LIMA, OHIO -
Two very different scenarios are shared by lawyers during the opening statements in the trial of James Ream. Ream faces a murder charge in Allen County Common Pleas Court and is accused of shooting his brother to death in October of last year.
During opening statements, Allen County Assistant Prosecutor Tony Miller described defendant James Ream as being hateful and resentful toward his older brother Ronald Ream. Miller went on to say Ronald was responsible and well liked in the community, and that he took care of James Ream financially. He even allowed James to live in his Shawnee Township home. Then on October 17th James killed his brother, cleaned the home, and developed a plan to get away with the crime.
Defense attorney Greg Donahue, agreed that the events of October 17th were tragic. However, he described defendant James Ream as the caring brother. Donahue says James was the caretaker of Ronald-- who had previously battled prostate cancer. He says that the tense relationship between the two snowballed on the day of Ronald's death and that Ronald went after James with a knife. Donahue claims that James could have easily been the brother who passed away that night.
The trial is expected to last three days. Former neighbor Rex Whitehall was the first to take the witness stand. However, another neighbor, a medical examiner, and two forensic scientists are also set to testify. Before the trial began Donahue objected to the use of some pictures during the trial-- including a portrait of Ronald Ream, photos of Ronald Reams' body, and pictures of the crime scene. However, Judge Richard Warren allowed the pictures to be entered into evidence.
