ADRIAN — The Warner trial continued Tuesday with testimony focused on tank movement, welding analysis and drone footage from April 2021. Multiple witnesses described activity involving an anhydrous ammonia tank at the Munger Road property.
Before testimony resumed, the court addressed evidentiary matters. Several exhibits were admitted by stipulation, and additional exhibits were admitted over defense objection. The court ruled a written transcript of a body camera recording would not be provided to the jury, stating the audio quality required jurors to interpret the recording themselves.
During the Warner trial, farm employee Jason Gravelle testified he moved an anhydrous ammonia tank at Dale Warner’s request on April 27, 2021. Surveillance footage was played for the jury showing a front-end loader moving a tank from near a burn pile area into Building 7, also described as the spray barn. Gravelle identified himself in the video and stated Warner asked him to move the tank because it needed to be cleaned up. On cross-examination, the defense noted Gravelle recently experienced a serious medical event affecting his memory. Gravelle acknowledged difficulty recalling some details but confirmed he was asked to move the tank.
The Warner trial also included testimony from Parker Hardy, who described observing loader tracks near the back of the residence on April 25, 2021. Hardy testified the tracks led close to the steps of the home and that a Hummer vehicle appeared to have been moved afterward. He stated the positioning was unusual based on his familiarity with similar equipment.
Detective Dale Sharpe of the Lenawee County Sheriff’s Office testified he photographed Building 7 during the April 27 search warrant. Sharpe said he observed Dale Warner moving an anhydrous tank while law enforcement was on scene and stated deputies were instructed not to interfere with farm operations.
Welding engineer Justin Schmidt testified as an expert witness during the Warner trial. Schmidt stated he inspected Tank 34 multiple times and identified what he described as an obvious repair weld on the rear dome. He testified the repair differed from factory welds and conducted experiments to estimate the time required for cutting and welding. Schmidt said cutting and welding would produce sparks and noise above recommended hearing protection levels.
Madison Township Fire Chief Ryan Rank also testified about drone footage captured the evening of April 27. Rank described the drone deployment and identified equipment movement on the property. He also explained the hazardous properties of anhydrous ammonia as part of his training.
Testimony in the Warner trial is expected to continue this week as the prosecution proceeds with its case.
