More testimomy, evidence links suspect to Lima murder

Yahoo

10-04-2025

Apr. 9—LIMA — The state of Ohio neared the conclusion of its case against murder suspect Michael Oliphant on Wednesday in Allen County Common Pleas Court through direct testimony, video and physical exhibits related to events leading up to and following the Feb. 15, 2023, shooting death of Kirk Perine.
Oliphant, 23, of Lima, is charged with murder in connection to Perine's death and also faces charges of felonious assault for allegedly firing a weapon in the direction of two employees of Feltz Chiropractic that same afternoon.
The 59-year-old Perine was found by police inside a white Buick in the 100 block of North Rosedale Avenue. He had suffered a gunshot wound and was pronounced dead at the scene. The fatal bullet had been fired from outside the vehicle and passed through the front passenger-side window, investigators said.
Wednesday's opening testimony came from Mike Carman, an identification officer with the Lima Police Department. He told jurors he collected evidence in an alley behind 211 N. Kenilworth Ave., a location where LPD officers subdued Oliphant as he reportedly fled the scene of Perine's shooting death on North Rosedale Avenue.
Carman said a 9mm Beretta pistol, a spent shell casing, a gun magazine containing seven live rounds of ammunition and other items were found in the alley. Jurors had the opportunity to view the alleged murder weapon.
With LPD Detective Matt Woodworth on the witness stand, jurors watched a video from the former R-P Home & Harvest Store on Cable Road which showed Oliphant purchasing a handgun at approximately 5 p.m. Feb. 15, 2023. Allen County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Kyle Thines displayed for jurors a copy of the federal firearm transaction records that Oliphant had signed that day. Receipts from the store indicate he paid $399.99 in cash for the weapon.
Prosecutors claim Oliphant discharged that same firearm a short time later at the chiropractic office and then again on Rosedale Avenue to shoot Perine.
Lucas County Deputy Coroner Dr. Dwayne Wolf performed the autopsy on Perine. She said the man died as the result of a gunshot wound to the upper-right chest area. The bullet passed through the victim's clavicle and carotid artery and was lodged in the right shoulder area, the doctor said.
Jurors viewed autopsy photos during Wolf's time on the witness stand, while Oliphant buried his head in his hands during the display of the photos.
Emily Feldenkris, a forensic scientist with the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation, testified that DNA samples were taken from five areas of the gun allegedly used in the shooting for analysis. She said four spots on the gun — the trigger guard, grip, slide and buttons — showed Oliphant was the "one major contributor" of DNA left behind on the weapon.
The state is expected to wrap up its portion of the case on Thursday. It is not clear whether the defense will call any witnesses.
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