14/06/2012

McAreavey Murder Trial Told Cause Of Death Was Asphyxiation

The Michaela McAreavey murder trial heard today that the cause of death was asphyxiation due to compression of the neck

The chief police medical officer in Mauritius was giving evidence in the Supreme Court this morning. The doctor told of performing an autopsy on Jan 10 last year, the day of the murder, and deciding that the 27-year-old Co Tyrone woman had died as the result of pressure from the grip of a hand as well as pressure from a forearm.

The doctor told the jury that the pressure had been applied for one to two minutes and gave further details of the evidence that led to his conclusion.

Asked by the prosecution lawyer if death could have been caused by ligature strangulation, using a belt, cloth, strap or string, the doctor ruled this out and said he was 100% sure this did not happen.

In response to a question from the foreman of the jury, the doctor said predicting time of death is not an exact science but he estimated that death took place between 2.30pm and 3pm on the day concerned.

Tomorrow is day 19 of the trial in which two local hotel workers Avinash Treebhoowoon, 31, and Sandip Moneea, 42, are accused of murdering Michaela McAreavey.

The prosecution claims the defendants murdered Mrs McAreavey at around 2.45pm when she walked in and disturbed them stealing.

The pair deny the charges.

(H)

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