trial thread: 04/03/2012

[Sailor Bug]

A 3D replica version of the skull was prepared, to continue the examination.

3-dimensional representation made of the skull.

That has been entered into evidence.

 

[matou]

@AM980_Court

• A 3D replica version of the skull was prepared, to continue the examination.

 

[Wondergirl]

Michael Rafferty, 31, has pleaded not guilty to charges of first-degree murder, sexual assault causing bodily harm and abduction.

But if he was upset at Tuesday’s evidence, he gave no sign of it.

Wearing a purple shirt and a grey-and-purple tie – Tori’s favourite colour, routinely displayed by her family members – he sat in the prisoner’s box with his eyes closed, as though asleep.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news...ex-assault-occurred-jury-told/article2390767/

 

[Wondergirl]

Also in the garbage bags were the butterfly earrings she was wearing when she was abducted, together with a piece of a hair barrette and two plastic bottle caps.

The latter items are key because the prosecution contends that after raping and beating the child to death, Mr. Rafferty washed himself with water from two plastic water bottles.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news...ex-assault-occurred-jury-told/article2390767/

 

[Sailor Bug]

Pollanen had been told a hammer might have been used.

 

[Hello_Kitty]

Catching up.

I'm assuming that he is saying there weren't any visual signs of sexual assault, possibly signs when the biological samples were processed???

To me that's what it sounds like.

Yes, she did. What an interesting little detail to include. :waitasec: Why didn't they toss those caps in with the empty bottles and other evidence they removed from the scene? Sounds suspiciously like they were planted in there on purpose.

And if they did find MTR's fingerprints on them? It only proves that he was at the scene, which has already been suggested by the defence. Whether the water was drunk, or used to clean up, can never be determined. Either way, it proves nothing more than what has already been established. So far, at least.

JMO

AG, I find it hard to believe that in the rage of the moment TLM would have thought about planting evidence, or thinking about framing MTR for rape. Furthermopre, at that point she didn't even know she would be caught. JMO

 

[Sailor Bug]

Tests were then run to determine if the hammer caused the skull fractures. Used the same kind of hammer McClintic bought at Home Depot.

Pollanen obtained the type of hammer that might have been used in the attack.

 

[Wondergirl]

This is too much. The fetal position.

Stafford's mother, Tara McDonald, could be seen crying, while other family members consoled each other.


Pollanen explained the body was brown in colour due to natural decomposition and examiners could tell she was in a fetal position when she was buried.


Read more: http://www.canada.com/news/Tori+Sta...ic+testimony/6402840/story.html#ixzz1r0TYOOb4

 

[~n/t~]

Avery Moore‏@AveryFreeFMNews

Dr. Pollanen says he was told a specific brand of hammer was involved in Tori's death. He say he got a copy of the hammer. #Rafferty

 

[Sailor Bug]

Using a close up photo of impact site A (near the forehead) Pollanen explains how the damage appears to be caused by hammer's claw end.

Wound on skull was consistent with it being struck by claws of hammer, Pollanen said.

Slide shows a hammer's claw the fits in to a damaged portion of the skull.

 

[Salem]

The problem is " reasonable doubt "... without DNA or some sort or forensic evidence all the Crown has is TLM. If I were on the jury - I don't "think" that I could convict on TLM alone.... MOO sorry

Still hoping for DNA !

I too am still hoping for DNA but I think the Crown has more than just TLM's testimony. They have also placed MR at the scene. Tori was found without clothing - important pieces of clothing that can lead to the inference that a sexual assault occurred. Why else wouldn't she have her undergarments and her pants - BUT have her shirt?

Some coincidences can be explained away, but when you follow the steps all along the way and you get to a result that makes sense, it disspells the reasonable doubt.

