Bever denied killing any family members, investigator testifies

TULSA, Okla. (AP) – An investigator has testified that the younger of two brothers accused of fatally stabbing their parents and three siblings in their Oklahoma home denied killing anyone.

The Tulsa World reports that crime scene investigator Karen Weikel testified Monday in the trial of 19-year-old Michael Bever, who is charged with five counts of first-degree murder and one count of assault and battery with intent to kill.

Weikel testified she was swabbing Bever’s hands for blood and taking a DNA sample when the then-16-year-old denied the killings. She says he claimed he tried to stop his then-18-year-old brother, Robert Bever, from slaughtering their family.

Authorities say the brothers killed their parents, two younger brothers and 5-year-old sister in 2015.

Robert Bever pleaded guilty in 2016 and was sentenced to life in prison.