Discovery in Stutzman case lists shotgun, chain saw among evidence
A chain saw and 20-gauge shotgun are among evidence collected in the murder investigation of a Navarre couple.
An inventory of evidence filed with Wayne County Common Pleas Court in the case of Rodney R. Stutzman, 31, of 17559 Harrison Road, Navarre, includes a Remington 20-gauge shotgun “and ammunition” among a list of 24 items. It is the only firearm listed.
Stutzman is charged with the murder of his adoptive parents, Mervin and Viola Stutzman. The Stutzmans were found dead in their home at 17559 Harrison Road, Navarre, Jan. 13, the victims of shotgun wounds to the head. Mervin had been decapitated.
A Summit County coroner’s report places the day of the Stutzmans’ deaths as Jan. 9.
Rodney Stutzman was picked up Jan. 13 in southern West Virginia driving Mervin and Viola’s 2006 Toyota Tundra. He was found to be in possession of checks and credit cards owned by his parents, and Wayne County Sheriff Thomas Maurer confirmed shortly after Stutzman’s arrest that a firearm was also recovered from the vehicle.
The list of evidence is part of a discovery request made by Public Defender Bev Wire, and co-council, attorney David Doughten. Wire and Doughten represent Rodney Stutzman.
The list was prepared by Prosecuting Attorney Dan Lutz and represents physical evidence collected in the case, as well as documents, statements, and medical records.
A discovery request by the defense is essentially a request to see all evidence the prosecution may present at trial, as well as the names of witnesses. The prosecution may also request reciprocal discovery of the defense.
Among other items, the evidence includes a chain saw, handsaw and chain saw chains, shotgun shells, a checkbook in the name of Mervin and Viola Stutzman and checks. Documents include records from two motels and receipts from a retail store, as well as other “Store Receipts.” Also listed is an item identified only as “Handwritten note.” Crime scene and autopsy photos are also listed, as well as trace DNA evidence and evidence swabs. A witness list includes 38 names.
Among the witnesses are three people linked to LaQuinta Inn & Suites, Canton.
Law enforcement from Wayne County and Beckley, W.Va. are named as possible witnesses to be called at trial.
The defense team has also requested adoption records from Summit County Children Services, including Stutzman’s birth certificate that names Mervin and Viola as his adoptive parents.
Wire and Doughten have further requested Stutzman’s medical records from the U.S. Army. The records date from 2006 to 2009, and court filings by Wire and Doughton indicate Stutzman spent some of that time in Korea.
Stutzman is charged with two counts of aggravated murder, aggravated burglary, grand theft, theft of credit cards and gross abuse of a corpse. The aggravated murder charges carry the death penalty.
An inventory of evidence filed with Wayne County Common Pleas Court in the case of Rodney R. Stutzman, 31, of 17559 Harrison Road, Navarre, includes a Remington 20-gauge shotgun “and ammunition” among a list of 24 items. It is the only firearm listed.
Stutzman is charged with the murder of his adoptive parents, Mervin and Viola Stutzman. The Stutzmans were found dead in their home at 17559 Harrison Road, Navarre, Jan. 13, the victims of shotgun wounds to the head. Mervin had been decapitated.
A Summit County coroner’s report places the day of the Stutzmans’ deaths as Jan. 9.
Rodney Stutzman was picked up Jan. 13 in southern West Virginia driving Mervin and Viola’s 2006 Toyota Tundra. He was found to be in possession of checks and credit cards owned by his parents, and Wayne County Sheriff Thomas Maurer confirmed shortly after Stutzman’s arrest that a firearm was also recovered from the vehicle.
The list of evidence is part of a discovery request made by Public Defender Bev Wire, and co-council, attorney David Doughten. Wire and Doughten represent Rodney Stutzman.
The list was prepared by Prosecuting Attorney Dan Lutz and represents physical evidence collected in the case, as well as documents, statements, and medical records.
A discovery request by the defense is essentially a request to see all evidence the prosecution may present at trial, as well as the names of witnesses. The prosecution may also request reciprocal discovery of the defense.
Among other items, the evidence includes a chain saw, handsaw and chain saw chains, shotgun shells, a checkbook in the name of Mervin and Viola Stutzman and checks. Documents include records from two motels and receipts from a retail store, as well as other “Store Receipts.” Also listed is an item identified only as “Handwritten note.” Crime scene and autopsy photos are also listed, as well as trace DNA evidence and evidence swabs. A witness list includes 38 names.
Among the witnesses are three people linked to LaQuinta Inn & Suites, Canton.
Law enforcement from Wayne County and Beckley, W.Va. are named as possible witnesses to be called at trial.
The defense team has also requested adoption records from Summit County Children Services, including Stutzman’s birth certificate that names Mervin and Viola as his adoptive parents.
Wire and Doughten have further requested Stutzman’s medical records from the U.S. Army. The records date from 2006 to 2009, and court filings by Wire and Doughton indicate Stutzman spent some of that time in Korea.
Stutzman is charged with two counts of aggravated murder, aggravated burglary, grand theft, theft of credit cards and gross abuse of a corpse. The aggravated murder charges carry the death penalty.
Published: June 7, 2011
