GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — Witnesses are taking the stand for a third day Friday morning in the trial of an ex-officer accused of killing a 16-year-old Gwinnett County girl.
The trial of former Doraville Police officer Miles Bryant saw several key developments. Bryant is accused of kidnapping and murdering 16-year-old Susana Morales, who was last seen on July 26, 2022, at the Sterling Glen apartment complex.
Her remains were found in a wooded area months later. Opening arguments for the case began Wednesday.
Here's a look at key moments from Friday.
Miles Bryant's mom, ex-girlfriend testify
On Friday, the defendant's mother took the stand, testifying about text messages between the defendant and her on the night Susana Morales' was last seen.
Another ex-girlfriend of the former officer spoke with detectives. She also stated the two were arguing and calling each other back and forth over the phone and text messaging the day Morales' was last seen.
Watch more of her testimony below.
Investigator talks about evidence, ex-officer's phone
A key moment in Friday's proceedings was when prosecutors questioned Investigator John Wilbanks, who was able to present evidence pinging the former officer's phone near where they found Morales' remains the night she was last seen.
The evidence showed a series of incoming and outgoing phone calls from Bryant's phone and Morales' phone that helped ping the location of a general area of the device.
Defense attorneys questioned the witness about whether the service providers could determine the exact location of a device. The investigator answered that they could give a general estimated area depending on the coverage of the cell phone towers in the area.
Inmate provides testimony on previous interactions with ex-officer
An inmate stated that Bryant asked him if he could get the death penalty for what he was charged with.
"There was a conversation once where he said, 'Man, someone can give you the death penalty for that,' and I said no, you gotta do something more serious than that, and he said, 'so far, they only got me for this one," the inmate said.
The former Georgia officer also told the inmate, "It says right here no blood, no semen, no nothing. They ain't got nothing against me."
Watch the inmate's full testimony below.
Gwinnett crime scene specialist talks about remains found, search warrants
Kelsie Nettinger, a Gwinnett Police crime scene specialist, testified about the day she was called to a wooded area off Highway 316 near Drowning Creek Road in Dacula.
On Feb. 6, 2023, police searched the woods after a passerby found the skeletal remains.
Nettinger said she took photos of the scene, and they placed a rebar where the skull was located and markers in other areas where bones may have been located. The medical examiner's office came to aid in the search and to help determine if the bones were from a human or an animal.
On Feb. 13, 2023, warrants were executed at Bryant's apartment complex, Nettinger said. She was called to the scene once again to take photos of the evidence.
She also shared that his vehicles—his personal truck and a Doraville police SUV—were taken back to Gwinnett headquarters and searched on Feb. 15. Nettinger walked through photos taken of the items in the vehicles and how they were submitted as evidence.
Former friend accuses ex-officer of being a "stalker"
The woman, Elasha Bates, accused Bryant of "stalking" her. He would show up at her house multiple times after Morales' was last seen and try to open her door.
Prosecutors also showed Ring camera footage from her neighbor, which shows what appears to be Bryant allegedly trying to open the door of her apartment.
Attorneys also played 911 calls made while Bryant was at the door attempting to get into her apartment, where she held back tears as she pulled out her firearm in fear for her life.
11Alive previously spoke with Bates about the times Bryant tried to get into her apartment.
“I mean, when I saw him on camera and saw what he was capable of doing, trying to break in, it had me very scared for my life,” Bates previously said.
Another woman, who wanted to remain anonymous, testified to Bryant allegedly sending photographs and videos of her engaging in sexual acts to himself without her permission. She added that she told police she had no knowledge Bryant allegedly used her phone to send himself the material.
Cause of death was undetermined
Gwinnett County Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Carol Terry also testified at trial, saying she could not determine what happened to Morales.
"Cause of death undetermined due to decomposition and skeletalization," she said. "There is no more testing that I can do because what I need to see is not there...She has been there for a period of months."
Dr. Terry said that she was able to measure Morales' bones, examine her teeth, compare them with dental records, and examine some undeveloped bones to determine her age and sex.
Other highlights so far in the trial
Thursday's proceedings began with testimonies from Morales' best friend, Esmeralda "Rose" Castillo, and her boyfriend, Axel Zaragoza. Castillo recounted the moments leading up to Morales' disappearance, her growing concern when Morales didn't return home, and her attempts to locate her through a crash site app. Castillo also mentioned a previous encounter with Bryant, who offered them a ride, which they declined.
Zaragoza described Morales as an uplifting and loving person. He testified about their multiple FaceTime calls the night she disappeared.
Proceedings included testimonies from detectives and officers involved in the case. Gwinnett County Police Lt. Xavier Biggers, who became emotional on the stand, spoke about his dedication to finding Morales. Another officer recounted the discovery of a gun matching Bryant's stolen firearm report.
Bodycam footage was shown, capturing the moments when Morales' remains were found. Detective William Merkley testified about Bryant reporting his gun stolen, finding it odd that Bryant did not want an investigation into the theft.
Bryant's ex-girlfriend, Avyonne Smyre, testified about their arguments the night Morales disappeared and noted suspicious scratches on Bryant's truck.
Wednesday concluded with emotional testimonies from Morales' mother and sister, detailing their search efforts using the Life360 app.
RELATED: Testimony begins in murder trial of ex-officer accused of killing Gwinnett County teen in 2022
You can re-watch Thursday's trial production using the video player below and on 11Alive's YouTube channel.
Who is Miles Bryant?
- He was a Doraville Police officer. After his arrest, the department said Bryant was no longer employed with them, calling him a "now former police officer."
- Bryant lived on Windscape Village Lane in Norcross, near the location where Susana Morales lived and originally went missing.
- He also lived and served as a courtesy officer at the apartment complex where Susana had gone to visit.
- Chief McClure previously said that investigators have not established if Morales and Bryant knew each other prior to her death.
- In a press conference last year, McClure acknowledged previous incidents involving Bryant - pointing to one in 2018, in which he had allegedly tried to enter a neighbor's home through the window. Additionally, there were allegations in December 2022 that Bryant tried to enter a residence where a woman said he was stalking her.