Prosecution rests in Mark Becker murder trial

Aplington-Parkersburg football coach Ed Thomas was shot at least, five times, and had gunshot wounds in his head, chest and knee, a state medical examiner testified this afternoon.

Thomas had significant gunshot wounds on his right and left sides of his head, his cheek bone area or nasal cavity, his left hand and a grazing from a bullet on his chin, Dr. Jerri McLemore testified today.

Thomas also had blunt force injuries to his forehead, chest and leg.

The injuries could be consistent to someone stomping or kicking Thomas.

In testimony on Friday, some of the high school students who identified Mark Becker as the shooter also said Becker stomped on Thomas after he was shot and lying on the ground.

“The cause of death was multiple gunshot wounds,” McLemore said. “ The manner of death is homicide.”

McLemore identified the gunshot wounds through photos, so the jurors could view them as she explained.

Becker seemed to look at the screen when each photo was presented.

The Thomas family did not.

The prosecution rested after McLemore testified. The defense will begin its case 9 a.m. Wednesday in Butler County District Court.

Becker, 24, charged with first-degree murder, is accused of shooting and killing Thomas last summer. He is claiming insanity as his defense.