Expert: Reynolds didn't commit suicide
CHEHALIS, Wash. -- The trial over Ronda Reynolds' death on Wednesday focused on a central character in the mystery -- the gun.
Just how loud is a gunshot? Ballistics expert Marty Hayes used a decibel meter in court to demonstrate the loudness.
The demonstration, along with videotaped gun tests, are crucial in the case. On the morning Reynolds was found shot dead, investigators said her husband told them he never heard the shot.
Hayes also recreated these tests for a Problem Solver investigation, which also registered high decibel readings when a gun was fired 15 feet away behind a closed door -- similar to the circumstances that surrounded Reynolds' body, according to detectives.
Hayes testified that crime scene photos did not match the suicide ruling by the Lewis County Sheriff's Office, since the gun would have not recoiled as depicted if Reynolds had killed herself.
"First of all, the trajectory is inconsistent with anyone I know committing suicide. But secondly, the gun would then flip back and away and not forward to rest on her head," said Hayes.
Since Reynolds' death, her mother has fought to have a jury hear the evidence. Barb Thompson wants to force Coroner Terry Wilson to change his ruling from suicide to homicide.
"I've spent 11 years trying to get him to talk to me," she said.
Getting this trial is a triumph for Thompson. But, she won't hear from the coroner as Wilson doesn't plan to testify.
"He has never explained to me any other evidence that he has used to make his determination for suicide and now, I will never get that opportunity," Thompson said. "Very disappointing."
Just how loud is a gunshot? Ballistics expert Marty Hayes used a decibel meter in court to demonstrate the loudness.
The demonstration, along with videotaped gun tests, are crucial in the case. On the morning Reynolds was found shot dead, investigators said her husband told them he never heard the shot.
Hayes also recreated these tests for a Problem Solver investigation, which also registered high decibel readings when a gun was fired 15 feet away behind a closed door -- similar to the circumstances that surrounded Reynolds' body, according to detectives.
Hayes testified that crime scene photos did not match the suicide ruling by the Lewis County Sheriff's Office, since the gun would have not recoiled as depicted if Reynolds had killed herself.
"First of all, the trajectory is inconsistent with anyone I know committing suicide. But secondly, the gun would then flip back and away and not forward to rest on her head," said Hayes.
Since Reynolds' death, her mother has fought to have a jury hear the evidence. Barb Thompson wants to force Coroner Terry Wilson to change his ruling from suicide to homicide.
"I've spent 11 years trying to get him to talk to me," she said.
Getting this trial is a triumph for Thompson. But, she won't hear from the coroner as Wilson doesn't plan to testify.
"He has never explained to me any other evidence that he has used to make his determination for suicide and now, I will never get that opportunity," Thompson said. "Very disappointing."