Personal trainer died of stab wound to heart: pathologist

Content of the article

The stab wound that killed Derek Szaflarski in a downtown confrontation was deep enough to puncture his heart and cause massive bleeding.

Content of the article

However, as described during Robert Ashley Williams’ second-degree murder trial on Thursday, that injury was one of five that injured the London personal trainer who died on May 26, 2018.

Williams pleaded not guilty. A jury heard of a brief, deadly scuffle in the entrance of a Richmond Street store between the two strangers who clashed after Szaflarski and two friends walked past Williams’ car.

After a confrontation that only lasted a few seconds, Szaflarski crossed the street where he collapsed. Williams drove off in his car and surrendered to police four days later.

Medical Examiner Edward Tweedie testified to what he found during Szaflarski’s autopsy. All injuries were on Szaflarski’s right side. One was a superficial chest wound that did not go into the chest cavity. Another was by his side and entered his liver.

Content of the article

Two were on his right arm, one at his shoulder and the other lower.

Only one wound was fatal, a blow about 15 centimeters deep in the chest wall, a lung and in the heart.

Tweedie stressed that he could not say in what order the wounds were inflicted. However, given the amount of blood spilled at the door of the store, he said the injuries would have been inflicted during the fight.

Tweedie’s report also included a toxicology scan that showed Szaflarski had cocaine and alcohol in his system at the time of his death.

Also noted were the medical interventions used in an attempt to save Szaflarski’s life, including the infusion of four units of blood.

The jury also heard from Diana Polley, a biologist with the Center for Forensic Sciences who handled the DNA analysis of evidence from the crime scene.

Content of the article

One item examined was a Toronto Blue Jays camo baseball cap that had been left in the doorway. DNA extracted from bloodstains on the outside of the hat matched Szaflarski. DNA found inside the rim matched Williams.

Ten blood samples taken by police on the doorstep all matched Szaflarski.

A swab outside the driver’s side of the car contained a mixture of the two men’s blood. Another mixture was detected on the driver’s side seat belt, the main contributor being Williams, with a second profile unknown. Szaflarski was ruled out.

The trial continues Friday.

[email protected]

twitter.com/JaneatLFPress