<em>Editor’s Note: Ganesh Ramsaran did agree Thursday morning to testify in court despite refusal to take the stand in his own defense Wednesday. Details of Ramsaran’s testimony will be Friday’s edition of The Evening Sun.</em>

NORWICH — Against the advice of his defense counsel, alleged murderer Ganesh R. Ramsaran did not take the stand in his own defense Wednesday in Chenango County Court.

The prosecution rested its case in the morning following the direct and cross-examination of lead investigator in the case, Lieutenant Richard Cobb.

During cross-examination by Ramsaran’s defense attorney Gilberto Garcia, Cobb said there were six reasons law enforcement arrested the defendant for the murder of Jennifer Ramsaran:

• Cobb said the defendant told police he was working on his computer the morning Jennifer disappeared, Dec. 11, 2012. “That was not the case,” said Cobb.

• The witness told the jury Ramsaran gave police the route he said he took when he ran to the Norwich Family YMCA the morning of her disappearance. Cobb said video evidence was obtained, but Ramsaran could not be seen on various business videos.

• The follow-up of the phone data on the victim’s phone led law enforcement to notice an unopened message in a messaging app that was sent at approximately 8:30 a.m. on Dec. 11, 2012. “It indicated that Jennifer was probably not able to open that message,” said Cobb.

• There was a screenshot found on Jennifer’s phone that was taken at 8:27 a.m. of the lock screen of her iPhone, which suggested it was the last actual physical usage of the phone.

• Cobb told Garcia the affair between Ramsaran and Jennifer’s best friend Eileen Sayles was not initially disclosed to law enforcement.

• The investigator said the evidence showing Jennifer’s blood in the van, and on the sweatshirt was another main reason.

Forensic scientist Daniel Myers testified on Monday that the blood on the sweatshirt was from more than one contributor, and primarily contained the DNA of the defendant, but that Jennifer Ramsaran could not be excluded as another contributor. Myers said it was not an exact match to Jennifer’s DNA.

Garcia asked Cobb if he had spoken to other witnesses in the case throughout the proceedings. “I can’t say I haven’t spoken to a couple witnesses, but not daily,” said Cobb.

Garcia followed a line of questioning regarding Ramsaran’s IBM work computers, and a lack of records from them in the report of the computers.

Ramsaran had told police he has received and sent emails from his work computers, and provided the times in interviews.

The defense asked Cobb if he physically saw the emails, and Cobb said he had not. The emails were sent over a server.

“At various points (Ramsaran) said he was working on his laptops,” Cobb said. He added that Ramsaran told police there would be documents and notes to show that it would be there.

As to the second point, Cobb said he personally watched the Valero service station surveillance video one time. He testified to having watched the video from the Mirabito service station “at least once.” Cobb said he did not see the defendant.

With regard to the Mirabito video, it operates on a motor sensor, and Cobb agreed there are periods of time on the video that are not there.

At one point throughout the proceedings, Garcia made a request that McBride did not agree with. Garcia wanted the Rite Aid pharmacy store footage played once more for the jury.

“This is America. This is a murder trial,” Garcia said to the Court. “My client has a right to a constitutional defense.”

Following a brief recess, the Rite Aid footage requested by defense was played for the jury.

Once the 40 seconds of video was played, the frame was paused and Garcia asked Cobb if he saw a man walking by himself. Cobb said he saw a person on Mitchell Street in the City of Norwich heading toward North Broad Street. Cobb told the jury the subject on the footage was in dark clothing and he couldn’t tell if it was the defendant or not.

Cobb also confirmed that camera 8 from Rite Aid does not capture the road. “If someone is walking on North Broad Street, the camera doesn’t hit it, correct?” Garcia asked.

“Correct,” said Cobb.

Garcia next questioned Cobb about the Touch application Jennifer had used to keep in contact with Rob Houston from London, a prior witness and the man to whom Jennifer had sent panties.

Detective Kevin Powell with the Chenango Sheriff’s Office opened an unread message on the app sent by Houston to Jennifer.

Garcia asked Cobb if Det. Powell had not opened the message on his own accord if things might have gone differently. Cobb said Houston told him recently that the app shows when messages are delivered and opened.

Cobb said he did not pursue an investigation beyond the conversation he had with Houston.