Prosecution rests in Thompson's trial

AKRON, Ohio - A jury is closer to deciding the fate of accused cop killer, Ashford Thompson.

On Friday afternoon, the prosecution rested its case against Thompson, who's accused of gunning down Twinsburg Police Officer Josh Miktarian in July 2008.

During dramatic and disturbing testimony that included a mannequin and the murder weapon, a state crime investigator demonstrated how close Ashford Thompson would have been to Miktarian when he was killed.

Miktarian was shot in the head four times after he pulled Thompson over for playing loud music around 2 a.m. Investigators said blood was found on Thompson's shoes.

John Saraya, an investigator from the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation, testified the shoes were no more than "12 to 16 inches" away from the fallen police officer.

The prosecution called 35 witnesses and showed 160 pieces of evidence before resting.

The defense may or may not call witnesses when the trial resumes on Tuesday.

For the first time, Thompson's attorneys offered a possible reason for the tragedy by suggesting Thompson saw the officer holding a weapon and mistook the officer's taser for his police-issued gun.

Det. Jason Kline, from the Summit County Sheriff's Department, was asked if a taser could be confused for a gun in the dark.

Det. Kline said, "I would say not being (the taser) yellow."

The prosecution also pointed out Miktarian's light bar and spotlight on his cruiser were turned on that night.

If Thompson is convicted of aggravated murder, the jury would decide if Thompson should get the death penalty.

Closing arguments are scheduled for next Wednesday.