Closing arguments in the trial of Cincinnati Police Officer Robert “Blaine” Jorg will begin Monday. Officer Jorg is charged with felony involuntary manslaughter and misdemeanor assault in the Nov. 7 death of Roger Owensby Jr.

Jorg

Owensby

        The 30-year-old officer is accused of placing Mr. Owensby, a suspect whom he and four other officers were attempting to arrest, in a choke hold that cut off the 29-year-old man's air supply.

        About 1:30 p.m. Friday, both the prosecution and the defense rested their cases after four days of testimony from prosecution witnesses.

        R. Scott Croswell, Officer Jorg's lawyer, did not call any witnesses.

        Also on Friday, as part of standard procedure, Mr. Croswell asked Common Pleas Judge Thomas C. Nurre to acquit Officer Jorg because prosecutors failed to prove their case. Judge Nurre denied the request.

        Officer Todd Brunner, who teaches defensive tactics at the Cincinnati Police Academy, told jurors Friday that choke holds are not taught because they could cause injury or prove fatal if applied improperly.

        The maneuver, he added, is considered deadly force. It should not be used in encounters that don't require deadly force — as was the case with Mr. Owensby, he said.

        Officer Jorg has contended that he did not place Mr. Owensby in a choke hold; rather, his arms were wrapped around Mr. Owensby's head to keep him from injuring himself as he struggled with other officers.

        Under cross examination from the defense, Officer Brunner said it would not be wrong if Officer Jorg wrapped his arms around Mr. Owensby's head as had been described.

City's Olympic flame doused
Group wants to put submarine on riverfront
Three officers testify against Caton
Closing arguments Monday in Jorg case
Once-fired officer to be promoted
Profiling lawsuit could play key role
Fuller rewrites campaign rules
Poll puts Luken ahead; Fuller gains over week
Council hopefuls line war chests
United Way beats the buzzer
Expert: Cincinnati area prepared
FAA chief says airport needs luggage scanners
Annexation law's fate up to voters
Drug task force wants raise
Levies in western suburbs reflect growth
Local Digest
Loveland superintendent to resign
McNUTT: Renovating Miami's ballpark
West Chester promotes police levy
Police, teens share viewpoints
Rape victim's word is forgive
SAMPLES: Have paint, will join protest
Charges could hurt candidate in Boone Co.
Erlanger woman 'hero'
Talk focuses on anthrax prevention
Truck drivers may face new rules
Elk herd makes itself at home
Judicial center built for growth
Kentucky Digest
Kentucky Education Notes
Loans, grants punctuate Kentuckian's swearing-in
No deal on smoking bill
Patton juggles finances
Patton looks at pollution allowances
Rogers' Somerset office reopens