11-18-09 Stabbing death trial continues Odessa American

November 18, 2009 5:00 PM
BY JIM MUSTIAN
A knife found in the backpack of Christopher David Lyson bearing the red letters "KKK" is not prejudicial and is relevant in the 2008 stabbing death of 26-year-old Ryan Adam Moon, Judge Denn Whalen ruled Wednesday morning in 70th District Court.
DNA testing determined the knife and another utility knife found in the bag were not connected to Moon’s death. Lyson’s defense attorney Dusty Gallivan objected to the jury viewing photographs of the knives.
"These knives have no evidentiary value," Gallivan said, adding they would be prejudicial to his client. He later referred to the knife as a collector’s item.
"I think the evidence is relevant," Whalen countered, overruling Gallivan’s objection.
Police said Moon was stabbed five times in the chest and abdomen in a fight that began over money. Lyson’s defense attorneys say the wrong man is on trial this week and that Terrance L. Jackson of Odessa delivered the fatal blows in the fight. Jackson is being held in the Ector County Detention Center in connection with unrelated theft charges.
Moon’s girlfriend at the time of his death testified Tuesday she saw Lyson stab Moon. The second day of testimony in the trial continues.
Lyson faces five years to life in prison if convicted.