In his opening statement Tuesday, Aug. 7, Dearborn County Prosecutor Aaron Negangard told the jury the prosecution would prove beyond reasonable doubt that William J. Gajdik committed all of the felonies with which he is charged.

That included shooting Robert Tibbitts in the back, resulting in injuries from which the Logan Township resident has not yet fully recovered, said Negangard. The jury will hear Tibbitts' testimony and see his injuries themselves during the trial. Though Tibbitts survived, his life will never be the same, said Negangard.

Defense attorney Gary Sorge, however, said the state told the jury what it intended to prove but an opening state is “not a time for speeches.”