Forensic pathologist takes stand at Elfgard Oughtred’s second-degree murder trial

A forensic pathologist was called to the stand on Friday as Elfgard Oughtred faces a murder charge in the death of her husband. CTV’s Jeff Pickel reports.

A forensic pathologist testified about the results of an elderly man’s autopsy as his wife faces a second-degree murder charge for his death.

The Crown alleges Elfgard Oughtred, who was 79-years-old at the time, attacked her 82-year-old husband, Gordon Oughtred, with a hammer. The Crown has claimed Elfgard had a gambling addiction that put a significant amount of stress on the marriage.

On Friday, forensic pathologist Dr. Maliha Khara took the stand in Brantford, Ont. and spoke about Gordon’s injuries and his cause of death.

Dr. Khara said Gordon had wounds on his hands, arms, shoulders, head and face. She said all but one of the injuries appeared to be recent and had the characteristics of blunt trauma.

She said Gordon’s cause of death was an injury to the back of his head that fractured his skill and exposed bone fragments.

Dr. Khara was asked how much force it takes to break a bone with blunt force.

“The skull is very tough. It takes a significant amount of force,” she explained.

She said the wounds on Gordon’s hands and arms were likely defensive, but she also said she could not rule out that they were the result of a fall.

An Ontario Provincial Police blood splatter expert also testified on Friday.

The court was shown a series of crime scene photos depicting blood in the kitchen, the mud room and in the garage of the Oughtred’s home.

The trial is set to resume on Monday.