Russell Adkins, 56, went on trial Tuesday in Wood County Common Pleas Court for murder in the Sept. 11, 1982, death of Dana Rosendale...
Deborah Risner, the victim’s sister, described for the jury how she found her fun-loving, younger sister unconscious at St. Charles Hospital, in intensive care, and unscathed expect for the right side of her head. “She had absolutely no injuries — no abrasions, no road burn,” Ms. Risner said. “She had nothing except the swollen side of her face, a swollen eye, and she had brain tissue coming out her ear from the blow”...
Defense attorney Neil McElroy said in his opening statement that much of the evidence collected at the time of the incident, including autopsy photos, Ms. Rosendale’s hospital records, and a pool cue found near the scene, were destroyed or lost over the years. Other potential evidence, such as the condition of Mr. Adkins’ car after the incident, was never collected, he said.