HOUGHTON -- Eyewitnesses, first responders, and experts took the stand as the retrial of accused arsonist and murderer, Ronald Kemppainen, continued Tuesday.

The jury heard from nearly a dozen witnesses for the prosecution though there was one notable absence.

As court resumed, the prosecutor told the judge that his first witness, Jason Gain, had not shown up and could not be contacted.

In previous hearings, Gain had been a key witness, testifying that hours before the fatal fire Kemppainen had told him the building would burn in three days.  Instead the court allowed attorney Nick Daavettila to read Gain's statements from the first trial last May.

Two other witnesses who claim to have overheard Kemppainen’s threat also took the stand.  Though both were adamant about what they heard, they made conflicting statements about what time the conversation took place and who else was there.

"I can't tell you what time in happened exactly,” said Chad Monticello.  “It was a year and a half ago.  All I know is I’m 110 percent positive he said that."

The passage of time is becoming a factor in this second trial.  It's been nearly seventeen months since the fire at 116 Quincy Street, and many of the witnesses have had to repeat their experience for police and in court.  The defense has been quick to cast doubt on anyone whose testimony deviates from those past statements.

On the other hand, some of the first responders have had no trouble recalling Kemppainen’s bizarre behavior during and after the fire.

"He came up the stairs behind me and it was odd,” said Hancock Police Officer Robert Stites.  “He was prompting me to go further, but I wanted him out of the building."

The court also heard from Michigan State Police Fire Marshal Jeff Hubbard whose investigation determined there were no electrical or mechanical causes for the fire.

"I don't believe smoking was involved in this fire either,” said Hubbard.  “Part of it is the time frame and also, cigarettes are not a good way to start a fire."

Court adjourned early Tuesday afternoon to await the arrival of insurance investigators who are expected to testify Wednesday morning.

The trial is schedule to resume at 8:30 a.m.