A father found dead in his flat had 21 different injuries, including nine stab wounds, a court heard yesterday.
Darren Barnes, known as Riley, is accused of murdering Robert Reid at his home in Arnage Place, Aberdeen.
As the Crown case against Riley, 29, closed yesterday evidence was given by forensic pathologist Dr Matthew Lyall.
Advocate depute James Keegan QC showed the court images from a postmortem examination and Dr Lyall described 21 different injuries, including nine stab wounds mainly to the left side of his torso.
Stab wounds caused damage to Mr Reid’s lungs, liver and kidney among other organs, the court heard. One of the injuries was described as “a knife exit wound”.
Regarding an injury to Mr Reid’s hand, Dr Lyall said: “The appearance of the one on the hand is quite typical of something we would call a defence wound.
“What we would mean by that is this is an injury related to the victim of this injury taking action to defend themselves.”
Further to the 21 injuries, there was some bruising on Mr Reid’s knuckles.
Reading from a report he had produced with a colleague, Dr Lyall said: “We are of the opinion that this man died of stab wounds to the chest and abdomen.”
He went on to say that all 21 injuries could have been caused by a knife.
Riley’s defence QC Ian Duguid brought up evidence from a previous witness, who mentioned Mr Reid being “stabbed” 21 times, but Dr Lyall confirmed that this was not correct.
He went on to ask: “Any one of these injuries individually would be survivable with prompt medical attention, is that correct?”
Dr Lyall replied: “Potentially.”
Riley, whose address was given in court papers as Don Place, Woodside, Aberdeen, is charged with murdering Mr Reid on October 26, 2016 by repeatedly striking him to the head and body with a knife or similar instrument.
He has entered a not guilty plea along with a special defence of self defence.
The trial continues.
