MENTOR-ON-THE-LAKE -- Testimony today in the trial of a man accused of murdering a Mentor-on-the-Lake barmaid centered on what prosecutors claim may have led to the fatal attack.
Joseph Thomas is on trial for the Thanksgiving 2010 rape and murder of Ann McSween.
Witnesses say McSween turned down Thomas' advances and refused to dance with him earlier in the evening.
One witness testified that he played pool with Thomas that night. The witness says Thomas went to the bar that night after being dumped by a girlfriend and wasting money on a Thanksgiving dinner for her. The witness also said Thomas had a knife clipped to his jeans.
McSween was attacked as she closed up the bar alone. Her body was found in the woods behind Mario's Lakeway Lounge. McSween had been stabbed and her throat cut.
Thomas faces the death penalty if convicted.
WKYC-TV