Day two of testimony underway for Shawn Cranston murder trial

Yahoo

a day ago

Day two of testimony is underway in the trial of Shawn Cranston, the man accused of murdering Rebekah Byler, a pregnant Amish woman, in Sparta Township last year.
On Tuesday, a state police forensic DNA analyst testified that the DNA found on that rubber-like material is 790 septillion times more likely to be Shawn Cranston's. That's 790 with 24 zeros after it. The DNA expert said anything over 1,000 is considered strong.
About 25 members of the Amish community filled the courtroom while only three people were sitting in the area designed for Craston's family and friends.
The most emotional testimony came from Julie Warner, Andy and Rebekah Byler's primary driver.
She testified that on February 26, she dropped Andy off at his home on Fish Flats Road just a little after noon. He went to his house, and she went to the barn to use the restroom.
Moments later, Warner said Andy came running to the barn, he was frantic, and said someone had killed his wife. He then ran to her truck and 'lost it.'
Warner told Andy he needed to go into the house and get the kids out, but he said he couldn't.
Warner knew she couldn't leave the kids in the house alone with their mother if she was dead or injured, so she was going to go in and get them. That's when she saw Rebekah's body and called 911.
That call was played for the jury — Warner was heard saying, 'She's lying on the floor. I don't know if she's alive. Should I go in and check on her?'
The dispatcher told Warner to go inside and see if she's beyond medical help. Warner is then heard saying, 'There's a big pool of blood. Blood coming out of her nose and ears and it looks like her throat was slit.'
The 911 dispatcher asked if Rebecka's body was cold. Warner said, 'I don't know, I didn't touch her.' Warner then touched her leg and said it 'was cold.'
While the 911 call was being played, many Amish sat in the courtroom, leaning forward with their heads in their hands. Some were crying and wiping away tears.
Meanwhile, Cranston sat at the defense table, showing no emotion.
Jurors also saw key pieces of evidence, like tires and shoes, that prosecutors said put Cranston at Byler's house the day of the murder.
The jury also saw efforts to allegedly destroy evidence at Shawn Cranstons' home. There was also expert testimony from a forensic DNA analyst, along with a forensic serologist, which is someone who studies blood and other body fluids.
Cranston is facing charges of criminal homicide, criminal homicide of an unborn child, burglary, and criminal trespass.
Testimony will continue on Wednesday,
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