Two moderately severe blows to the skull most likely caused the death of pregnant Ngunguru woman Natasha Tana-Brind, a pathologist told the High Court in Whangarei today.
George Aaron Marson, 37, is on trial before Justice Nicholson and a jury of six men and six women for the murder of his 23-year-old partner in their home on August 19 last year.
Pathologist Jane Vuletic told the court a post-mortem revealed two cuts or lacerations on the back of Ms Tana-Brind's scalp, beneath which were two skull fractures.
Dr Vuletic said it was highly probable a claw hammer had caused the injury.
Such a hammer had been found at the scene and produced in court.
The injury ultimately caused Ms Tana-Brind's death, she said.
A makeshift noose found around the young woman's neck had caused some abrasions but was unlikely to have caused her death.
The examination also showed the deceased was about 12 weeks pregnant.
She was already dead when the car in which her body was found was set alight, the witness said.
Cross-examined by defence counsel Ken Bailey, Dr Vuletic acknowledged other bruising injuries to the deceased's face could have been caused by her face hitting articles on the floor of the car as she was hit on the back of the head.
The trial continues.
- NORTHERN ADVOCATE
Pathologist testifies in Northland murder trial
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