Baden-Clay trial: murder accused’s wife did not drown, expert witness says
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Version 0 of 1. Brisbane mother Allison Baden-Clay did not drown, an expert witness has told the murder trial of her husband, Gerard Baden-Clay. Retired university professor Jacob John, an expert on microscopic algae, said he examined a piece of bone, some bone marrow and some liver tissue from Mrs Baden-Clay's body. The 43-year-old's remains were found on a creek bank on April 30, 2012, 10 days after her husband reported her missing and 11 days after she was last seen alive. John told the Brisbane supreme court microscopic algae called diatoms are present in all bodies of water and if someone drowns diatoms are inevitably found in parts such as the liver, kidney and bone marrow. He said a water sample from the Kholo Creek, near where Mrs Baden-Clay's body was found, showed there was a diatom "bloom" in the water but he could not find any in the samples he was given. "The subject concerned did not drown in Kholo Creek or anywhere," John concluded. "There was no evidence of drowning at all." Earlier, a forensic entomologist estimated the mother-of-three had been dead for between three and 11 days before she was found. Professor James Wallman said he examined fly and maggot specimens taken from Mrs Baden-Clay's remains. Based on their size and age he estimated they must have present for three to four days, if the air temperature was high. If the temperature was cooler the insects could have been on Mrs Baden-Clay's body longer, he said. He agreed with Crown prosecutor Danny Boyle that the insect evidence was consistent with Mrs Baden-Clay being dead for 11 days. The trial continues. |