(File photo/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Murder trial

“I couldn’t count how many impacts there were”: expert testifies at prison death trial

Jan 31, 2020 | 1:27 PM

The forensic pathologist who performed the autopsy on Chris Van Camp’s body, told the court Friday morning, the 37-year-old died from excessive blood loss.

Tyler Vandewater, 31, was charged with second degree murder, following the death of his cell mate at Saskatchewan Penitentiary on June 7, 2017.

Dozens of graphic autopsy photographs were shown to the court on the fifth day of proceedings. Dr. Shaun Ladham explained Van Camp suffered over 30 stab wounds to his head, neck and back areas, of various depths and lengths. There were also over 25 wounds to Van Camp’s forehead and face.

“I couldn’t count how many impacts there were,” Ladham explained.

Among the more serious injuries to Van Camp’s face were fractures around his nose and cheek area. Crown Prosecutor Linh Le asked Ladham how long it was before Van Camp died.

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“Due to the extent of injuries, I would not expect for him to live long,” Ladham replied, later explaining there was no blood left in Van Camp’s heart at the time of the autopsy, and Van Camp’s right lung had totally collapsed.

Despite the significant number of stab wounds, Ladham also explained there were, in his opinion, no signs any “significant force” was used, adding many of the cuts were in the soft tissue.

During testimony earlier this week, it was revealed Van Camp had initially been found lying on the bottom bunk, in a pool of blood. Ladham said he could not comment if Van Camp was conscious at the time of his death, adding different people respond to physical altercations in different ways.

“Can I say he was kicked in the head? No I can’t,” Ladham stated.

The defence, which is expected to present its evidence Friday afternoon, plans to argue this was a case of self-defence. In her questioning to Dr. Ladham, crown counsel asked Ladham if any of the injuries on Van Camp’s body were suggestive of any defensive or offensive injuries.

“There was nothing to suggest that,” Dr. Ladham replied.

During cross examination, lawyer Brian Pfefferle prodded further into those injuries and asked Dr. Ladham if it was possible for the victim to have been holding a weapon, but for the marks from the grip not show up in the autopsy.

“No I wouldn’t see that,” Ladham replied.

Pfefferle also questioned Ladham about the types of injuries on Van Camp’s body and the varying types of angles, a suggestion some sort of struggle may have occurred. Ladham agreed that was possible, but he could not be certain..

Several items with Van Camp’s blood on it, have been admitted as evidence including a metal spike, a handle, a pen, and a metal shank. Ladham was unable to say which weapon was responsible for the different injuries.

During the testimony Friday morning, Van Camp’s mother sat less than two feet away from the accused, and was observed crying as the various autopsy photos were shown. All the while, Vandewater watched the display screen intently, never looking down.

The Crown has now wrapped up its case, and the defence is expected to call its first witness this afternoon, the accused.

nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On twitter: @nigelmaxwell