BUCYRUS, OH (CRAWFORD COUNTY NOW)—The state has concluded its case in the murder trial of Thomas Brown, with lead Detective Jamie Carver of the Bucyrus Police Department providing a full day of testimony in court on Tuesday.

During Carver’s testimony, a video of Brown’s initial interrogation was played, but it was difficult to hear. As a result, Common Pleas Court Judge Sean Leuthold ruled that a transcript of the interview would be provided to the jury for clarity.

Brown maintained throughout his interrogation that his intent was to stop Sean Cassaro from hitting him.

He claimed he could not recall driving his car while intoxicated, stating that he had a few drinks with friends at various bars before ending up at the Crazy Fox that night.

The prosecution presented surveillance video images from the Crazy Fox showing a conversation between Brown and Rochelle Leonhardt.
At one point the image shows Brown’s hand down Rochelle’s lower back. Cassaro, looking on, appeared to be angry.

Brown explained that he knew Cassaro from when he (Cassaro) worked for the city. Brown said he asked Cassaro why he was so mad saying; “We’re friends.” Cassaro replied; “We’re not friends.”

Brown did not remember how he got separated from his friends after leaving the bar. He told Carver that if he did drive, he shouldn’t have.
Brown said he was sitting in Rochelle’s driveway talking with her when he heard yelling.

Brown described the physical altercation between himself and Cassaro, stating that he never hit Cassaro but reacted in self-defense after Cassaro hit him. Brown said he got out of his car, turned around, and Cassaro was coming at him.

He told Detective Carver repeatedly that he was only trying to get Sean to stop hitting him. He said he just wanted to get away from Sean.
Among other exhibits put on the record were Cassaro’s blood-stained jeans, belt, underwear, socks, and boots.

The jury saw photos of Brown with dried blood on his nose, his arms, his clean hands with scratches on his knuckles, a left shin wound that had been wrapped, and scrapes on his right knee.

The wounds are allegedly from a knife Cassaro used during the struggle. Detective Carver said they were unable to locate the handle but found a double-edged blade about 4 inches long at the scene.

Carver took Brown to the hospital as a matter of protocol before taking him to be booked into the Crawford County Jail. His hospital summary indicated the lacerations noted and included lacerations to the left knee.

After the state rested its case, the defense made an oral motion to dismiss the case under Rule 29, which allows for a judgment of acquittal if the evidence is insufficient to sustain a conviction. The defense maintained that the state failed to prove intent by Brown to kill Cassaro.

As part of his decision, Judge Leuthold ruled that Thomas Brown did not,(according to evidence provided), purposefully murder Sean Cassaro during a fight. So therefore the jury will have to make a decision between felony murder and reckless homicide.

Leuthold commended both sides for their well-planned arguments.

Judge Leuthold denied the motion to acquit stating that this case would be decided by the jury.

Thomas Brown is expected to testify on Wednesday as the trial continues.