Defense calls 2 witnesses to challenge experts in arson trial over firefighter deaths
They were the only two witnesses the defense called after a week of testimony against
A foundation of the state's case is that the fire quickly grew up and out, traveling laterally through a void above the ceiling, knocking out electricity to most of the three-story building before shutting off power to the salon.
"I don't see how," said electrical engineer
He said an intense fire in the rear of the nail salon would have been visible from the front glass windows, but nobody reported seeing it.
The prosecution has said the fire was concealed by two sheet rock walls, each of which could withstand the fire for 15-20 minutes. Harris said the fire would not have stayed hidden that long.
"It (the sheet rock) would have failed fairly quickly with the amount of fire in there," he said.
Prosecutors presented witnesses from the
Defense attorney
"You have a highly motivated group of people who want her convicted," Hastings said in her closing. "You can feel it."
Hastings has portrayed her client as a naive but hard-working woman.
The state has painted a picture of Nguyen as a gamer of the system who has burned her businesses for insurance payouts.
"There is an association in her mind between fire and financial benefit," Assistant Prosecutor
The firefighters were killed
The fast-moving fire also endangered the lives of people who lived in apartments in the top two floors of the building.
Nguyen allegedly lit the fire just before she locked up her nail shop for the night. She is also accused of doing the same thing in 2013 at a previous nail salon she operated in
"John Mesh and
Related coverage from The Star:
A loud crack and an avalanche of bricks -- a KC firefighter recalls escaping death
New report cites missteps that led to deaths of two
The Star's 'Fatal Echoes' series
When fire departments fail to learn from each other's mistakes, firefighters pay the price.
___
(c)2018 The Kansas City Star (Kansas City, Mo.)
Visit The Kansas City Star (Kansas City, Mo.) at www.kansascity.com
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Hit-and-run driver who struck ice cream truck drank beer before crash, records show
RE: NorthStar Anesthesia, Notice of Data Privacy Event
Advisor News
Annuity News
Health/Employee Benefits News
Life Insurance News