TOLEDO, Ohio —
Closing arguments wrapped Tuesday in the trial of two men accused of killing two teens in December of 2022.
Brent Kohlhoffer and Charles Walker are charged with two counts of aggravated murder, two counts of murder and two counts of kidnapping. Both have pleaded not guilty.
Kohlhoffer and Walker face the charges in the deaths of Ke’Marion Wilder, 16, and Kyshawn Pittman, 15, who were last seen alive on Dec. 3, 2022. After nearly two weeks of searching, the teens' bodies were discovered on Dec. 15, 2022, in the remnants of a burned, vacant north Toledo house.
Court started the eighth day of the trial with the prosecution resting its case. From there, the defense began calling witnesses, starting with Melanie Gard, who said she assisted in analyzing cell phone records for the individuals associated with the murder of the two boys.
Gard said she used photos, texts and emails along with records from the cell phone companies to see what the pattern of cell phone usage was before, during and after when the murders were believed to have taken place.
She said Walker used his phone less than the others involved in the days after Dec. 3, 2022, to Dec. 5, 2022.
The defense then called Carissa Eames and Don Eames, who both pleaded the fifth, recognizing their right to remain silent. Both are facing charges in relation to the case.
Carissa is facing two counts of murder, two counts of kidnapping and one count of obstructing justice. Don Eames is facing two counts of murder and two counts of kidnapping. Both of their pre-trials will begin later in May.
Kohlhoffer's mother, Carla Koch, was the last witness to take the stand Tuesday. She said Kohlhoffer had a good relationship with her grandsons.
She also said she knew he sold marijuana out of one of the houses he owned on Chase Street and that he had been selling marijuana since he was 18 years old.
The defense questioned Koch about what car her son drove. She said he was always driving a red truck.
The defense then rested its case and closing arguments began.
In closing, prosecutors walked through each of the charges Kohlhoffer and Walker face and the elements that they felt had been proven through the course of the trial.
The defense said there was a lot of speculation involved, as Pittman's specific cause of death is still unknown.
The jury is expected to start deliberations on Wednesday.
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