Share

Defence pathologist stands by his testimony on Courtney Pieters rape claims ( Warning: graphic details)

The defence pathologist, who found there were no injuries to three-year-old Courtney Pieters' genital area, could not explain how semen was found in her vagina.

He was testifying on Tuesday in the Western Cape High Court trial of Mortimer Saunders, the man accused of murdering and raping the toddler.

Saunders denied that he raped her while she was alive. In his plea explanation, Saunders admitted to the murder and claimed that he used his fingers to penetrate her vagina after she had already died.

During cross-examination, Dr Segeran Naidoo stood by his earlier testimony that the fissures he initially identified in his report were, in fact, the folds of her vaginal wall.

When prosecutor Esmerelda Cecil questioned whether he was aware that forensic analyst Lukhanyo Tiya had found semen in the little girl's vagina, Naidoo indicated that he had not been aware of this fact.

"My focus was not on the DNA. It has been on my field - pathology and medicine," he said.

On Monday, Naidoo said that, if the insertion of the fingers had occurred, there would be abrasions on the full circumference of the vagina.

ALSO READ: There are no injuries to Courtney Pieters' genital area - defence pathologist (WARNING: Graphic details)

Naidoo had earlier admitted that he was at a disadvantage because had not examined the body.

He used the post mortem photographs, the histology report, post mortem report and various affidavits as the basis for his findings.

Courtney's body was found in Epping Industria in May last year, nine days after she after she went missing from her Elsies River home.

Saunders admitted to feeding her ant poison to make her sick, before beating her and using a towel to cover her mouth.

He claims that he murdered her because he had "ill feelings" towards Courtney's mother, Juanita.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Do you think corruption-accused National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula will survive a motion of no confidence against her?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
No, her days are numbered
41% - 427 votes
Yes, the ANC caucus will protect her
59% - 608 votes
Vote
Rand - Dollar
18.93
+0.0%
Rand - Pound
23.90
+0.0%
Rand - Euro
20.40
+0.1%
Rand - Aus dollar
12.33
+0.1%
Rand - Yen
0.13
-0.0%
Platinum
908.05
+1.2%
Palladium
1,014.94
+1.3%
Gold
2,232.75
-0.0%
Silver
24.95
-0.1%
Brent Crude
87.00
+1.8%
Top 40
68,346
0.0%
All Share
74,536
0.0%
Resource 10
57,251
0.0%
Industrial 25
103,936
0.0%
Financial 15
16,502
0.0%
All JSE data delayed by at least 15 minutes Iress logo
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE