Defence Puts On Their Case! – Christopher Wolfenbarger Trial | Day 6 Recap

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21st August 2025

Case Background:
A Fulton County man named Christopher Wolfenbarger was arrested on the 6th of August 2024 and charged for the killing of his wife, Melissa Wolfenbarger daughter of serial killer Carl Patton. This was a case that went cold since 1998 however things changed after the DA received a tip regarding the case.

Case Info

Courthouse: Fulton County, Georgia
Charges:

  • Malice Murder – Not Guilty
  • Felony Murder – Judgement Acquittal
  • Verdict Rendered: 22nd August 2025


Judge: Rachel Krause
Prosecutor: ADA Vincent Faucette, ADA Brian Trepanier, ADA Simone Hylton
Defense Attorneys: Donald Samuels, Joel McDurmon
Victim: Melissa Wolfenbarger (Deceased)

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Todays witnesses:

  1. #23 – Defence Witness #1 – Kimberley Cameron – Sister of Christopher Wolfenbarger
  2. #24 – Defence Witness #2 – Cathy Wolfenbarger – Chris’s mother
  3. #25 – Defence Witness #3 – Joseph Wolfenbarger – Son of Christopher

State rested their case and the defence began their presentation of their case.

  1. #23 – Defence Witness #1 – Kimberley Cameron – Sister of Christopher Wolfenbarger
    1. Direct Exam
      1. She testifies to spending a quite a bit of time with Melissa and she would calm her down when she was driving.
      2. She testifies that Melissa’s parents did not want her to have children.
      3. She testifies to spending the holidays with Melissa and says that she does not remember Melissa calling her mother or writing to her parents
    2. Cross Exam
      1.  The state highlights where the parents did not want Melissa to have children, a letter was presented to the court for her to read regarding Melissa saying to her mom that she is fine saying that Chrissie is their daughter and not mine.
      2. Cards and letters were shown where Melissa was sending cards to her family
        • The witness demeanour is really not encouraging as it seems like she had a tumultuous time growing up. [My Thoughts]
      3. The state tries to impeach the witness in what she told the police but presents no transcripts.
      4. The state highlights that Melissa gave Carol temporary guardianship in 1996
      5. The state highlights that July 23rd 1998 that Melissa had dissolved temporary guardianship to Carol.
      6. The state highlights if she was familiar with podcasts of the case and she says no.
    3. Redirect Exam
      1. The defence highlights the timeframe of the letter based on its consent would have been April 1996 and she agreed.
      2. She testifies to the temporary custody of the children being given to the parents on June 20th 1996
    4. Recross Exam
      1. The state asked if Chris forced Melissa to write the letter and she says she doesnt know as she wasnt with them.
  2. #24 – Defence Witness #2 – Cathy Wolfenbarger – Chris’s mother
    1. Direct Exam
      1. She testifies that Melissa had given her custody because she did not want them to be with the Pattons. She says that the temporary custody was later made permanent.
      Cross Exam
      1. She testifies that Chrissie being one was when the kids began living with the grandparents. She testifies that Melissa did not want to dissolve the Temporary custody order and the state didnt follow up. She testifies that she left and they didnt know where she was at.She testifies that she never placed a call to report that Melissa was missing and was sure that Chris perhaps had reported her missing.
      Redirect ExamThe feed had cut off so a bulk of it was missed.
    1. Recross Exam
      1. Nothing of Note
    2. Court Rulings
      1. Directed motion denied on Malice Murder, Felony Murder taken under advisement!
  3. #24 – Defence Witness #3 – Joseph Wolfenbarger – Son of Christopher
    1. Direct Exam
      1. He testifies that he cant remember if the pictures of his mother was taken down
      2. He testifies that they were discussing how Carl had gotten away with his murders and Chris walking into the room.
    2. Cross Exam
      1. He testifies that he has seen pictures of his mom but there werent that many pictures. He says he was around 4 or 5 that his mom was murdered and says that Rachel had told him.
      2. He testifies that he had bits and pieces of conversations with his dad about his mom but nothing extensive
      3. He testifies that Rachel was his dads girlfriend at the time.
        • This does not help the state as it shows that Chris would have every reason to think it was over. Plus the state never asked for the time they had began dating. [My Thoughts]
    3. Redirect Exam
      1. Defence highlights that his memory was fuzzy and discussions with Rachel would come after Melissa was known to be missing, this would be 2000.
    4. Recross Exam
      1. Nothing of note.

Court Adjourned for the Day!

Hope you are now caught up with the substance of what happened in court on Day 6.
Thanks for reading xo

Sources:

Trial Footage, Available on Youtube via Law & Crime Trials, Youtube page: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pX4SHg630QI

All court filings pertaining to the trial courtesy of @Happily_Angry_Lawyer  aka Jim Robichaud, Available online, PDFs: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1uXAurgwIdxLj5vum-hnMkvv9ZnDSZV_M

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