Two Years Later, Men Face Trial In Death of Hamilton Firefighter

Scott Sutton

Miami University Journalism Student

Butler County Prosecutor Michael Gmoser said the trial early next month of two men charged with murder and aggravated arson in the 2015 death of a Hamilton firefighter is based on a sea of circumstantial evidence.

Gmoser, speaking to a Miami University journalism class, said the trial against Lester Parker and his nephew, William Rouse Tucker, in the death of Patrick Wolterman, will likely take three weeks. Parker and Tucker will be tried together in the case that begins at 1 p.m. on Nov. 6.

"It's a very complex case. It involves a lot of circumstantial evidence,''said Gmoser, who will personally prosecute the case along with David Kash. "Let's not forget, arson is always done in secret. If you want to burn your house down for insurance purposes you want to make sure there is no direct evidence linking you to it.

"He's the one who had the most to gain. He's the one who went on vacation at a particular time. He's the one who called a certain person,'' Gmoser said. "All these facts and details, it's connecting the dots. And that's what I'll be doing in that case: Connecting a sea of dots."

Wolterman, 28, died on Dec. 28, 2015 when he fell through the a floor while he battled a blaze at a home on Pater Ave. The fire, which authorities determined was set in the basement, weakened the first floor and it gave way when firefighters went inside. Wolterman died of smoke inhalation.

Parker, 67, owned the home. He and Tucker were arrested more than a year later and charged in the case.

Tucker's lawyer, Tamera Sack, declined to discuss the upcoming trial or her defense.

Dozens of officials subpeoned in case

Gmoser told the students the fire was set for financial gain.

Authorities have said that Parker, who remains jailed in Warren County, was in Las Vegas with his wife celebrating their wedding anniversary when the home erupted into flames. They said he solicited Tucker to start the fire.

Tucker remains jailed in Preble County.

Gmoser declined to discuss his strategy as his office prepares for trial, but more than a dozen subpeonas have been issued for insurance agents, an ATF agent, police officers and firefighters, according to the court file. Also supbeoned were officals from Chase and a loan servicing company and an official from the Stratsophere Hotel in Las Vegas.

A subpeona was also issued for one witness from Kentucky, whose name was redacted from court filings.

Butler County Common Pleas Judge Greg Stephens will preside over the jury trial.

"The wheels of justice grind slowly but when they finally take hold they get the job done," Gmoser said.

Photo 1: Lester Parker, 67, has been jailed in Warren County awaiting trial. Photo credit: Warren County jail.

Photo 2: William Rouse Tucker, 50, is jailed in Preble County. Photo Credit: Preble County jail.