DARKE COUNTY -- The jury began to deliberate on the charge of child endangering against Michael and Melody Fisher Thursday afternoon.
The Fort Recovery parents lost their 11-year-old child to a self-inflicted gunshot wound two years ago.
On August 4, 2011, the Fisher's son, Michael Fisher III, picked up a gun in their home and shot himself in the head. His parents, Michael and Melody Fisher, are now facing a first-degree felony charge of involuntary manslaughter and a third-degree felony charge of child endangerment. If convicted, both could each face up to 14 years in prison and $30,000 in fines.
The prosecution presented their case, showing pictures of the 86 guns and ammunition found in the home when Michael died.
"It's not that these parents didn't care about their children, it's about consequences," said assistant prosecuting attorney Deborah Quigley. "If you have ammunition, maybe it's not dangerous, but when you have ammunition and guns and children, that is the danger."
The defense argued that because all the guns were legal and only one of the guns was in a position to be fired, this family should not be charged.
"This is an accidental shooting so why are we here," said Michael Fisher II's defense attorney David Router.
"It's very odd that after several hours of investigation the officers didn't remove any guns from the home," said Melody Fisher's defense attorney Randall Breaded.
The jury went into deliberation around 12:30 Thursday after hearing testimonies from the defense and the closing arguments from both sides. The Fisher's pastor, little Mikey's grandfather and uncle all took the stand Thursday.
"My children's knowledge of the guns made me feel safe around them," Melody's Father Danny Stephens said.
"They keep saying Mikey knew his weapons very well," said Quigley. "Obviously not. If you have ammunition, maybe it's not dangerous, but when you have ammunition and guns and children, that is the danger."
"If this was a danger don't you think the officers would have removed the ammunition from the house," said Breaded. "I would've thought they would've brought a truck up and did that."
Defense attorneys say the family has suffered enough.
"Mother & father lost their child. Time will never heal those wounds," said Router. "This is a tragedy I hope we don't make it a travesty."
The Fishers are praying for a not guilty verdict so they can move on with their lives raising their other four kids.
If found guilty they can face up to 14 years in prison and face $30,000 in fines.
DARKE COUNTY -- The jury has begun to deliberate on the charge of child endangering against Michael and Melody Fisher, who are charged in their son's death.
Depending on how that verdict goes will determine if the couple would face involuntary manslaughter charges.
The Fort Recovery parents lost their 11-year-old child to a self-inflicted gunshot wound two years ago.
On August 4, 2011, the Fisher's son, Michael Fisher III, picked up a gun in their home and shot himself in the head. His parents, Michael and Melody Fisher, are now facing a first-degree felony charge of involuntary manslaughter and a third-degree felony charge of child endangerment. If convicted, both could each face up to 14 years in prison and $30,000 in fines.
The prosecution presented their case, showing pictures of the 86 guns and ammunition found in the home when Michael died.
"It's not that these parents didn't care about their children, it's about consequences," said assistant prosecuting attorney Deborah Quigluey. "If you have ammunition, maybe it's not dangerous, but when you have ammunition and guns and children, that is the danger."
The defense argued that because all the guns were legal and only one of the guns was in a position to be fired, this family should not be charged.
"This is an accidental shooting so why are we here," said Michael Fisher II's defense attorney David Router.
"It's very odd that after several hours of investigation the officers didn't remove any guns from the home," said Melody Fisher's defense attorney Randall Breaded.
The jury went into deliberation around 12:30 Thursday after hearing testimonies from the defense and the closing arguments from both sides. The Fisher's pastor, little Mikey's grandfather and uncle all took the stand Thursday.
Reporter Wale Aliyu will bring you the latest from the courtroom as news breaks. Connect with Wale on Facebook and Twitter for the latest updates.
Previous coverage:
APRIL 3: Day 3: Defense Calls Witnesses for Child Death Trial
The Fort Recovery parents lost their 11-year-old child to a self-inflicted gunshot wound two years ago.
On August 4, 2011, the Fisher's son, Michael Fisher III, picked up a gun in their home and shot himself in the head. His parents, Michael and Melody Fisher, are now facing a first-degree felony charge of involuntary manslaughter and a third-degree felony charge of child endangerment. If convicted, both could each face up to 14 years in prison and $30,000 in fines.
The prosecution presented their case, showing pictures of the 86 guns and ammunition found in the home when Michael died.
"It's not that these parents didn't care about their children, it's about consequences," said assistant prosecuting attorney Deborah Quigley. "If you have ammunition, maybe it's not dangerous, but when you have ammunition and guns and children, that is the danger."
The defense argued that because all the guns were legal and only one of the guns was in a position to be fired, this family should not be charged.
"This is an accidental shooting so why are we here," said Michael Fisher II's defense attorney David Router.
"It's very odd that after several hours of investigation the officers didn't remove any guns from the home," said Melody Fisher's defense attorney Randall Breaded.
The jury went into deliberation around 12:30 Thursday after hearing testimonies from the defense and the closing arguments from both sides. The Fisher's pastor, little Mikey's grandfather and uncle all took the stand Thursday.
"My children's knowledge of the guns made me feel safe around them," Melody's Father Danny Stephens said.
"They keep saying Mikey knew his weapons very well," said Quigley. "Obviously not. If you have ammunition, maybe it's not dangerous, but when you have ammunition and guns and children, that is the danger."
"If this was a danger don't you think the officers would have removed the ammunition from the house," said Breaded. "I would've thought they would've brought a truck up and did that."
Defense attorneys say the family has suffered enough.
"Mother & father lost their child. Time will never heal those wounds," said Router. "This is a tragedy I hope we don't make it a travesty."
The Fishers are praying for a not guilty verdict so they can move on with their lives raising their other four kids.
If found guilty they can face up to 14 years in prison and face $30,000 in fines.
DARKE COUNTY -- The jury has begun to deliberate on the charge of child endangering against Michael and Melody Fisher, who are charged in their son's death.
Depending on how that verdict goes will determine if the couple would face involuntary manslaughter charges.
The Fort Recovery parents lost their 11-year-old child to a self-inflicted gunshot wound two years ago.
On August 4, 2011, the Fisher's son, Michael Fisher III, picked up a gun in their home and shot himself in the head. His parents, Michael and Melody Fisher, are now facing a first-degree felony charge of involuntary manslaughter and a third-degree felony charge of child endangerment. If convicted, both could each face up to 14 years in prison and $30,000 in fines.
The prosecution presented their case, showing pictures of the 86 guns and ammunition found in the home when Michael died.
"It's not that these parents didn't care about their children, it's about consequences," said assistant prosecuting attorney Deborah Quigluey. "If you have ammunition, maybe it's not dangerous, but when you have ammunition and guns and children, that is the danger."
The defense argued that because all the guns were legal and only one of the guns was in a position to be fired, this family should not be charged.
"This is an accidental shooting so why are we here," said Michael Fisher II's defense attorney David Router.
"It's very odd that after several hours of investigation the officers didn't remove any guns from the home," said Melody Fisher's defense attorney Randall Breaded.
The jury went into deliberation around 12:30 Thursday after hearing testimonies from the defense and the closing arguments from both sides. The Fisher's pastor, little Mikey's grandfather and uncle all took the stand Thursday.
Reporter Wale Aliyu will bring you the latest from the courtroom as news breaks. Connect with Wale on Facebook and Twitter for the latest updates.
Previous coverage:
APRIL 3: Day 3: Defense Calls Witnesses for Child Death Trial