Both Sides Rest in Easton Knife Killing Case

Lawrence Gaines' homicide trial reached its final stage Wednesday without Gaines—or any other witnesses—testifying for the defense.

That means jurors will return to Northampton County Court Thursday morning to begin hearing closing arguments and begin deliberating whether Gaines is guilty of killing William Thompson in Easton last summer.

Prosecutors allege Gaines, 45, stabbed Thompson five times, with one of the wounds slicing through Thompson's femoral artery. Thompson, 43, of Easton, died a few hours later at St. Luke's University Hospital.

Gaines' attorney, Robert Sletvold, argued in his opening statement Monday that his client acted in self-defense after Thompson attacked Gaines with a piece of wooden railing.

Police say Thompson had gone to a building at 613 Ferry St. to buy drugs, and that Gaines—the security for the house—got into a fight with Thompson while trying to turn him away.

In court Wednesday, Sletvold tried unsuccessfully to get Sgt. Timothy Hornbaker of the county sheriff's department to testify about what he would have done if attacked by someone with a piece of wood.

But Judge Edward Smith said such testimony would not be appropriate, according to the Express-Times.

Jurors on Wednesday also saw photos and heard testimony about Thompson's autopsy, the Morning Call reported.

Gaines stayed off the stand, the newspapers reported.