The prosecution rested its case today in the murder trial against Alexandria Griste who is charged with first-degree murder in the shooting death of her boyfriend, Corey Lyles in June 2022.

Earlier on Thursday, Griste’s attorney, Steve Farese, cross-examined Lafayette County Sheriff Investigator Scott Hollowell.

The defense did not put any witnesses on the stand and Griste elected to not take the stand in her defense.

After the state rested its case, Farese made a motion for a directed verdict claiming the state did not present material evidence to argue Griste’s claim that she acted in self-defense when she shot and killed Lyles.

A directed verdict, if granted, orders the jury to find in favor of the side which requested it and it’s effective without the jury’s agreement.

However, Circuit Court Judge Gray Tollison denied the motion saying he felt enough evidence was presented to allow the jury to rule on the case.

According to testimony, Griste and Lyles were arguing via text after he left the home without telling her. Griste sent a message to Lyles that if he came home, he would be “dead.” She retrieved a 9 mm gun from her sock drawer and waited for him to pull up where they continued to argue.

Griste told investigators that Lyles was angry and aggressively coming at her. She said she fired three warning shots but Lyles didn’t stop advancing, and then shot him in the upper left chest area through a window in their door. Lyles’ body was found several feet away from the door.

Click here to read more about the evidence and testimony presented during the trial.

Court will reconvene at 9 a.m. on Friday at the Lafayette County Courthouse where the prosecution and defense will make their closing statements before the jury deliberates.