Dr. Mark Soto

WARSAW — The defense has rested and the state has rested after calling two rebuttal witnesses. Closing arguments and final instructions to the jurors will be presented at 1 p.m. following the lunch break, in the trial of Dr. Mark Soto in Kosciusko Circuit Court.

The morning testimony was the cross examination by the prosecution of Soto. Tami Napier, special prosecutor, presented, as evidence, the tort claim Soto filed Sept. 14, 2015, asking for $4 million in damages from Warsaw Police Department and the city of Warsaw. Questioning focused on the reasoning for the claim, why that dollar amount, and if a claim had ever been filed, despite objection by Soto’s lawyer, Scott Lennox.

Soto was also questioned if he had a crucial role in Young Dragon Enterprises LLC, if funds were still solicited for Kevin Bronson’s living expenses after his incarceration and a $5,000 check for cabinets.

Soto responded to the questions, noting his role in the Young Dragon accounts was responding to what he was instructed to do by Nate McLaurin, and the memo for a check on cabinets was actually a reimbursement for expenses he asked for and was granted, dealing with initial costs for Bronson after being released. He also testified he did not monitor the account to ensure the money was spent the way it should. He testified it was an emotional time in his life and he was backed away from things by McLaurin.

Napier, on numerous occasions, asked Soto questions she requested a yes or no response to, however Soto did not respond with the single response, indicating it was not a simple answer. She also asked if he ever notified police of the threats, ever distanced himself from Bronson or walked away. The responses were no.

During the redirect questioning by Lennox, Soto was given an opportunity to further explain answers sought by Napier. Soto further testified about the purpose of the corporate account and he wasn’t in control of that account and no funds were solicited after Bronson was incarcerated. He also testified after Dec. 29, 2014, any money put on Bronson’s commissary account was his own money. He also testified he was not given any money from the account by Bronson, as he had testified.

Soto also reiterated the purpose for staying by Bronson — to help him walk in his faith as he had expressed it, and eventually to protect those who had been threatened by the Aryan Brotherhood. Further explanation was also given to the alleged threatening emails, which Soto stated was relaying information told to him and an obligation he felt to warn individuals.

The state called two rebuttal witnesses: McLaurin and Warsaw Police Detective Paul Heaton. Both were asked questions based on testimony heard during the past several days, with McLaurin maintaining he had no control over the corporate account and just new the budget for that account. Heaton testified regarding the contact with Soto after Dec. 29, 2014, the seizure of Soto’s cellphone and electronic devices from his home and office based on the tort claim, along with attempts to speak with Soto voluntarily.

A taped recording of the initial phone conversation with Soto and follow up emails were admitted into evidence. Heaton testified Soto was not initially a suspect until monitoring the telephone conversations between Bronson and Soto when discerning information was heard.