LANE
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Nearly a year after it was initially scheduled, the trial of a local man, accused of killing his roommate and long time friend, has begun.
The trial of Todd Lane began Monday. Lane, 44, of 627 E. Fourth St., in Marysville, is charged with one count of murder, as well as one count each of felonious assault and tampering with evidence. Lane is accused of killing John Dixon, 45, of Marysville, on May 27, 2017, after a night of drinking and an eventual argument. Lane and Dixon shared a home at 627 E. Fourth St., Marysville.
The trial began with instructions and more than four hours of questioning as the potential jury was whittled from more than 50 to the final 12 and two alternates. The jury lost its first member before opening statements or testimony even began. The final juror selected was excused before actually being sworn in. He had told the attorneys he had several business obligations to attend to this week. While he was initially accepted onto the jury, the attorneys agreed he could be excused.
As seated, the jury has eight women, four men and a female alternate.
The defense also helped shorten the list of potential witnesses stipulating the authenticity of a variety of medical records and photographs, as well as a pair of phone calls, one from Lane while at Tri-County Regional Jail and one from Dixon calling for help in his final minutes.
Lane was indicted in June of last year. He was initially scheduled for trial in August 2017. That date was scrapped and rescheduled for earlier this year. The defense asked for a continuance after Common Pleas Court Judge Don Fraser ruled Coroner Dr. David Applegate could testify in the trial, despite being added to the witness list past the deadline.
Court officials said they anticipate the trial will last four days. Lane is in Tri-County Regional Jail with bond set at $500,000.
A conviction on the murder charge would carry a mandatory prison sentence of 15 years to life. The other charges could add an additional 11 years if convicted.
According to court documents, on May 26, Lane and Dixon both went to a local bar. Lane left early and went home to bed. After the bar closed, Dixon went home with several friends to listen to music.
Lane woke up about 4:15 a.m. At that point, he and Dixon began to argue, then fight. A female guest in the home tried to separate the men, but couldn’t. She then went downstairs to get another guest at the home, hoping he could break-up the fight. Lane allegedly bit that man on the face, pulled his hair and scratched him.
According to law enforcement officials, the fight ended and at 4:31 a.m., Dixon called 911. Dixon initially gave dispatchers the wrong address and confirmed it. The error delayed first responders.
When police arrived at the address given by Dixon, they found Lane standing over Dixon, who was face down on the porch with a head injury not breathing.
Lane allegedly ran into the home where officers tackled and arrested him.
Dixon stopped breathing on the way to Memorial Hospital but was revived and taken to The Ohio State University Medical Center. Officials there determined he was brain dead. Dixon was kept on life support until family members could come to the hospital and his organs could be harvested for donation. Dixon died May 29, at The Ohio State University Medical Center.