Widmer retrial delayed as defense changes plans

LEBANON, Ohio - Defense testimony about Sarah Widmer's health continues Friday as her husband's murder retrial continues at the Warren County Courthouse.

Friday's session was delayed around an hour and a half so the defense could wait for other witnesses to become available later in the day. The defense says this was so they could best defend Ryan Widmer.

Defense attorneys tell 9 News they'll put noted sleep specialists and neurologists on the witness stand during Friday's session, along with more of Ryan and Sarah Widmer's friends.

On Thursday, jurors heard from several of the couple's friends who say they saw only a loving couple with no obvious marital problems. One of them testified about the loving relationship they saw as Ryan and Sarah took dancing lessons before their wedding.

Another friend testified Sarah Widmer did complain about a lack of sleep and severe headaches, especially migraines.

Defense attorneys have suggested that Sarah Widmer could have died from a number of other natural causes, and not murder when she drowned in the couple's bathroom in Hamilton Township two years ago.

Ryan Widmer is being retried because a previous murder conviction was thrown out by Judge Neal Bronson last year after some juror misconduct was discovered.

One thing defense attorneys aren't willing to say yet is whether a decision has been made about putting Ryan Widmer on the stand.

But they do say, they expect defense testimony to continue through at least Tuesday before the trial moves on to closing arguments.

Stay with 9 News and WCPO.com for the latest on the Widmer retrial.