Hurricane Matthew Delays Hot Car Death Trial

BRUNSWICK, GA — The trial of Justin Ross Harris will be delayed as Hurricane Matthew approaches Georgia's coast.

In the wake of a mandatory evacuation of the area, the trial has been adjourned for a four-day weekend, according to the AJC.

Opening arguments and testimony began on Monday as Harris is facing charges of murdering his 22-month-old son, Cooper, by intentionally leaving him in a hot car to die on June 18, 2014. Harris also faces several charges of "sexting" with minors, including several such messages at the time his son was dying.

Attorneys for Harris argued their client could not get a fair trial in Cobb because of media attention and scrutiny. Cobb Superior Court Judge Mary Staley agreed, making the decision to move the trial to Brunswick.

On Wednesday, a witness testified Harris showed grief after discovering his son's body, but Atiyka Eastland said she didn't believe Harris' tears were real. According to WBOC, another witness, Dale Hamilton, said Harris' SUV pulled in front of his car before Harris pulled Cooper out of the car seat. Hamilton said Harris kept asking "What have I done?" while the toddler lay lifeless on the asphalt.

Also on Wednesday, according to the AJC, Harris attorney Maddox Kilgore accused Cobb police officer Brett Gallimore of lying on the witness stand, and asked for a mistrial, a request that was denied by Superior Court Judge Mary Staley Clark.

Gallimore, one of the first responding officers to the scene where Cooper Harris was pulled from the SUV, said on Wednesday that testified that he “never saw (Harris) cry once. I didn’t see any emotion whatsoever.”

Kilgore said Clark prevented him from properly cross-examining Gallimore.

“I felt like he was acting hysterical. Not hysterical, but acting,” said Gallimore.

Cobb County crime scene technician Brad Shumpert also took the stand on Wednesday, according to WSB. He was responsible for photographing and processing the scene where Cooper Harris was found.

"He has some scratches that appeared on the face. He was wearing a shirt that had bicycles on it and wearing tennis shoes," Shumpert testified. "The back of his back was wet and you could actually see the wetness in the back of his blue shorts."

Read more of Patch's coverage:

• Venue Changed in Hot Car Death Trial
• Can Justin Ross Harris Get a Fair Trial?
• Hot Car Death: Father's Mistake or Murder?
• Hot Car Murder Trial: Courtroom Players
• Hot Car Death: Evidence of Alleged Infidelity Admissible
• Major Setback to Defendant in Hot Car Death
• Wife of Defendant in Hot Car Death Files for Divorce
• Harris Emotional During Motions Hearing in Hot Car Death
• Dad in Hot Car Death Facing Sexting Charges
• Cobb DA Speaks On Hot Car Death Murder Indictment
• Hot Car Death Trial Begins April 11

Image: Cobb Sheriff's Office