April 25--HAMILTON, OH-- A judge denied a change-of-venue motion in the case of two men who set a house fire that resulted in the death of a Hamilton firefighter in December 2015.
WXIX reports that the murder trial of Lester Parker, 66, and William Tucker, 49, will remain in Hamilton despite Lester's attorney Tamara Sack trying to have the case moved to a venue where publicity hasn't been so "prevalent." The motion can be reintroduced if a jury cannot be seated. The judge also denied Tucker's motion to try the two men separately.
Parker and Tucker are accused of setting a fire on Dec. 28, 2015, that killed firefighter Patrick Wolterman. The 28-year-old died when he fell through an upper floor in the burning home.
Parker, a Hamilton resident, is accused of soliciting his nephew Tucker, of Richmond, KY, to start the blaze. Both have pleaded not guilty.
Their trial is slated to begin Nov. 6, and if convicted the two men face 15 years to life in prison for the murder charge and a maximum of 11 years on the arson charge.
