Kentucky Man On Trial in Firefighter Death To Take Witness Stand

The 50-year-old Kentucky man charged with his uncle in an 2015 arson in Hamilton that killed a firefighter is expected to testify when the trial resumes Monday.

William "Billy" Tucker will testify in the case that enters its third week Monday at noon. Tucker and his uncle, Lester Parker, 67, are each charged with aggravated arson in the fire at his uncle's Pater Avenue home and with murder in the death of Hamilton firefighter Patrick Wolterman on Dec. 28, 2015. Wolterman, the first firefigther on the scene, fell through the first floor and into the basement when he went into the home believing someone was trapped inside, prosecutors have said.

Tucker's lawyer, Tamara Sack, has said her client has an alibi for that fateful evening: He was in his uncle's neighborhood but was getting pills from another home and did not set the fire.

Sack has not indicated exactly what her client is expected to say when he takes the witness stand. It was not clear if Parker will also testify.

Prosecutors, however, have methodically pieced together a series of facts and evidence they say paints a different picture.

They have argued Tucker poured gasoline on items in his uncle's basement and light the fire in exchange for pain pills. Prosecutors have called more than a dozen witnesses who testifed Parker was in debt and moved personal property out of his home in the days leading up to the blaze in an attempt to convince the jury of five women and seven men that the fire was planned so he could collect insurance money.

However, on at least two occassions witnesses have contradicted each other. Two women were with Tucker in Hamilton the night of the fire. In one case, one woman testified he was carrying a gas can when he returned to the car where they waited for him to return on Dec. 28. Another woman - Tucker's former girlfriend - testified he did not have a gas can in his hand when he came back.

Testimony is expected to conclude this week, with the case going to the jury.

Butler County Common Please Judge Greg Stephens is presiding.

Photo: William "Billy" Tucker with his lawyer during the first week of testimony. Photo by Chris Graves.