The state calls its second reply witness, MUSC forensic pathologist Dr. Ellen Riemer.
Riemer reminds the jury she has performed about 5,500 autopsies, including a few since she was last here to testify in this case.
That cross-examination of Crosby was probably Harpootlian's most effective work since the trial began.
Riemer testifies that the defense’s experts used skin tags to judge the direction of the shotgun blast that killed Paul. She says skin tags are not reliable, especially when on soft tissue.
If the fatal shotgun blast had been a contact wound to the back of Paul’s head, Riemer testifies, the damage to Paul’s skull would have been much worse. His face would not have been left intact as it was, she testifies.
“There is no way that these features are consistent with a contact shotgun wound to the head,” Riemer says. Also, she says, the wounds on Paul’s shoulder and neck are consistent with entry wounds.
Riemer repeatedly and forcefully disagrees with the defense expert witness we heard from yesterday. Waters is done questioning her. Harpootlian is back up for cross-examination.
We are on a short break. Harpootlian has become combative with Dr. Riemer, and she is giving it right back. I think this might be a trend today.
On second read of that reversal by the judge, it appears the media pool is only visiting Moselle *after* the jury visit. So we won’t be there to see the jury take it in. I don’t really see the point.
