A forensic pathologist has informed a courtroom it’s theoretically potential surgical procedures may have contributed to a Sydney intercourse employee’s loss of life.
NSW Well being forensic pathology specialist Allan Cala mentioned it will nonetheless be uncommon.
Hector Enrique Valencia Valencia has pleaded not responsible to murdering Kimberly McRae at her Coogee condominium between January 7 and 14, 2020.
The 23-year-old Colombian nationwide, arrested within the Caribbean island of Aruba and extradited to Australia, pleaded responsible to unlawfully killing the 69-year-old, nonetheless the Crown rejected the lesser plea within the NSW Supreme Courtroom.
Valencia’s barrister Claire Wasley argues he didn’t intend to kill Ms McRae, however engaged her companies after which “misplaced self-control” after discovering she was 69 and transgender, and punched her within the abdomen and face.
Dr Cala was requested by crown prosecutor Craig Everson SC on Thursday concerning the opinion of an skilled witness for the protection who compiled a report indicating the reason for loss of life was undetermined.
‘An asphyxiating occasion’
“I do not agree with that,” Dr. Cala mentioned. “There are sufficient grounds to boost a definite chance an asphyxiating occasion has occurred by the use of a compressive pressure to the neck,” he mentioned.
He did, nonetheless, agree a single punch may clarify bruising to the neck and a fracture within the thyroid cartilage.
A blockage of the airways was dominated out and Ms McRae confirmed no indicators of a stroke, nonetheless Dr Cala mentioned her mind had begun to decompose and was tough to look at.
He has reviewed pictures and notes however didn’t carry out or supervise the post-mortem.
Along with neck compression there have been additionally abrasions to Ms McRae’s decrease lip that had been “very suggestive” of smothering.
“I feel it is a mixture of the 2,” he mentioned.
Ms Wasley requested Dr Cala if a surgical procedure Ms McRae needed to skinny the looks of an Adam’s apple may imply her thyroid cartilage was “not as strong”.
“It may need occurred in that approach however it will be an uncommon trigger,” Dr Cala mentioned. “I settle for that it’s theoretically potential.”
Ms Wasley additionally requested how lengthy it will take for somebody to die from smothering.
Prosecution case wrapping up
“Experimentation doesn’t happen on this space,” Dr. Cala mentioned. “It’s my understanding that it may really be fairly speedy.”
The protection has disputed a declare that {an electrical} wire was discovered round Ms McRae’s neck.
Ligature marks weren’t discovered however Dr Cala mentioned a wig and a necklace Ms McRae wore may need prevented their look.
He agreed it was potential the absence of ligature marks is also as a result of strain was not utilized for very lengthy.
The Crown expects to shut its case on Friday.
Valencia is prone to start giving proof via a translator on Monday because the judge-alone trial continues earlier than Justice Dina Yehia.
-AAP
