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Local News

Wednesday, March 03, 2010

Testimony under way in Corbin murder trial
Hanco EMS
By JORDAN CRAVENS

staff writer

BOWLING GREEN -- Randy Corbin strangled his live-in girlfriend of six months after she became fed up with fighting and told him to move out, a Wood County prosecutor told jurors Tuesday.

Corbin, formerly of Fostoria, went on trial Tuesday in Wood County Common Pleas Court in Bowling Green for allegedly murdering Karen Coldwell, 51, of North Baltimore, in October 2007.

Heather Baker, Wood County assistant prosecutor, told the jury during her opening statement that Corbin strangled Coldwell at her North Baltimore home and then dumped her body on Hall Road in Wood County at a property he and his family used to live at, and covered her with a bed comforter.

Before her death, Corbin and Coldwell went to a gas station in North Baltimore to buy beer, and a store clerk overheard Corbin talking about his plans for Coldwell, the prosecutor said.

"Randy stated, 'I am going to get her drunk and I am going to get rid of her and get my (expletive) out of there," Baker said.

Baker also said Corbin admitted the murder to his brother, Frank.

Corbin's attorney, David Klucas, questioned the potential bias of prosecution witnesses who say Corbin confessed the crime to them.

"Many of the witnesses the state will call as its witnesses have a clear emotional allegiance to the victim," Klucas said.

Klucas said there are witnesses who will testify to Corbin's whereabouts between Oct. 16 and Oct. 18, 2007, the time frame when Coldwell was killed, but none can put them together during this period.

Corbin, who wore a tan suit in court, appeared calm during the first day of his trial, sometimes writing notes and passing them to his attorney.

Deb Mellinger, a longtime friend of Coldwell's, was the first witness called by prosecutors.

She described Corbin's and Coldwell's relationship as "topsy-turvy" and "rocky."

Before Coldwell disappeared, Mellinger testified, Coldwell had expressed concern about the relationship.

"She was talking about leaving him because he was a little rough with her," she said. "She said she had enough and just wanted it over with."

Mellinger and Coldwell's daughter Misty Mason, who also took the stand Tuesday, said after they repeatedly tried calling Coldwell and didn't hear back from her on Oct. 16, 2007, they went to her house to investigate.

They found her personal items out of place, and her car was missing. Later they learned Corbin had Coldwell's car.

Klucas accused Mellinger of contaminating evidence when she retrieved Coldwell's car from Corbin without police permission. She also contaminated evidence when she touched stains on a wall in Coldwell's house, cutting her finger in the process, he said.

Mason testified she had several conversations with Corbin about her mother's whereabouts in the days she was missing, and said she received conflicting stories.

Once, she said, Corbin told her Coldwell was getting her hair and nails done. During another call, Corbin said Coldwell was at a pool hall in Findlay, Mason testified.

Corbin's trial resumes at 8:30 a.m. today. In addition to a murder charge, he was also indicted for tampering with evidence.

The trial is expected to continue through Monday, according to prosecutors. Judge Reeve Kelsey is presiding over the case.

Cravens: 419-427-8422,

Send an e-mail to Jordan Cravens


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4 Comments

Latest comments listed first.
Jodie Spratt wrote:
Done
“ Plesae do not say to let it go, the family has to live with for the rest of their lives. I do not know the family, but I do know how it feels to have lost a love one, it is for the rest of your life that you think of them, this man has his life even if it is in prison. Please remember that the family of the victim may read these post. ”
Saturday, March 13, 2010 1:22:12 PM
Lori wrote:
Not known
“ There was only one comment made on this article and that was posted on the day of the article, March 3rd. It appears the one not "letting it rest" is YOU! ROFL! This scum got off easy. He should be hanging from a tree right now! ”
Saturday, March 13, 2010 8:09:59 AM
NOT KNOWN wrote:
DONE
“ MY GOD LET IT REST ALREADY THE MAN IS IN JAIL GOING TO PRISON AND PROB GOING TO DIE THERE JUST LAY OFF I UNDERSTAND THAT I WOULD GO NUTS IF THIS HAPPENED TO MY MOTHER AND I WOULD FEEL SORRY FOR THE PERSON WHO DID IT BUT ITS DONE SO LET IT REST AND LET HER REST FOR ONCE SH_T!!!!!!!! ”
Friday, March 12, 2010 10:58:07 PM
Teresa wrote:
R.I.P. Karen
“ Karen and I used to live across the hall from each other in the same apartment building in Fostoria in the early 80's. I had just moved to Fostoria and didn't really know anyone at the time. She made me feel comfortable about moving to a "strange" place and we became good friends while I lived there. Karen was such a wonderful, sweet person and would have done anything for her kids Misty and Jessica. I still cannot believe that she was murdered!! She did not deserve to have this happen to her or to be taken away from her family and friends. Corbin should be facing the death penalty for what he has done to Karen and her family. My thoughts and prayers go out to Karen's family and friends, especially Misty and Jessica. ”
Wednesday, March 03, 2010 10:05:06 AM
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High-powered growing lights, fans, and a box filled with dried marijuana were also found in the house, according to a police report.

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There will be no classes and the college offices will be closed.

Classes will resume and offices will open again on Tuesday.

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