Opening statements began Thursday in Georgia, in the murder trial against Christopher Wolfenbarger, accused of killing and beheading his wife.
Wolfenbarger is on trial in Atlanta for the murder of his wife, 21-year-old mother of two, Melissa Wolfenbarger.
As CrimeOnline previously reported, Melissa vanished in December 1998. She had reportedly been living with defendant, although they were separated, following domestic abuse allegations.
In 1999, Melissa’s dismembered remains, including her severed head and extremities with saw marks, were discovered near Christopher’s former workplace: a glass company located at 858 Avon Avenue in Atlanta.
The remains were officially identified in 2003.
During opening statements, the prosecution accused Christopher Wolfenbarger of being abusive, arguing that he threw away Melissa’s belongings after her disappearance and made incriminating statements to one of his children.
The defense, however, pointed to alternative suspects, arguing that the state’s case against the defendant relied on circumstantial evidence.
The defense suggested Melissa’s father, Carl Patton, her mother, Norma Patton, and a family associate as potential suspects.
Melissa’s father, notoriously known as the “Flint River Killer,” was previously cleared as a suspect.
The defense also noted lack of evidence, such as Melissa’s cause of death or any DNA linked to Christopher. They suggested Norma Patton implicated the defendant in an attempt to help with her husband’s parole.
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Witness George McEachern took the stand Thursday and explained how he found a human head behind Christopher’s former job. He said he then contacted police.
Another witness, former Atlanta Police Detective Dale Kelley, said he was the lead investigator in the case and responded to McEachern’s call.
At the scene, he discovered the human head, along with plastic bags. With the help of cadaver dogs, police discovered additional remains weeks later.
Former Atlanta Police Detective Tina Miller, who arrived at the scene in April 1999, confirmed that she saw a human skull sitting upright, along with some black trash bags nearby.
In June 1999, working on a tip, Miller searched behind a nearby auto shop and found additional remains, near the area where the skull had been found.
Melissa’s mother and childhood friends are scheduled to testify tomorrow.
Check back for updates.
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