A barrage of experts took the stand Tuesday as the prosecution called the last of its witnesses in the state's case against Grant Everson.

Everson is on trial for his alleged part in the Jan. 15 murder of his mother Nancy Everson. He faces charges of first-degree premeditated murder in the fatal shooting of his mother and second-degree attempted murder of his father Tom. He also faces charges of aiding and abetting murder in the first and second degree related to Nancy’s death.  

The defense is not contesting charges of attempted murder. They are contesting charges of premeditated murder, arguing that the murder plan was abandoned in the Everson’s house and Nancy’s death was the result of a rash and impulsive action by Everson’s friend Joel Beckrich.

First to testify Tuesday was Mark Nielsen of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA). Nielsen was the team leader at the scene following the murder.  

Nielsen testified to the evidence the BCA collected, including shotgun pellets and pieces of human tissue.

Photographic images of the scene, including Nancy's dead body, a large pool of blood staining the hardwood floor and pieces of skull scattered about, were graphic and proved too much for one courtroom observer, who was forced to leave the room in tears.

Nielsen testified that they found seven pieces of human tissue, which they believed to be part of Nancy's skull, in the upper level of the home.

Nielsen also testified to finding blood spatter on a closet door near the body, as well as a shotgun hole in the kitchen wall. He detailed his scientific process for determining where the shot would have come from based on the blood spatter.

"But can you use math, science and angles to determine the thought process of the shooter?" Defense Attorney Christine Funk asked him on cross examination.

"No," Nielsen answered.

Second to testify was BCA employee Donald Melander, who was able to link a roll of duct tape found in the lower level garage of the Everson home, to a scrap of duct tape found on the pants Everson was allegedly wearing on the night of the murder.  

Forensic pathologist Dr. Susan Roe testified Tuesday afternoon. She was called to the scene of the murder on Jan. 15 and later performed an autopsy on Nancy's body. Roe also wrote the final autopsy report.

She testified to the manner and cause of death.

"The manner of death was homicide, death at the hands of another," she said. "The cause of death was a shotgun wound to the head."

Roe said that Nancy sustained a large wound to the right frontal area of her head."The wound extended to the back of the head as one large gaping exit wound," she testified.

Roe added that Nancy also had minor injuries, including a scrape on the bridge of her nose, bruising on her right eyelid and a cut to her lip, probably incurred from the fall to the floor.

But it was the gunshot that killed Nancy, she said.

"As soon as she received the gunshot, she would have been unconscious," said Roe. "She would not have regained consciousness."

Roe testified that part of Nancy's brain was lost at the scene, which would have resulted in a severe brain injury. Roe also testified that the wound was consistent with a lunge. Beckrich testified yesterday that he shot Nancy in the head when she lunged at him in an effort to grab the gun.

Roe estimated that Nancy's skull was some two to three feet from the muzzle of the gun when she was shot.

The final expert to testify Tuesday was Suzanne Birkholz-Maniak, of the BCA's firearms division. Birkholz-Maniak confirmed that the shotgun shells found at the scene were fired from the Mossberg shotgun.

The prosecution is expected to wrap up their case Wednesday morning. The defense will then take over, but is also expected to wrap Wednesday. Closing arguments will follow.

The jury was reminded Tuesday that they needed to pack overnight bags for Wednesday should the case be handed to them for a verdict. They will be sequestered during deliberations.

Testimony continues 9:30 a.m., Wednesday.

Follow this story from the onset by clicking on the links below or joining the Everson murder trial group under the Groups section.

Everson trial: Day 8

Everson trial: Day 7

Everson trial: Day 6

Everson trial: Day 5

Everson trial: Day 4

Everson trial: Day 3

Everson trial: Day 2

Everson trial: Day 1