Commonwealth v. Jessica Rizor

Commonwealth v. Jessica Rizor

By Alisha M. Kendall
March 7, 2008

The case of Commonwealth v. Jessica Rizor, in which she is accused of putting her infant baby in plastic and then in the trash can, was continued Wednesday in the Washington County Courthouse in front of Judge DiSalle.

Jury selection was completed Monday, with twelve jurors and two alternate jurors being selected. The case started Tuesday with the opening arguments from both sides.

The prosecution is headed by Craig McKay, Washington County’s First Assistant District Attorney, with assistance by attorney Mike Lucas, a local Washington and Jefferson College graduate. The defense for Ms. Rizor is lead by attorney Robert Brady.

Wednesday, several people were questioned, including an E.M.T. ambulance worker, and two police officers that were at the scene.

The closing witnesses for Wednesday were the Washington County Coroner, and Washington County Deputy Coroner, Timothy Warco II. Warco received a call from the Coroner to remove fetal remains from the residence of 127 Lawrence Avenue in Washington.

When he arrived at the scene, Deputy Coroner Warco recalls finding a plastic, Wal-Mart bag in the trashcan in the kitchen. After careful photographing of the evidence by the police, Warco remembers, “Upon opening the bag I discovered a full-term child.”

The defense then cross-questioned Deputy Coroner Warco, after refusing the chance to question the Coroner, on the stipulation that he may be called back in for questioning if anything new comes up.

The defense rapidly fired questions at Mr. Warco, leading for several objections from the prosecution. After finishing question Warco, the prosecution had no witnesses left for the day.

Due to the late hour, the court was recessed until 9:30am Thursday morning, when the case will be continued in front of Judge DiSalle.