CLEARWATER, Fla. — The John Jonchuck murder trial continued Wednesday. Jonchuck is accused of killing his 5-year-old daughter in 2015 when he threw her off a St. Petersburg bridge.
It was a graphic morning in court as the jury was shown autopsy photos of 5-year-old Phoebe Jonchuck.
The state called the medical examiner to the stand. Dr. Christopher Wilson said Phoebe Jonchuck’s cause of death was drowning and he showed the jury autopsy photos.
John Jonchuck appeared emotional during the medical examiner’s testimony and was comforted by his lawyer when the photos were presented.
Prosecutor Doug Ellis asked Dr. Wilson, “The bruising that we saw, does that have to occur while you’re alive?
Wilson responded, “Absolutely, in order for a bruise to have that purplish appearance, it means the blood vessels under the skin have ruptured and blood is flowing into the injured area. So for blood to flow, the heart has to be pumping so the person is technically alive.”
Jonchuck's lawyers argue he was insane and not aware of what he did when he threw his daughter off the bridge.
The defense's first witness that was called upon was St. Pete police officer Andre Sousa, who described Jonchuck's reaction to getting arrested. The officer said he had his hands on the steering wheel and had a blank stare ahead.
The defense called former St. Petersburg Police Sgt. Theresa Hubble to the stand as their second witness.
Hubble said the night she questioned Jonchuck after his arrest he called himself God and the fallen angel, Michael. She told the court he also kept asking for a bible.
During the afternoon court session, the defense put Jonchuck’s father on the stand. John Jonchuck Sr. testified that he took his son for mental health treatment as a young boy.
He also said he called the authorities on his son a few times trying to get him help under the Baker Act. By the time Jonchuck was 18, his father testified that he kicked him out of his house.
Jonchuck Sr. said, “He damaged my house, scared my wife and I threw him out.” Despite all of that, Jonchuck Sr. told the jury his son loved Phoebe.
Jonchuck Sr. told the court Jonchuck was excited when he learned he had a baby on the way.
On Tuesday, the defense presented a massive Bible as evidence in court. Jonchuck's lawyers say he had the Bible with him the night of the crime.
The prosecution believes Jonchuck knew what he did because he refers to Phoebe in the past tense. The defense argues he was insane at the time because seconds later he refers to Phoebe in the present tense.
The trial will pick back up Thursday at 9 a.m.
Timeline: John Jonchuck Murder Trial
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