Testimony outlines gunfire and victim’s injuries in Beatrice murder trial

by Doug Kennedy

BEATRICE, Neb. – A Gage County District Court Jury in the trial of Christopher Milke Thursday heard detailed information regarding the investigation at the alleged crime scene, September 8th of 2024.

Milke is on trial for first-degree murder, a firearm count, two counts of kidnapping and tampering with evidence, in the death of 53-year-old Tammy Leslie.

Afternoon testimony came from Sergeant Erin Byrne, the lead investigator with the Beatrice Police Department….who did a video walk-through of the Hillcrest Avenue residence where Leslie was shot and killed.

"I walked, literally, through the front door, recording as I went....recorded every room that I went into, tried to document the conditions of the home at the time I got there. So, I could say that in this type of scenario, that this is exactly how the house was, when I got there that night (8th). So, basically just videotaping the inside of the house....the scene."

Day One Trial Coverage: SWAT unit members give account of childrens' rescue

The video, several photos and physical evidence was shown to the jury. It included the discovery of shell casings, a bullet in an adjoining bedroom closet, bullet damage to a purse, filing cabinet and drywall in the home’s northeast bedroom, where the body of Tammy Leslie was found, next to the bed. Byrne testified that four bullets were fired. Prosecutor Michael Jensen questioned Byrne about shots that struck the victim.

(Jensen)..."I know we haven't gotten to the autopsy, but were you made aware of how many rounds struck the victim?" (Byrne)...."Yes".....(Jensen)...."How many?"....(Byrne)..."Three."

The evidence submitted by the state showed the likely trajectories of the shots, and the investigator said it appeared someone was standing at the foot of the bed, when the shots were fired. Byrne said police recovered a loaded nine-millimeter Taurus handgun on a small divider wall, outside the bedroom.

Day One Trial Coverage: Opening Milke trial testimony details police rescue call

"Exposed the chamber...that allowed us to look inside and see if there was a round in the chamber....which there was. That round was ejected, not having been fired.....and five unfired rounds were removed from the magazine in the gun."

Earlier testimony indicated that the weapon was laid on a divider wall as police broke through the door to rescue two children….and arrest the suspect.

The victim, Byrne testified, had been struck by shots in the face, neck and right arm.

Also testifying Thursday was Officer Kelly Byrne, the first of a five-member SWAT unit to enter the home, early the morning of September 8th…..and Officer Tim Price…..a crisis negotiator who worked to monitor activity and map information about the incident as it was unfolding. Officers and the dispatch center formulated a plan to safely remove two children held in the home.

Evidence showed doors to the home had screws drilled into the frames, to keep them from being opened.

Trial testimony was set to resume, Friday morning.