The defense is presenting evidence in the trial of a former Murray State University student in connection with a fatal dorm fire in 1998. The Paducah Sun reports combustion engineer Richard Roby was the first witness in defense of Jerry Walker Jr. Roby told the jury it would have taken at least three gallons of gasoline to create the results of the blaze that killed Michael Minger and seriously injured Minger's roommate, Michael Priddy.
Roby testified the 1.03 gallons of gas that evidence showed Walker bought at a convenience store a half-hour before the fire in Hester Hall was not sufficient to cause the intensity of the fire that ensued.
Roby said both victims had smoke inhalation and were covered in soot.