Victim's family member talks to WDRB about William Clyde Gibson's murder trial

NEW ALBANY, In (WDRB) -- We heard more graphic details as testimony continued Tuesday in the murder case of William Clyde Gibson, who's accused of killing 75-year-old Christine Whitis.

She's one of three southern Indiana women the suspected serial killer is accused of murdering.

Many of her family members have been inside the courtroom as gruesome details are shared with the jury.

One of them, Jacob Coons -- Whitis' great-nephew -- talked to WDRB about the difficulty of this capital murder trial. He says the family is attending the trial in hopes of seeing justice served.

"It's sick. There's no other word for it," Coons told WDRB.

Coons says every day the details of the murder get harder to listen to but his family believes it's important to be present for Whitis.

"I want to see justice served. I want to see the right thing happen," Coons added.

Gibson is charged with capital murder in the death of 75-year-old Whitis, who is said to have been a friend of Gibson's late mother.

Prosecutors say he lured Whitis to his home in April of 2012 by telling her he was grieving and needed someone to talk to.

"She was the type of person who would do anything for you, give you the shirt off her back," Coons added.

That's when prosecutors say Gibson sexually assaulted Whitis.

But now in question is Gibson's alleged timeline.

They believe the evidence, including duct tape found near Whitis' body indicate she may have been held captive hours before she was killed.

"Certainly we know she was there. At what time she died remains to be seen. All we can say is that she was in the house in one way shape or form," said Keith Henderson, Floyd County Prosecutor.

Jurors have been presented with graphic photos along with taped police interviews with Gibson.

"It's difficult for them as well as the family in the courtroom," Henderson told WDRB.

Prosecutors say during a police interview, Gibson admitted using a kitchen knife to cut off one of Whitis' breasts and dragging her body to the garage.

He told the interviewer, "It must have been some kind of trophy thing, I guess."

Gibson shows little emotion during the interviews or while being escorted into court.

"Even the name sends shivers down my spine. That is one twisted individual," Coons said of Gibson.

On Tuesday, jurors heard from Gibson's two sisters.

They're the ones who found Whitis in the garage of Gibson's New Albany home and called police.

More revealing testimony and evidence is expected later in the trial.

"The whole picture won't be painted until the end of the week," said Henderson.

Gibson is also accused of killing 53-year-old Karen Hodella in 2002 and 35-year-old Stephanie Kirk in 2012.

Kirk's body was found a week after police discovered Whitis' body.

Because of pre-trial publicity, jurors were chosen from Dearborn County, Indiana, and brought to New Albany where they will remain sequestered for the duration of the trial.