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World's End murders: 90-year-old witness at murder trial World's End murders: 90-year-old witness at murder trial
(about 3 hours later)
A 90-year-old retired forensic pathologist has given evidence in the trial of a man accused of murdering two teenage girls 37 years ago.A 90-year-old retired forensic pathologist has given evidence in the trial of a man accused of murdering two teenage girls 37 years ago.
Dr Robert Nagle was appearing as a witness in the trial of Angus Sinclair at the High Court in Livingston.Dr Robert Nagle was appearing as a witness in the trial of Angus Sinclair at the High Court in Livingston.
Mr Sinclair denies raping and murdering Helen Scott and Christine Eadie, who were last seen at the World's End pub in Edinburgh on 15 October 1977.Mr Sinclair denies raping and murdering Helen Scott and Christine Eadie, who were last seen at the World's End pub in Edinburgh on 15 October 1977.
Dr Nagle said that someone had knelt on Ms Eadie and throttled her.Dr Nagle said that someone had knelt on Ms Eadie and throttled her.
He said the injuries on the murdered 17-year-old were consistent with someone who had been repeatedly punched and subjected to blunt force injuries. He told the court that he and a colleague carried out post-mortem examinations on both girls a few days after their bodies had been discovered.
And Dr Nagle, who had carried out the post mortem on Ms Eadie after her body was discovered, agreed that a ligature had been put around her neck and a gag over her mouth and she was strangled and asphyxiated. Reports they compiled in both cases detailed the girls' injuries, internally and externally.
Stealing clothing Pinpoint haemorrhaging
He said the injuries on the murdered 17-year-olds were consistent with someone who had been repeatedly punched and subjected to blunt force injuries.
In Ms Eadie's case, they included pinpoint haemorrhaging, abrasions, scratches, a "ligature track" around the neck, bruising to the mouth and pressure marks on the upper thighs, the court heard.
In most cases, the injuries would have been caused by an assailant, he told the court.
The pathologists' report, read to the court by Lord Advocate Frank Mulholland, who is prosecuting the case, concluded in Ms Eadie's case: "From our examination we are of the opinion that death was due to asphyxia due to strangulation with a ligature and by gagging of the mouth."
Mr Mulholland went on to ask the witness: "Are the injuries consistent with Christine Eadie being repeatedly punched, subjected to blunt force injury, someone kneeling on her with their hands around her neck, throttling her and placing a ligature around her neck, with a gag in her mouth and asphyxiating and strangling her?"
Dr Nagle agreed.
The court also heard details of Ms Scott's injuries, including scratches, a ligature mark and one injury consistent with a shoe "stomping on the left side of her head".
The report on her post-mortem examination, also read to the jury, concluded: "As a result of our examination, we are of the opinion that the death was due to asphyxia, consequent upon strangulation."
'Repeated punching'
Questioning the witness, Mr Mulholland asked: "She had injuries consistent with repeated punching, injuries consistent with stomping, an injury which could be consistent with kicking, is that correct?"
"Yes," replied Dr Nagle.
The prosecutor continued: "She also had injuries consistent with throttling, someone placing their hands around her neck, and also injuries consistent with the application of a ligature around her wrists during life and also around her neck during life?
"And as a result of asphyxia, throttling, strangling, has caused her death?"
Again, Dr Nagle agreed.
Mr Sinclair is alleged to have gagged the girls, bound their wrists and tied a ligature around their necks.Mr Sinclair is alleged to have gagged the girls, bound their wrists and tied a ligature around their necks.
He denies inflicting blunt force injuries on Ms Eadie by repeatedly punching and kicking her on the body and biting her.He denies inflicting blunt force injuries on Ms Eadie by repeatedly punching and kicking her on the body and biting her.
He also denies forcing Ms Scott to walk barefoot into a field, ripping the strap from her handbag, repeatedly punching and kicking her on the head and body and stamping on her head.He also denies forcing Ms Scott to walk barefoot into a field, ripping the strap from her handbag, repeatedly punching and kicking her on the head and body and stamping on her head.
And he denies stealing clothing, footwear, jewellery and other personal effects from the teenagers in an attempt to pervert the course of justice.And he denies stealing clothing, footwear, jewellery and other personal effects from the teenagers in an attempt to pervert the course of justice.
Mr Sinclair has lodged three special defences, of incrimination, consent and alibi.Mr Sinclair has lodged three special defences, of incrimination, consent and alibi.
The trial continues.The trial continues.