ST. CLAIRSVILLE - Barry Carpenter didn't steal anything and didn't sell anything that belonged to Michelle Ross, the suspended Martins Ferry police chief testified Friday.

Those two factors, according to defense attorney Dennis McNamara, are the most important for jurors to consider in deciding whether Carpenter is guilty in a Hollywood celebrity scandal that culminated with the birth of twin girls in June.

Carpenter's testimony was the last to be heard in his trial, which began Monday in Belmont County Common Pleas Court.

Carpenter is accused of burglarizing Ross' Martins Ferry home before attempting to sell allegedly stolen items that identified her as the surrogate mother for the children of Hollywood stars Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick.

After being called to testify in his own defense, Carpenter was asked on two different occasions by McNamara if he'd ever stolen anything from the Ross home or if he'd ever sold any items to paparazzi. To both of those questions, Carpenter answered, "No."

Special Prosecutor Shawn Hervey focused his questioning on a pair of different matters.

First, Hervey said Carpenter's entry into the Ross home occurred on the same day Carpenter learned celebrity photographers were in the area. Hervey also pointed out that items missing from the Ross home were the same items that celebrity photographers claim Carpenter attempted to sell to them.

Carpenter conceded on the stand that those facts do not reflect positively on him.

However, he testified that he entered the home before he knew photographers were in the area. Carpenter again testified that he removed no items from the Ross home.

Carpenter is charged with two counts of burglary, one count of receiving stolen property, theft in office, tampering with evidence and unauthorized use of property or services. He faces more than 20 years in prison if convicted. He pleaded innocent to all the charges against him.

He is one of two local police chiefs charged in the celebrity scandal. Bridgeport Police Chief Chad Dojack also will face two counts of complicity to burglary and one count of complicity to receive stolen property when the case against him goes to trial Jan. 12.