Jurors closely examined the anatomy of a crime scene during the second day of a Cranberry Township woman's trial, including photos of the victim and testimony from a forensic pathologist and an accident reconstruction officer.

Jessica Royall, 29, is accused of killing Ryan Minett, 27, of New Brighton in March 2018 when a domestic dispute between the two involving money and medication at Royall's Boardwalk Drive home spilled onto the quiet streets of Cranberry Township Park Place.

Witnesses who testified Tuesday and Wednesday recalled hearing the screeching tires of a Buick SUV traveling at high speeds down Cross Creek Drive with Minett clinging to the top of the vehicle.

“His clothes were ripped and torn off. He was shivering. Saliva was coming out of his mouth. He was unresponsive,” Jeffrey Fedele testified in Butler County Court of Common Pleas.

“His feet were raw from being dragged on the ground. He was unresponsive and his body had a quiver to him.”

Fedele was one of nine witnesses called to the stand Wednesday, bringing the total number to 15 witnesses called by prosecutors over the course of two days.

The prosecution rested its case Wednesday.

When Royall's vehicle came to the intersection with Little Pine Road, witnesses recalled Minett falling off, skidding along the street and crashing into a light pole. Investigators said he suffered injuries that resulted in his death the next day, including blunt force trauma to the head, torso and extremities.

Royall is charged with homicide, homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence and other charges in Minett's death. She pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Crash analysis and autopsy results

Cpl. Gregory Brantt, with the state police collision analysis and reconstruction unit, testified about his reconstruction work involving the accident.

He explained that while the speed at which Royall was driving couldn't be determined due to multiple factors, Minett would have been going at a minimum of 38 mph when he hit the ground.

Brantt further testified the victim traveled 45 to 53 feet before hitting a light pole made of steel.

Dr. Ashton Ennis, Allegheny County medical examiner and a forensic pathologist, recalled the aftermath of Minett's death at UPMC Passavant.

His testimony was accompanied by autopsy photos of Minett taken a day after his death. The photos showed Minett's naked body spread out on a silver metal table.

One set of photos showed large spots of road rash on Minett's back.

While photos flashed across the screen, Royall showed her first signs of emotion as she turned away and cried. For the duration of Ennis' testimony, she avoided looking at the photos of Minett's bloated and battered corpse.

One photo showed Minett's face up close. Ennis explained to jurors that the dark red spots over his eyelids were called “battle signs,” a medieval term used to indicate skull fractures.

Ennis said Minett's skull was fractured in several places, including parts of the base of his skull underneath his brain.

The forensic pathologist explained how several staples visible on the left side of Minett's head were remnants of a craniectomy performed in an effort to save his life. Because of swelling on Minett's brain, doctors surgically removed part of his skull.

Ennis also testified Minett's ribs on his left side were fractured; both of his lungs were bruised, as well as his stomach and colon; and blood was found in his chest cavity.

Ennis told jurors he ruled his death a homicide.

A toxicology report turned up ketamine, a horse tranquilizer with medical uses, and cocaine. Ennis testified Minett was given ketamine during his operation the previous day.

Eyewitness accounts

Ennis noted most of Minett's injuries would have been visible immediately after the accident. Witnesses at the scene who testified this week recall Royall returning after Minett fell off the vehicle. They said she was there to get her phone and took no notice of Minett's well-being.

“To do what she did and not notice he was hurt, she must've not been in her right mind,” Fedele said. “She was just mad she couldn't find her phone.”

Inconsistent testimony

On the first day of Royall's murder trial, her defense lawyer, William Difenderfer, warned jurors that eyewitnesses are inconsistent.

Fedele reported seeing Minett's head hit the pole. But other witnesses testified his torso hit the pole, while still others testified Minett hit his head when he first fell off the vehicle, smacking the pavement with the back of his head.

William H. Evans Sr., another eyewitness to the incident who testified Wednesday, incorrectly identified the color of Royall's SUV as blue instead of gold.

When Assistant District Attorneys Robert Zanella and Laura Pitchford, who are prosecuting the case, showed Evans Sr. photos of Royall's SUV, he was unable to positively identify it, even after it was held closer.

During his cross-examination, Difenderfer asked Evans Sr. if he felt pressured to identify the photo when prosecutors held it closer to him. He said he did.

Difenderfer pointed out inconsistencies in reports from Cranberry Township police officer Eric Meyers, who was dispatched to the scene and made his way to Royall's home on Boardwalk Drive.

Meyers testified Royall met with him and two other officers at the front of her home. He told jurors Royall explained to him she argued with Minett over money and medication.

During his cross-examination, Difenderfer challenged Meyers about his original police report. In it, the defense attorney said Meyers reported that Royall told police she decided to “leave the situation” as the argument with Minett escalated.

Difenderfer presented Meyers with a copy of the original police report.

Difenderfer pointed out the phrase about leaving the situation was included in Meyers' original police report, but was removed from an updated version of the report that became his official narrative.

“Who told you to omit 'leave the situation'? Why would you do that?” Difenderfer asked Meyers.

Meyers responded that he didn't remember.

“The most critical part is removed,” Difenderfer argued. “You changed that. Correct?”

“Correct,” Meyers replied.

Difenderfer questioned why Meyers would remove a part of the narrative that he considered Royall's motive.

“Don't you think determining motive is important in a criminal case?” Difenderfer asked.

“It could be,” Meyers responded.

Prosecutors rested their case at the end of testimony Wednesday. Royall's defense team will present its side Thursday. A verdict is expected Friday.