by Marci Piltz
Record-Courier Reporter
Ravenna -- A former Aurora man was found guilty for a second time April 29 of murdering his wife in 2005.
James K. Warner, 59, was found guilty by a Portage County jury of one count each of murder and voluntary manslaughter in Portage County Common Pleas Court.
Warner had previously been convicted in April 2006 of murder stemming from his wife Carolyn's November 2005 death. A new trial was ordered in 2007 after an appellate court ruled the trial court erred by not including the voluntary manslaughter charge in the jury's instructions.
Warner's second trial began April 21, and following a week of testimony was sent to the jury for deliberations April 28. Shortly after returning from a lunch break April 29, jurors signaled to the court they had reached a verdict.
Warner, dressed in a suit and standing beside attorney Russell Tye, made no sound as Portage County Common Pleas Judge John Enlow read guilty verdicts to both counts levied against Warner.
Police and fire officials were called to the Warner's home at 101 Parkview Drive on Nov. 14, 2005 after James' brother told emergency dispatcher he found two cars running in the attached garage of the home and couldn't get an answer at the door.
James was found unconscious on a couch of the home and Carolyn's body was found wrapped in blankets on the kitchen floor.
She had been stabbed at least 21 times, according to testimony from the first trial, and at least two of those stab wounds were fatal.
Carolyn was pronounced dead at the scene while James was taken via helicopter to St. Vincent's Hospital for treatment of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Prosecutors alleged Warner plotted to kill his wife since the day before, when they said he had gone to visit family members who testified Warner had been acting strange and was giving away personal belongings.
The defense contends Warner, a Vietnam War veteran, was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and acted out of self-defense and passion after being attacked with a skillet and knife by his wife.
Enlow could have sentenced Warner April 29, but instead ruled sentencing was to occur May 6. Warner is looking at a minimum sentence of 15 years to life on the murder charge, which is what he was sentenced to following his first conviction.
E-mail: mpiltz@recordpub.com
Telephone: 330-296-9657