Nowlin Murder Trial Update

The murder trial of a Columbus man charged in the death of a Zanesville man continues Wednesday in Muskingum County Common Pleas Court.

Terrell Nowlin is facing murder charges in the 2010 death of 19-year-old Tyler Hardin of Zanesville. WHIZ Reporter Nichole Medaugh – who is inside the courtroom – is reporting that Nowlin’s defense attorney is painting Nowlin as a loving father. In testimony from Savanna Cooper, a girlfriend, she said during their relationship she never knew Nowlin was married. Cooper testified that Nowlin thought their daughter was his until DNA proved it was Hardin’s child. Cooper said Nowlin was heartbroken when he learned the news. Cooper also testified that Nowlin had purchased a handgun which he kept in a blue case – the same case that Nowlin was seen with the weekend of Hardin’s death. It was also the case that Nowlin asked Cooper to remove prior to a visit by Detectives. Also the same case that Cooper’s father, Randall, said he put in his safe and turned over to the Muskingum County Sheriff’s Office. Testimony is expected to continue into late Wednesday afternoon and last at least through this week. More details on the WHIZ News at 6:00 pm.