COLUMBIA — Sergio Sayles' defense attorneys questioned Jefferson City Police Department officials about how they handled evidence in the third day of Sayles' murder trial.

The defense's line of questioning focused on Sayles' vehicle, an ongoing issue in the bench trial.

Police seized Sayles’ car as evidence after Jasmine King's stabbing death in April 2023 , the homicide that Sayles, 39, is charged in connection to. Sayles is charged with first-degree murder, armed criminal action and tampering with evidence in the Cole County Circuit Court, and the trial is being held at the Boone County Courthouse .

Police searched through the car, which was very cluttered, for items that looked like they had blood or weapons on them, witnesses testified.

Seventeen items and two swabs were taken,

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