New Darst trial begins today in CP Court

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

Prosecutors will take another try at convicting David A. Darst for his alleged responsibility for injuries to his 2-month-old son, Logan, in a trial that begins this morning in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court.

A six-man, six-woman jury deadlocked 7-5 during his first trial earlier this year and prosecutors opted to retry the case.

A three-day trial is planned, with testimony from a number of people, including Darst family members, Van Wert Police Detective Jeff Blackmore, two physicians from Dayton Children’s Hospital and possibly Darst himself, although that is not a given, since those accused of a crime do not have to testify on their own behalf.

Darst did testify at his first trial, however.

One of the biggest problems for the jury in the first case appeared to be the fact that the baby wasn’t taken to Van Wert County Hospital until April 24, 2010 — two days after it was thought the injuries occurred. That made it hard for the original jury to ascertain whether Darst was responsible or someone else, since others watched the child before it was taken to the hospital.

The child later died, but not apparently from injuries it received related to the charges filed against Darst.

Judge Sumner E. Walters will hear the case on assignment from the Ohio Supreme Court.