The trial against an Ames man, who is accused of murder and arson in Guthrie Center, will enter its sixth day today in Monroe County.

Patrick Thompson faces two felonies for murder, two felonies for attempted murder and one felony for arson for allegedly setting a house on fire in Guthrie Center in May of 2017 that killed his step-sister, 12-year-old Paige Exline and her cousin, 16-year-old Shakiah Cockerham, while injuring two others including the grandmother, Shirley Exline and the uncle, William Long III. Sources say expert witnesses from the state medical examiner’s office, a fingerprint specialist, a Greene County Deputy and Thompson’s step-brother, Noah Exline, all gave testimonies Tuesday.

Sources say the witness from the state medical examiner’s office determined the girls died of carbon monoxide poisoning from the fire. Noah testified that he was playing XBox the night of the fire and wasn’t in the area during the incident, but he was Thompson’s roommate when the two were living in Story County. Noah faces seven felonies for allegedly sexually abusing Paige. He has pled not guilty to the charges and will stand trial on October 30th.

Thompson’s trial will continue at the Monroe County Courthouse in Albia Wednesday. Raccoon Valley Radio will continue to bring you daily updates of the trial as it becomes official.