Dead mum-of-three 'had 30 injuries'
Brian Hossack • Published 13 Feb 2010 14:00
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DEATH SCENE: Wellington Street.
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A HIGH Court murder trial yesterday heard how Greenock nurse Elizabeth Ann Duncan was killed by 'compression to her neck'.
Glasgow University consultant pathologist Marjorie Black, 47, told the trial in Greenock how bruising consistent with 'throttling or strangulation' was found on the auxiliary nurse's neck during a post-mortem examination.
Former shipyard worker John Miller, 46, is charged with killing Ms Duncan, his fiancee at the time, by compressing her neck with his hands, restricting her breathing and murdering her in his flat in Wellington Street.
Doctor Black told the trial she found 30 separate external injuries on the mum-of-three's body, with bruising to her head, neck, body, arms and hands.
The court also heard burst blood vessels, usually caused as a result of strangulation, were found on her face and eyelids.
A number of internal injuries were also discovered during the examination, including bruising to the top, side and back of the inside of Ms Duncan's skull and internal bleeding below the vocal chords.
When asked how these injuries would have been caused, Doctor Black said: "Multiple blows such as her head being hit off a hard surface with a separate impact for every bruise."
The trial also heard bruising found on the nurse's arms was consistent with someone trying to defend themselves from an attacker.
Advocate depute Alison Di Rollo asked the medic: "Can you tell the court what was the cause of death," to which Doctor Black replied: "Compression to the neck."
When the advocate depute asked if the injuries were consistent with death through 'repeated or forceful gripping' Dr Black answered: "Yes."
Miller, represented by solicitor Aidan Gallagher and QC Gordon Jackson, is charged with murdering Elizabeth Ann Duncan on 28 May and assaulting her between 1 January and 26 May last year.
Miller also appears on two breach of the peace charges spanning 1 November 2008 and 28 May.
He maintains not guilty pleas to all four charges. The trial, in Greenock before Lord Matthews, continues
This article appeared in Greenock Telegraph 13 Feb 10
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