the shooting.
Emotions continued to pour as the family of 11-year-old Michael Fisher III had to relive the circumstances surrounding his death. The prosecution presented their case Wednesday showing pictures of the 86 guns and loads of ammunition found in the home on August 4, 2011, when young Mikey died.
"We followed a blood path to the master bedroom and noticed nothing but firearm and ammunition," said coroner Joe Van Vickle.
"I don't think we should put ammunition anywhere around children because children are curious," said a Darke County detective. "They will do things that maybe we as adults wouldn't."
"Of all those weapons, the only one that had a round and chamber was the 9mm that we now know was the gun that killed Mikey," responded a defense attorney.
The defense argued because Mikey's gun was the only one in the home that was in a position to be fired and because all 86 guns were legally registered, these parents should not be charged with involuntary manslaughter and child endangering.
"He keeps his magazines loaded but they are not chambered inside guns," said a detective on the stand. They argue the family consists of experienced shooters and hunters and that the house may have been unclean, but was not unsafe.
The trial is expected to end tomorrow. We plan to hear from the defense witnesses as well as closing arguments.
If convicted, the Fishers could each face up to 14 years in prison and face $30,000 in fines.
Connect with ABC 22/FOX 45 Reporter Wale Aliyu on Facebook and Twitter for updates from the trial Thursday.
