A Riley County jury has heard testimony from a number of doctors and social workers on the severity of injuries sustained by a 2-month-old boy who died in November 2018.
The defense continued to build its case Wednesday in the retrial of 24-year-old D’Khari Lyons, who’s charged with first-degree murder and child abuse. The defense called social workers from Children’s Mercy Hospital who interviewed the child’s mother and father as well as Lyons in the hours and days following the incident. Lyons was the last person to see baby Michael Calvert, Jr. alive. His mother, Jessica Hudson left the child in Lyons’ care while she took her other two children to school. The jury also heard testimony from Lyons’ godparent, who raised him during his teenage years.
The prosecution on Tuesday presented witnesses including doctors who treated young Michael, describing injuries consistent with blunt force trauma, caused by violent shaking or with blunt impact. The child had sustained numerous injuries including bleeding on the brain.
The defense plans to call three additional witnesses today before resting. Closing arguments are expected to begin Friday. The jury could begin deliberations as soon as Friday afternoon.
Lyons was previously tried for murder in the case in September, but the trial ended in a hung jury.
