More graphic testimony in case of murdered Brother Rice teacher

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Alisha Walker shielded her face from graphic photos of the veteran Brother Rice High School teacher she is accused of stabbing to death in his Orland Park home.| Cook County Sheriff’s Department

For a second day in a row Wednesday, Alisha Walker shielded her face from graphic photos of the veteran Brother Rice High School teacher she is accused of stabbing to death in his Orland Park home.

Walker moved her head to the side and lifted a hand to her eyes when pathologist Latanja Watkins went over autopsy photos, describing the numerous stab and incise wounds that were inflicted on 61-year-old Alan Filan on Jan. 18, 2014.

Filan, who stood 5-foot-5 and weighed 138 pounds, was stabbed in the neck area, abdomen and arms, the doctor said.

Walker is 5-foot-9 and weighed 170 pounds at the time of the deadly incident, according to court testimony.

Toxicology reports revealed Filan was drunk at time of his death, Watkins told Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney Christa Bowden.

Walker, a prostitute from Akron, Ohio, is accused of attacking Filan during an argument over money after he contacted her and another woman through a Backpage.com ad.

Walker, 22, claims she only stabbed Filan after he hit her and lunged at her with a knife that he swiped off of his kitchen counter.

Defense attorney Patrick O’Byrne said Filan was incensed that Walker and her friend weren’t on board with having unprotected sex and tried to take away their money.

O’Byrne on Wednesday re-asked Watkins how deep Filan’s dozen-plus stab wounds were in an attempt to show that his cuts were mostly superficial.

Watkins said it is sometimes difficult to determine the exact depth of the wounds because of the human body’s “elasticity.”

Prosecutors rested their case after Watkins’ testimony.

Earlier, a forensic biologist and fingerprint expert with the Illinois State Police testified for prosecutors. A cellphone tower specialist also took the stand.

O’Byrne and his legal partner also rested late Wednesday afternoon without presenting any evidence.

Attorneys are expected to present their closing arguments before Judge James Obbish on Thursday morning.

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