UPDATED 4:28 P.M.
According to 25 News, the state has rested its case. As perhaps expected, a motion for a directed verdict in favor of Walker, a standard defense request, was denied. The defense has already called witnesses including Brandon Walker’s mother, and a friend.
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PEORIA, Ill. – A pediatrician with the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services describes what she saw when she examined eight-year-old Navin Jones just prior to his death.
At the trial of Brandon Walker, 42, for First-Degree Murder in the death, Dr. Channing Petrak described Navin as having low calcium, protein, and electrolyte levels.
Pictures she took showed scars, wounds, bruises, and marks suggesting possible restraint, pressure wounds, and scalp issues.
Petrak says Navin weighed 41 pounds in June of 2021, losing over 15 pounds in almost a year, when he should have gained weight.
Another DCFS employee testified Walker claimed to not have guardianship over the child, so he couldn’t take Navin to get medical help, despite Navin having gray-colored skin and looking ill.
A Peoria Police officer testified about interviewing Walker the day Navin died last year.
According to the videotaped interview, Walker claimed he would make Navin eat at times because he would go two to three days without it.
He also claimed Navin would eat dog bones.
As for why there was no bedding or toys in Navin’s room, Walker claimed toys were always thrown out the window, and bedding was about to be taken to the laundromat.
But, as for a rope on the bedroom door, Walker claimed he first didn’t know about it, but later claimed the rope was mother Stephanie Jones’ doing, because he would sneak out of his room at night and throw things around from the refrigerator.
Walker also claimed he didn’t want to take Navin to the ER because that would result in a call to DCFS.
On a related matter, Walker was at court today in an orange jumpsuit, because defense attorney Gary Morris claimed Walker refused to get dressed.
25 News reports Walker later changed his mind. Testimony in the trial continues Wednesday.
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