Opinion ID: 166193
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Dr. Hemphill's Trial Testimony

Text: 15 Dr. Hemphill testimony at trial was somewhat limited. On direct examination, he testified that the cause of death was asphyxiation by ligature. VII Aplt.App. at 2078. Elaborating, Dr. Hemphill noted: 16 Based on the circumstances under which the body was found, that is that it was partially suspended by this ligature being tied to a clothes bar or something like that in a closet, that she was lying face down with her face slightly off the floor, partially suspended in that sense, it's my opinion that suspension or partial suspension as in hanging probably played a major part in the mechanism, that is in putting enough pressure from this ligature on the blood vessels of the neck to cause asphyxiation. 17 Id. at 2079. Dr. Hemphill further testified to his opinion that overwhelming evidence indicated that Mrs. Launhardt's death was a homicide. Id. at 2083. In other words, somebody else did this to her, she didn't do it to herself. Id. However, the doctor continued: 18 Beyond that there's not a whole lot more that I can say. I don't know how many people were involved. I don't have any evidence to indicate that. I don't know exactly what the person did. In what sequence and what he might have said or anything else. 19 All I can say is that this evidence indicates that someone killed this person by partially suspending her by the neck while she was bound and face down in the position which she was found. 20 Id. at 2084. Dr. Hemphill's sole testimony relating to the manner of death occurred in the following exchange. 21 Q: (By Mr. Gillert [the prosecutor]) Let me ask you this hypothetical: If someone were to bind her hands behind her and bind her feet as she was found, tie the ligature around her neck and tie it to the pole with the length of the rope, would it be consistent with your findings that they suspended the person by some lower extremity while they hung to affect the death in the manner in which you found, is that consistent? 22 A: Yes. As far as I can see, it would be consistent. 23 Id. at 2084-85. 24 Finally, Dr. Hemphill testified to the time of death based on the condition of the body, placing the victim's death at approximately 72 hours prior to discovery of her body. Id. at 2102. However, Dr. Hemphill qualified his testimony by stating: 25 So understanding that other evidence might—other evidence of a definitive nature might turn out—turn up somewhere, I don't know of any, but it might turn up indicating that this is not correct. My best estimate would be that probably somewhere between the time shortly after the time of disappearance and about 72 hours prior to her being found is when death occurred. 26 Id. 27 The record discloses that throughout Dr. Hemphill's testimony, defense counsel vigorously objected on numerous grounds. See, e.g., id. at 2079-84 (objecting as to Dr. Hemphill's opinion of most likely explanation of death and the doctor's reliance on Waller's statement), at 2085 (moving for mistrial after Dr. Hemphill obliquely referred to statement by Waller), at 2090 (same). In so doing, defense counsel was successful in limiting Dr. Hemphill's testimony as to simply whether the prosecution's theory was consistent with the evidence, id. at 2082, and in obtaining a court admonishment that the jury should disregard the doctor's reference to Waller's statement. Id. at 2085. 28 Defense counsel's cross-examination of Dr. Hemphill was indeed brief, as she repeatedly iterated it would be. Id. at 2103. Given its importance to our analysis, we reproduce it in its entirety. 29 Q First of all, Doctor, you have no medical evidence to show that the death occurred anywhere but Pawnee County; is that correct? 30 A That's correct. 31 Q Secondly, the larvae or maggots that you've testified about from your report, they vary in length from 2 millimeters to 1 centimeter? 32 A Let me just double check my notes. Yes, that is correct. 33 Q And you did not collect any of these; is that right? Preserve any of them? 34 A That's correct. 35 Q And finally, Doctor, you have no medical evidence that is inconsistent with Ms. Launhardt being tied, restrained in that closet in a sitting or standing position, correct? 36 A That's correct. 37 Id. at 2103-04. There was no redirect.