HONESDALE – The prosecution rested last Friday, and the defense called its first witnesses in the first degree murder trial of Jeffrey Plishka, charged with killing a camp counselor 19 years ago.

Highlights of the first week included a DNA expert who said DNA evidence, which provided the breakthrough that finally led to Plishka’s arrest a year ago, does not conclusively point to him.  The defense also presented a ballistics expert who said shell casings found near Laura Ronning’s body did not match the bullet removed from her head.

The case could go to the jury by mid-week.