Written by Amanda Coers – Testimony began in the capital murder trial of Jekaris Lee Bryant this morning in 35th District Court in Brownwood. Bryant is charged in the December 2015 death of his 4-week-old daughter, Breyla Ann Bryant. According to the indictment, her death was caused by shaking, squeezing, striking or “by manner and means unknown to the grand jury.” Nineteen-year-old Jekaris Bryant has waived his right to a jury trial, opting for a bench trial, which will be presided by District Judge Stephen Ellis.

Breyla Ann Bryant

Police records state 4-week-old Breyla was taken to Brownwood Regional Medical Center on December 13, 2015, after her mother discovered the child was “lifeless” and not breathing in her swing. The infant was pronounced dead that afternoon, after a frantic rush to the ER.

The trial began at 9 a.m. on Tuesday with opening statements from District Attorney Micheal Murray, in which he told Judge Ellis the account of events on December 13, 2015 when the child’s mother, her visiting friend, Jordan Brown, and the child’s father, accused Jekaris Lee Bryant, rushed the baby girl to the emergency room. Murray called two witnesses, Dr. Stephen Nichols and Dr. Scot Morris, both were present with hospital medical staff who tried to save the infant.

Testimony from both doctors told the infant arrived at the emergency room unresponsive, with multiple bruises, fixed and dilated pupils, hemorrhaging in her brain and eyes, and an extremely low body temperature of 91 degrees, suggesting the child had been dead for sometime before arrival. It was also later revealed in the autopsy she had sustained 32 fractures to her ribs.

Dr. Morris noticed “dark” bruising above the collar bones on the baby, and said during his testimony, “[Infants] don’t injure themselves.” The medical staff worked for over 40 minutes to save the child, but were unable to revive her. “I didn’t think we could save her, but she deserved a chance,” said Dr. Morris on the witness stand.

Evidence of Shaken Baby Syndrome was reported by both doctors, with Morris adding it was a “violent, sustained shaking.”

Defense attorney Jud Woodley challenged the idea of Shaken Baby Syndrome, stating there was evidence it could not be scientifically proven. Dr. Morris replied he had never read any evidence contrary in any credible medical journals. During the defense cross examination, Woodley presented the idea the infant had choked on formula and his client, Bryant, had patted the child on the back in an attempt to save her from choking.

It was also established in the doctors’ testimonies that the infant had a severe diaper rash, with Dr. Morris noting it was the second worse case he had seen in over 15 years of pediatric practice. The child’s discomfort with the rash could have caused extreme pain and crying with each diaper change.

Jekaris Lee Bryant

The infant’s mother, Makahla Brewer, was called the witness stand next. In her testimony regarding the day of her daughter’s death, Brewer told the court Jekaris, or “Jey,” had brought their daughter, Breyla, down to the living room, swaddled in a blanket and set her in an infant swing. Earlier Makahla and her visiting friend, Jordan Brown, had traveled to Walmart to purchase pre-mixed Similac formula for the child who had issues with spitting up from other formula mixtures. During the time she and her friend were gone, Jekaris stayed with the infant at their home for approximately 40 minutes. When she returned, Jekaris gave no indication there was anything wrong with their baby.

Throughout Makahla Brewer’s testimony she often had trouble remembering details, and seemed to not understand – or was unwilling to answer – questions from the prosecution. She could not recall dates or times, even the day they buried their daughter. She was also repeatedly asked to speak up or repeat herself, as it was difficult to hear or understand her statements.

Brewer recalled Jekaris asked her if their baby girl looked pale, which prompted her to check the child in the swing. She removed the swaddling blanket and tried to get the infant to move. She then noticed bruising above the collar bone, removed the child from the swing and could not find signs of a heartbeat or breathing. The mother then rushed the baby out of the home, followed by the visiting friend, Jordan, and the child’s father, Jekaris. The trio drove to the hospital. During the short drive, Jordan called Makahla’s mother, who then advised them to call 911. Makahla told Jekaris to do CPR on the baby. Jekaris made a few attempts, with two breaths and some chest compressions using two fingers. Upon arrival at the hospital the child was given to medical staff who continued efforts to revive her.

The 911 operator was present for testimony and the 911 call from the car was played in court.

Makahla later told investigators she felt Jekaris was responsible for their daughter’s death, and that “Jey” had lied to her about the events that led to the events on December 13, 2015. When asked, Makahla told the court Jekaris admitted to her that he had fed Breyla a bottle, during the feeding she began choking on the formula. He told Makahla he had patted her on the back and shaken her a little to keep her from choking. According to Makahla, Jekaris then said the child seemed to “fall asleep” so he wrapped her in a blanket and laid her in the bassinet near their bed.

The relationship between Makahla and Jekaris was also in question during testimony with previous domestic violence issues noted. One incident resulted in Makahla sustaining a broken foot when Jekaris pushed her after she hit him. It is unclear if she was pregnant at the time of the event. Another incident in question was an altercation between the two at the Law Enforcement Center two weeks prior to the infant’s death.

During that incident, Makahla drove to the Law Enforcement Center with Jekaris and Breyla in the car after Jekaris told the mother he would not allow her to take the child to Abilene where she was staying with her mother. Jekaris also allegedly told Makahla he would have his sister “beat her up.” When Makahla arrived at the Law Enforcement Center, Jekaris exited the vehicle, taking their two week old daughter with him into 30 degree weather, intending to walk to his father’s house with the child. He was stopped by police officers and there was a heated exchange before he finally released the child.

During her testimony, Makahla maintained that she and Jekaris were still in a relationship together, and the couple are currently expecting another daughter, due in June 2017.

The defense painted a picture of Jekaris as a loving father, and showed several pictures of him with his infant daughter.

Court adjourned for the day at 5 p.m. and will resume at 9 a.m on Wednesday, January 25th at the Brown County Courthouse.