Court told victim suffered 'extreme trauma'

A silent courtroom was this morning shown graphic pictures of the injuries suffered by murder victim Josette Scicluna, who was stabbed 47 times in her apartment in San Gwann in May 2004.

The pictures, taken during the autopsy, were shown during the second day of the trial by jury of David Schembri, who is denying murder.

As the pictures started to be quickly flashed on the court projector, the only female member of the jury asked to leave the trial. Mr Justice Joseph Galea Debono accepted her request, declaring she had a valid reason. She was replaced by a male substitute juror.

Court expert Mario Scerri said Ms Scicluna had suffered extreme trauma in the moments before she had died.

He detailed the extent of her wounds - in her head, chest and private parts, and said they were sustained while she was in a corner next to a fridge, unable to move There was extensive blood loss, with blood splattered over much of the kitchen.

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http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20090120/local/you-can-call-the-police-now