BUCYRUS–On Thursday, the defense called Joey Ronk of Crestline to the stand.

Ronk testified that he knew Cynthia Jo Heath and defendant Robert Pinyerd. Pinyerd is standing trial for Heath’s murder in February of 2022.

Heath spoke to Ronk on the morning of her murder. While Heath was having breakfast with her boyfriend, Michael Brattain, they spoke on the phone.

While being questioned by defense attorney Tom Nicholson, Ronk offered up testimony saying: ” Mr. Pinyerd threatened to kill her that morning. They argued before Mr. Brattain even showed up”. Ronk said.

According to the defense’s theory, Crestline Police focused on Pinyerd when they knew Heath was dead. Nicholson believed that police overlooked at least four other suspects, including Kelly Cobern-Brittain. Brattain still lives with her even though they divorced over ten years ago.

Cobern-Brattain showed up at Ronk’s Towing in Crestline at midday on the day of Heath’s murder. She showed up to collect Mike Brattain’s personal belongings from a wrecked vehicle they owned together.

Nicholson asked Ronk if he told Heath “to watch out for Brattain’s wife.” Ronk said Heath wanted him to find out if Cobern-Brattain had a physical problem or illness that explained why Mike Brattain was staying with her.

“Does it seem like a mighty odd coincidence? She’s (Heath) living with Bob, she’s on a date with Mike and you’re texting her about Mike’s wife something about Mike’s wife?” Nicholson asked.

“Mike’s wife had to do with me and business for one thing. She (Heath) also messaged, talked to me that day, and said Mr. Pinyerd threatened to kill her that morning. They argued before Mr. Brattain even showed up,” Ronk answered.

Nicholson interrupted him, asking, “Can you show me a text… is there any…”

Ronk testified it could have been during a phone call.

Ronk told the jury he had dated Heath in high school thirty years ago. He said he was trying to help them, offering “just good advice.”

When asked if his vehicle had been parked outside Heath’s home for weeks, Ronk said his car had been there for ten days or less.

“All I know is her mother asked me to do that to protect her. And if you look at my text messages, she feared for her life several times from Mr. Pinyerd , because she had been threatened with her life several times.” Ronk said.

Ronk told the jury that (Mike) Brattain had threatened Pinyerd.

When Cobern-Brattain testified, she said she was very angry with her ex-husband on the day Heath was killed. She told the jury her anger could be seen in the many texts she had sent him.

After reading one of those texts to the jury, she denied meeting Heath.

Robert Pinyerd will testify in his defense Friday morning.

Crawford County Now will continue to cover this developing news story.