Testimony in trial for Monroe trucker’s murder could conclude Thursday

MARENGO — After several witnesses testified in open court Wednesday, testimony for first-degree murder suspect Mariana Lesnic is expected to conclude Thursday afternoon.

Lesnic, 44, is on trial for allegedly shooting Monroe trucker Ernest Kummer, 60, while he was sleeping in a semi-truck at an Interstate 80 rest stop near Victor in September 2017.

Trial information shows when investigators located Kummer with four gunshot wounds to the head.

Wednesday’s testimony featured several employees of the Iowa County Sheriff’s Department and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI). In addition, Kummer’s supervisor at Copeland Trucking Terminal Charlie Hoag, gave testimony on the nature of Kummer’s employment.

Hoag said Kummer worked at his facility in Des Moines for the last seven years, driving routes from Nebraska through Iowa to Illinois and back. Hoag said the victim was pleasant to work with.

“He basically lived at my facility,” Hoag said. “He was 100 percent goofy, funny and too nice. Truckers are hard to find that know everything. It’s very hard to find people like (Kummer) nowadays.”

Hoag also testified about the nature of Kummer’s work life. He gave details about how truckers aren’t allowed to drive more than 11 hours per day, and Kummer’s regular schedule allowed him to be home daily. Law enforcement’s immediate investigation produced surveillance camera footage, showing two people walking to the semi-truck with a bag before Kummer talked to co-workers.

Hoag also explained none of his company’s semi-trucks should have holes, and the hole in the semi-truck was not present before Kummer left on route.

“This is the first bullet hole we’ve ever had,” Hoag said.

Lesnic, who is representing herself in the trial, had questions for Hoag about whether or not he knew Kummer agreed to take her to the state of Washington — giving one of the first indications the two might have been acquaintances. Hoag responded by saying he doesn’t recall Lesnic asking for the ride, but his company’s trucks do not travel to the state of Washington.

Crime scene photos shown by Assistant Attorney General Douglas Hammer and throughout the trial revealed what appeared to be a blue blouse and an undershirt, both found on top of Kummer’s head, with four holes in them, as well as shell cases on Kummer’s body and inside a pillow.

During testimony by Iowa County deputy Jon Fisor, the law enforcement official revealed while escorting Lesnic to a room for interrogation at the Iowa State Sheriff’s Office, Lesnic asked if the state of Iowa had the death penalty, for which Fisor responded ‘no.’

Testimony by DCI employee Ryan Petruccelli revealed there was no sign of any form of Kummer’s DNA found on Lesnic’s clothes she was wearing at the scene. That included negative test results from sperm, penile swabs and no foreign DNA contributor on the cups of Lesnic’s bra, Petruccilli said.

In a later testimony by DCI Special Agent Ryan Herman, the investigator revealed the details of his interrogation of Lesnic. The defendant said she was hitchhiking somewhere in east Nebraska when she met Kummer and exchanged phone numbers. Lesnic eventually called Kummer and he went to pick her up. Kummer let her stay in his home for three days, she told investigators.

During her stay prior to Kummer’s murder, Lesnic told Herman that Kummer wanted to date her and have sex with her, but she didn’t tolerate it because he was too old. Herman also testified that Lesnic told him she shot Kummer.

Lesnic asked Herman during the trial if Herman found any evidence to suggest Kummer possessed a firearm, or if a family member of Kummer possibly owned a firearm.

“It was never brought to my attention he owned a gun,” Herman said in response to Lesnic’s questions.

The final witness was not available Wednesday for testimony but will be in court Thursday morning, followed by closing statements. Lesnic previously indicated she did not wish to make a closing statement, according to Sixth District Court Judge Andrew Chappell.

After opening statements, the trial proceeded with the questioning of three witnesses involved in the case — Williamsburg Police Officer Jason Mochal, Iowa County Sheriff Department Dispatcher Jaime Cronbaugh and Iowa County Sheriff’s Deputy Andrew Pahl.

Mochal and Pahl both testified to their discoveries and actions when responding to the 911 call, while Cronbaugh testified in regards to the 911 call received.

Chappell then called a recess. The trial resumed 8:30 a.m. Thursday in Iowa County District Court.

Contact Orrin Shawl at 641-792-3121 ext. 6533 or at oshawl@newtondailynews.com