Forensic pathologist testifies at Kitchener murder trial
The forensic pathologist who conducted the autopsy on Melinda Vasilije took the stand Tuesday morning as the trial of Ager Hasan continues into its third week.
The jury previously heard Vasilije was found dead in her County Hill Drive apartment in Kitchener with dozens of stab wounds.
Her ex-boyfriend, Hasan, is charged with second-degree murder in her death.
The autopsy was done on April 28, 2017, the day Vasilije was killed.
Dr. Linda Kocovski performed the autopsy.
She told the jury that a total of 47 stab wounds were found on Vasilije’s body. Kocovski determined the cause of death was multiple stab wounds to the neck and chest.
The stab wounds appeared to be concentrated on her upper body, with 27 of them on her neck, six on her chest and the rest on her face, back and arms.
In particular, Kocovski determined two stab wounds to the chest would have been fatal.
While Hasan has pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder, he has pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter.
The Crown did not accept that plea as they continue to try and make their case that Hasan murdered his former girlfriend.
WRPS DETECTIVE TESTIFIES
Earlier in the day, the jury heard from Waterloo Regional Police Detective Oliver Ammendolia, who was involved in analyzing electronic devices seized after Hasan’s arrest.
Ammendolia was able to retrieve data from a cell phone and computer hard drive belonging to Hasan.
Among the items found on the phone, were photos and videos showing injured hands. The files were saved in May 2017.
There was also a screenshot of what appears to be e-mail correspondence with Regional Police detective Peter Collison, reading, “If you do contact a lawyer you can have them call me as well.”
In cross-examination, Hasan’s lawyer Scott Reid submitted another video found on the computer hard drive as an exhibit, showing Hasan in a vehicle, pointing out injuries to his left wrist.
That video was put on the computer on May 23, 2017.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Invasive and toxic hammerhead worms make themselves at home in Ontario
Ontario is now home to an invasive and toxic worm species that can grow up to three feet long and can be dangerous to small animals and pets.
Opinion I just don't get Taylor Swift
It's one thing to say you like Taylor Swift and her music, but don't blame CNN's AJ Willingham's when she says she just 'doesn't get' the global phenomenon.
Decoy bear used to catch man who illegally killed a grizzly, B.C. conservation officers say
A man has been handed a lengthy hunting ban and fined thousands of dollars for illegally killing a grizzly bear, B.C. conservation officers say.
Britney Spears settles long-running legal dispute with estranged father, finally bringing ultimate end to conservatorship
Britney Spears has reached a settlement with her estranged father more than two years after the court-ordered termination of a conservatorship that had given him control of her life, their attorneys said.
Haida elder suing Catholic Church and priest, hopes for 'healing and reconciliation'
The lawyer for a residential school survivor leading a proposed class-action defamation lawsuit against the Catholic Church over residential schools says the court action is a last resort.
Last letters of pioneering climber who died on Everest reveal dark side of mountaineering
George Mallory is renowned for being one of the first British mountaineers to attempt to scale the dizzying heights of Mount Everest during the 1920s. Nearly a century later, newly digitized letters shed light on Mallory’s hopes and fears about ascending Everest.
It's 30 years since apartheid ended. South Africa's celebrations are set against growing discontent
South Africa marked 30 years since the end of apartheid and the birth of its democracy with a ceremony in the capital Saturday that included a 21-gun salute and the waving of the nation's multicolored flag.
opinion RFK Jr.'s presidential candidacy and its potential threat to Biden and Trump
Although it's still unclear how much damage Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s candidacy can do to either Joe Biden or Donald Trump this election, Washington political columnist Eric Ham says what is clear is both sides recognize the potential threat.
An emergency slide falls off a Delta Air Lines plane, forcing pilots to return to JFK in New York
An emergency slide fell off a Delta Air Lines jetliner shortly after takeoff Friday from New York, and pilots who felt a vibration in the plane circled back to land safely at JFK Airport.