Overview
- Dr Yvonne McCartney testified that Daena Walsh sustained 51 injuries, including 11 stab wounds and 14 incised wounds to the face, neck, chest and abdomen.
- One stab wound pierced the sternum and the pericardium and was described as capable of causing death on its own with moderate to strong force.
- A large, gaping injury to the left arm showed no associated haemorrhage and may have been inflicted after death, though heat damage prevents a firm conclusion.
- Toxicology indicated therapeutic levels of prescribed anti-anxiety and anti-psychotic medications, a very low level of metabolised cocaine, and a blood alcohol level below the drink-driving limit.
- Adam Corcoran, 31, has pleaded not guilty to murder and arson, and while the defence suggested some wounds could be self-inflicted, the pathologist disagreed on the balance of probabilities.