Both sides rest in murder retrial of Denny Ross for 1999 murder of Hannah Hill

AKRON, Ohio - The last witness in the Denny Ross murder retrial has been excused and both the prosecution and defense have rested.

On Thursday morning, Jennifer Tittle took the stand in Summit County Common Pleas Court. In 2004, Denny Ross was convicted in the beating and rape of Tittle and is still serving 25 years in prison for the crimes.

Tittle said Ross stabbed, beat and raped her after the two met at a bar on June 15, 2004.

After the attack, Ross thought she was dead as she lie on the floor of her home.

Tittle testified she heard Ross say, "Oh (expletive), she's dead. Not again."

The prosecution rested after Tittle left the witness stand.

The defense then called two witnesses. The first was a supervisor from the Summit County Clerk of Courts Title Bureau. The other witness was Captain Ken Ray from the Springfield Township Police Department.

In a surprise move at 1:10 p.m., the defense rested. In all, they only called four witnesses. Two of them had been called, out of order, to testify earlier in the trial.

Closing arguments will begin Monday morning.

Ross is being retried in the 1999 murder of Hannah Hill. His first trial ended in a mistrial.