4/19/11 Wife, deputy testify in Gresser murder trial
By Nick Sabo
April 19, 2011
291
SUMMARY: Deputy says Gresser changed story multiple times, stories did not match medical evidence
Though he changed his story numerous times, a Smithville man charged with murdering his daughter always came back to the same reason for assualting the 18-month-old girl: Her crying annoyed him.
Over the course of three interviews, Timothy Gresser, 22, 7934 Five Points Road, told Wayne County Sheriffs deputies that his daughter Kalis crying Sept. 28 made him angry and frustrated. In testimony Tuesday April 19 in Wayne County Common Pleas Court, Deputy Alex Abel said Gresser offered at least six versions of how Kali suffered fatal injuries to her head and a broken leg.
Gressers wife also testified Tuesday that she feels Gresser never told her what truly happened to their daughter.
Kali Gresser died Sept. 30 at Akron Childrens Hospital from head trauma caused by violent shaking and a blow to the right side of the head. She was admitted to the hospital in critical condition Sept. 28 after Timothy Gresser called 911 at 3:27 p.m. to report Kali had fallen from her crib and was unresponsive.
Gresser and Kali were alone at their residence when Gresser placed the call.
Gressers attorney, John Johnson Jr., said his client changed his story because he was covering for Katie out of his love for her. Johnson has argued that Katie caused Kalis injuries, possibly before going to work at 8:30 a.m. or perhaps the day before.
The 911 call and a subsequent interview at Akron Childrens Sept. 28 represented the first of several stories told by Gresser, Abel said. The first version of how Kali received her injuries was that she had fallen from her crib; after his arrest, Gresser said he shook Kali three or four times and shoved her to the floor. In a third interview, Gresser said Kali fell down the stairs, that he was holding her and fell down the stairs, and that he pushed her down the stairs.
None of those scenarios matched up with medical evidence obtained in an autopsy, Abel said. Medical evidence indicated that Kali had suffered a powerful blow to the head, marked by a large bruise above Kalis right eye. Her leg had been broken, caused by an impact that pushed the kneecap into the femur.
Kali further suffered from internal bleeding and swelling of the brain. Hemorrhages in her eyes suggested shaken baby syndrome.
It couldnt have happened the way he told me, Abel said. After the autopsy, I knew the medical evidence did not match up with his descriptions.
Katie testified that Gresser had become physically abusive toward her after their marriage, slapping and shoving her. She said a scar on her arm was caused when Timothy hit her with a hot grill spatula.
However, he was never abusive to Kali, Katie said. Katie said Gresser loved Kali for the first six months after she was born, but then the newness seemed to wear off.
She said she trusted Gresser with their daughter.
Hes her father, he should be trusted to watch his own kid, Katie said.
Under cross examination, Johnson said Katie visited Gresser nearly every Sunday (she) could and asked her if the visits were in fact to make sure Gresser stuck with his story.
Katie replied that "the reason I visited Tim is I wanted to know what he had done to my daughter.
Smithville Fire and EMS Capt. Steven Burns testified Tuesday that he believed Kali was not tall enough to climb out her crib. Based on that belief and the position of Kali on the floor, Burns said he suspected abuse while preparing Kali for the trip to Dunlap Community Hospital and passed along his suspicions to Abel.
Burns testified that he did not see signs of bruising on Kali while at the Gresser residence.
Abel said how Kali broke her leg has never been determined. He said he is convinced that Gresser is the person who caused Kalis injuries.
I dont think he ever told me how he did it, how he killed Kali, Abel said.
The case is expected to continue Wednesday with testimony from coroner Dr. Dorothy Dean.
