Billings, MT – A Billings man, Kristopher Michael Harasymczuk, was found guilty of deliberate homicide, assault of a minor, and tampering with evidence in connection to the October 2021 death of his 4-year-old stepson, Jaxsynn Gatlin. The verdict came after just under four hours of deliberation by a jury.
Amanda Tiernan, the senior deputy county attorney for Yellowstone County, expressed that the verdict provided a sense of closure for the family. “We’ve met with the family, and we believe that was the right verdict for this case,” Tiernan said. “This has been a long time coming for the family, and this is the best news that they could have received, given the circumstances.”
During the trial, expert testimony played a significant role in the prosecution’s case. Dr. Kurtzman, an expert witness for the state, confirmed that Jaxsynn had been physically abused, a claim that was supported by a defense expert. The agreement between both experts about the abuse was a crucial point that resonated with the jury.
Harasymczuk, who denied causing the death of Jaxsynn, insisted that he loved the child “with all [his] heart” when asked about his feelings towards him. However, the prosecution contended that Harasymczuk had subjected Jaxsynn, his mother, and her other children to physical abuse. The charges also included tampering with evidence after Harasymczuk allegedly disposed of spatulas that prosecutors claimed he used to strike the children.
The trial’s key moments included images shown to the jury of a bathroom, where prosecutors pointed out a missing phone and spatula. These items were said to be linked to the alleged abuse. In his defense, Harasymczuk denied hitting the children with anything other than his hand and also denied abusing his partner.
During her closing statement, Tiernan described the brutal treatment Jaxsynn endured. “You heard Jaxsynn was beaten with a spatula. He was kicked to the floor. He was slapped in the face. He was placed in hot water. That was a series of assaults, independently and collectively, that constitute an assault on a minor,” she said. “The defendant wasn’t in that bathroom to lend a helping hand. He was in there to exert his control.”
Medical examiner reports revealed multiple factors that could have contributed to the child’s death, including brain swelling, potential drowning, hyperthermia, and blunt force trauma to the head. While the defense suggested that a virus and fever were responsible for Jaxsynn’s death, the prosecution maintained that Harasymczuk’s actions directly led to the boy’s fatal injuries.
“We ask you to acquit Mr. Harasymczuk on all charges,” defense attorney Penelope Strong told the jury, reminding them of the presumption of innocence. However, the jury ultimately convicted Harasymczuk of all charges, including homicide, assault on a minor, and tampering with evidence.
For Jaxsynn’s family, the verdict offers a degree of justice, though it does little to ease the emotional toll of the tragedy. As they continue to process their grief, the case serves as a reminder of the devastating consequences of child abuse and the importance of seeking justice for vulnerable children.
