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
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Federal government grants B.C.'s request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces
The federal government is granting British Columbia's request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces, nearly two weeks after the province asked to end its pilot project early over concerns of public drug use.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had with him in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
MPs agree Canadian gov't should improve new disability benefit
The federal government needs to safeguard the incoming Canada Disability Benefit from clawbacks and do more to ensure it actually meets the stated aim of lifting people living with disabilities out of poverty, MPs from all parties agree.
King Charles too busy to see son Prince Harry during U.K. trip
Prince Harry will not be seeing his father King Charles during his current visit to Britain as the monarch will be too busy, Harry's spokesperson said on Tuesday.
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America is changing its name for the first time in its 114-year history and will become Scouting America. It's a significant shift as the organization emerges from bankruptcy following a flood of sexual abuse claims and seeks to focus on inclusion.
opinion Tom Mulcair: Trudeau's handling of Poilievre's 'wacko' House turfing a clear sign of Liberal desperation
When Speaker Greg Fergus tossed out Pierre Poilievre from the House last week, "those of us who have experience as parliamentarians simply couldn't believe our eyes," writes former NDP leader Tom Mulcair in his column for CTVNews.ca
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
CFL suspends Argos QB Chad Kelly at least nine games following investigation
The CFL has suspended Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for at least nine regular-season games following its investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach against both the player and club.