Closing arguments to begin in trial of Ohio teen charged with killing group home resident

7/12/2012

HAMILTON, Ohio — Closing arguments are up next in the case of a teen charged with killing a fellow group home resident in southwest Ohio.

Court officials say the defense and prosecution will present final arguments Thursday in the case of 18-year-old Lance Tiernan in Butler County Common Pleas Court in Hamilton. Tiernan has pleaded not guilty to a murder charge in 16-year-old Anthony Parker's death.

Prosecutors played a video in the trial showing Tiernan slamming Parker to the floor.

Tiernan later testified that he never intended serious harm to Parker. He said he became angry when Parker told him no one cared about his problems and insulted his mother.

Authorities say Tiernan assaulted Parker on Dec. 19. Parker later was taken to a hospital, where he died Dec. 28 of head injuries.