COLUMBUS, Ohio — The jury in the murder trial for John Wooden Jr., who is accused of killing a Columbus mosque leader, heard opening statements and a handful of state witnesses in court on Tuesday.
John Wooden Jr. is charged with killing Mohamed Hassan Adam in 2021. He is facing charges of murder, aggravated robbery, kidnapping, unlawful use of a weapon and having a weapon under disability.
Adam’s family took the stand during the beginning of the trial, saying he was always committed to helping those in need.
“He was an interfaith community leader, he was a bridge for Islamic, Jewish and Christian communities. He was also helping youth struggling with mental health and drug addicts,” said Adam’s daughter.
On the stand, his daughter recalled the moment she felt something wasn’t right the day her dad disappeared.
“I received a phone call from the daycare worker around 7 when I left the hospital. She told me I had to pickup the kids and that it was closing time,” she said.
Adam was supposed to pick up the kids from daycare, but he never showed up. His family also never heard from him that night.
The next day, they reported him missing.
His daughter wasn’t the only one who felt like something was wrong the day Adam went missing. His longtime friend testified that he received a strange phone call the day he went missing.
“[He was] a very polite person but what I heard that time was different. The phone call I got said you bring the money, and I said first 'I don’t recognize this voice.'"
Adam's friend said he heard two different voices on the phone, and he was worried.
Days later, Adam’s body was found near his yellow van in a grassy lot.
Columbus Division of Police Sgt. Joseph Lovell testified about finding Adam.
“Once we gained entry to the lot, we saw a van that was reported missing. We cleared the van, and upon approaching the van, we saw a body lying in the grass,” said Lovell.
Adam's ex-wife told the courtroom she was shocked.
“When I went to the scene I couldn’t believe he died. I fainted,” she said.
The trial is set to resume on Wednesday with more testimony from witnesses.