Earlier this week, the State Attorney rested and Defense Attorneys began presenting their case in a double murder trial. This is the second week of the trial of Derrick Cullins, which was expected to last three weeks. Judge Emmett Battles is presiding.

Cullins, 31, has been held at the Hillsborough County Jail without bond since April 11, 2009. He is charged with the murder of his brother, 21-year-old Carl Walters (pictured, right), and his brother’s friend, 20-year-old Ryan Darkins Davis (pictured, left). Neither man had been seen since April 5, 2009.

A passer-by found Walter’s nude body in a wooded area in Plant City on April 7th.  He had been stabbed 18 times. Davis’ skeletal remains were discovered in a different wooded area in February 2010.

Cullins and his brother, Carl, shared a home on E. Humphrey that Tampa Police said was the scene of the crime. Blood was reportedly found throughout the house, the carpet was missing, and there was evidence that a violent confrontation had taken place, police said.

Cullins also had a bite mark on his chest. He was charged with his brother’s murder at the time of his arrest. He was not charged with Davis’ murder until March 3, 2010, after his remains were found.

A spokesman for the Hillsborough County State Attorney’s Office said there was a large amount of evidence involved in the case and three crime scenes.