Simone Sanderson had defensive wounds on hands, pathologist testifies at murder trial

Simone Sandersonhad defensive wounds on both of her hands when the 23-year-oldwoman died, the pathologist who conducted her autopsy told a Winnipeg courtroom Tuesday.

Testifying atKyllanEllis's second-degree murder trial,Dr. CharlesLittman said Sanderson had cuts on both of her palms.

"In my opinion that could be explained by trying to grab a knife cutting edge," he told the court.

On Monday, the first day of Ellis's trial,court heard that afilleting knife and a knife sheath were found near Sanderson'sbody when it was discovered in an empty lot at the corner of Winnipeg's Main Street and Burrows Avenue in 2012.

Police chargedEllis with second-degree murder in April 2016 and a sample of his DNA was taken.He has pleaded not guilty.

A DNA expert testified Tuesday morning that Ellis's DNA was not a match with any of the evidence collectedwhere Sanderson'sbody was found, including the knife.

Michelle LeBlanc,a scientist in the RCMP forensic laboratory, said only Sanderson'sDNA was found on the bloody knife and sheath.

She also examined evidence taken from Ellis's car and testified that there was no match withSanderson'sDNA.

'Significant force'

Littmantold the jury of five women and seven men at Winnipeg's Court of Queen's Bench that Sandersondied of blunt and sharp force trauma.

He said she had four fractures to her head and neck area, including two fractures to her jawbone.

"The jawbone is the strongest bone in the head, stronger than the skull," he testified."It takes a significant amount of force to damage the jaw."

Littman said it ishis opinion that all four fractures were caused within a short amount of time.

Ellis's lawyer, Mike Cook, asked the pathologist if an injury classified as blunt force trauma could be caused by a fall. Littmansaid thatis possible.

Sanderson's body was in advanced stages of decay when it was discovered and Littmancould not say exactly what type of force caused the fatal injuries.

He said the only way to determine how long the body had been in the lot would beto examine the bugs found on Sanderson.

A Winnipeg police forensic investigatortold the jury on Monday that maggots and other bugs were collected from Sanderson'sbody and from below the body, as well as from the area nearby.

The Crown will call an entomologist to testify later in Ellis's trial.

Several police officers are also scheduled to testify.

Court previously heard surveillance videocollected from five cameras at two Main Street buildingswill be introduced as evidence.

The trial continues Wednesday.

Pathologist testifies Simone Sanderson's body had defensive wounds

6 years ago

Duration 1:24

Simone Sanderson had defensive wounds on both of her hands when the 23-year-old woman died, the pathologist who conducted her autopsy told a Winnipeg courtroom Tuesday.