Kinsela Trial Continues This Week

The trial of an Easley man charged with murder and arson continues this week at the Pickens County Courthouse.

Don Kinsela was indicted on murder and arson charges last year, in connection with the death of his wife Cheryl Kinsela in 2010.

On July 3, 2010, police and firefighters responded to a call at the Kinsela’s 131 Beverly Drive residence.

An Easley police officer said that when he arrived at the residence, he saw thick smoke pouring from a workshop at the home.

Don Kinsela was found lying outside the workshop with a garden hose, according to police.  

Don Kinsela told the officer his wife was still inside. The police officer said Kinsela had to be restrained from going back into the workshop.

Within three minutes of arrival, firefighters rescued Cheryl Kinsela from the closet beneath the workshop’s stairwell where she was trapped.

Husband and wife were both taken to Baptist Easley Hospital, where Cheryl was pronounced dead.  

The trial began last week.

According to the Greenville News, defense Attorney Druanne White told the jury that the fire that claimed Cheryl Kinsela's life was an accident.

Don Kinsela told police that he was refueling a weedwhacker in the shed when it exploded, starting the dire.

Thirteenth Circuit Solictior Walt Wilkins said the jury would evidence that established that Kinsela set the fire that killed his wife.

The Greenville News reports that last week jurors heard a previously recorded interview with Don Kinsela and an investigator about the events of the day of the fire, as well as the initial 911 call.