#PelserTrial: Pathologist gives graphic testimony (not for sensitive readers)
Fall ruled out.
At about 2.40pm yesterday (12 December) forensic specialist, Dr Gina Stewart, took the stand in the Marthinus Pelser murder trial.
She expertly gave graphic evidence of the numerous injuries baby Deon Rothman sustained – injuries ranging from bruises and burns (40,5 per cent of his body was covered in burns) to haemorrhages and fractures. Her major finding was that the baby’s death was caused by blunt force trauma but that strangulation, burning with a hot liquid and violent shaking could not be ruled out.
Trial Day 6: #PelserTrial: The wait continues
Time after time when describing different injuries she denied that they could have been caused by a fall. (Keep in mind that in his statement, the murder-accused father said he heard a sound “like something falling” when the mother, Bianca, was alone with the baby in his room on the fateful afternoon).
She discussed injuries to his chest, ribs, eyes, nose, brain, liver, heart, pancreas, ankles, skull and more. There were extensive haemorrhages on and inside his body.
Trial Day 6: Final witness for state yet to testify
Throughout the proceedings, family members and supporters could be heard sobbing softly in the gallery.
Stewart will be cross-examined today and it is believed that Pelser will testify.
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