YOUNGSTOWN - The first officer to respond to a homicide on the South Side last September testified Friday that it appeared that nothing was out of the ordinary when he got inside.
K9 Officer Ron Jankowski said he was called to 1339 Inverness Ave. about 7:50 p.m. Sept. 22, 2011, after Quest Wagoner's mother found him on the couch.
Jankowski said that when he went inside with another officer, Wagoner was on the couch and looked to be sleeping, but when he checked him he found the bullet hole in his head.
The house appeared undisturbed, and there was no sign that anyone broke in or of a struggle, Jankowski said.
''There was nothing to suggest a struggle,'' Jankowski said. ''At first, it looked like he was sleeping.''
He was testifying in the case of Donovan Miller, 27, of Cambridge Avenue, who has been charged in Wagoner's death.
Jury selection started Thursday before Mahoning County Common Pleas Court Judge Lou D'Apolito and was completed Friday morning. Jurors heard opening arguments just after lunch and then began hearing testimony.
Jankowski said there were no signs someone forced their way inside the home.
''Nothing appeared to be disturbed,'' Jankowski testified. ''It just appeared to be normal.''
Under cross examination, Jankowski said he searched the entire house and found a small marijuana-growing operation in the attic.
After Jankowski, the department's Crime Lab officer, Anthony Marzullo, took the stand. The lead investigator on the case, Detective Sgt. Rick Spottleson, is expected to testify on Monday.