Widmer doesn't testify, closing arguments begin

LEBANON, Ohio - The defense has rested its case and closing arguments are underway Wednesday in the murder retrial of Ryan Widmer.

Closing arguments began just after 10:30 a.m. after the defense rested their case without the presence of a jury at the Warren County courthouse, as attorneys arrived earlier than the jury to discuss how the trial was going to proceed.

The open question Wednesday morning was whether defense attorneys would call defendant Ryan Widmer to the witness stand, but it is clear jurors will not hear that testimony now that the defense has rested.

Speculation that Ryan Widmer might take the stand was that Ruthann Steward, Sarah Widmer's mother, is in the courtroom Wednesday morning. Steward had previously indicated that other than her testimony, she would not be at any of the hearings unless there was a chance that Ryan Widmer would take the stand.

Widmer did not take the stand during the initial trial last year and several legal analysts say they probably didn't need to take that risk.

Ryan Widmer is charged with murdering his wife, 24-year-old Sarah Widmer, who drowned in the bathroom of their Hamilton Township home in August 2008.

A guilty verdict from the first trial last year was thrown out by Warren County Common Pleas Judge Neal Bronson because of juror misconduct.

If convicted by this jury, Widmer could face a sentence of 15 years to life in prison.