Trial begins for accused cop killer

AKRON, Ohio - Nearly two years after a local police officer was gunned down, the trial started for the man accused of killing him.

Twinsburg officer Joshua Miktarian was gunned down during a traffic stop in July 2008. On Monday, opening statements began in the trial of suspect Ashford Thompson.

The prosecution started building its death penalty case against Thompson, while the defense is trying to spare his life. Assistant prosecutor Brian Loprinzi told the jury the final words Miktarian radioed in just before his murder.

"’Start Reminderville on its way. I need back-up.’ Those are the last words Officer Josh Miktarian was heard saying,” Loprinzi said.

Prosecutors said Thompson, who had been pulled over for playing loud music around 2 a.m., shot officer Miktarian four times on July 13, 2008.

"There was a contact bullet hole in his forehead and three more bullet holes on the side of his head,” Loprinzi said.

Police found Thompson at his sister’s home in Bedford Heights. Miktarian’s handcuffs were still on his wrists and the murder weapon was found on a stove.

"They tested the gun for DNA and it came back, with no surprise, with blood on it from Josh Miktarian,” Loprinzi said.

Defense attorneys admit Thompson is the killer, but they are hoping for a murder conviction instead of aggravated murder.

"Ashford Thompson, that person right there, took out a gun. With that gun, he shot Officer Josh Miktarian,” defense attorney John Greven said.

A witness named Steven Bartz testified he saw an apparently drunk Thompson at a bar about an hour before the killing and overheard Thompson saying some disturbing things to a woman sitting next to him.

"I will kill any [expletive] that threatens me. Nobody understands the [expletive] I've done and capable of doing,” Bartz recalled to the jury.

The trial will resume at 9 a.m. Tuesday. The jury is expected to hear testimony from first responders and scientific experts.

Keep checking newsnet5.com for the latest on this trial.