The jury guilty to the man of deliberate murder in the death of stepson

Update 8 p.m.

Kristopher Michael Harasymczuk found a jury guilty of the deliberate murder, the attack of a minor -minor and manipulations with evidence of the death of stepson Jaxsynn Gatlin.

The jury advises under four hours before reaching the verdict.

This is a developing story. Look back for details.

---

---

(First report) On Wednesday, the 40 -year -old accused Kristopher Michael Harasymczuk took on the last day of his trial because of the death of his young stepson in front of the Yellowstone Courty.

Harasymczuk is charged, including deliberate murder, after he allegedly drowned his 4-year-old stepson Jaxsynn Gatlin in a bathtub full of extremely hot water in October 2021. Harasymczuk was mostly calm when he was interviewed by both defenders and prosecutors.

Take a look at the story here:

Billings you accuse in steps of death on the last day of the court proceedings

“Did you cause Jaxsynn's death?” Defender Penelope Strong asked Harasymczuk.

“No, I don't have that,” replied Harasymczuk.

“Did you love Jaxynn?” Asked Strong.

“I loved him with all my heart,” said Harasymczuk.

The district judge of Yellowstone County, Colette Davies, has the chair of the case.

MTN News

Yellowstone County's prosecutor, John Ryan, followed with Harasymczuk.

The public prosecutor claimed that Harasymczuk had misused Gatlin, his mother and her other two sons. They also indicate that he manipulated evidence by getting rid of spatula that the prosecutors claim that Harasymczuk had beaten up the boys.

“I think you would find that a phone is missing in this picture. And I have exhibition 36, and now a spatula is missing,” said Ryan, while showing the jury photos of the bathroom.

Harasymczuk said he never hit the children, apart from one of the boys with his hand. He also said he and Gatlin's mother would argue, but he didn't abuse her.

The process moved to the closure of arguments in the afternoon.

“You heard that Jaxsynn was beaten with a spatula. He was kicked to the ground. He was hit in the face. It was placed in hot water. That was a number of attacks that are independent and together an attack on a Jaxsynn Gatlin underage, ”said Amanda Tierean, public prosecutor's office at Yellowstone County, during her final declaration. “The accused was not in this bathroom to offer a helping hand. The accused was there to practice control. Jaxsynn can be heard, 'hot, hot'. He screams for his mother.”

MTN News

The report of the medical examiner showed several possible factors for the death of the little boy, the swelling of the brain caused by possible drowning, hyperthermia and blunt force trauma.

“Jaxsynn could have lost consciousness very well and drowned, but that's still on the accused. You will be guilty of manipulating the accused, a minor, Zaria and Murder of Jackson Gatlin. Thank you, “said Ternan to the jury.

MTN News

The defense argues that Harasymczuk did not drown or beat the 4-year-old, but other medical complaints such as virus and fever caused his death.

“We want to remind you that the freedom of this gentleman is at stake. That is why we have the presumption of innocence. We hope you take enough time to decide this case. We ask you to release Mr. Harasymczuk about all charges. Thank you, ”said Strong to the jury.

The jury deliberately went at 4 p.m. and had not returned with a judgment at 6:30 p.m.