Koula Trial: Defense begins case - FOX 25/48 - WLAX/WEUX La Crosse & Eau Claire News

Koula Trial: Defense begins case

The defense began its case June 15th at the Eric Koula homicide trial.

It was off to a quick start with 3 witnesses questioned in 45 minutes.

Koula's friend Mike Genz took the stand. Genz was with Koula May 21st, the day Dennis and Merna Koula were killed.

Genz said that the two were grouting his girlfriend's bathroom walls from 3:30 pm until 5:30 pm and nothing seemed to be out of the ordinary.

"When Eric was in the bathroom with you doing grout did he seem nervous?" asked Koula's Attorney Jim Koby.

"No," replied Genz.

"Was he preoccupied, upset, quiet, unusual, or in a hurry?" asked Koby.

"No, no, no, no, and not at all," replied Genz.

Genz told the jury information that he had not told any investigators during his interviews.

"Today is the 1st time you told any investigator you finished grouting at 5:20pm?" asked District Attorney Tim Gruenke.

"Yes," replied Genz.

Genz said that after they finished grouting they went over to the neighbors to wash their tools since there was no running water in the house.

According to the state Genz told investigators previously that Koula had left between 5 and 5:30, but on the stand he insisted it was 5:30.

"I could've swore I told them 5:30," said Genz.

Genz also told the courtroom that Koula had fooled him by making a convincing act about being upset over a note that said "fixed you."

"You know now he admits to writing the note himself right?" asked Gruenke.

"Yes," replied Genz.

"You didn't know he was lying to you at the time did you," asked Gruenke.

"No," said Genz. 

"You didn't know that he was pretending to be upset did you?" asked Gruenke.

"No," said Genz.

The defense said they should be finished with their case by Wednesday. Eric Koula will be taking the stand to testify next week.