Prosecution builds case against tow truck driver

TAMPA - Tedious testimony and an truncated visit from the victim's wife highlighted day three of the trial against Tampa Bay area tow truck driver Donald Montanez on Wednesday.

Montanez is accused of murdering Greg Rich, husband of the owner of a car that had been towed from a parking lot near the Sugar Shack nightclub.

The defense says Rich was driving toward tow company employees -- hitting one -- before Montanez shot him in defending himself and his employees.

The prosecution spent most of Wednesday morning methodically trying to build a case, but there was an unexpected twist following testimony from the victim's widow.

Adama Scott, the owner of the car and the shooting victim's widow, began her testimony Wednesday about phone calls she received from Glen Rich as he tried to retrieve her car after it was towed.  

However, after only a few short answers, lawyers from both sides conferred with the judge in a sidebar meeting, and she was dismissed.

The trial continues through the afternoon Wednesday with more prosecution witnesses, including CSI technicians as well as other patrons who found their cars were towed that night at the Sugar Shack.