Two forensic scientists with the KBI testified Friday in the Geary County jury trial of Christopher Lyman of Junction City who is charged in a September 2013 case involving the death of a eight month old boy.

During day five of the two week jury trial Prosecutor Chris Biggs called two KBI Forensic Scientists to the stand.

During his testimony Matthew Watters, KBI Forensic Scientist explained that he tested a number of items for bodily fluid including two paper towels and a yellow cloth found at the crime scene. He described how he tested the items and said that he was able to preserve pieces of the evidence for further DNA testing.

Amanda Misencik, KBI Forensic Scientist then took the stand and explained that she tested the evidence collected by Watters for DNA and was able to conclude that the there was DNA consistent with the DNA of Lyman and the infant on several pieces of the evidence.

During her cross examination of Misencik, Defense Attorney Linda Eckelman questioned Misencik about the possibility of any of the pieces of evidence being cross contaminated at any point. Misencik explained that she was not aware of, nor were there any reports of cross contamination of the evidence while it was in her possession at the KBI. She also could not speak about any possible cross contamination of the evidence while it was being collected at the crime scene.

Lyman faces charges including one count of premeditated murder, three counts felony murder based on an underlying felony of child abuse in three theories…torture, shaking, and cruelly beaten. He also faces three counts of child abuse, and one count each of aggravated battery and aggravated criminal sodomy.

The infant boy was taken to the Emergency Room at Geary Community Hospital on September 15th, 2013 and then transported to Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri with major injuries. On September 18th, 2013 police had learned the boy had died.