GETTYSBURG, Pa. (WHTM) -
As the trial for a man accused of murdering a wildlife conservation officer headed into it's fifth day, emotions were heavy all around.
Inside the Adams County courtroom, things were focused on how drunk or sober Christopher Johnson was when he shot David Grove on the night of November 11, 2010.
The defense called expert medical toxicologist Dr. Lawrence Guzzardi to the stand. Guzzardi told the jury he estimated Johnson had consumed enough alcohol prior to the shooting that he would have lost coordination, inhibition, and judgement.
That theory came under fire when District Attorney Shawn Wagner called a medical toxicologist, Dr. J. Ward Donovan, as a rebuttal witness.
Donovan told the court Johnson's behavior during the shooting incident disproves he was drunk to the point of losing coordination and judgement.
"At the time of this event, he was fully capable of forming intent," Donovan testified.
Wagner asked Donovan about several of actions Johnson has admitted to during and following the shooting, including where Johnson said he used his left hand to release a .45 caliber pistol from a holster while he was being handcuffed by Grove.
That action, Donovan said, required Johnson to be aware and cognizant of his surroundings and would have required motor skills and coordination. He said that if Johnson was sober enough to do it, he was sober enough to form intent to kill.
Wagner also questioned Donovan about Johnson's actions directly following the shooting, in which Johnson told investigators he used his gun to shoot the handcuff off his wrist. He did so without injuring himself.
"It would strongly tell me he was capable of forming judgements," Donovan said.
The trial will resume Monday morning.
Christopher Johnson
