Defense: Videotape clears man accused of Barrington Hills murders

The defense came out swinging in its opening statements Tuesday in the Peter Hommerson murder trial.

Hommerson is not responsible for the Jan. 23, 1996 murders of Marvin and Kay Lichtman and the fire that destroyed their Barrington Hills mansion, attorney David Weinstein said.

Hommerson did not do it, he could not have done it and he had no reason do it, Weinstein told the Lake County jury of eight men and four women.

Weinstein said Hommerson could not have committed the crime because he is on videotape buying gasoline 6 miles away from the Lichtman house just a few minutes before the blaze began.

In addition, Weinstein said, the picture of Hommerson as a man with severe financial problems painted by police is inaccurate.

"He owned two homes and property in Wisconsin and had money in the bank," Weinstein said. "He and his wife were doing very well and he had no motive to commit a financial crime."

But Assistant State's Attorney Michael Mermel said an expert will testify that bullets taken from the bodies and shell casings found in the ash all appear to have been fired from a 22-caliber Ruger pistol.

Police found a 22-caliber shell casing and a magazine and sales receipt for a 22-caliber Ruger pistol in Hommerson's