Manslaughter trial to go to closing arguments today

Following Tuesday’s testimony from investigators, the prosecution rested its case against a man accused of causing the March 6, 2022, death of Billy Moore.

Aaron Kennard Koomsa Jr., 40, of Lawton, is on trial for a charge first-degree manslaughter, records indicate. The charge is punishable by up to life in prison.

Following the day’s testimony and presentation of evidence shortly after 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Comanche County Chief District Judge Grant Sheperd released the jury until 8:30 a.m. today.

Koomsa’s defense is not expected to call any witnesses.

Closing arguments are expected to begin following jury instructions to open the day’s trial.

Koomsa is accused of stabbing Moore, 50, of Lawton, to death March 7, 2022. Moore was found dead at 4224 SW Summit following a welfare check by police who were called after he had gone to a neighbor’s door and asked for help before falling into the apartment. Koomsa was found lying on the floor next to the body, according to police testimony.

Koomsa told police he’d walked home from a club and had gone to a store to buy some beer. He said Moore had yelled at the clerk and he offered him some of his beer in exchange for a cigarette before Moore gave him a ride to his home on Summit, according to the probable cause affidavit.

After telling Moore to leave, Koomsa said they’d begun fighting over a knife. Koomsa said at one point he had the knife and stabbed Moore in the chest before they fell to the floor with Koomsa landing on top of Moore. He also said he stabbed Moore in the stomach, the affidavit states.

During testimony Tuesday afternoon, Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation forensic scientist Barbara Wells said, through forensic testing, blood on the blade of a green and black camouflage folding knife showed a 1 in 1.36 octillion DNA match to Moore and Koomsa’s DNA matched his at a 1 in 749 septillion certainty. Wells has been in her role as a forensic scientist with the OSBI for 18 years.

“That’s a very strong association,” she said of the DNA matches.

Koomsa remains in jail on $75,000 bond.