A defense attorney in a Lawrence murder trial on Friday questioned the credibility of a state witness who had testified that the defendant told him – hours after investigators allege it happened – he beat up his girlfriend.

In day five of the second-degree murder trial of Christopher Belone, Belone’s attorney, Greg Robinson, asked Robin Patrick Roberts if he had seen news reports about the death of Linda Begay, 37, before he talked to investigators in the case. Roberts said he had seen no news reports about the incident before his initial interview with police.

Prosecutors accuse Belone of beating Begay, his longtime girlfriend, in a fit of jealousy on July 29 at another man’s home in the Gaslight Village mobile home park. Begay died two days later from an abdominal infection.

Roberts has testified that Belone told him later that afternoon that he caught Begay in another man’s bed so he beat her up. Based on recorded statements from Begay before she died and on collected evidence, prosecutors have accused Belone of striking her with a coffee table leg.

Robinson also questioned Roberts about whether Belone told him he used a stick or other object.

“So the only action that you are testifying to is that Chris Belone used his hands?” Robinson asked.

“Yes,” Roberts said.

“He never used an object to strike Linda Begay?” Robinson asked.

“No,” Roberts said.

This week, Robinson has also accused Frank Mallonee, who lived in the trailer where Begay had fallen asleep, of beating her because she would not have sex with him.

The trial continued Friday as prosecutors presented law enforcement officers and investigators who arrested Belone and investigated the bloody bedroom in Mallonee’s trailer.

Scott Hummel, a forensic specialist with the Kansas City, Mo., Police Crime Lab, testified that DNA from two hairs the lab collected by Lawrence police matched the DNA of Begay. Darvene Duvenci, another forensic scientist at the lab, testified the hairs had been forcibly removed.

Robinson asked investigators if they ever tested samples against Mallonee’s DNA; all replied they had not.

Robinson also questioned witnesses on the credibility and thoroughness of the evidence collected at the scene because Mallonee’s bedroom had been cleaned and several items were thrown away before Begay died, when it officially became a homicide investigation.

Assistant Douglas County District Attorney Trent Krug said he expected the state to wrap up its case Monday. Robinson has said Belone would testify.