JMO,

Salem

 

[~n/t~]

RaffertyLFP:
Wound on skull was consistent with it being struck by claws of hammer, Pollanen said. [via Twitter]



RaffertyLFP:
Pollanen obtained the type of hammer that might have been used in the attack. [via Twitter]

 

[swedie]

I don't recall seeing any media links to support that MR was collecting welfare, or that he is in receipt of legal aid. Do you happen to have a link for this? I would be interested in seeing it. TIA. :seeya:I do see that what you posted was yoo (your opinion only) but if there *is* some evidence to support the idea that MR was on welfare, and/or in receipt of legal aid, I'd still be interested to see it.

It is JMO that MR's trial, and every legal aspect of this case is on taxpayers dollars. We know just after his arrest he was appointed legal aid as it was in MSM. We do know MR was unemployed before his arrest. We have heard in MSM how he used his mother for financial gain as stated by DaveR MR's mother's common law boyfriend. Other people who knew MR claimed they had foot the bill on outing because MR was broke financially. According to an exgirlfriend MR stole $2000 from bank account. MR admitted to LE IIRC he had no job other than working under the table here and there. The guy was broke IMO and had no money to pay a lawyer. Therefore he would be entitled to financial aid which is paid through taxpayers money. :moo: MOHO, JMO. HTH

She said Rafferty, then unemployed, was nonetheless well dressed in the latest fashions. "It's kind of hard for someone without money but you could tell he wanted to look good to impress the ladies."

http://www.thestar.com/news/ontario/article/638574--tori-murder-accused-intelligent-and-weird

Neither has counsel and their application for legal aid is one of the reasons why the case has been held over.

HTH
http://www.theobserver.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1575825

 

[Wondergirl]

Dr. Michael Pollanen, Chief Forensic Pathologist for Ontario, arrives at the courthouse on London, Ontario April 3, 2012 to testify in the trial of Michael Rafferty, the accused in the death of eight year old Woodstock schoolgirl Tori Stafford.

http://news.nationalpost.com/2012/0...-assault-forensic-pathologist/?__lsa=be404acd

 

[matou]

@AM980_Court

• Slide shows a hammer's claw the fits in to a damaged portion of the skull.

 

[Sailor Bug]

Tori Stafford Trial: Coroner offers graphic autopsy details on murdered Ont. girl http://bit.ly/HKBYOx #ToriStafford #Rafferty

 

[Sailor Bug]

Pollanen says examiners reconstructed a model of the fractured skull and used a hammer to determine if it would fit in the skull wounds

When hammer was fitted to wounds on model of skull it matched.

Pollanen then demonstrates on the replica skull for the jury.

 

[nettie_82]

Dr. Michael Pollanen, Chief Forensic Pathologist for Ontario, arrives at the courthouse on London, Ontario April 3, 2012 to testify in the trial of Michael Rafferty, the accused in the death of eight year old Woodstock schoolgirl Tori Stafford.

http://news.nationalpost.com/2012/0...-assault-forensic-pathologist/?__lsa=be404acd

While I am so glad I don't have his job, I am certainly thankful there are people in this world who can do what he does.

Thank you Dr. Michael Pollanen.

 

[snoofer]

Remember TLM's testimony is evidence. She stated MR used bottled water to wash Tori's blood of his appendage. Then he had the audacity to use her white puffy coat to finish the clean up. I sure hope little Tori fought like crazy and injured MR enough to draw blood. Could that be why Tori ended up on the ground, because she injured MR and he got mad and threw her from the car? :what:MR was obviously bleeding from somewhere in order for his blood to be present on his gym bag. Maybe MR injured himself while swing the hammer?:waitasec: Maybe the water bottle lids had traces of blood or semen. Maybe with all the fighting and screaming Tori was doing, MR couldn't get off and he produce no semen? Just a thought. Here's hoping some showing sexual assault happened because that will certain seal this case and prove his guilt. IMHO.

or maybe his "cold sore" was bleeding :what:

 

[~n/t~]

Linda Nguyen‏@LindaNguyenPN
Pollanen says examiners reconstructed a model of the fractured skull and used a hammer to determine if it would fit in the skull wounds