Opinion ID: 2600609
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Expert Testimony on Kesha's Injuries

Text: Three physicians testified as expert witnesses on Kesha's injuries. Dr. H. Howard Kusumoto, a pediatrician who specialized in examining suspected victims of physical child abuse, was the child abuse medical examiner who examined Kesha in the emergency room on the night she died. He observed several burns, contusions, and puncture wounds on Kesha's body. He also observed her autopsy the next day. Her internal injuries were caused by a concentrated, very strong force, comparable to the injury a child would suffer forcefully hitting the dashboard of a car during a traffic accident. Her injuries could have been caused by hitting or kicking, but kicking was more likely. In Dr. Kusumoto's opinion, based on the type of injuries, they were caused by a man, most likely with the front part of his foot. He also opined that the pain caused by Kesha's internal injuries would have been excruciating. Kesha's burns were caused by a viscous liquid, which was hotter than boiling water, and which was either poured or painted on her body. The burns were caused by separate applications, and, given the number of burns, they would have been very painful. The burns were irregularly shaped but very well defined, with no evidence of splashing or spilling beyond the edges. This indicated that she was unable to move when the burns were applied. A pediatrician who specialized in burns, Dr. Matt Young, reviewed the photographs of Kesha's burns. Many of the burns on her chest, neck, chin, and back were third degree burns. Dr. Young opined that, based on their distribution and their depth, the burns were caused by a viscous, sticky liquid, such as hot grease or hot butter. Unlike water, viscous liquids do not drip off the skin, and because grease or oil reaches a higher temperature before boiling than water, it creates a deeper burn. The pattern of the burns indicated that the viscous liquid was intentionally poured or dripped on her. The burns could not have been the result of one accidental event because there were burns both on the back of the neck and under the chin. This also indicated that the child had to change positions, or had her position changed, between these two burns. There were burns on her genitalia and on her back, which also indicated that her position was changed between these sets of burns. In the doctor's opinion, the pattern of the burns was incompatible with an accidental spilling of butter or grease on the victim. The doctor stated that the severity of burn pain is incomparable. The prosecution's final expert witness was Dr. Roger Williams, a physician specializing in pediatric pathology and child abuse. He reviewed the death certificate, autopsy report, and investigative reports of Kesha's death, together with slides, photographs, and X-rays. All of Kesha's bruises were fresh, that is, they occurred two days or less from the time of her death (with the exception of the injury around her left eye, which was at least four days old). The pattern of bruises indicated abuse rather than accidental bruising. Consistent with the prior medical testimony, Dr. Williams testified he believed the burns were caused by a hot viscous liquid, because the burns had uniform sharply demarcated edges and did not display the runny or splattering characteristics one would expect with water. In Dr. Williams's opinion, because the burning material was applied at right angles to the skin and there was no indication of a downward flow of the material, each burn was applied separately, with the victim in a restrained position. He observed that the genitalia is an area where burning does not easily occur accidentally, since the legs are typically held together. In his opinion, in order for the victim to have suffered the large burn she received in this area, Kesha's pelvis would have to be tilted upwards, and her legs spread apart at the time of the burn. He stated that Kesha's fatal internal injuries resulted from a heel stomp, a really forceful kick and a very powerful punch, and that at least two blows, possibly more, were involved.