At trial, Tom calls Tim O’Neal, a seasoned shrimper, to address the alleged boat sighting near 1:45–2:00 a.m. O’Neal confirms seeing a similar-sized boat but insists it was too dark and distant to recognize the vessel or boater as Kya. He adds that her boat type is common in the area.

On cross, Eric narrows the point: the boat resembled Kya’s and headed north toward the fire tower. On redirect, Tom reasserts O’Neal’s certainty that no identification was possible and that many similar boats could fit the sighting. The defense rests.

Eric’s closing reconstructs the state’s case: Kya’s threat in the woods, motive and opportunity, red cap fibers on Chase’s jacket, the missing necklace, and her skill at night boating and climbing. He argues these pieces align into premeditated murder and urges a guilty verdict.

Tom counters by confronting the town’s prejudice against the “Marsh Girl,” urging judgment on facts. He argues the state hasn’t proved a murder occurred, notes no weapon, wounds, witnesses, or fingerprints, and emphasizes Kya’s Greenville alibi corroborated by multiple witnesses. He underscores O’Neal’s testimony and the age-ambiguous fibers, asking the jury to be fair.