Defense attorney says defendant is a 'user' not a 'dealer'
Trial begins for man accused of making meth
Wanda English Burnett - Editor

As a witness in a trial in Ripley County Circuit Court, Gerrilynn Parnell described meth as "evil" and said "it makes people do things they wouldn't."

Parnell, who has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for her part in the manufacturing of meth at her home on Friendship Road in September of 2004, took the stand to testify against Matthew Verbosky, 27. The defendant's address at the time of the rrest was Harrison, OH.

Opening statements began Tuesday at 1:00 p.m. when Deputy Prosecutor Ryan King told the jury that the defendant, along with three other adults, was attempting to manufacture methamphetamines on the night of September 11, 2004, when they were all arrested.

He said the Parnells - Gerrilynn and Larry, who are husband and wife, along with Mindy McCord, 26 of Vevay, and Verbosky, were all involved in the deal. He noted that the Parnell's have already pled guilty and have begun serving their sentences.

King told the jury that on the night of the arrest, Verbosky had knocked over a chemical in the basement of the Parnell's home as the drug was being manufactured, causing smoke to rise from the basement.

ISP Officer David Noah had gone to the residence at 2264 S. Friendship Road to serve a warrant on Mrs. Parnell, when he found the meth lab in operation.

Ripley Publishing Co. files said that Versailles Town Marshal David Adams described the highly toxic gas as a "cloud of what looked like fog rising up the staircase." It was reported that he, along with Trooper Noah, suffered burns to their eyes and faces from the toxic fumes and were treated at the scene.

Prosecutor King said that Verbosky ran from the residence and was injured when he was caught in a barbed wire fence. He lay flat on the ground hoping to avoid police. But, when the K-9 Units were brought in, the defendant gave himself up.

The deputy prosecutor laid the foundation for his case saying he would provide evidence to prove that the defendant was indeed involved in the making of the drug. He noted that along with the Parnell's, expert witnesses would be heard including David Phelps, Crime Scene Investigator/Clandestine Lab Team Commander and Brad Morrin, ISP Forensic Scientist, who tested samples taken by Phelps.

Verbosky has been charged with Dealing in Meth and Conspiracy to Deal Meth.

While defense attorney Michelle Fentress said the prosecution has made a "splendid production" she noted that her client was guilty of something, but not what he was being charged with. She said he was guilty of "getting high" and was a meth addict. "Just because he was a meth user, doesn't mean he's a dealer," she told the jury in opening statements.

Both Parnell's testified that Verbosky had been a friend of theirs and had asked them to help with the process of making the drug that day. They said they were asked to help with the finish process, which is called "gassing it off." Mrs. Parnell testified that meth is a drug that when completed, is a white powder, that can be smoked or snorted and gives a "speed" high. The Parnell's testified on Tuesday, with the state's expert witnesses to take the stand following their testimony.

(Editor's note:) The trial is expected to last for two to three days and an outcome will be reported in next week's paper.