Double murder suspect Jordan Allen is testifying in his own defense.
The defendant told the court of his decision after the State rested its case at 9:40 am today. Before that, his attorney Todd Estep, requested that Allen be acquitted in that the state had not presented evidence to convict Allen.
His request was overruled by Judge John F. Dugger,Jr. at which time Estep questioned his client in open court as to his intentions.
The announcement by Allen that he was going to testify, appeared to catch many in the courtroom by surprise.
A short recess, which included both lead attorneys meeting in chambers with the judge, was followed by the defense opening its case at 10 am. The first on the stand for the defense was Samantha Spencer, who identified herself as an independent forensic consultant.
Jordan Allen took the witness stand at 11:16 am. During only twelve minutes of questioning by his attorney, Allen denied the accusations against him, instead putting blame on Bill Cole, who is shown below watching the testimony of his grandson on the witness stand.
Prior to the state resting, a video deposition of Dr. Andrea Orvick, who conducted the autopsies, was played to jurors. The testimony was recorded May 7th as she discussed in detail injuries leading to the deaths of Sherry Cole and Jessie Allen.
Of note, close family of the victims had been strongly encouraged to remain outside the courtroom during that testimony.
It became rather apparent why very early in in her testimony as pictures of the beaten and bloodied head and neck areas of both were shown as she testified to the injuries.
Both victims had sustained both blunt force and sharp force injuries. Both had fractured skulls. She testified death was not immediate for either, but could or did not say how long they might have lived. Some of the injuries to Sherry Cole she would testify, were over three injuries deep. When asked which injuries to Jessie Allen were fatal, she responded all were fatal. Upon cross she said her investigation did not determine the order of death.
Testimony will continue this afternoon on day four at the Greene County Courthouse.
