Home The Big Stories Defence probes medical testimony in personal trainer murder trial

Defence probes medical testimony in personal trainer murder trial

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Deceased Christopher Smithers

By Latrishka Thomas

Medical professionals provided key testimony yesterday in the ongoing murder trial of Berle Wallace Jr., who stands accused of fatally stabbing 36-year-old personal trainer Christopher Smithers in March 2022.

Courtney Kellman, an Advanced Emergency Medical Technician with eight years’ experience, testified that his team arrived at St John’s Street within 10 minutes of receiving the stabbing call on the evening of March 1, 2022.

Upon assessment, Kellman found the victim lying face down on the right side of the road with “no pulse and agonal breathing caused by cardiac arrest”.

He explained that “the brain stem was still giving reflex action of breathing”, and noted an object in the victim’s left lower quadrant.

Dr Auriel Aaron of Sir Lester Bird Medical Center testified that despite continued resuscitation attempts after the patient arrived at the facility, they were unable to revive Smithers.

During cross-examination, defence attorney Wendel Alexander focused on proper protocol for handling stabbing victims. When questioned about knife removal procedures, Dr Aaron stated that doctors avoid removing weapons due to unknown blade configurations, explaining that such removals should occur during surgical procedures.

Alexander highlighted a discrepancy in testimony regarding the victim’s position, noting that police reports indicated finding the deceased in a foetal position, while Emergency Medical Services found him face down.

The defence also pursued questioning about toxicology testing, though Dr Aaron could not provide definitive answers about whether tests were even conducted, citing delegated responsibilities among medical staff.

Alexander subsequently requested access to the doctor’s contemporaneous notes and reports.

Earlier trial testimony from a witness described the fatal altercation outside Pita Pocket Restaurant, stating that Smithers initiated physical contact by throwing the first punch before Wallace allegedly obtained a knife and stabbed him. The incident reportedly occurred after both men had been viewing Smithers’ phone.

The prosecution, led by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution, expects to call more than 25 witnesses during the approximately two-week trial.

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