MURRAY – Attorneys for Chyanne Niemeyer and Nathaniel Gibson have each filed motions requesting that the defendants be tried separately, citing the pursuit of antagonist defenses – in other words, each defendant plans to implicate the other should their cases go to trial.
Niemeyer and Gibson, who was identified as Niemeyer’s fiancé in the complaint warrants, were arrested on Oct. 22, 2023 and charged with murder and first-degree criminal abuse of a child under 12 years old after Niemeyer’s 17-month-old daughter died from severe burn injuries.
According to the uniform citation, Niemeyer and Gibson brought the girl to the emergency room after they found her nonresponsive. Allegedly, both told Murray Police Department Detective Justin Swope that the burns resulted from “scalding” hot bathwater. Both claimed they attempted to get the toddler out of the water but could not because of the temperature, but Swope noted in his report that neither Niemeyer nor Gibson had any redness on their hands or arms.
When it became evident to Niemeyer that her daughter’s skin was being profoundly damaged, she removed the girl from the tub and treated her wounds by applying BENGAY, which is an ointment designed to provide relief for muscle and joint pain, backaches and minor arthritis pain that, according to package instructions, should not be applied to damaged skin. Swope’s report also noted “strong medicine odor” coming from the child.
The couple was arrested that night and have remained in the Calloway County Detention Center, each on a $500,000 cash bond.
The defendants appeared in Calloway Circuit Court this morning for a previously scheduled review hearing. Considering the respective motions were filed on Friday and Sunday, Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney James Burkeen advised the court that the prosecution was not prepared to have a hearing on the motions. Agreeing that the motions were not ripe for hearing today, Calloway Circuit Judge Andrea Moore continued the hearings on those motions to Aug. 19 at 2 p.m.
Individuals accused of crimes are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
The Sentinel has followed these cases since Niemeyer and Gibson were arrested in 2023. If you aren’t familiar with the story, the links below are in chronological order to help you catch up.
Murray couple pleads not guilty to murder in toddler death
Niemeyer and Gibson cases advance to grand jury
Niemeyer’s counsel requests additional evidence be collected
Grand jury returns indictments in child abuse case
Mother’s competency to stand trial questioned
Mother’s competency hearing set in murder/child abuse case
