BESSEMER -- UPDATE: 7:23 p.m. EST
Both the prosecution and the defense have rested their cases in the murder trial of 31-year-old Dennis Hahn.
Hahn is charged with murder, second degree homicide, home invasion, and arson for a mobile home fire in Ironwood Township that killed 54-year-old Joel McFarlane in September 2009.
Thursday we learned from former Michigan State Police Fire Inspector Jeff Hubbard that it was not an accidental fire.
Also testimony from medical examiner Dr. Randolph Smith indicated that McFarlane died from a gun shot wound from a shotgun and not the fire.
The shot grazed McFarlane’s chest and hit his neck.
Smith concluded that McFarlane didn't commit suicide.
“With the gun was [pointing] upward,” Smith said. “With the muzzle in that position and the gun being the gun it was Mr. McFarlane would not have been able to reach the trigger.”
Several witnesses testified earlier that Hahn said McFarlane killed himself.
Forensic scientists from the Michigan State Police Crime Lab examined the shotgun used but only found McFarlane’s DNA.
Hahn chose not to take the stand and the defense rested its case Thursday afternoon.
Closing arguments will begin Friday morning with the jury expected to begin deliberation shortly after.
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Day five of the arson murder trial of Dennis Hahn continued in Bessemer on Thursday. The 31-year-old Hahn is charged with killing 54-year-old Joel McFarlane.
It is alleged that Hahn started McFarlane's home on fire in September 2009, resulting in the death.
On the stand Thursday morning, the State Fire Marshall with the Michigan State Police testified the fire started in the bedroom of the home. He said the fire was not accidental, however, he could not determine if an accelerant was used.
Medical Examiner Dr. Randolph Smith was also called to testify Thursday. He testified that the cause of McFarlane's death was a shotgun wound. The bullet grazed his chest and hit his neck.
Several witnesses have testified that Hahn said McFarlane killed himself. Dr. Smith stated that McFarlane's arms were not long enough to pull the trigger, inflicting the gunshot wound that killed him.
The shotgun was tested and determined that an accidental discharge was not the case. Testimony stated that the trigger was pulled by somebody else.
TV6's Aaron Martin is in the courtroom, and he will continue to provide updated information on this murder trial.
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