Nicholas Compton. (WJBC file)

By Joe Ragusa

BLOOMINGTON – Former neighbors testified Wednesday in the murder trial of Nicholas Compton.

Kristen Vannon and April Johnson both lived in the same apartment building as the victim's mother, Danielle Fischer, until a few months before three-year-old Robbie Cramer died in March 2013.

Vannon and Johnson ran into Fischer, Cramer and Compton at Eastland Mall a few days before the child's death, and Vannon said she noticed Cramer was bruised, had an abrasion on his face and also lost his hair.

"It looked like there had been patches of hair missing, and then they continued to shave the rest of it off," Vannon said.

Vannon also testified that Cramer looked malnourished.

"(He was) very pale. His cheeks and his face were very sunken," Vannon said. "He just didn't look the way he used to look."

Assistant State's Attorney Adam Ghrist argues Compton abused Cramer, causing injuries that eventually led to a fatal seizure.

Johnson said Cramer was very shy the day she and Vannon saw him.

"He literally just kept his head where it was and just looked over at the Easter bunny. He didn't show any enthusiasm," Johnson said. "I thought that was insane, because all children should like the Easter bunny."

Compton has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder charges. Fischer may take the stand Thursday, and she'll also appear in court Jan. 29 on similar charges.

Joe Ragusa can be reached at [email protected].