Ore. man to begin defense in state murder trial

ROSEBURG, Ore. — Lawyers for an Oregon businessman accused of murdering his girlfriend are scheduled to begin making their case.

The Roseburg News-Review reported that Washington state prosecutors in Pacific County rested their case against 49-year-old Brian Brush on Wednesday, the third day of the trial. Brush is charged with shooting to death Lisa Bonney on Sept. 11, 2009 in Long Beach.

Despite objections from Brush’s lawyer, the judge allowed prosecutors to show the jury photos of Bonney’s autopsy.

The defense will begin presenting its case on Monday, and lawyers are expected to present testimony from a psychiatrist.

Brush faces life in prison if convicted of first-degree murder, and prosecutors have not ruled out seeking the death penalty. He is a former Medford police officer who was an owner of North River Boats near Roseburg.

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