The jury in the trial of a Brownsdale man charged with murdering another man at Myre-Big Island State Park last summer viewed the scene of the shooting Wednesday.

David Michael Easter, 27, is charged with shooting to death Spencer Daniel Brown of rural Freeborn County last August.

Jurors visited the park entrance and then walked through the parking area and the interior of the Big Island pavilion.

Brown, 23, was found dead in a locked 2001 Audi station wagon in a parking lot near the pavilion. Authorities have said Easter shot Brown in the side of the head two times through the window of the car.

In testimony at the courthouse, Myre-Big Island State Park manager Gerald Katzenmeyer described the layout of the pavilion area and his role in his position.

Freeborn County Attorney David Walker showed an overhead picture of the pavilion and adjacent parking lot where Brown was found.

Easter reportedly told dispatchers he shot Brown in self defense and claimed Brown approached him with what appeared to be a bat.

‘A lot of talks at the dinner table’

In testimony Wednesday afternoon, Brown’s ex-girlfriend, Lily Gjersvik, recalled meeting Brown in September 2013. She said they dated until October 2015 and enjoyed outdoor activities together. He moved to Freeborn County in late spring 2016.

According to Lily Gjersvik, Brown would visit Myre-Big Island State Park a few times each week for peace and sanctuary. She remembered speaking to him at about 7:15 p.m. the night of his death and said it was common for him to visit the state park after dark.

Lily Gjersvik said Brown was happy to be in Minnesota.

Her father, Neal Gjersvik, said he remembered making daily contact with Brown when he lived at the residence.

“We had a lot of talks at the dinner table,” he said.

Neal Gjersvik remembered sharing enjoyment of outdoor activities with Brown. He said having Brown live with the family allowed the young man to pay off student loans, help the family around the house and have a good person living at the residence.

Walker showed the jury pictures of Brown in various places, such as in a car, at a golf course, with family and at a cabin.

Brown, who briefly worked at Mrs. Gerry’s, began working at Albert Lea-based Colstrup Sod Farm a few days before his death.

Spencer Brown’s mother, Denise Brown, described her son’s background in Omaha, Nebraska.

He worked at different places in Omaha, she said, including with the Omaha Storm Chasers, a minor-league baseball team. Her son wanted to be a park ranger and enjoyed outdoor activities.

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