Samantha Marques, who was allegedly fatally beaten by her husband, was pregnant at the time of her death.
This is according to Government Pathologist Dr. Nehaul Singh, who told the trial of Gavin Towler that he discovered Marques was pregnant during an autopsy he conducted on her body.
Towler, of Lot 153 Middle Road, La Penitence, is on trial for manslaughter before Justice Jo-Ann Barlow in the High Court.
It is alleged that he killed Marques between October 13th and October 19th, 2009. Marques was taken to a hospital on October 16th, several days after she was allegedly beaten and she was treated for her injuries and sent home. However, she continuously complained to several relatives about feeling unwell and returned to the hospital on October 19th, where she was admitted and subsequently died.
Singh, who was one of two witnesses to testify yesterday, said Marques died of subdural haematoma of the brain. When asked to clarify by the prosecutors, he said slapping could definitely cause it but “great amount of force” would cause the injury. The prosecutors are Michael Shahoud and Narissa Leander.
Towler represented himself and during his cross-examination of Singh asked whether he told the magistrate who presided over his preliminary inquiry, Fazil Aziz, that the injury could be caused by a fall. Upon answering in the affirmative, Towler asked for a reason. Dr. Singh explained that both left and right sides of the brain had haemorrhaged, which is consistent with a fall. There was evidence of an impact on the right side of the skull.
A police witness also testified yesterday about receiving the autopsy report.
The case continues today at 11am, when Towler is due to call witnesses.
