03-08-2007A six-person jury heard testimony from eight witnesses in a trial in Kosciusko Circuit Court Wednesday afternoon.
The jury is deciding the fate of a Warsaw man, Gerald Womack, who is accused of resisting law enforcement during an attempted traffic stop in July 2006 and possession of marijuana.
Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Deputy Rick Shepherd testified that on July 13 he attempted to stop the vehicle Womack was driving on Winona Avenue after Womack reportedly ran a stop sign.
When Shepherd turned the emergency lights on and attempted to stop the vehicle, Womack allegedly turned from Winona Avenue onto Washington Street and slowed down as if he were going to stop, but then continued and refused to stop the car.
Womack led Shepherd on a low-speed pursuit before stopping at a residence on Prairie Street and leaving his vehicle. Womack reportedly ran from the vehicle around the house and out of Shepherd’s sight. Corey Fields, an intern with the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department who was riding along with Shepherd, witnessed the pursuit and the chase.
Shepherd then requested assistance from Winona Lake Police Officer Joe Bumbaugh and his K-9 officer Hugo. Hugo followed Womack’s scent to a woods where Womack attempted to hide behind a tree.
Officers reportedly told Womack to put his hands in the air, and when he refused to comply, released the dog. Once the dog was released, Womack complied with orders and was placed in handcuffs.
As the officers were leading Womack from the woods, Winona Lake Police Officer Paul Heaton arrive in his patrol vehicle and took Womack to the Kosciusko County Jail.
While Heaton transported Womack, Shepherd and Bumbaugh returned to the car, where Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Deputy Kevin Gelbaugh was waiting.
The dog indicated there were drugs in the car, and Gelbaugh reportedly discovered marijuana cigarettes on the floor and in the driver’s seat of the car as well as a cigarette box containing a cellophane bag of marijuana and rolling papers inside the glovebox of the car.
Once at the jail, Heaton and Jail Officer Frank Courtois reportedly discovered a manual scale in Womack’s pocket.
The scale was documented and then given to Shepherd, who logged it as well as the marijuana cigarettes, the baggy of marijuana, the rolling papers and cigarette box into the evidence locker at the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department.
After the testimony of the eight witnesses Wednesday, the prosecution rested.
The trial resumed at 9 a.m. today as the defense presented its case.