WARSAW — The family of both victims endured additional emotional testimony from witnesses, this morning, Tuesday, Oct. 4. This time possibly the most devastating thus far. Three witnesses took the stand in the second day of the trial of Brandon Woody and Kyle DeHart for the murders of Tara Thornburg and Josh Knisley.

Syracuse Police Officer Joe Denton testified as the primary crime scene technician. His testimony included a powerpoint presentation of diagrams and photographs of the entire home. Graphic photographs and evidence were among the photos shown.

During the showing, some family members of the victims kept their heads down to keep from viewing the photos. Gasps and sobs could be heard when some photographs were shown. Cross examination of Denton is expected to take place following the lunch break. He is also expected to take the stand later as the first officer on the scene.

Earlier in the morning two witnesses had been called by the state: Nelson Blocher and Alicia Skelton. Both testified they were closer friends with Woody than DeHart.

Blocher’s testimony focused primarily on his knowledge of three rap songs: “What’s Beef” “KD Freestyle” and “Or Naw Remix.” During the initial questioning, Blocher appeared to have problems answering the prosecution’s questions. “I just don’t want to be here,” he stated adding, “I don’t want to be a part of it.”

The jury was excused while the prosecution went over verification of song transcripts with Blocher. Blocher was questioned if he had heard the songs, whose voice or voices he heard in the songs and knowledge of who wrote the lyrics. He testified Woody’s voice was primary on two of the songs, with DeHart’s on another. He also testified he believed Woody had written one song, but was not certain of the authors of the other two.

During cross examination Larry Hansen, counsel for DeHart, was able to establish that at least one of the songs was recorded at least three years prior to the night of the murder and that it was unknown when the other songs were recorded. Joe Sobek, co-counsel for Woody, established due to the speed in which rap songs are performed that Blocher believed the written transcripts were accurate to the best of his knowledge. It was also noted that rappers often borrow words from other rappers, but do not always do what they sing about.

Counsels for the two defendants objected to admission of the records and transcripts. Dan Hampton, prosecuting attorney, cited a court of appeals case in which words from a rap song were ruled admissible. He read a few excerpts from the songs – words used in referencing to shooting a gun, references to guns and shootings including one of the songs referring to using duct tape over a mouth.

The judge ruled that either the transcripts or the CDs could be admitted, not both.

When the jury was brought back in all three songs were played with Blocher testifying whose voice was prominent in the songs.

Blocher also testified to contacting Woody the morning of the murder and about the conversation. He testified he didn’t ask where Woody was because “I didn’t want to know where he was. I didn’t want to ask him.”

Skelton’s testimony focused on the evening of Feb. 17 and picking up Woody at the apartment complex of Thomas Hursey, along with talking to him hours after the murder. She testified he told her he had spent the night tossing and turning and heard him either say “Hey” or “KD” to stop texting or calling people, during their conversation.

She also testified that she was told by Woody that Joan DeHart took him back to the apartment he shared with Hursey, but they did not want him there and gave him a coat and he was walking.