Opinion ID: 2626390
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Medical Testimony about Carol's Injuries

Text: Dr. Joseph Cogan, who performed the autopsy, testified that Carol was strangled to death, based on the following premortem injuries: Blood congestion and petechial hemorrhages in the jaw and face showed that pressure had been applied to the neck, and that circulation had stopped to the head, for a long time. Internal hemorrhaging from blunt force trauma appeared on both sides of the neck and around the eyes and ears. Carol's thyroid cartilage, or Adam's apple, was fractured an injury consistent with manual strangulation. However, the fracturing of the cricoid cartilage, which sits deeper in the neck, required greater pressure from a choke-hold maneuver. Dr. Cogan also linked certain marks on the front of Carol's neck to a ligature pulled from behind. Regarding nonlethal injuries, Dr. Cogan testified that two cuts on Carol's left hand were caused by a sharp instrument, and were consistent with defensive knife wounds. He also described abrasions and bruises on the extremities, two round marks or burns on the head, and bruising on the scalp. The skin on Carol's back had been scraped or dragged on a hard surface both before and after death. Dr. Cogan found multiple signs of sexual activity. There were two tears in the anal opening, as well as tears, contusions, and hemorrhaging inside the anal cavity. The anal injuries were inflicted before death, were caused by blunt force trauma, and were consistent with penile penetration. Dr. Cogan found no vaginal tears. Because the vaginal opening was marital, the lack of tearing was not inconsistent with forcible penetration. Some darkening or reddening of the labia could have been a contusion. Investigator Kitchings testified that she saw trauma in Carol's vaginal and anal areas at the crime scene. Kitchings also estimated the time of death by comparing air and liver temperatures at 3:30 p.m. on January 20, 1990, a few hours after Carol was found. She had most likely been dead for 15 hours (i.e., since 12:30 a.m. on January 20, 1990). However, she could have died anywhere from 12 to 20 hours earlier (i.e., between 7:30 p.m. on January 19, 1990 and 3:30 a.m. on January 20, 1990). The evidence included an autopsy report and attached toxicology report. The parties stipulated that Carol's toxicology tests revealed a .26 percent blood-alcohol content, a result indicating intoxication.