Forensics expert reiterates skull fractures cause of Foray’s death
KUANTAN, July 31 — The Stephanie Foray murder trial at the High Court today was informed that it was impossible for the French tourist to have died from self-strangulation.
Tengku Ampuan Afzan Hospital forensics expert Dr Sri Marni Zainal Abidin was cross-examined by deputy public prosecutor Salim Soib @ Hamid as to whether the injury to the deceased’s neck could have been self-inflicted.
The 11th prosecution witness, Dr Sri Marni, responded that it was impossible although such a possibility existed, as there was a towel wound around the deceased’s neck.
“Although there’s such a possibility, in my opinion, it would be impossible for the deceased to have done it (wind the towel around her neck) herself because during the post-mortem I found the knot on the towel at the back of her neck,” she said.
Dr Sri Marni was resuming her testimony on the 17th day of the murder trial against Asni Omar, 37, who was charged with the murder of Foray at an unnumbered house in Kampung Tekek, Pulau Tioman, Rompin between 8pm on May 10 and noon of May 12 last year.
She also reiterated her previous opinion that the four fractures found on the skull of the deceased could have caused her death, ruling out any other significant illness such as a stroke or heart attack.
“The three fractures on the right side of her skull alone could have caused head injuries to skin, tissue and internal organs, including the brain. It could also have caused injuries to the mouth cavity, tissue, skin and surrounding organs which could have damaged the airways and constricted breathing,” she said.
Defence lawyer Muhammad Hisham Abdul Rahim then asked the witness if the deceased had been a victim of sexual violence, as swabs were taken from her private parts during the post-mortem.
Dr Sri Marni answered that the swabs were important to ascertain if there was any sexual attack, especially since the deceased was a woman.
The trial before Judge Datuk Mariana Yahya resumes tomorrow. — Bernama
