TOLEDO, OH (Toledo News Now) - Tuesday was the second day in the separate trials of Samuel Williams and Cameo Pettaway. The two men are charged with the murders of Johnny Clarke and Lisa Straub, who were found dead in Straub's parents' house last year.
Testimony continued Tuesday as more witnesses were called to the stand, including Clarke's father who found the couple's bodies. He recalled the evening saying, "the kids were tortured to death." He also admitted he tried CPR on the bodies before police arrived, possibly compromising the crime scene.
Many of the couple's friends testified explaining the couple's habits. One of Clarke's good friends from high school said he stopped spending time with Clarke because he was "changing" and starting using drugs, like Percocet.
Friends also testified that Clarke owed people money. Clarke's father said he was aware of threats made to his son about a car he tried to sell.
One man took the stand saying he met Williams in jail after Williams came to him looking for advice and opened up to him about the murder. The man said Williams admitted to him that he was at the Straub's home the night of the murder because of a plan to rob the couple and steal heroin that was assumed to be inside the home.
The jury even heard phone calls Williams made while in jail. His voice was identified by witnesses.
The defense was quick to remind the jury of the man's criminal background and explained how he might have different motives for testifying.
Monday in court, Straub's parents took the stand against Pettaway and Williams. Prosecutors focused on a cigarette butt found near the bodies, since smoking was not allowed inside the home. They also said it had both Williams and Pettaway's DNA on it.
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- Trial begins for second suspect in Clarke-Straub murders
- Opening statements begin in Springfield Twp. double murder case
- Death penalty specification dropped in murder suspect's trial
- Blade: Expert questions mental capacity of Springfield Twp. murder suspect
- Suspect in Clarke-Straub murders back in court
- Blade: Springfield Twp. murder suspect requests new judge
- Attorneys in Springfield Twp. murder case fight death penalty
- Williams indicted in Springfield Twp double murder
