Dr. Jonathan Eisenstat, an expert in forensic pathology, contested the accuracy of Colleton County Coroner Richard Harvey’s claim of estimated time of death and testified Monday morning that Paul and Maggie were not killed in the exact manner in which two of the State’s experts described. Rather they were shot execution style in point blank range or contact blasts to the skull. He then continued to theorize that two shooters killed Paul and Maggie.
Forensic pathology is a medical specialty that involves investigating the cause and manner of death in cases where foul play or other unusual circumstances are suspected. Forensic pathologists are often called upon to provide expert witness testimony in criminal trials, where their expertise can help shed light on the circumstances surrounding a death.
State of South Carolina v. Richard Alexander Murdaugh is an ongoing American criminal case in the fourteenth circuit of the South Carolina Circuit Court where upon, Murdaugh is accused of the murders of his wife and their 22-year-old son in June 2021. The trial began on January 25, 2023, with instructions from the judge and opening statements from the prosecution and defense.
Earlier in the trial, expert witnesses testified that there were no blood traces discovered on the shirt Murdaugh was wearing when police responded to the scene. State prosecutors now suspect that he cleaned up and changed clothes after the murders.
Murdaugh’s defense rested its case after the John Marvin testimony, then suddenly made a second motion to have the case thrown out with a “directed verdict.” It took Judge Clifton Newman less than half a minute to deny that second motion, as he had with the first motion made by Murdaugh’s team after the State rested.
On Tuesday, the State plans to call five witnesses in “reply,” or rebuttal, of testimony and evidence presented by the defense. Court officials say that these witnesses could include Colleton County Coroner Richard Harvey, and Murdaugh’s former law partners Ronnie Crosby and Mark Ball, who all previously testified.
One the reply stage is completed, the jury is expected to visit the crime scene at Moselle, and then begin hearing closing arguments from both sides, which could most of a full day.
The jury could be deliberating as early as Thursday, estimate court sources.
Dr. Jonathan Eisenstat, an expert in forensic pathology, disputed the accuracy of Colleton County Coroner Richard Harvey’s estimated time of death and testified Monday morning that Paul and Maggie were not killed in the exact manner in which two of the State’s experts said – but rather they were shot execution style in point blank range or contact blasts to the skull.
Eisenstat also testified that whoever shot Paul pressed the gun barrel into his skull and would have been covered with blood spatter and biological material, but he did admit that the Maggie’s shooter could have been much taller than she was.
Cross examination revealed that Eisenstat did not perform any direct testing on the bodies but relied on evidence and documents provided by the defense – while getting paid more than $10,000 for only two days in the courtroom.
Tim Palmbach, an expert in crime scene and blood spatter analysis, along with shooting incident reconstruction, echoed Eisenstat’s findings in every way – then took it a step further by theorizing that two shooters killed Paul and Maggie. He stated that the blow to Paul’s head would have actually stunned the shooter and perhaps even injured him by flying matter – rendering him unable to quickly kill the second victim, at least temporarily.
“The totality of the evidence suggests a two-shooter scenario,” said Palmback. “Why would one shooter bring two long weapons to an event?”
Cross examination raised the question of why crime scene evidence, such as the lack of shotgun pellets in the bottom of the dog kennel feed room door behind the victim, Paul, did not support his theory.
It is important to note that while expert witness testimony can be highly persuasive in a trial, it is ultimately up to the jury or judge to weigh the evidence and make a determination of guilt or innocence. Expert witnesses can provide important information and insights, but they do not make legal decisions or judgments themselves.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forensic_pathology
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