Keegan Metz's injuries were "beyond repair" on Feb. 7, 2009, when emergency medical workers responded to the toddler's home, according to statements made in court today.
Robert Nash, assistant district attorney, said 23-month-old Keegan was covered in bruises "virtually from head to toe."
The trial of his mother, Caitlyn Metz, 27, and his stepfather, Joshua Starner, 26, a former Fort Campbell soldier, began Tuesday morning with opening statements and witness testimony in Judge Mike R. Jones' court.
Both are charged with two counts of felony first-degree murder, two counts of aggravated child abuse/neglect and aggravated child rape in the child's death.
Keegan had a critical brain injury, his pupils were blown and he had bruises and scratches on his ears, his neck and the bridge of his nose, Nash said in opening statements.
His buttocks were covered in red welts, and he had scratch marks on his genitals.
He was found unconscious and was only able to take six breaths a minute before he was put on life support and died from his injuries.
The only explanations given for the injuries were statements by his parents. Starner told law enforcement Keegan fell in the bathtub. Both Metz and Starner said Keegan fell out of a Jeep when they went mudding.
Nash said those explanations didn't make sense and didn't explain the non-accidental injuries. He said pictures would show the jury how horrific the injuries were.
[...]
Sheri Phillips, Starner's attorney, pointed the blame at Metz and said her actions following her child's death showed her guilt.
Metz cried during the opening statements, and Phillips called attention to her.
"She's crying now," Phillips said. When her son was dying, "she was emotionless, she was concerned about everything going on besides her son."
Phillips said phone records would show Metz called Starner every minute on the minute when she was out shopping.
"She was expecting him to say something was wrong with Keegan. She knew something was wrong, and she needed to place the blame on Joshua Starner."
Phillips said Starner was crying and emotional the morning Keegan was taken to the hospital.
Medical proof would show the injuries could have happened up to 12 hours before police were called, and Phillips said it was Metz who beat her son to death and tried to make it look like it was Starner.
[...]
Dr. Adele Lewis, medical examiner, performed Keegan's autopsy on Feb. 10 and said Keegan died as a result of multiple blunt force injuries. She ruled his death a homicide.
Lewis said the injuries that proved fatal were injuries to his head. A photo of Keegan with purple and blue bruises to his forehead, eyes and nose was shown to the jury.
"He had injuries to his brain, swelling to his brain and bleeding behind his eyes," Lewis said. "It takes a significant amount of force. Maybe a major car wreck or a two or three story fall (to cause an injury like that). ...I can say a child who sustains injuries this severe to their head would immediately become symptomatic in some way. A normal person would know there's something wrong. He would become unconscious, have seizures or have a change in his breathing pattern almost right away."
Lewis said the three distinct bumps on his forehead were consistent with him being punched in the head.
Keegan had many hemorrhages in his eyeballs. Lewis said it is usually caused by acceleration or deceleration consistent with a child being shaken or impacted. He had injury to his neck consistent with being strangled or choked, and his finger was bruised. Lewis said it could have been from him shielding himself from being struck.
Three bruise marks on the side of his face were consistent with slap marks. His ear was swollen, red and bruised.
His buttocks were covered in innumerable red bruises.
Dr. Thomas Abromo also testified he diagnosed Keegan with physical and sexual abuse because of injuries to his genitals when he arrived at Vanderbilt Children's hospital.
Lewis said after examining his skin under a microscope, she determined the bruises were "fresh."
"All of these injuries could've been inflicted at or around the same time," Lewis said.
Court will resume at 10 a.m. Wednesday, and the state will continue to call witnesses. It is expected the state will conclude it's proof Wednesday.