Lance Tiernan, the teenager being tried as an adult for murder in Butler County, told jurors Wednesday he never meant to seriously harm the other teen whose skull he fractured.

Tiernan, who turned 18 in May, cried during testimony describing his relationship with his mother who abandoned him in the sixth grade and the fight at a Fairfield Twp. group home last year that led to the death of 16-year-old Anthony Parker.

Following closing statements Thursday morning, the jury will decide the fate of Tiernan, who faces 15 years to life in prison. He is the fifth juvenile to be tried as an adult in Butler County in the past five years.

Tiernan, who has appeared very frightened during most previous court hearings, was composed when his attorney and then Prosecutor Mike Gmoser questioned him.

He told the lawyers he was very angry when Parker allegedly told him to “go (expletive) yourself and go (expletive) your mom.”

He said his mother, who left him at an early age, is a very “sensitive subject for him.

Charlie M. Rittgers asked Tiernan if he expected to seriously injure Parker when he attacked him, punching him in the head, then hefted him in the air and “slammed” his head on the floor.

“No I didn’t expect it at all,” Tiernan said. “I didn’t expect him to go to the hospital, I didn’t expect him to die.”

Gmoser questioned the teen about posts on his Facebook page showing him wearing a T-shirt with brass knuckles on it and a post where he said he liked the movie “Fight Club.” He asked if he learned the “bear hug” he put on Parker, to lift him in the air, from that movie.

Tiernan said no.

Gmoser also questioned how Tiernan couldn’t be aware he would cause serious harm to Parker when he knew he was slamming him onto a hard floor.

“That wasn’t a thought that was going through my head at the time,” Tiernan said adding it all happened very fast.

The teens were both residents at the Fairfield Twp. group home One Way Farm on Dec. 19, 2011. Tiernan for 20 days, Parker a bit longer.

Hamilton County Deputy Coroner Dr. Jennifer Schott testified Wednesday morning that the manner of Parker’s death was homicide, due to being “slammed” onto the hard floor in the group home. She said he suffered swelling and bleeding in his brain and a skull fracture.

Schott said it is not unusual for someone to appear normal right after such injuries. Parker was seen on security video walking around and sharing a snack with Tiernan after the incident. He was found unconscious on a bathroom floor about three hours later by One Way Farm employees.

The state rested its case after the coroner’s testimony. The defense called three of Tiernan’s former teachers at Mason High School as character witnesses. All three said Tiernan was one of their favorite students and two, who had seen the video of the incident, said they couldn’t believe their eyes.

“If he was violent to another individual it would be a surprise,” Vance Reid testified. “I was shocked.”

Tiernan’s study skills teacher Jessica Krohn, who gave a video deposition, said Tiernan was always respectful to everyone and once he got to know people, although he is shy, he was funny, witty and always kind.

“I would say Lance is probably one of may favorite students of all time,” she said. “As a teacher I think one of the greatest things you can see is, you see a kid open up and start to trust you, I saw a lot of that in Lance and he always tried to do his best.”

Closing arguments are scheduled for this morning and then the jury of seven women and five men will begin deliberations.

Contact this reporter at (513) 696-4525 or dcallahan@coxohio.com.