Defense wraps in game warden murder trial - abc27 WHTM

Defense attorneys rested their case Monday at the trial of Christopher Johnson, the Adams County man accused of killing a wildlife conservation officer in November 2010.

Closing arguments began in the afternoon and by 3:30 p.m. the judge had sent the jury home. He said he wanted them to start deliberations on Tuesday morning. 

Johnson's defense rested after calling one expert who said the headlights on officer David Grove's car could have made it difficult for Johnson to see clearly.

Another defense expert said some of Grove's gunshot wounds came from his own gun, but prosecutors argued that could have happened during a struggle.

Prosecutors contend Johnson shot Grove because he did not want to go back to jail. Johnson, a convicted felon who is not allowed to have a gun, was stopped by Grove for illegally killing a deer.

Johnson's lawyers argued last week that Johnson was too drunk to form the intent to kill, but prosecutors said if Johnson was coordinated enough to drive to and from the scene and shoot a handcuff from his wrist, he was sober enough to know what he was doing.

Johnson could face the death penalty if convicted.