HARTFORD, Ky. (AP) -- Fire investigators were among the first to testify during the trial of two Beaver Dam firefighters charged with several counts of arson.
The investigators were among 15 people called by the prosecution Tuesday as the trial began against former firefighters John Clay Gaither and Paul Willis Shephard. A former co-defendant, Aaron Lynn Creek, entered a plea agreement Monday morning before jury selection on the condition that he testify.
Two fire investigators testified Tuesday that the three men appeared nervous as an accelerant-sniffing dog explored the remains of Beaver Dam Building Supply after a blaze destroyed it.
Bowling Green Fire Department fire investigator Terry McDaniel testified that Gaither stood near him and asked questions about why the dog was there and how it worked.
When the dog hit on the suspected site where an accelerant was used, ''it looked like the blood left their face,'' McDaniel said.
Gaither and Shephard face multiple arson, burglary and wanton endangerment counts stemming from the building supply blaze. They also are charged with burning several vacant buildings in and around Beaver Dam from mid-2003 to early 2004. Creek was charged with complicity to arson and burglary in two of those fires.
In opening statements Tuesday, Gaither's attorney, Allen Holbrook of Owensboro, said Creek's word is the only link tying Gaither to some of the fires.
Shephard's attorney, Glenn Miller of Hartford, deferred his opening statements until the prosecution presented its case.
Testimony was scheduled to last for several days.
Information from: Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer
