OTTAWA — The defense rests. Frederick Meyer, the attorney for a man accused of murder, called only one witness, and that wasn’t his client John Balbirnie. Matthew Jacobson testified that he had shared a cell in the Franklin County Jail with Brandon Ellsmore, who was also accused in the death of Paul Nicholson and pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and testified against Balbirnie. Jacobson said Ellsmore said he believed he killed Nicholson during a drunken brawl last year. After final arguments, the case is expected to go to the jury this afternoon.
Thursday, April 14, 10:30 a.m.
