Forensic pathologist at Calgary murder trial says it's unlikely toddler Aliyah Sanderson died from a fall
A forensic pathologist says it's unlikely a toddler, found buried with her mother west of Calgary two years ago, died as a result of an accidental fall.
Deputy medical examiner Dr. Akmal Coetzee-Khan returned to the witness stand Wednesday at the trial of Robert Leeming.
Leeming, a 36-year-old British citizen, has pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the death of his girlfriend, Jasmine Lovett, but not guilty to second-degree murder in the death of 22-month-old Aliyah Sanderson.
Lovett and her daughter were reported missing in April 2019. The next month, police found their bodies in a shallow grave at a day-use area in Kananaskis Country, west of Calgary.
Leeming told police at the time that he and Lovett had been in a relationship after meeting online in 2018. She and her daughter moved in with him a month later.
Coetzee-Khan testified earlier at the trial that Aliyah died of blunt force injuries to her head while Lovett suffered three skull fractures and was shot in the head.
On Tuesday, the doctor was asked if the child's head and face injuries could be explained by a fall.
"It's not impossible to have blunt force traumatic injuries from a single fall. It would be very unlikely,'' said Coetzee-Khan.
He noted that if the girl had fallen forward, there should have been injuries to her arms. And if she had fallen backward, there should have been injuries to her buttocks.
"On Aliyah, we don't see any of those types of injuries ... so it doesn't seem like there was a fall where her arms and legs were involved in the process.''
During cross-examination, Leeming's lawyer, Balfour Der, suggested Aliyah's injuries could have been explained by a simple fall down some stairs.
"Could a tumble down stairs _ plural, not just a single fall _ cause these brain injuries and abrasions that you saw?'' Der asked.
"Yes, it could cause the head injuries if we're only talking about that ... not taking into account the rest of the body,'' Coetzee-Khan replied.
"If we're talking about a tumble down the stairs, one would expect to see bruising or abrasions against the same surface to your arms and legs.''
Coetzee-Khan said he ruled Aliyah's death a homicide for three reasons: her injuries, where her body was found and because nobody called 911 to get her help.
Der said there could be an "innocent explanation'' as to why someone wouldn't call 911. He added there are a lot of unanswered questions in the girl's death.
"You cannot tell this court how these injuries to Aliyah Sanderson were caused. You can't eliminate a fall versus being thrown against a wall, for example?'' Der said.
"I can't eliminate them,'' said Coetzee-Khan.
"I didn't think so. Thank you doctor,'' Der said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
AstraZeneca says it will withdraw COVID-19 vaccine globally as demand dips
AstraZeneca said on Tuesday it had initiated the worldwide withdrawal of its COVID-19 vaccine due to a 'surplus of available updated vaccines' since the pandemic.
'Summer of discontent': Federal unions vow to fight new 3-day a week office mandate
Federal unions are launching legal challenges and encouraging public sector workers to file "tens of thousands" of grievances over the new mandate requiring federal workers to return to the office at least three days a week in the fall.
Toronto police seek suspect vehicle after security guard shot outside Drake's mansion
Toronto police are seeking help from the public as they continue to investigate a shooting that seriously injured a security guard outside rapper Drake's mansion.
'Ozempic babies': Reports of surprise pregnancies raise new questions about weight loss drugs
Numerous women have shared stories of 'Ozempic babies' on social media. But the joy some experience in discovering pregnancies may come with anxiety about the unknowns.
OPINION What King Charles' schedule being too 'full' to accommodate son suggests
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
Seafood, eat food: Calgary Stampede releases Midway menu
The Calgary Stampede has released its menu of sweet, salty and spicy treats available on the Midway for the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.
Boy Scouts of America is rebranding. Here's why they've changed their name
After more than a century, Boy Scouts of America is rebranding as Scouting America, another major shakeup for an organization that once proudly resisted change.
These snakes not only fake their own deaths, they use gory special effects to do it
Awards season may be over for human actors this year, but there’s no rest for some of nature’s most audacious thespians.