Court says sex worker’s surgery may have made punch deadly

A forensic pathologist told the court that, in theory, a surgical procedure could have contributed to the Sydney sex worker’s death.

But Alan Kalla, a forensic expert with NSW Health, said it was unusual.

Hector Enrique Valencia Valencia has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Kimberly McRae in Coogee’s apartment between January 7 and 14, 2020.

A 23-year-old Colombian citizen arrested on the Caribbean island of Aruba and extradited to Australia pleaded guilty to wrongful killing of a 69-year-old, but the king rejected a lesser plea in the NSW Supreme Court. .

Valencia barrister Claire Wasley claimed he never intended to kill McRae, but “lost control” after learning she was transgender at the age of 69, slashing her stomach and face. I hit

Dr. Carla was asked on Thursday by Crown Prosecutor Craig Everson SC about the opinion of the defense expert witnesses who compiled the report showing that the cause of death was unknown.

“Suffocation Incident”

“I disagree with that,” said Dr. Carla. “There is good evidence to raise the distinct possibility that the compression force on the neck caused the accidental asphyxiation,” he said.

However, he agreed that a single punch could explain the bruise on his neck and fracture of the thyroid cartilage.

An airway blockage was ruled out and McRae showed no signs of a stroke, but Dr. Cala said her brain was starting to rot and was difficult to test.

He reviewed photos and notes, but did not perform or supervise an autopsy.

In addition to the pressure on his neck, McRae had a scratch on his lower lip that was “highly suggestive” of asphyxiation.

“I think it’s a combination of the two,” he said.

Ms. Wasley asked Dr. Kara if the surgery Ms. McRae had to thin Adams Apple’s appearance meant that her thyroid cartilage was “not as tough.”

“It could have happened that way, but it would be an anomalous cause,” Dr. Cala said.

Wasley also asked how long it would take for someone to suffocate.

Closing of prosecution case

“No experiments are done in this area,” said Dr. Carla. “My understanding is that it can actually be very quick.”

Defense attorneys dispute claims that an electrical cord was found around McRae’s neck.

No ligature marks were found, but Dr. Carla said the wig and necklace Ms. McRae was wearing may have prevented their appearance.

He agreed that it is also possible that the pressure was not applied for so long that there were no ligature marks.

Crown plans to close the lawsuit on Friday.

With the judge-only trial continuing before Judge Dina Yehia, Valencia is likely to begin presenting evidence through translators on Monday.

-AAP