CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The defense will begin presenting its case Wednesday morning in the felony theft case of a Charleston logger.
The prosecution rested its case Tuesday afternoon against David Bowen after a full day of testimony.
Bowen allegedly cut down more than 300 trees at Coonskin Park following the derecho–and prosecutors allege he was only hired to cut down 31. They allege he sold the trees and pocketed the cash.
Kanawha County Parks and Recreation Director Jeff Hutchinson testified for most of the day Tuesday. Hutchinson said there was no formal contract between the park and Bowen for the salvage timber job but Bowen knew the scope of the project.
Hutchinson told the 12-member jury he was embarrassed by what happened at the park.
“Not only did I feel like a fool because this went under my nose. Everyone in the park felt like a fool,” Hutchinson said.
Kanawha County Sheriff’s Department Cpl. Brian Humphreys also testified Tuesday in connection with a conversation he recorded with Bowen as part of the investigation.