Christina ‘Tina’ Love took the stand on Thursday in the the first degree murder trial of Anthony Nichols. 

Love has been described as the key witness by both the prosecution and defense in this case, as she is the only person involved in the 2013 death of John Burroughs that can put Anthony Nichols at the scene of the crime.

Riley County attorney Barry Disney began the questioning of Love, asking her about the sequence of events that led up to the death of Burroughs.

Love testified that she went to Burroughs three times on September 7, 2013 when the murder occurred. The first time her son drove her so she could exchange sexual favors with Burroughs. The second time is when she allegedly went with Anthony Nichols, and when she heard a gun shot come from the direction of Burroughs trailer. The third trip was with her son Chris/James McKenith, 33, where they discovered the still breathing Burroughs, and when McKenith stabbed him several times while in front of Love.

Nichols’ defense attorney, Jeffrey Wicks, then questioned Love about the several interviews with police following these events. He highlighted how Love lied in interviews for four days following the murder. It took several interviews for Love to admit her involvement, lying in all of them, and then to mention Nichols at all. She also testified that Nichols told her in private that he had shot Burroughs. Wicks questioned Love about every interview she had with investigators, possibly presenting her as an unreliable witness.

Love was given a plea deal and probation, which dropped charges of aiding in a murder and obstruction of justice.

The trial is expected to run through Friday and JCPost will continue to follow the trial and provide updates as they become available.

Story Written by Michael Pagels, LittleApplePost.com