A three-week trial for both Tucker and Parker is scheduled to begin Nov. 6 in Butler County Common Pleas Court. Both men have court-appointed attorneys.
Tucker’s attorney Tamara Sack has filed a motion requesting more funds for private investigator Brenda Beyersdoerfer to continue to investigate for the defense.
Judge Greg Stephens approved $3,000 each for defense investigative services for both Tucker and Parker.
In the July 17 motion, Sack said the investigator has incurred $6,625 of work on the case through June 22 and is requesting payment of the overage as well as the lifting of the funding cap. Included on the attached invoice is review of evidence, witness report review comparison and a team meeting.
A hearing has been scheduled for Aug. 7 by Stephens to consider the motion.
Tucker and Parker was last in court in April when the judge considered several motions in the case, including a change of venue and a request to sever the cases, which would mean two trials.
Sack requested the court change the venue of the trial to a county “where publicity regarding this case has not been prevalent.”
Media coverage of the case “has been so extensive that the defendant will not be able to receive a fair trial in Butler County,” Sack said.
In court Sack also argued Tucker should have a separate trial because he could be convicted by “guilt by association.”
Stephens denied both of Sack’s motions at this time, but noted the change of venue would have to be decided when jury selection began. That is when it will be determined if a fair and impartial jury can be seated.
Prosecutors say Parker solicited Tucker to light the fire. Parker and his wife were in Las Vegas when the fire broke out during the early morning hours.
Wolterman died when he fell through the floor while fighting the blaze on Dec. 28, 2015.
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