A FORENSIC pathologist who examined the body of a suspected murder victim cannot definitively say if there were ‘defence wounds’ or not, a jury has heard.

Bailey Heywood, 22, of Germander Way, allegedly stabbed Dale Bond, 45, twice in the chest at his home address in Mullein Road on the morning of March 13.

The pair were reportedly dating for a year prior to the incident.

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She has denied the charge of murder as well as an alternative charge of manslaughter.

During the third day of the trial on Wednesday (September 4), the jury heard from forensic pathologist Alexander Kolar.

He told the jury he could not say definitively whether Mr Bond had ‘defensive wounds’ or not.

"Forensic pathologists will pay attention to the hands to see if there are defensive injuries,” he said. “They may attempt to shield vital structures exposing the backs of hands or forearms.

"Or they may try to grasp at a blade causing injuries to the hands. If we see them we know someone is partially conscious or mobile.

"In this case, we've got no definitive sharp force injuries to the hands and forearms.”

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He stated that an injury located on Mr Bond’s hand, below the thumb, ‘could relate to a defensive grasp at a blade’ if it was caused by a ‘sharp force injury’ but he is unable to say for sure.

"Their presence [defence wounds] is always more helpful than their absence,” he added.

“If they are absent it may be they weren't able to defend themselves for whatever reason."

In cross-examination, Heywood’s defence barrister asked if a cluster of ‘unusual’ wounds found on Mr Bond’s shoulders could be considered defensive injuries if he had, for example, turned his back.

Dr Kolar said it is possible this is what the stab wounds are. He said people sometimes take a 'foetal position, exposing their back'. 

The jury also heard that Mr Bond was found with two main stab wounds. The first was 2.7cm in length and 5cm deep on his chest, near his armpit.

A second stab wound, described as the fatal injury which caused his death, was found on the upper part of his chest.

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It was 4.1cm in length and 2cm deep.

"Injury two is the fatal wound," Dr Kolar explained.

"The first reason is you've damaged major blood vessels. It's going to lose blood quickly and significantly.

"Damage to that blood vessel alone can cause death."

The trial continues this week with the defence case expected to start next week.