Lawyers for a former Lima doctor serving a life term for murder are back in court asking for a new trial.
Mark Wangler's attorney explaining why he believes the Third District Court of Appeals should overturn the aggravated murder conviction for the death of Wangler's first wife Kathy. The arguments focused on scientific evidence allowed during the March 2011 trial. Christopher McDowell took issue with the method scientists used to test chemicals on duct work in the home, calling it junk science. McDowell says Judge Richard Warren shouldn't have allowed jurors to hear the testimony at all. He also took issue with the fact that a defense witness wasn't allowed to refute the evidence.
McDowell also says officers collected evidence beyond the scope allowed by a search warrant including a diary. However, assistant prosecutor Jana Emerick says the evidence wasn't central to the conviction.
Both sides were given 20 minutes to argue the main points detailed in a longer brief. The three judge panel will review the oral and written arguments before issuing a decision. Wangler was convicted in Allen County of killing his first wife by carbon monoxide poisoning.
