An assistant state medical examiner testified at the trial of the Radcliff man accused of killing a four-year-old Caneyville boy that she does not believe the suspect’s story, which implicates a fall from a bench is responsible for the boy’s death.
Dr. Amy Burrows-Beckham, who performed the autopsy on Hunter Payton, testified at the Hardin County murder trial of 34-year-old Bill Embry-Martin, saying Hunter suffered a “very significant, forceful injury to the head,” according to the News-Enterprise. Burrows-Beckham testified that Hunter experienced a depressed skull fracture and described his brain as “very swollen.”
Hunter was initially hospitalized at Hardin Memorial Hospital on May 8, 2017. He arrived at the Elizabethown hospital unresponsive before being transferred to Norton Children’s Hospital.
Embry-Martin, who, along with his husband had been serving as foster parents to Hunter for about two months when the child was allegedly murdered, has steadfastly claimed the boy died two days after falling about 26 inches from a bench as he ate at a dining room table. The newspaper reports that Burrows-Beckham said from the witness stand, “I just don’t believe that story … I don’t see children dying from a short distance fall.”
Furthermore, Burrows-Beckham testified that Hunter’s body had several areas of bruising, including his right cheek and right cheek bone, his left cheek and each side of his chest and side. She said the bruising did not contribute to Hunter’s death. Burrows-Beckham did admit under cross examination that there was no way to know when the bruises may have been inflicted.
In addition to Hunter, Embry-Martin and his husband, Travis Embry-Martin, were providing foster care to Hunter’s older brother and younger sister.
The children were removed from the care of their parents, Ryan and April Payton, after someone reported to Child Protective Services there was drug use in the Payton home. A subsequent search of the residence by CPS turned up no drugs, but the couple tested positive for amphetamine.
Embry-Martin faces up to 50 years in prison if convicted. The trial continues next week.
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com or 270-259-6000
