On the third day of testimony, a St. Thomas courtroom heard evidence from a forensic pathologist who examined the badly beaten body of Catlin Jennings. The examination on the 22-year-old Jennings was performed on the day after her body was removed from a home at 562 Kingsway Ave. in west London on July 5, 2023. Hours after her body was discovered police arrested and charged her one-time boyfriend, 53-year-old David Yates. As he testified, Dr. Michael Shkrum told the court about the extensive injuries the victim suffered with an estimated 200 wounds. He spoke about large cuts found on her head and testified, “Some of the lacerations or tears to the skull are semi circle...they could be caused by a hammer.” “You can see pretty extensive bruising and dark red areas around her eyes and cheeks,” Shkrum said as a photograph of her face was shown. “On the left cheek there is a laceration it goes through to inside the mouth,” he testified. The doctor said besides broken bones to a forearm and hand, which may have been defensive, “There is a fracture to the lower jaw and there are two other fractures.” When a photo of her back is shown he testified, “You see multiple abrasions or scrapes. A number appear semi-circular. I think there are 50 to 55.” Each time the images of Caitlin’s body were shown in the courtroom, spectators were warned that they are graphic and disturbing. Yates is facing a charge of second-degree murder and has pled not guilty. When Shkrum referred to some of the wounds he said, “The person was still alive, the heart was still beating when those injuries were sustained.” After a full examination of Jennings’ body was conducted, the doctor filed a report and concluded, “Multiple blunt force trauma injuries caused her death.” The Crown’s case against Yates resumes on Thursday.
