Father testifies in trial of the man charged in 3-year-old boy's death
Testimony started Tuesday afternoon in the case of a man accused in the death of his girlfriend's three-year-old son.
Evan Brewer's body was found inside a concrete structure in September of 2017. The structure was located inside the house where Evan lived with his mother, Miranda Miller, and her boyfriend, Stephen Bodine.
Both were arrested in the boy's death, but Miller agreed to testify against Bodine in exchange for having her charge of first-degree murder dropped.
Bodine's defense team said during opening statements that without knowing a cause of death, there's no way to prove Bodine killed Evan.
Prosecutors argue evidence will show even lived in a "world of abuse" and they believe Miller's testimony will prove that Bodine is responsible for his death.
Evan's dad, Carlo Brewer, talked about the final times he saw evan...and how he noticed signs of abuse.
"We'd see bruises on him...and Sarah would question it and I would question if it was just a toddler getting bruises. But when we started putting everything together, his behavior and what not. Then, that's when I really began to question if there was abuse going on in that home," said Carlo.
Shayla Johnston is a family member and acted as the family's spokesperson throughout this case. She says it's important to support the witnesses through the trial.
"It's important for us to see the entire case put together. it's a form of therapy even though it is extremely difficult to listen to," she said.
Johnston the Brewer family plans to be there for every moment of the trial, and she says they just want justice for Evan.
Evan's dad will continue his testimony Wednesday morning.
-----
The trial of a man accused in the death of three-year-old Evan Brewer starts this week.
Jury selection started Monday in the case against Stephen Bodine, the boyfriend of Brewer's mother, Miranda Miller.
Last September (2017)
in a south Wichita home where he lived with his mother and Bodine.
Prosecutors say Bodine badly abused Brewer. Both Bodine and Miller were charged in his death, but Miller agreed to testify against Bodine in exchange for having a first-degree murder charge dropped.
In April,
and testified about the abuse she says Brewer suffered at the hand of Bodine. She said Bodine even forced her to abuse the boy.
In her testimony against Bodine, Miller said in her son's final days, he was unable to eat or drink. She said she wanted to take him to the doctor, but Bodine wouldn't let her.
Miller said Brewer eventually collapsed and Bodine slapped the boy who then hit a wall. She said Bodine took her son into a bathroom where the boy stopped breathing.
Miller said she tried to perform CPR on Brewer but she couldn't revive him. She is charged with second-degree murder in the death of the three-year-old.
Bodine faces charges of first-degree murder, kidnapping, child abuse and child endangerment. If convicted, he could be sentenced to life in prison.
Bodine’s dad showed up briefly, caused a ruckus and was escorted out. He is now in custody. #kwch12
— Rachel Skytta (@KWCHRachel) October 16, 2018
Carlo Brewer: "We'd see bruises on him...when we started putting everything together that's when I really began to question if there was abuse going on in that home." #kwch12
— Rachel Skytta (@KWCHRachel) October 16, 2018
He says Evan showed signs of aggression against his other son who was about the same age. Says Evan would try to choke him and grit his teeth. #kwch12
— Rachel Skytta (@KWCHRachel) October 16, 2018
Carlo says Evan came to stay with him in February of 2017, that's when he started questioning whether Evan was being abused. Says his speech seemed slow, seemed like he was "regressing" #kwch12
— Rachel Skytta (@KWCHRachel) October 16, 2018
Carlo is going over the details of his relationship with Miranda, how often he was able to see Evan. #kwch12
— Rachel Skytta (@KWCHRachel) October 16, 2018
State calls Carlo Brewer to testify, Evan's dad. #kwch12
— Rachel Skytta (@KWCHRachel) October 16, 2018
Defense ends opening statements. State now calling its first witness. #kwch12
— Rachel Skytta (@KWCHRachel) October 16, 2018
Bodine's defense attorney, Casey Cotton tells jury "you don't have to like Miranda Miller and you don't have to like Stephen Bodine"...says the evidence won't show beyond a reasonable doubt that Bodine committed the crimes he's charged with. #kwch12
— Rachel Skytta (@KWCHRachel) October 16, 2018
Says they will hear how Bodine helped her hide the body after Evan died. Says what they won't hear is how Evan died. #kwch12
— Rachel Skytta (@KWCHRachel) October 16, 2018
Defense says jury will hear from Miller how Bodine "helped her with Evan"...and how she stayed with him even after Evan died. #kwch12
— Rachel Skytta (@KWCHRachel) October 16, 2018
Prosecution wraps up opening statements...Bodine's defense attorney now beginning. #kwch12
— Rachel Skytta (@KWCHRachel) October 16, 2018
Prosecutor says Miranda Miller will testify against Bodine. Says she will describe how Bodine went into the bathroom with Evan one day, Evan came out with wet hair and then "he was gone." #kwch12
— Rachel Skytta (@KWCHRachel) October 16, 2018
"Evan died, Evan was buried in concrete. Evidence is going to show he's the man who poured the concrete (motions to Bodine)." #kwch12
— Rachel Skytta (@KWCHRachel) October 16, 2018
Prosecutor describes how the landlord found the concrete block, encasing Evan in the house. Says he got some tools, started chipping away and was hit with an overpowering smell. #kwch12
— Rachel Skytta (@KWCHRachel) October 16, 2018
State beginning opening statements in the trial. "Evan Brewer wouldn't break....ultimately, he died because of that." #kwch12
— Rachel Skytta (@KWCHRachel) October 16, 2018
Bodine was the boyfriend of Evan's mother, Miranda Miller. Miller is also charged in the case, but agreed to testify against Bodine in exchange for having the first-degree murder charge dropped. #kwch12
— Rachel Skytta (@KWCHRachel) October 16, 2018
In court this afternoon for the trial of Stephen Bodine, accused of killing 3-year-old Evan Brewer in September of 2017: https://t.co/qKYj5ZOlYs
— Rachel Skytta (@KWCHRachel) October 16, 2018
Related Stories
Wichita police suspect child's remains are those of missing 3-year-old boyCourt documents: Family tried to get help for Evan Brewer before disappearance
Court documents, video provide further insight into Evan Brewer case
FF12: Court documents show Evan Brewer's family suspected his death
FF12: Arrest affidavits released in case surrounding custody of Evan Brewer
Governor candidate Carl Brewer now 'focusing on the future' after grandson's death
Man in Evan Brewer custody battle appears pleads not guilty
FF12: Why hasn't anyone been charged in Evan Brewer's death?
Evan Brewer's stepmother breaks silence after Evan's death
Mother of Evan Brewer, boyfriend charged with felony murder
Affidavit details case against mother, boyfriend charged in Evan Brewer's death
Funeral for Evan Brewer happening this weekend
Man charged in death of 3-year-old Evan Brewer bound over for trial
Neighbors remember boy found not breathing in N. Wichita home