Hermitage man on trial for shotgun slaying of roommate
The trial is underway for Hermitage man accused of murdering his roommate at the home they shared.
The trial is underway for Hermitage man accused of murdering his roommate at the home they shared.
Dustin Nichols, 23, is charged with first and third-degree murder, killing or maiming a domesticated animal and manufacturing with intent to deliver drugs.
Police say Nichols called 9-1-1 on February 6 of last year to report that he had murdered his female roommate, 18-year-old Olivia Gonzalez, several hours earlier inside their home at 1609 Fairlawn Drive home.
Nichols was sitting on front porch and surrendered to police when they arrived.
Police say Nichols confessed to the crimes at the time.
Officers found the body of Gonzalez inside the home. She had been shot several times.
According to police, Nichols shot Gonzalez four times with a 12 gauge shotgun and then struck her in the head with the butt of the gun three times.
Nichols admitted to police that he ingested the hallucinogenic drug LSD at around midnight.
Investigators say that prior to the shootings, Nichols threw a glass bong at a pet cat owned by Gonzalez.
The trial is being heard before Mercer County Common Pleas Court Judge Daniel P. Wallace.