BY PHILLIP PINA
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Judith "Sue" Crawford Tibbetts did not go without a fight.
Prosecutors wrapped up their case Thursday against her husband Raymond Tibbetts -- accused of killing her and her landlord -- with a deputy coroner describing the victims' fatal wounds. Among the cuts, bruises and broken bones, were indications that Mrs. Tibbetts fought for her life.
Mrs. Tibbetts was killed in the brutal Nov. 5 attack in her apartment in the Mohawk section of Over-the-Rhine. Her head was bashed at least four times with a baseball bat, and her body stabbed 21 times. Fred Hicks, her elderly landlord was stabbed 12 times. Mr. Tibbetts could face the death penalty if convicted on aggravated murder and robbery charges.
"Sue fought for her life the best she could," assistant county prosecutor Gerry Krumpelbeck told jurors during opening statements Wednesday.
Thursday, Deputy Coroner Dan Schultz testified he found several defensive wounds on Mrs. Tibbetts' body. She had a broken left arm, most likely caused as she tried to block the swinging bat, he said. And her apartment was in disarray, he added.
When investigators caught up with Mr. Tibbetts several days after the killings, he had scratches on his arms and legs, Mr. Schultz said. But he could not say what caused the scratches.
Mr. Hicks was likely surprised by his killer, Mr. Schultz said. There were no indications of a fight and no defensive wounds on Mr. Hicks' body, he added.
Mr. Schultz was the final witness expected to be called by prosecutors. Mr. Krumpelbeck expects to rest his case when the trial resumes this morning in Judge Patrick Dinkelacker's courtroom. Attorneys for Mr. Tibbetts will then make their opening statements and then present their case. One witness on their list: Mr. Tibbetts.
Mr. Tibbetts wants to take the stand to tell his story, said defense attorney Julius Sanks. But a final decision on whether he will testify is not expected until today, he added.
