WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — The trial for a man accused of fatally stabbing a Palm Beach Gardens boy more than four years ago resumed on Friday after an emotional first day of testimony.
Semmie Williams Jr. is facing a first-degree murder charge in the death of 14-year-old Ryan Rogers, who was riding his bike near his home in Palm Beach Gardens in November 2021 when police said he was randomly attacked and stabbed to death by Williams, who had no ties to the community or the teen.
WATCH BELOW: DNA evidence highlights day 2 of trial
Among those to take the stand Friday morning is Kelly Behnke, a senior forensic scientist at the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office. She testified to having conducted three rounds of DNA testing on the evidence in this case.
Behnke explained to the court that she tested Rogers' fingernails for DNA and found a match for Williams.
During her nearly two-hour testimony, she disclosed that Williams' DNA was also found on the headphones and sunglasses found at the crime scene.
Behnke also disclosed that both the suspect's and victim's DNA were found on a bloody bandana recovered inside Williams' backpack during his arrest.
Seth Kaufman, an occupational therapist, took to the stand Friday as a witness, who said he spotted a man who seemed out of place in the Mirabella neighborhood of Palm Beach Gardens on Nov. 16, 2021, the day that Rogers was found dead.
Kaufman said the subject was a black man wearing dark clothing and looked disheveled. Kafuman did not speak to the subject, but did not notice any blood on him.
Deputy sheriff testifies about arresting Williams
Also taking the stand on Friday was Miami-Dade County Deputy Sheriff Jonathan Grossman. He testified that after Rogers was killed, his agency received a request from the Palm Beach Gardens Police Department to locate Williams.
Analyzing videos that Williams posted to YouTube, Grossman said they were able to locate the suspect at Theodore Gibson Park in the Overtown area of Miami and took him into custody. Grossman said when they interviewed Williams, he denied killing Rogers and didn't recognize the boy.
The deputy also testified that Williams disclosed that he regularly carried a pocketknife but did not have it at the time of the arrest because he had lost it.
Testimony concluded on Friday at about 3 p.m. and will resume at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday.
On Thursday, both sides presented their opening statements, outlining the witnesses they plan to call and the evidence they intend to present.
The state called Cynthia Rogers, Ryan's mother, who was emotional on the stand as she gave testimony about the night her son disappeared.
Other witnesses included Palm Beach Gardens Police Department Crime Scene Investigator Paige Cohen and Jupiter realtor Matthew Lindahl, who spotted Ryan's body.
The state said earlier this week that it will be bringing in roughly 22 witnesses, including Rogers' family members.
The trial is now expected to end on Jan. 22.
