Forensic pathologist details fatal head injuries in Choi trial
Bastillepost · 6 SOURCESabout 1 hour ago2 MIN
Summary
The High Court heard detailed forensic evidence in the murder trial over the death of Abby Choi, whose former husband, former father-in-law and former brother-in-law deny murder. Forensic pathologist Kwok Ka-ki said Choi had seven head injuries inflicted before death, including two groups of potentially fatal injuries: a depressed fracture on the right side of the skull and multiple fractures to the right cheekbone, upper jaw and lower jaw. She said the skull injury was more likely caused by forceful blows from a blunt object than by the head being slammed into a blunt surface, although she accepted that impact with a vehicle handgrip was possible. The prosecution has now closed its case, with the defence case set to start on Monday, November 9.
Key Points
- Kwok Ka-ki, a senior forensic doctor, said Choi’s right-sided depressed skull fracture caused severe intracranial bleeding and could have been fatal within one hour.
- She also identified multiple fractures to the right cheekbone, upper jaw and lower jaw, saying bleeding into the airway could cause suffocation within about five minutes.
- Kwok said all seven head injuries showed bleeding and were therefore inflicted before death; if caused after death, they would not have produced heavy bleeding.
- In the kitchen, she found a severed head and suspected body parts in two metal soup pots containing greasy brown liquid and soft carrot pieces, indicating the head had been cooked.
- She said both legs had been cut from the torso with a sharp instrument after death, while tissue fragments were also found in the bathroom and on an electric saw.
Why It Matters
The forensic evidence goes directly to the central dispute over how Choi sustained her fatal injuries and whether the prosecution can link them to a particular weapon or sequence of events. For Hong Kong readers, the next stage of the trial is significant because the defence is now expected to challenge the prosecution’s reconstruction after weeks of technical medical and crime-scene testimony.